Best Car GPS Review Must Read Before Buy

Why Do You Need a GPS Unit?

The real truth here is that if you don’t want to always be getting lost whilst you explore the great outdoors or want to get to you location fast they you are going to need a GPS Unit to stop you getting lost.
We find there is nothing worse that walking around with no idea where you are or which direction you should be going in to get back to your car to go home.  If you’re driving then really there is nothing worse than trying to get to your destination quickly and getting lost or stuck in the traffic because you are not up-to-date with the roads and what is happening on them.  For all these reasons, you need to get yourself a specific GPS Unit.

Can I Just Not Use My SmartPhone?

Smartphones are great at what they do and the honest answer is yes you can, however you really should not. Smartphones are brilliant especially with the new software that has been developed over the last few years and the improvements in mapping software such as Google Maps, however they have a couple of really annoying features that can cause you problems.  Firstly a good smartphone is expensive and delicate.  Have you ever dropped your smartphone?  They don’t tend to bounce to well and often the end of result of you dropping your smartphone is a cracked screen or worse still, an expensive replacement of  your phone.  Other problems with smartphones include:

• There are NOT waterproof and tend not to mix well with water.
• Most come with a touchscreen that does not work well with gloves and cold fingers
• Reception will usually  be good in a city, but not always in the countryside
• If you loose your smartphone, you also loose all your contacts.
• They can be expensive to run, especially out of the USA.

A Specific GPS Unit that has been designed for use in a specific situation does not have these problems.

What Should You look for in a GPS Device?

The Best GPS Device is the one the gets you from one location to the next in the quickest time, using the fastest route for the best price. There are typically Eight Key Areas that you need to look for when deciding what’s the best GPS for you.

Screen Size – No smaller than 5-Inches otherwise even with a simple interface you’ll be pressing buttons that you don’t mean to, missing important directions or not being able to read on-screen directions.   

Signal Lag – There is nothing worse than driving along whilst the GPS tries to work out where is going. Fast processor speeds ensure fast route Calculations and Re-calculations. 

Interface – Simpler equals better.  A simple interface means you can find the features you want to use quickly and easily.

Voice Command – In principle a great idea, however they’re not perfect meaning you often end up getting so annoyed with the choices that you end up pressing buttons anyway.

Bluetooth – is another great option that is better in principle than reality.  Honestly, the added price to you GPS Unit is not worth it as the performance is really not good enough with the technology today.

Real-Time Traffic is worth its weight in gold.  Real-Time Traffic will alert you to any major traffic areas within your route and can find an alternative route that takes you away from the traffic jam.

Device Mounts – Honestly the most basic the mounts are the easier they are to use and besides its really not worth spending more to get something fancier.  Yes you can get something fancier but what your really saying to the local car thief – Steal Me.

Extra Features such as 3D buildings, terrain images and landmarks are a great item to have as standard but really you don’t want to be paying extra for this service.

How We Chose The Best GPS Units?

Firstly we checked out the reviews from a few of the major outlets in the market such as CNET, PC Magazine, Consumer Reports and Car GPS Reviews.

Secondly we looked at hundreds of GPS review sites and users reviews.  After reading a few hundred you begin to understand which are the good models and which are the models you should be avoiding.

Thirdly we’ve bought a selection over the last few years.

Our three step process allow us to build a good picture of the GPS market and really understand what is the best GPS Models and what are the units that you should be avoiding.  With our research we have come to the conclusion that the mid range models that cost in the region of $150-$200 are the best as they have everything you need and for a price adequate.

The High-End GPS units start at around $300 and go upwards but in our experience really don’t add anything to the overall user experience and whilst some of the functions are nice to have, you really don’t need them.  In general we found the five inch screen work best for typing an address and the voice command was a little touch and go.

What’s the Best GPS Unit For Specific Situation That You Find Yourself In?

Best Car GPS – Garmin 2797 LMT (Click Here For Review)

Best Cheapest Car GPS  – Garmin 52LM (Click Here For Review)

Best Car GPS Unit Under $100 – TomTom Start 55M (Click Here For Review)

Best Car GPS Under $200 – Garmin 2757 (Click Here For Review)

Best Car GPS Under $300 – Garmin 2797 LMT (Click Here For Review)

Best Hand-Held GPS Unit – Garmin Etrex 20 (Click Here For Review)

Best Golf GPS Unit – Garmin Approach G8 (Click Here For Review)

Best GPS Training Watch – Nike+ Sports GPS Watch (Click Here For Review)

Best GPS Navigation Watch – Suunto Ambit 2S GPS Watch (Click Here For Review)

Best Golf GPS Watch – Garmin S6 Golf GPS Watch (Click Here For Review)

Best Truckers GPS Unit – Garmin Dezi 760 LMT (Click Here For Review)

Best Motorcycle GPS Unit – TomTom Rider (Click Here For Review)

Best In-Dash GPS Unit – Pioneer AVICZ150BH In-Dash Navigation AV (Click Here For Review)

Best RV’ers GPS – Garmin RV 760LMT (Click Here For Review)

Best Bicycle Computer – Garmin Edge 1000 (Click Here For Review)

 Source:http://www.needaplan.com/