Buying guide: Multifunction GPS Systems
By Leslie Poston
If you are like me, you are looking for more than just maps and directions from your GPS navigation system. I’ve had a directions-only Garmin model for a while now, and it was time for a GPS system that offered me more that just “make the next available u-turn” or “recalculating”.
Out of the many multifunction models of GPS systems that are out there now, a handful stood out from the crowd. I was impressed with some of the capabilities that new technology has brought to GPS devices. You may not need every thing that these GPS navigation systems can do, but you may find that you don’t know how you lived without some of the features also.
Garmin Nuvi 550 Multifunction GPS Device
First up is the coveted Garmin Nuvi 550 Multifunction GPS Device. Sure, it has the traditional Garmin pre-loaded maps, just like the one I currently use. The similarities stop there, however. This GPS device takes things to the next level for Garmin users.
It is built to be rugged and light, like the Garmin handheld devices, but it also mounts in your car and offer a nice large viewing area on the navigation screen to help you see where you are going while driving. The kicker is the ability to have it navigate according to what you are doing and where you are: automobile, boat, bike and walking.
This device even offers something for the off roaders, off piste skiers and radical trekkers. You can grab microSD cards preloaded with topographical maps and other offroad maps. The card lives in the waterproof battery area so you don’t have to worry about losing the unique data.
Garmin didn’t stop there with the Nuvi 550, though. You also get the functionality of a world clock, currency exchange conversion tool, calculator, measurement tools, and more. It even has a picture viewer, but by far the neatest feature for geeks on this device is its integration with Geocatching.com so that you can grab geocaching information on the fly.
Weighing in at a whopping $549 MSRP and still in pre-order phase, this is definitely more expensive than other Garmin models.
Knight Rider GPS Device
This device sounded good on paper, but turned out to be an overhyped gimmick aimed at aging geeks. However, it might make a good novelty gift for the child of the 80s in your life. Why? Because it is designed to look and sound like K.I.T.T., the car from the show Knight Rider starring David Hasslehoff.
That’s right, this is a totally run of the mill GPS device, standard in every way except for the design and voice giving you directions. There are some preloaded attractions like restaurants, but there is no connectivity to a network to keep them up to date.
Somehow they managed to land the same guy who did the voice of K.I.T.T. in the show, William Daniels. Between that and the flashing red light bars that move with the voice, whoever uses this should get the entire 80s experience.
Weighing in at $299 MSRP, at least this unit is priced within reach.
Multifunction GPS Bluetooth Mirror System
This is a serious multifunction GPS machine. It functions as a working rear view mirror. It runs on rechargeable batteries. It plays your MP3s. It navigates using turn by turn directions with voice prompts. It has a reverse sensor for backing up.
Even though that seems like a lot, it isn’t the full list of features. There is a slot for a microSD card. In addition to the MP3s it also plays videos in Windows Media Player and Quicktime formats. It shows JPG pictures as a photo album and lets you read ebooks.
It has a stylus to help you play the five games it comes stocked with and to help you use the menu system, though you probably shouldn’t break out the stylus while driving. The only thing this bad boy is missing is hands free calling integration and an On-Star subscription.
Weighing in at a very light $145 MSRP, the main cost of this unit will come in having your dealer or mechanic install it.
Navigon 2100 GPS with Street View and Free Lifetime Traffic
This little GPS is a full featured, slim package. One of the less clunky GPS models out there, it offers a thin, easy to store profile (unlike Garmin’s bulkier models). One nice feature of the Navigon 2100 GPS is the free lifetime traffic, a service that lets you know of any reported traffic incidents or traffic jams before you get stuck. This chance to reroute yourself before you lose valuable time depends on accidents and jams being reported, of course, but is still a time saver.
Another nice feature of the Navigon 2100 GPS is the addition of street names to the spoken turn by turn directions. This is a huge benefit, especially in a city like Boston where three streets at a time may fit the “veer right onto ramp” directions of the more vague models. Being told “make a left on the ramp then stay left onto Fenway” is much better than “make a left on the ramp then stay left” when there are two left turning streets off that ramp.
Some other features of the Navigon include a speed assistant to let you know when you are speeding, touchscreen interface (much simpler to use than a stylus or click wheel), your choice of reality view or overhead view, some pre-loaded points of interest (only valid if they stay in business, so I’m not sure how helpful this is), and a leather carrying case for stowing it away in parking garages and other situations.
Weighing in at $159.00 MSRP, this one may be the one on the list that offers you the most bang for your buck if you are shopping in the under $200 range.
DASH Express GPS Navigation System
Last but not least, the DASH Express GPS Navigation System is a new product that takes your GPS and makes it work on a variety of systems. Not only do you get access to the GPS satellite system, you also get connected to the internet via WiFi and get hooked into the cellular system. That means your GPS gives you accurate, real time data.
This GPS device also offers real time traffic, but it is enhanced. Other DASH users are connected to you via a network, so in addition to traffic reports, you get whatever real time traffic data they input as they drive. It means you know what is happening on the road at all times. The DASH will even suggest faster routes to you to save you time on your normal commute.
It connects you to the internet while you drive. This means that other GPS offer pre-loaded recommendations for businesses that may not even be open anymore, but the DASH gives you real data on everything from restaurants with reviews to gas stations with prices. It has opened its API to its users as well, so it also offers more ways to connect for information (there is even a Twitter application made for it, not that you should Twitter while you drive, but still…).
The DASH also “learns” your driving habits. If you travel to a place more than once it starts to remember your preferred route, meaning less work for you. It even offers up to 3 alternate routes so you always know the best, fastest, easiest way to get where you are going. With an address book feature you can even permanently store addresses you will need more than once.
Using a system based on Yahoo! Search and an online MyDASH interface you can fully customize the information the DASH shows you while traveling just by keeping a web page updated. There is also a day and night mode for the screen, up to the minute gas prices and other information constantly renewed by the internet connection, and it even has theft protection. If you device is stolen, simply go to your MyDASH page on line and disable it.
Weighing in at $299 MSRP with a monthly fee for the WiFi DASH Network, this GPS device offers serious bang for the buck.
Related:
July 25th, 2008
If you ever use the popular free LifeInPocket mobile phone app and services on your phone, you will realize it’s navigation is as powerful as those personal GPS while because it’s connected to internet, it integrate with Address book, Location IM, Traffic, etc. and everything is realtime.
I can provide you their site if you need or simply google “LifeInPocket”.