Best
Portable GPS Navigation
Systems
More navigation and entertainment features |
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If you often travel to new places, have trouble reading maps, or simply hate to ask for directions, you might want to consider a portable GPS navigation system. Once you give it a destination, the system can plot out a route, deliver spoken directions, and display each turn as you drive, or in some cases, walk. Most units let you choose guidance options that include plotting the shortest, fastest, and even a toll-free route. An internal database also includes common points of interest such as gas stations, and ATMs, and the nav system can route you to the nearest one. You can even choose a nearby restaurant by the type of food.
Although
not always as easy to use as the in-dash systems available on many new
vehicles, portable
systems are catching up. Features like internal, rechargeable batteries
and pre-loaded North America map databases are now commonly included on
budget systems. More premium features such as real-time traffic reporting
are becoming available on more affordable units.
Portables
have the distinct advantage of being easy to move from car to car,
enabling a
family to share a unit or lend it to others. Their low weight and small
size are well suited to long-distance business travel and vacations by
plane (for use in a rental car when you arrive), or for walking and biking
tours (for use as a handheld device).
Units
have decreased in size since the first portables came on the market,
but that is
not always good. If a device is too small, it can be hard to read or
operate. We find that the 4 to 41/2
inch screens, measured diagonally, are a good compromise between
portability and usability. If you plan to use the device frequently, we
recommend a compact unit with a wide screen, giving a larger map view,
easier-to-read information, and bigger touch-screen buttons.
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| Top Brand |
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Garmin
nüvi 660 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
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This is the most
elegant AIO (all in one) GPS navigation solution I've come across to date.
IMO, it represents the best compromise between size and functionality on
the market today. Beyond this point, increasing the screen size enters the
diminishing return territory. The SiRFstarIII chipset, while no longer the
absolute best on the market, remains a reliable workhorse with rapid
satellite acquisition under even less than ideal conditions. The mapping
details are excellent though, as with all mapping programs, is not beyond
reproach. The 660 has the most recent highly detailed City Navigator NT
maps.
The voice prompts are loud, clear and timely. The ease of use is just
fantastic and the visibility and quality of the display are now the gold
standard in the industry with a 4.3" WQVGA LCD screen and 480 x 272
pixels. It uses the same low reflection screen as the 360. The Integrated
Bluetooth wireless technology with a mic and speaker lets you make
hands-free mobile phone calls.
POI access is excellent and can be navigated to much more simply than the
TomTom unit which requires additional cumbersome steps. The attachment
system for the Nuvi is superb and very secure. You can access your POIs
directly by name rather than having to go through a cumbersome category
menu and then only getting the POIs by proximity as is the case with the
TomTom 910. Garmin simply blows TomTom away in the POI functionality
department.
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Magellan
Maestro 4000 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
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Reliable |
| Low Price |
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Free Shipping |
| Easy to use |
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Feature Rich |
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If you don't need a lot of fancy features, just a
GPS unit to get you to your destination. This unit features a nice large
4.3 inch screen, and is extremely easy to program and use. It is very
accurate and a great buy. The voice instructions are clear and easy to
understand.
The menu structure is intuitive and simple to
navigate. It has been used around town and on a 400-mile journey and I
have yet to experience a hiccup, either in terms of the stability of the
unit's operation or in the directions I received. I especially liked the
ability look in advance at services available at exits along the way. In
addition, I find the unit to be useful at night when traveling in areas
that I am not real familiar with.
If you make a wrong turn or if there is unknown
road construction for example, it very quickly recalculates, I'd say
within 10 seconds. Another feature that is convenient is the capability to
input multiple destinations.
The Maestro 4000 includes built-in AAA TourBook®
guide travel information, giving you instant access to service details and
Diamond ratings from the world's leading travel expert. Quickly find AAA
approved lodgings and restaurants, AAA member roadside assistance details,
and discounts available.
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