Add-on or in-dash GPS

For the directionally challenged, there is help. No longer do you have to listen to your companion belittle your abilities as a navigator or swallow your pride by admitting that you're lost. Today's in-car navigation devices are just the thing to keep you on track during your travels, and they're ready for prime time. In this guide, we discuss the technology behind GPS and tell you what to look for when you're ready to make the purchase.

Once you've decided it's time for an in-car navigator, your next decision is which type of system is best for you--an in-dash unit or a portable add-on model? Each has benefits and drawbacks.

Types: Factory option | Professional install | Portable units | Handhelds, cell phones, and add-ons

Factory option

Many of today's new cars offer in-dash GPS as an option, and some offer it as standard equipment. The earliest models were CD-ROM based and required multiple discs to cover the entire United States. Nowadays, any in-dash system worth its salt is DVD-ROM based, so maps for the entire country will usually fit on a single disc, two at the most. In-dash systems are usually more expensive than their portable counterparts, but they usually feature larger screens and integrate better with other vehicle electronics.

BMW and Acura were among the first to offer GPS navigation systems in select vehicles nearly 10 years ago, and now this technology is available on hundreds of models worldwide. BMW continues to offer on-board navigation with voice recognition and voice guidance on most of their new vehicles, with prices ranging from $1,800 and higher. Several car manufacturers have taken it a step further by taking real-time traffic and weather satellite updates and overlaying them on navigation maps, flagging trouble spots and providing constant updates of road closures, accidents, and delays.

Professional install

Even if you don't order your new car with a GPS option, after market in-dash models are available, but they usually require professional installation and can be just as expensive as the factory models. The Eclipse AVN-6620 goes for about $1,200, but this is a multifeatured system that not only has a 7-inch touch screen, but it also plays DVD movies, audio CDs, and has an AM/FM tuner.

The beauty of an in-dash system is how it integrates with the rest of your car's interior. There are no wires or 12-volt power adapters to contend with; no beanbag, suction cup, or adhesive mounts cluttering up the dashboard. Installation is clean and professional looking. However, they are still susceptible to theft, regardless of how well they are installed, and you can't take them with you to use in other vehicles.

Portable units

Portable automotive GPS may not look as sharp as some of the pricier in-dash models, but they allow you to easily move them from car to car. High-end models such as the Garmin Nuvi 750 and the Magellan Maestro 4250 provide nationwide coverage (and sometimes more) with maps stored on a hard drive, offer an easy-to-use interface, and are ready to use right out of the box with no need to download or unlock maps. Both models feature bright, colorful touch-screen displays and are easy to install and remove using a suction cup mounting mechanism. Plus, they provide text-to-speech voice-guided driving directions.

There are smaller and less-expensive models, such as the Garmin Nuvi 200 and, Magellan RoadMate 1200 that are icon driven and very easy to use. To find a destination, simply touch an onscreen button (for example, "Where to?"), select an icon, such as fuel, lodging, restaurants, or another point of interest category, and press Go to receive directions.

These systems are generally half the price of their more advanced, feature-rich siblings, but there are trade-offs. For example, the screen size may be smaller and you'll lose some of the more advanced features like integrated Bluetooth for hands-free calling or text-to-speech functionality. Still, these systems are an affordable way to bring accurate GPS navigation with voice-prompted driving directions to any number of vehicles.

Handhelds, cell phones, and add-ons

If you don't want to spring for a dedicated GPS system for your car, there are other options. The Garmin Nuvi series started a trend toward pocket-sized navigation devices. The entire series offers many of the features that you'll find in most of today's in-car navigators, including voice prompted turn-by-turn directions, detailed street maps, and an extensive points of interest database. However, they can also be used as a pedestrian navigator and is particularly helpful when visiting new towns or cities. They have built-in MP3 players with audio book support, a JPEG viewer, currency and measurement converters, and a calculator. You can even download European maps and a language guide if you'll be traveling abroad.

Another alternative that will be more useful in everyday life is a PDA with an integrated GPS receiver. Models, such as the Pharos Traveler GPS 525 and HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion, come with built-in antennas and mapping software, and also feature productivity and connectivity tools, so you can stay on track in your life and on the road. If you already happen to have a PDA, you can turn it into a powerful handheld GPS system using one of the many add-on adapters available, such as the Belkin Bluetooth GPS compact receiver, which utilizes Bluetooth technology to connect your PDA and GPS receiver without the need for wires. It comes with mapping software, a vehicle mounting cradle for your PDA, 12-volt adapters, and of course a 12-channel GPS receiver.

Finally, there's been an increasing trend to integrate GPS receivers into cell phones and smartphones. Some recent examples include the Samsung BlackJack II, RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130, and Nokia N95. With the addition of a location-based service or mapping software, you can get similar features of an in-car GPS, including voice-guided directions and points of interest, right on your phone. While the functionality is great, a handset's smaller screen size makes it less than ideal for in-car use. Still, if you're in a pinch, a GPS-equipped smartphone or cell phone could come in quite handy.

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