GPS Navigation

Find the best GPS navigation systems

The most prevalent use of GPS is for navigation, whether by land or by sea. Automotive GPS systems are practically a dime a dozen these days, so it can be hard to pick out the correct system for your needs and budget. Currently, the best GPS navigation for cars are systems that offer hands-free interaction via voice recognition and audio directions. These systems allow drivers to keep their attention devoted to the road so that everyone remains safe.

GPS navigation systems are changing in leaps and bounds, with every generation offering new features to make traveling that much simpler and easier. So, what are some of the features that can be found in current GPS navigation systems?

Hot Features in GPS Navigation Systems

All GPS navigation systems come with a complete road map database for your home continent. These map databases are kept up to date, with monthly-fee service providers offering real-time updates on everything from construction to traffic jams. These systems also provide a calculated route of fastest arrival that factors in traffic and construction concerns to make sure you will always be taking the quickest route to your destination. More recent systems offer GPS navigation and radar detection that will point out known speed traps or fixed radar locations. They cannot detect mobile radar detectors (i.e., police in a patrol car), though, as that is illegal.

The best car GPS navigation systems have also begun to use 3-D imagery to better help drivers recognize the turns they need to make. This can be especially useful on major highways that have very convoluted on/off ramps.

The audio direction system present in all recently developed GPS systems has opened the door to interesting customization. You can now download different voices to read out directions to you. No longer are you stuck with a cold automated computer voice—you can have Mr. T. shout directions at you, or maybe you prefer the soothing tones of Betty White. There really is no end to the options here, so have some fun, but be careful not to pick a voice that will be too distracting or annoying, as voices cannot always be switched safely while driving alone.

Big Players in GPS Navigation

There are two big players on the GPS navigation scene:

• Mio GPS navigation systems. This company was founded in 2002, and its main headquarters is situated in Taiwan. It offers GPS systems for phones and computers, as well as portable navigation systems for car and boat use. Their equipment is available in every corner of the world, with map and information systems tailored to each continent. The company focuses exclusively on mobile GPS systems.
• Nextar GPS navigation systems. This company develops a variety of personal electronic devices. It started out developing mp3 and mp4 audio players, as well as digital photograph frames, and has recently jumped into the GPS navigation market. The company tag line is “Bold and New,” and it certainly strives to fulfill this by offering cutting-edge technology at affordable prices. In the GPS navigation department, Nextar offers 3.5" to 7" GPS units with various feature sets (e.g., TTS, Bluetooth, tracking, built-in rearview camera and radar detectors) and accompanying accessories.