To find the best car GPS, you must first define what you need and expect from the GPS.
There are many options available in car GPS units and manufacturers are adding additional options with each new model that is released.
Currently, here are some of the available options to consider:
· Text to speech (speaks street names)
· Wide screen
· Lane assist
· Land assist with junction view
· Bluetooth® wireless
· MP3 player
· Photo viewer
· FM lifetime traffic
· Preloaded map options
· MSN® Direct
and the list goes on and on.
First, define what options you need. The most important one is “text to speech”. I highly recommend that you pay the additional amount to purchase a GPS that speaks street names. If the GPS tells you “turn right in 400 feet” but does not tell you the street name on which to turn, and there are two possible turns close together, you will have to look on the display for your street name. Taking your eyes off the road for only a few seconds is very dangerous. Don’t take the chance of rear ending the car in front of you or hitting someone.
Consider the other options. If you live in a metro area where you have to contend with daily traffic problems, then consider the FM lifetime traffic option. If you want to use the GPS with other Bluetooth® capable devices, then consider that option.
Once you have defined your selection criteria, you are ready to start your search for the best car GPS that will satisfy your requirements.
The best place to search for your best car GPS is on Amazon. Most people think of Amazon as a store. It is that, but it also has very powerful search and sort functions that let you find the best car GPS with only a few clicks.
On Amazon, GPS units are listed in the Electronics Department so begin by selecting “Electronics” in the left drop down search box. Then enter “gps” in the right search input box and click the orange “Go” button to the right of the search boxes.
When the page loads, you will see a rectangle across the top of the search results. Look in the rectangle for “See Most Popular in:” with a list of GPS types listed across the page. Click the “Vehicle” link in this list.
This will display all vehicle GPS sorted in bestselling order. The search results will fill several pages so you can browse through these search results pages to find the best car GPS that meets your requirements in your price range.
By: John V. W. Howe
Posts Tagged ‘Traffic Problems’
Best Car GPS – How to Find It
October 6th, 2009GPS Auto Navigation System Safety
October 2nd, 2009
If you have installed a GPS auto navigation system in your car, then you should follow a few simple rules when driving in order to maximize your safety on the road. It doesn’t matter whether you are a long distance driver using the GPS auto navigation system
to plan the most efficient route possible, or just using your satellite navigation system to find a route around the traffic problems in your home town, the rules for using GPS systems safely are the same.
The first thing to check before you set off on your journey is to make sure that the GPS receiver is firmly mounted. If you have a windshield mounted receiver that uses a suction cup to hold it in place, make sure that it is firmly attached, while if your GPS receiver is mounted on the dash, check it to ensure that it is not going to fall off.
There is nothing worse than the unit falling off its mounting while you are driving, and this is a very dangerous thing to happen, especially if you start to reach around and try to reattach it while you are driving. If your system is removable, you should take it out of the car whenever you leave it parked in order to remove any temptation for thieves who might otherwise try and steal it off you.
Once you have started on your journey, and set the SatNav system up to plan your route, you should not touch it again. The SatNav should be there to assist you, not to distract you. Ideally, it will give you information about directions through the car’s audio system, and you will not need to look at the screen too often when you are driving, as this means that your attention will be diverted away from where it should be – the road.
It is important to remember that the advice given by a GPS auto navigation system is not infallible, and it is not a substitute for common sense. If you feel that you are being misdirected, and the route that you are following is wrong, do not be afraid of ignoring the advice and following an alternative route.
When used properly, and safely, an GPS auto navigation system
can provide you with all the information that you need in order to get to your destinations quickly and easily, with a minimum of fuss, and managing to avoid any traffic problems.
By behaving sensibly with your GPS auto navigation system – making sure it is well fitted, leaving it alone when you are driving, and paying attention when you need to – you will have a safer, quicker and more enjoyable journey than ever before, and never need get lost again.
By: Jason Miller
