Auto GPS Systems – Compare Your Choice before You Buy

The auto gps systems use the satellites to help you find your way while you are traveling in the car. The first item you will find with these auto GPS systems is the touch screen interface monitor. The easy to understand voice prompts will help to reinforce the directions you see on your auto GPS monitor. In most of the auto GPS systems you will have a section of the city map displayed clearly.

auto gps units

The auto GPS systems will use the information about the city to show you the best (or shortest) routes to take. The advances in technology are helping to devise better ways to navigate through the city streets. You will find that these auto GPS systems will one day replace the need for bulky city and country maps altogether.

Choosing an Auto GPS

There are many factors to consider when choosing an auto GPS:

1. The receiver.

The receiver you want is the SiRF’s high performance. GPS receivers based on this chipset have routinely performed better than receivers based on other chipsets. All the models form the top manufactures utilize this receiver. There are auto GPS units from top manufactures without this chipset still in the market place.

2. The number of points of interest.

A general rule is the more expensive the GPS the more points of interest it will have. Points of Interests can also be added. The process varies by auto GPS.

3. Quality of the routes.

The routes are why we buy and use auto GPS’s. Even with the same receiver and maps the routes will vary between units because of the algorisms used the route will vary. Garmin is ranked by most as the best. Magellan is ranked a close seconded. TomTom is ranked third among the top the manufactures.

4. Price

Price is a factor because it affects the features you will be able to get.

Auto GPS Comparison Guide

When buying a GPS receiver, you need an auto GPS comparison guide. Also, the features they have and the prices they’re offered at change rapidly. Auto GPS receivers have really caught on lately. The best way to understand how to pick out the right auto GPS receiver is to do a quick auto GPS comparison. There are three main manufacturers of auto GPS receivers, Garmin, Tom Tom, and Magellan. Garmin is the industry leader.

All auto GPS devices can do the following:

• Show you were you are on an electronic map
• Tell you where to turn to get to where you want to go
• Interface with you via a touch screen
• Tell you where certain things are like gas stations, restaurants, and other Points of Interest (POIs)
• Include maps of the lower 48 US states
• Calculate the shortest or fastest route

But if you had more money you can get:

• More extensive maps, including Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and Europe
• Bigger screen
• Bluetooth technology integrated in the system, for hands-free calling
• Real-time traffic and weather
• FM transmission, so you can hear your device through your car’s own stereo sound system
• Much larger and more extensive POI database
• Multiple route calculation, so you can enter more than one destination in at one time

Before you buy an auto GPS device, you might want to think about some of these cool upgraded features. For not too much more money, your GPS receiver can do a whole lot more. These upgrades are worth looking into. You can get a lot of this stuff for under $350! That might be money well spent, because you’re going to be happier with your choice and want to keep it for a longer time–before you trade it in for a more powerful model.

See also the other guide on Handheld GPS and Bluetooth GPS.