If you frequently drive in unfamiliar territory or simply hate straining to see street signs, then a navigation system might be a worthwhile investment.
Navigation devices, not to long ago called global positioning satellite (GPS) navigation systems allow a laymen to enter an address and get turn-by-turn directions to your destination. The amazing part is that the directions are provided both visually and audibly.
Now with that said many people as if it’s better to get a GPS navigation device pre-installed in a new vehicle directly integrated into the dashboard, or to buy one a portable navigation devices that do virtually everything the built-in ones do, at a lower price.
The problem with pre-installed GPS navigation car navigation systems are outdated as soon they are installed, longevity is actually a downside. Portable devices don’t have this problem because they only take about a year to go from concept to production. Owners with built-in nav units are stuck with the same one for the life of their vehicle, whereas people who buy portable GPS navigator can upgrade to newer models as soon as they come out.
The design timeline for cars is close to four years. The GPS navigator installed may use the latest and greatest technology, but it was the latest and greatest four years ago.
Nearly 14 million portable GPS navigation systems were sold in 2006, compared to about 4 million in-dash units. The overwhelming popularity of portable navigation devices is due primarily to the fact that they’re significantly less expensive than the integrated pre-installed kinds.
The GPS systems that car manufacturers install at the factory typically start at around $1,500 to $2,000 and increasingly come bundled with other expensive options like back-up cameras and radar-based cruise control that can send prices skyrocketing.
By comparison, portable navigation devices have dropped 25 to 30 percent in price over the last two years, from the thousands of dollars into the hundreds. Some basic gadgets cost less than $300. New portable GPS navigators are much cooler to look at and the user interface is really good, easier to use and have in general brighter displays and some more expensive units have other features like being able to play music.
But portable GPS devices are not perfect. Satellite signal may prevent them from functioning continuously due to tunnels and concrete canyons of New York City. More costly systems that auto manufacturers install at the factory may have an advantage as they incorporate sensors in the car’s steering system, throttle, and wheels, the more sophisticated in-dash versions can project the path of the vehicle on the route map, even when the satellite signal that serves as the guide for all navigation systems gets interrupted. But even they are not completely foolproof.
In-dash navigation systems that integrate with a vehicle’s built-in controls are getting more popular and even come as standard equipment on some high-end models. These systems are more expensive partly because their components are built to last the life of the car, or about 15 years. That’s five times the projected three-year lifespan for portable devices.
But with cutting-edge technology like GPS navigation, longevity is actually a downside, owners with built-in nav units are stuck with the same one for the life of the car, whereas those who buy portable ones can upgrade to new models whenever they want.
The most popular and versatile handheld GPS system currently on the market today is the Garmin Nuvi 350 portable navigation device. This sleek, portable Nuvi 350 is a GPS navigator, traveler’s reference and digital entertainment system, all in one.
It’s a pocket-sized personal travel assistant ready for adventure. Like the rest of the Nuvi 300-series, you’re just a few screen taps away from anywhere.
Navigation is just the beginning. Nuvi 350 includes many “must have” entertainment and travel tools including MP3 player, audio book player (subscription to Audible.com required), JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. It also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map. Optional plug-in SD cards let you add additional features to enhance your travel experience including language translation and detailed travel guides.
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