Top 10 Car GPS Navigation Systems

A GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver uses satellite information to pinpoint your exact location. A network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact location. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the unit's electronic map.

A GPS receiver must be locked on to the signal of at least three satellites to calculate a 2D position (latitude and longitude) and track movement. With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can determine the user's 3D position (latitude, longitude and altitude). Once the user's position has been determined, the GPS unit can calculate other information, such as speed, bearing, track, trip distance, distance to destination, sunrise and sunset time and more.

Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate, quick to lock onto satellites when first turned on and they maintain strong signals, even in dense foliage or urban settings with tall buildings. Most GPS receivers are accurate to within 15 meters.

The nüvi 350 offers extremely accurate position data, thanks to its very high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF and WAAS-enabled, 12-satellite reception. With detailed maps of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico ( UK version - detailed maps of all European Countries ) the nüvi 350 gives you automatic routing, turn-by-turn voice directions, and touchscreen control-- making it easy to find your way anywhere. The unique "text-to-speech" feature calls out turns by street name, and you can choose from the 2D or 3D perspectives when you're viewing your route on the display. The nüvi 350 is also compatible with Garmin's GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver, with a push of a button the nüvi 350 calculates a new route and users can avoid major traffic hold-ups.

The nüvi 350 also offers a built in Travel Kit (see demo) an MP3 player, an audio book player from Audible.com, a jpeg-format picture viewer, a world travel clock with time zones, a currency converter, a measurement converter, and a calculator.

Click links below for more info on the Garmin nuvi 350

US version - Garmin nuvi 350

UK & European version - Garmin nuvi 350

Accessories available for the Garmin nuvi 350

The Mio Digiwalker C520 Car GPS System is easy-to-use, affordable and stylish, with fast and accurate GPS reception, excellent mapping, and a large data base of POI (Points of Interest). Virtually ready to go out of the box, the Digiwalker 520 comes complete with full maps of the US (UK version 22 European Countries) so no additional purchases are necessary. All you have to do is power the navigator up, insert the SD card, clip it on to the car mount and off you go.

With a bright user friendly wide-screen display, making navigating very easy. The C520 incorporates a split-screen function that lets you see the full map view on one side and a selection of route information on the other. With a choice of 16 languages including English, French and Spanish, giving you turn-by-turn guidance so you can keep your eyes on the road while you drive. The Mio C520 also enables hands-free calling when used with a Bluetooth-enabled phone.

The Mio Digiwalker C520 has a generous 4.3-inch non-reflective LCD touch-screen display with full color and 480 x 272 resolution for easy at a glance information. This C520 comes with 64 MB on-board SDRAM, 1 GB of memory built in, and infinitely expandable memory via the built-in SD/MMC card slot. The high-sensitivity GPS receiver is a 20-channel SiRFstar III with complete accuracy and rapid refresh rate. The Mio C520 also includes a USB 2.0 connector, a built-in speaker, a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, and an internal rechargeable 1,300 mAh lithium-ion battery.

More info on the Mio DigiWalker C520

US version - Mio Digiwalker C520

UK & European version - Mio Digiwalker C520

Accessories available for the Mio Digiwalker C520

With a gorgeous widescreen display, the Garmin nuvi 660 GPS Personal Travel Assistant is your answer to the call of adventure. A sleek navigator and a keen travel assistant, the nüvi 660 is preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million points of interest (POIs), including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions, and the data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping.

The nüvi 660 features a colorful widescreen, hands-free calling, and an FM transmitter. View the nüvi 660 demo

A 4.3-inch display with a touch screen interface makes it easy to select destinations, play MP3s, and more.
This preloaded navigator brings all this fantastic map data to your fingertips with a super-bright, 4.3-inch widescreen display for improved map viewing, day or night. Use the touch screen interface to select destinations, look up POIs, and play your favorite MP3s and audio books. The display also helps you control hands-free calling, traffic alerts, and the FM transmitter, all from the screen of your personal travel assistant.

The nuvi 660, along with its counterparts, the nüvi 360 and nüvi 310, integrate Bluetooth wireless technology with a microphone and speaker that lets you make hands-free mobile phone calls. Simply dial the phone number with the nüvi's touch screen keypad to make a call on a compatible phone. To answer an incoming call, just tap the screen and speak into the built-in microphone. Making and taking calls on the road has never been easier, or safer. In addition, Garmin makes it a breeze to look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or even tap into your cell phone's call history log.

The device comes ready to go with automatic routing, 3D or 2D map perspective viewing, and turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names. It also supports configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle's position on the map. With this GPS system on board you'll be prepared to steer clear of traffic with the integrated FM TMC traffic receiver. The nuvi 660 is designed to receive alerts about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. All you have to do is simply touch the screen to view traffic details and you'll be ready to detour around any problem area. And if you end up missing a turn, or you're forced into a detour that is not relayed through the traffic receiver, the nüvi's sophisticated automatic routing will get you back on track in no time.

Instead of straining your ears to hear turn-by-turn directions or your favorite MP3s, you can enjoy wireless FM audio transmission via the nüvi 660's wireless FM transmitter. Tune your car's radio to the appropriate station and you'll hear all the nüvi's audio, including voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, and more, directly through your vehicle's stereo system. The nuvi 660 includes many "must-have" entertainment and travel tools, including digital music and audio book playback, JPEG picture viewer, currency converters, and more. All these great features make the nüvi 660 a complete Personal Travel Assistant.

Click links below for more info on the Garmin nuvi 660

US version - Garmin nuvi 660

UK & European version - Garmin nuvi 660

Accessories available for the Garmin nuvi 660

With a gorgeous widescreen display, the Garmin nüvi 650 GPS Personal Travel Assistant is your answer to the call of adventure. A sleek navigator and a keen travel assistant, the nüvi 650 is preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico ( UK version has detailed UK & European Mapping). This map database features nearly six million points of interest (POIs), including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions, and the data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Step up to the nüvi 650 if you want to take advantage of Bluetooth connectivity, an integrated traffic receiver, and an FM transmitter.

This preloaded navigator brings all this fantastic map data to your fingertips with a super-bright, 4.3-inch widescreen display for improved map viewing, day or night. Use the touch screen interface to select destinations, look up POIs, and play your favorite MP3s and audio books.

The device comes ready to go with automatic routing, 3D or 2D map perspective viewing, and turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names. It also supports configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle's position on the map. With this GPS system on board you'll be prepared to steer clear of traffic with an optional FM TMC traffic receiver. If you choose this add-on feature, The nüvi 650 will receive alerts about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route.

Click links below for more info on the Garmin nuvi 650

US version - Garmin nuvi 650

UK & European version - Garmin nuvi 650

Accessories available for the Garmin nuvi 650

TomTom 's ONE 3rd edition update to the world's bestselling portable navigation device features an updated chipset that provides better satellite lock and TomTom's new MapShare technology that lets you add your own map corrections and points of interest, then upload your corrections to and download other corrections from millions of other TomTom users via the TomTom HOME website.

A sleek design and a sharp display combine to make the TomTom ONE a vital companion on the road. The TomTom ONE 3rd edition comes pre-loaded with complete maps for the United States and Canada. (UK version comes installed with maps of Ireland and United Kingdom)

The user-friendly design also puts it a step above other navigation systems. The crystal-clear multicolor display makes for exceptionally easy viewing of maps, routes, driving directions, and other traveling information, such as mileage and distance. Measuring 3.5 inches, the TFT display offers a resolution of 320 x 240 to provide brilliant two- and three-dimensional graphics. The device also features 32 MB RAM and 380 MHz CPU, making it responsive and zippy. Using the USB port and the provided cable, you can use your PC to add your own points of interest.

With TomTom ONE you stay absolutely up-to-date with TomTom Map Share%u2122, which allows you to add map corrections that have been submitted by the community of TomTom users and verified by TomTom. You can also make corrections of your own, should you encounter a new change to the roads - and share such changes with other users. Also, the ONE comes with the "Help Me" button on the main menu which provides direct access to safety and road assistance information in case of emergency. There's even more! The ONE comes with fixed safety camera locations.

Click links below for more info on the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition

US version - TomTom ONE 3rd Edition

UK & European version - TomTom ONE 3rd Edition

Accessories available for the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition

Magellan Maestro 3100 Portable Auto GPS System delivers the best navigation experience at an entry-level price point. Pocket-sized, powerful, and re-engineered for easy use, its fresh graphics, intuitive interface, and friendly voice will guide you turn-by-turn as you enjoy the drive. If you don't like reading directions, you'll love the Magellan Maestro 3100. It's simple to use and ready to guide you to virtually any destination in the 48 continental United States. Just turn it on and go. Its thin, sophisticated design and attractive, intuitive touch-screen graphics make driving a pleasure. Enter an address or select from 750,000 preprogrammed points of interest (POIs) with just a few screen touches. SiRFstarIII gives you the fastest GPS position accuracy in the industry.

Sophisticated, simple navigation at a remarkable price! The most intuitive graphical touch-screen interface, thin stylish industrial design and hundreds of thousands of preprogrammed points of interest add pleasure to worry-free driving and navigation. Rechargeable battery - Navigate while driving without plugging the cigarette lighter adapter in SmartDetour - Customize the settings to automatically route you around sudden slow freeway traffic Auto Re-route - Never miss a turn and quickly get back on track whenever you take a detour Auto night view - Adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing QuickSpell - Easily enter addresses with unique auto-complete feature that even corrects spelling Complete mobility - Transfer to any vehicle with no installation 750 thousand points of interest (POI) - Easily find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, airports, parks and more with smart location search by name, category and region Interactive POI icons - Touch an onscreen icon for a nearby destination; see phone number and get an instant route Customizable route method - Shortest time, shortest distance, least use or most use of freeways, avoid toll roads Route exclusion - Select streets and freeways to avoid so you can get there on the streets, roads and highways that you prefer 4 helpful views - Map View, 3D map, TrueView 3D split screen and Maneuver List Address Book - Create and store personal points of interest for easy reoccurring trips Instant locate - One touch shows your location; quickly advise roadside assistance or emergency services.

Click links below for more info on the Magellan Maestro 3100

US version - Magellan Maestro 3100

UK & European version - Magellan Maestro 3100

Accessories available for the Magellan Maestro 3100

Simple navigation at an affordable price--that's nuvi 250. This entry-level Personal Travel Assistant comes with preloaded maps for North America, including all of the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. (UK version is pre-loaded with Western & Eastern European mapping). For added flexibility, choose nuvi 270 with preloaded maps for both continents or save more with nuvi 200 which offers less map coverage at a lower price. Like all nüvi 200-series members, the nuvi 250 features an easy-to-use colorful touchscreen and ultra-slim design--perfect for everyday navigation.

The nuvi 250 is built with a high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS receiver for extreme accuracy, as well as an SD card slot for storing your media and additional navigation tools, and a USB interface for loading data. All this is wrapped up in a package that measures 3.8 x 2.8 x .8 inches (W x H x D) and weighs just 5.2 ounces. The nüvi 250's 3.5-inch (diagonal) display is touchscreen-enabled, making it a cinch to control the device with your fingertips. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to five hours of battery life depending on use.

The nüvi 250 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. In addition, nuvi 250 accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.

Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 250 features many travel tools including 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 for our line of Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize nüvi for your travel needs.

Click links below for more info on the Garmin nuvi 250

US version - Garmin nuvi 250

US version - Widescreen Version - Garmin nuvi 250

UK & European version - Garmin nuvi 250

UK & European Widescreen version - Garmin nuvi 250

Accessories available for the Garmin nuvi 250

The TomTom GO 510 Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator improves upon TomTom's line of all-in-one portable navigation solutions that work straight out of the box. The 510 features a new cutting-edge design that includes a high-quality, extra-wide, four-inch LCD touch screen that offers the ultimate in readability and ease of use.

The TomTom GO 510 wide array of functions ranges from detailed maps of the U.S. and Canada--all pre-installed on a 1 GB SD card--to clear spoken turn-by-turn directions to a handy Bluetooth hands-free car kit that lets you make and receive cell phone calls simply by touching the screen. All this in a compact, lightweight body that measures a mere 4.2 by 3.1 by 2.5 inches (W x H x D)--the perfect size for moving from car to car, or even storing in a backpack.

Linguists can't help but admire the Go 510's versatility, as it not only speaks some 36 languages in more than 50 different voices. To determine a location, simply enter a street and house number, a postal code, a city center, or an intersection, and the TomTom GO 510 determines the quickest or shortest route to get you there. Should you want your trip to follow specific parameters--such as avoiding freeways or toll roads--the Go 510 follows along by recommending an alternative route. Users can even preview and test TomTom's proposed route before setting foot in the car.

Of course, not all trips go from point A to B, which is why the Go 510 allows you to plan an entire itinerary before leaving the house. Need to make 15 stops while driving to your sister's? No problem. And should you miss a turn or instruction, the TomTom instantly recalculates the route and provides all-new directions. Plus, it's possible to access millions of points of interest, including restaurants, parking garages, movie theaters, amusement parks, and more. If you're running low on gas on a long drive, don't fret, as the Go 510 can locate the nearest gas station in seconds.

510's unique touchscreen activation eliminates the hassle of dealing with extra buttons or unnecessary hardware when calculating a route. And thanks to the high-quality 4-inch LCD screen--which delivers crystal-clear 3-D graphics, a 480 x 272 pixel resolution, and 64,000 colors--you'll feel in control wherever you are. Users will also dig the screen's anti-glare coating, which ensures an optimal view at all times, even in direct sunlight.

The Bluetooth connection is another user favorite. Not only can you connect the Go 510 to your mobile phone or headset for hands-free calling, but you'll enjoy such features as echo cancellation and noise reduction to ensure topnotch communications. And answering calls couldn't be easier--just touch the screen when a call comes through. The external microphone, meanwhile, optimizes the quality of your voice, ensuring the people on the other end have no trouble understanding you.

As if that weren't enough, the TomTom GO 510 is also compatible with a wide range of TomTom Plus services and downloads (subscription required), including real-time traffic info and weather reports, access to a host of city and regional maps, downloadable audiobooks for long drives, thousands of extra points of interest, and much more.

Other features include a speeding alert that tells you when you're going too fast, an iPod connection for 3rd generation and later iPods (except the iPod shuffle), and a home dock that cradles your GO 510 while you download info from a PC or Mac. The device also carries a two-year warranty.

Click links below for more info on the TomTom GO 510

US version - TomTom GO 510

UK & European version - TomTom GO 510

Accessories available for the TomTom GO 510

Now you can go from North America to Europe without loading any more maps with the Garmin's transatlantic nuvi 370 Personal Travel Assistant. This pocket-sized personal travel assistant comes with built-in street maps for both continents, making traveling abroad as easy as getting off the plane. The nuvi 370 is loaded with convenience features such as a travel kit and hands-free calling, on top of which it provides you with even more maps and an integrated traffic receiver.

Despite being loaded with features, the nuvi 370 still allows you to navigate with ease. This unit comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded NavTeq City Navigator NT street maps for both North America and Europe, and includes a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel stops, ATMs and more. Simply touch the super-bright, sunlight-readable color screen to enter a destination, and the 370 takes you there with either 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. This navigator voice even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road, and can concentrate on your driving to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. In addition, the 370 accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras, and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs that require your special consideration such as speed zones and safety cameras.

Speaking of keeping you safe, the nuvi 370 lets you make hands-free calls so you can talk freely during your worry-free driving. By integrating Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker, you can pair your nüvi with any compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free while staying focused on the road. You no longer have to fumble with your phone's handset to answer a call or dial a number, just tap the 370's screen and you're instantly connected. And with 1-touch dialing for your POIs, you can quickly and conveniently call ahead to make reservations or get needed information.

You can also avoid tie-ups and steer clear of traffic with the nuvi 370's integrated FM TMC traffic receiver. This unit allows you to receive alerts about road construction and traffic problems that lie ahead on your route. Simply touch the nüvi's screen to view traffic details or change your route so you can detour around the problem area. All of which can be customized with configurable vehicle icons that let you choose individual car-shaped icons in a variety of colors that show your position on the map.

In additional to all this functionality, the nuvi 370 includes many must-have entertainment and travel tools such as an MP3 player, an audio book player (subscription to Audible.com required), and a JPEG picture viewer so you can take your favorite music and pictures with you wherever you go. This unit also features a world travel clock with time zones, a currency converter, a measurement converter, and a calculator so that wherever you travel it will be easy to know what you are getting and keep track of your costs. The MP3 player lets you browse music by artist, album, and/or song, while the optional audio books may be purchased from Audible.com which features over 70,000 hours of audio programs. What's more, the nuvi 370 allows further customization via optional software such as travel guide, savings programs and language translation on plug-and-play SD cards for all your travel needs.

The Garmin nüvi 370 comes with a built-in, high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, and lets you view and operate it via its bright, LCD TFT touch-screen display that measures 2.8 x 2.1 inches (W x H) and has a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels with 64,000 colors and a white backlight. As a whole, the nüvi 370 measures 3.87 x 2.91 x 0.87 inches (W x H x D), and weighs only 5.1 ounces for easy portability. This unit provides you with from four to eight hours of battery life (depending on use) via its rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and comes with Garmin Lock, which is an anti-theft feature to protect your investment. While you can add software via the SD card slot, the Garmin nuvi 370 also lets you interface via high-speed USB for loading data, though users should note that, like most USB mass storage devices, this unit is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.

Click links below for more info on the Garmin nuvi 370

US version - Garmin nuvi 370

UK & European version - Garmin nuvi 370

Accessories available for the Garmin nuvi 370

The Garmin nüvi 360 GPS Navigator and Personal Travel Assistant is a GPS navigator, personal translator, multi-media entertainer and tour guide all wrapped into one. In addition to all the advanced features of the Garmin nüvi 350 -- including automatic routing, turn-by-turn voice directions, an MP3 player and audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, and much more -- this pocket-sized personal travel assistant comes with hands-free Bluetooth wireless technology, making it the hands-down go-anywhere travel companion.

The nüvi 360 integrates wireless technology with a microphone and speaker that lets you make hands-free mobile phone calls using your compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone. Simply dial numbers with the nüvi's touch screen keypad to place a call, and to answer calls, just tap the screen and speak directly into its built-in microphone.

In addition, you can easily look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or from your phone's call history log. Don't know the phone number for your destination? Simply find and dial it from nüvi's database of more than six million points of interest -- including hotels, restaurants, stores, and attractions.

The nüvi 360 includes a high-sensitivity integrated GPS receiver that offers exceptional performance and reception. The unit's flip-up antenna includes an MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection. Preloaded software features maps of Europe or North America, and it includes automatic routing, 2D or 3D map perspective, turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names, and a fingertip touch screen interface -- making navigation as easy as it gets.

But navigation is just the beginning. Like the nüvi 350, the nüvi 360 also includes many entertainment and travel tools including an MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, travel alarm, and currency converters.

The nüvi 360 features a bright, 2.8 x 2.1-inch TFT display with white backlight for easy readability. At 3.87 x 2.91 x 0.87-inches (WxHxD) and just 5.1 ounces, the unit is small enough to be placed on the dashboard with the included suction mount, or into your pocket for easy transportability. The unit also features Garmin Lock -- an advanced anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific four-digit PIN or take the unit to a predetermined location. A built-in lithium ion battery will give you up to eight hours of power, and an included 12/24 volt adapter cable will let you run the navigator off your vehicle's power. An AC battery charger is also included.

A built-in Travel Kit that includes sample MP3s and audio books will get you started with entertainment, and with the unit's SD memory card expansion slot you can add optional software, such as language and travel guides. A USB port is also included for loading and updating data.

Click links below for more info on the Garmin nuvi 360

US version - Garmin nuvi 360

UK & European version - Garmin nuvi 360

Accessories available for the Garmin nuvi 360

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