Buy a gps navigation system device or buy an app for the iphone? That is the dilemma face many people today when thinking about navigation for their cars. There are several key factors that one has to think of when trying to make this choice:
Shopping for a gps system can be a difficult task because of all the options that one has to choose from. If you are in the market to buy a gps system and are looking to compare 3 good machines, we have the list for you. Garmin is the best brand of GPS system to [...]
The Garmin Nuvi 275T is a great little GPS system that has a sleek ultra thin design that fits in your pocket or purse very easily. It comes with a 3.5 Ince diagonal touch screen display with white backlight and is preloaded with City Navigator maps. You also get great features which include Bluetooth for [...]
Navigon have released their first app for the iPhone called the MobileNavigator that you can get right now from the Apple App Store. They app stores its maps on your phone so that you do not have to pay a monthly service fee. Its set to be priced at $99 but has an introductory fee of $69.
Why its good
Nice interface that is easy to understand
Many customization features
Quick access to addresses on your iPhone’s contact list
Fast rendering of maps on screen
Con’s
App takes about 30 seconds to launch, then more time to get a fix to the GPS signal
No text-to-speech
No traffic updates
Bottom Line – Who it is for
Based on the price of $99, this app is priced about the same as an entry level GPS navigation system portable device, however you get way more features than what you get on an entry level GPS. This app is great for people who currently use google maps on their iPhone and want an upgrade.
The TomTom ONE 130 is designed to be an easy to use GPS navigation system. The TomTom ONE 130 interface is so easy to use, switch it on and go right out of the box. Enter the address on the touchscreen and start driving anywhere in the United States or Canada. TomTom guides you door-to-door with turn-by-turn spoken instructions. And 3D graphics help guide you to your destination, worry free.
The TomTom ONE 130 is preloaded with millions of points of interest to enhance your traveling experience–easily find your favorite gas stations, hotels, restaurants, and more. TomTom has the most accurate maps, and with TomTom Map Share technology, you instantly can modify street names, street direction, points of interest, and more on your own device. And with the “Help Me!” menu, added safety features enable you to easily access local emergency providers, such as police, fire stations, and hospitals. The “Where am I?” feature pinpoints your exact location to give to emergency providers. Award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount folds flat against the device, making it easy to take it with you from car to car.
No activation, no monthly fees.
Why its good
Easy of use – This system is very easy to use.
Help Me! Emergency menu – Get easy access to emergency providers around your location.
Tomtom Home – Tomtom provides a very easy way to keep your gps system maps up to date
Text to Speech – The system announces the street names in a very nice natural voice.
Download fun voices – You can download voices like Mr T or Yoda for a more interesting ride
Easily transportable – Great form factor and design makes it fit in your pocket easily.
Price
Con’s
Short battery life
Bottom Line – Who it is for
This is a good gps system and one of the best systems that Tomtom have in the market. It is easy to use and has great features. Its a solid system and we would recommend this system to anyone. If you are looking for a great GPS system to use in the US or Canada then you cannot go wrong with the TomTom ONE 130. For more information you can look at a list here of the best gps systems to see other good systems.
The Garmin Nuvi 260W combines a great form factor and attractive price and comes complete with amazing features like directions in real street names so that you don’t have to take your eyes off the road and a wide screen that lets you see more of what’s around you as you drive. Garmin have mentioned that the Garmin Nuvi 260W gives consumers the most sought-after navigation features, while eliminating many of the premium add-ons. The result is a PND that simply gets you from point A to point B – reliably, efficiently, and with style. The optional SD cards slot lets you add additional features. High-sensitivity receiver RoHS version available Built-in memory – Internal solid state with SD Card slot Waypoints/favorites/locations – 500 Voice prompts Speaks street names 3D map view Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation) Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road) Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.)
When you buy the Garmin Nuvi 260W you get Garmin reliability, fast satellite locks of high-sensitivity integrated receivers, slim, pocket-sized navigators with a gorgeous displays. Along with detailed NAVTEQ maps that lets you search by name for more than 6 million points of interest like stores, restaurants or hospitals, and an easy, intuitive interface.
Why its good
Easy of use – This system is very easy to use.
Widescreen – See more of what is around you.
Good Routing Engine – The system calculates the best routes for you. The engine used in Garmins are better than the ones in tomtom or magellan
Garmin WebUpdater – Garmin provides a very easy way to keep the gps system maps up to date
Text to Speech – The system announces the street names in a very nice natural voice.
Faster processor – For smoother map drawing and vehicle icon motion through turns
Easily transportable – Great form factor and design makes it fit in your pocket easily.
Price
Con’s
Slow satellite acquire time
Speaker is a little weak
Few number of voices that you can change to
Battery Life
Bottom Line
Overall, the Garmin Nuvi 260W is amazing and the larger screen size of 4.3 inches really helps those with fat fingers and those that don’t want to squint to read a map. Its a solid system and we would recommend this system to anyone. You can look at a list here of the best gps systems to see other good systems.
Tomtom are developing a GPS application that will provide turn by turn directions for your iPhone 3G and iPhone 3Gs. They have also created a cool looking car kit that offers you a great dock that is secure and charges your iPhone at the same time.
The TomTom GPS navigation application for iPhone will be available via the Apple iTunes App Store, following the release of Apple’s OS 3.0 operating system. Details regarding pricing and availability for both the application and the TomTom car kit for iPhone will be made available in advance of the products’ launch later this summer.
Did you just buy a new Mio and want to update the maps? You basically have two choices, hack it or follow the instructions below and have Mio send you a new map DVD.
Here are the instructions on how you can call Mio to send you a FREE DVD with the latest maps and software free of charge.
1. Call Mio – 1-866-646-4477. Choose the pre-sales support option.
2. Explain that you recently purchased a Mio gps and were disappointed to learn that the maps on your NEW gps were almost 3-years old (most units are shipping w/2006 maps). Tell them you didn’t think that was fair and ask them if something can be done.
3. The rep will ask for:
Your name
Your address
Your Mio Model and its serial number
Your phone number
The date and place of purchase
before explaining that they are requesting that you be sent 2008 maps and software at no charge(retail value $79.95 + $12.00 S&H) and give you a case number.
Warning: This is only for actual MIO buyers – Some callers are being asked to fax their original invoice showing date of purchase.
From Fatwallet.
If want to hack you Mio here are the instructions:
Hacking the Mio is very simple, you need two things
Follow the guide and you will have the BEST maps with 12 million POI’s.
MioPocket, which unlocks your Mio is not even necessary to do this. It would probably take less time and effort to do the map hack upgrade then call Mio and wait for the DVD.
Garmin recently announced the release of a new wide screen gps system that they are going to add their Nuvi series. The new Nuvi 1490T will have thinner design than current Nuvi’s and will features that include a wide 5″ screen, Bluetooth, free lifetime traffic alerts, speed limit notification and a pedestrian mode. The new system will be available in August.
Excerpt from Press Release:
“The nüvi 1490T is designed to give drivers a big picture of the route ahead, while offering every-day conveniences customers want and need to take the worry out of traveling,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “With its enhanced pedestrian navigation capabilities and ultra-thin design, it’s also a perfect companion for travelers in unfamiliar territory who want to explore the city on foot or with public transportation.”
For the ultimate in convenience, the nüvi 1490T also makes it easy for drivers to steer clear of traffic accidents, road closures and construction. An integrated traffic receiver comes standard with the nüvi 1490T and gives free, lifetime traffic alerts without a subscription fee. The free lifetime traffic alerts are from NAVTEQ Traffic and are available in select coverage areas. Lifetime traffic alerts extend for the useful life of the nüvi unit or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier.
To help drivers make their gas tanks go the extra mile, the nüvi 1490T comes standard with ecoRoute™ that suggests fuel-efficient navigation. In addition to “faster time” and “shorter distance” for route preference, ecoRoute lets nüvi users choose “less fuel” as the best way to save gas and money. Through ecoRoute’s Fuel Report and Mileage Report, drivers can focus on their fuel conservation and find fuel-saving tips along the way.
Mother’s day is around the corner and you should get Mum a great gift like a gps that will ensure that she get’s home safe and sound every day. Here are some good machines that you can get :
All of these machines are good machines and have very good ratings. GPS Posts: