Car GPS Navigation System (Garmin and TomTom)

I started using my iPhone4 as my car navigator it did help but with drawbacks. With a small screen its harder to read, especially under sunlight or at low light condition. It will turn off the map during call, annoying when you are at junction and you are in a call.

You can use Google Map on your phone but it has no auto rerouting functions and with no voice recognition, its a bit of a hassle. Yes, some paid GPS Navigation apps have voice prompted turn by turn directions but sometimes the sound is very low. Still it will turn of when I get a call.

My parents are facing the same problem, finding places to where they need to go. They also tried installing navigation application in their phone but facing the same problem as well.

I really need a proper Car Navigation System and I think its really important to have one. Other than the ease of getting from one places to another, its help to locate hospital or a police station in an unfamiliar location in case of an emergencies.

I decided it was enough and started looking for a Car Navigation System for my car.

There two major companies out there that really do produce the best Car Navigation System. TomTom and Garmin are top leading manufacturer of navigation systems.

1.Garmin name came from Gary Burrell and Dr. Min Kao Gar their founder . They have a wide range of GPS navigation systems ranging from aviation, marine and as well for consumer. With wide range of product and experience, they do come out with a solid product and well suited for its purpose.

2.TomTom is one of the Garmin major competitors in Car navigation System. TomTom is quite famous in Europe as the top GPS system manufacturer. Started with meter reading, barcode reading company then moved to palmtop software. They now currently focus on consumer GPS navigation and their first Car navigation System started in 2003.

There are other players in GPS system such as Magellan which not that famous and both stated company above are already producing the best Car Navigation System.

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

These are the basic thing to have in a Car GPS Navigation System.

1. The screen size is the major asset of a Car GPS Navigation System. Screen size can range around 4.3 to 7 inch diagonally. This is a major asset for a GPS car system, since more viewing real-estate for your eyes and helps with selecting menu on the touch screen. Also make sure stated in the technical specification like anti glare or readable in sunlight and low lighting condition.

2. Voice control can help you keep your eyes on the road and your hands to. Some Car GPS Navigation System allows connecting to your hand phone for hand free calling.

3. Bluetooth, capable to link your phone to make calls through your Car GPS Navigation System.

4. Extra function on the device, such as world travel clock, currency/measurement converters, calculator alarm clocks, contact and others. Some devices are capable as a media player like displaying pictures, playing songs or reading audio books from the device memory.

5. What type of memory it has external or internal, If it's external what type does it use? Size isn't that important size you won't be using it as external storage.

6. Map updates and coverage. Some newer place is not updated when you bought the device thus getting a lifetime free map update in your purchase is really helpful. This is true also for some area which not covered.

7. Traffic updates is another important thing to consider adding when purchasing a Car GPS Navigation System. This helps plan your route to avoid heavy traffic.

8. POI, short for Point of interest such as banks, hospitals, police stations, shopping complexes and others. This is very useful to as a reference point if you in a new area or exploring some new places in your town. Another reason to take the lifetime map and traffic updates on a purchase.

9. Extra information while driving. Indicating your current speed and the road speed limit and will give a warning when you are over it. Some Car GPS Navigation System can show junction picture as a good reference to assist before you arrive at a junctions. There are other useful function as well, to assist you while driving.

This device can help safe on fuel, time and money from proper route planning to a destination. With advance feature it also helps to consider the traffic and reroute you away from it. The device also will calculate the estimated time to a destination. Less carbon food print from car emission mean more environmental friendly. Do your part, have a proper travel planning.

Exploring exciting places around you that you never knew exist before or new area you just visit. Example, you can get review from the web for best Italian's restaurant and just key in the address in your device to get there. Or maybe, you can go to a shop that has a good deal on something you like. You can also bookmark location, so you can get back the direction in just one click. All this, gives freedom for you to explore without worrying getting lost.

Last but not least, during a case of emergencies. You will never know when you need to go to the nearest hospitals or police stations. Every minutes count during these times and having something that calmly give direction help a lot. On lesser note, maybe finding the nearest ATM or plan when you will be going need refuel stop as you can see fuel station POI along the travel routes.

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