GPS Providers

What is the best GPS provider?

Asking which of the GPS providers is best is a lot like asking which is the best paint color: there is no universal answer. There are so many different components to factor in, all based on your own needs and likes, that ultimately, only you can decide which the best provider or unit for you will be. Fortunately, there is a lot of information available on the Internet to help you decide what will work best for you, and while there is no GPS provider that rules the roost, there are a few that stand out above the rest.

Cobra GPS

Cobra Electronics Corporation is a leading designer of mobile communications products in the United States, Canada, Europe and around the world. Their product lines include an array of handheld Cobra GPS units for land and sea, as well as cutting-edge Cobra GPS navigation software systems. They have received many awards for their vehicle and mobile electronics.

Garmin GPS

Garmin GPS products entered the market in 1989, and the company has grown to be a titan in the GPS market. This company is devoted exclusively to GPS products, with Garmin GPS units available for any type of use. They produce handheld models, GPS watches, auto and marine navigation systems—they even offer dog tracking systems. Garmin is perhaps the name most readily associated with anything GPS, and its products are always at the forefront of innovation.

Magellan GPS This company is best known for its Roadmate and Maestro car GPS navigation systems. Another notable mention is the outdoor handheld Magellan Triton GPS, which has received many great reviews. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MiTAC International Corporation and does not offer as extensive a selection of GPS models as some of the other big names do, but the few models it does offer are high quality.

Navman GPS

Navman is a GPS company based out of New Zealand. They specialize in Marine GPS models, offering the some of the best versions to be found in the market today. They have recently begun offering car GPS navigation systems at very affordable prices.

TomTom GPS

TomTom has devoted itself almost exclusively to automotive GPS navigation systems. They recently released the TomTom GPS iPhone software package that allows iPhone users to use their phones as a portable GPS navigation device. As far as car navigation software is concerned, you will be hard pressed to find a GPS provider that does it as well as TomTom GPS.

Belkin GPS

Belkin is an electronic device manufacturer that can be directly associated with the iPhone. They are the leaders when it comes to PC GPS devices and stand out in particular with their Bluetooth GPS receivers. If you are looking for the best laptop and pocket PC receivers on the market, Belkin GPS is it. By all accounts, these units are pricey but exceed expectations.