GPS Navigation Systems Reviewed By CR |
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Anthony Fontanelle
September 3, 2007
Motorists today are treated to a lot of technologically advanced features which makes their daily driving duties a better experience. For those traveling to an unfamiliar place, navigational devices linked to the GPS is one valuable tool. There are a lot of aftermarket products like these and Consumer Reports recently reviewed navigational systems to see which gives the best value for consumers' money.
Consumer Reports recently reported that they have tested eighteen units of GS navigational devices from a total of eleven manufacturers. The devices were tested for their ease of use, guidance information, route options and portability according to a report from theautochannel.com. Of the eighteen units, fourteen devices were given 'Very Good' rating by Consumer Reports. Three of the devices were given 'Good' ratings. One rose above the rest and was given an 'Excellent' rating by Consumer Reports.
The best among the devices is the Garmin Nuvi 660 which costs about $700. This is the newest version of the Garmin Nuvi 350 which was the best rated GPS navigation device in Consumer Reports review last year. On the other end of the spectrum, the three lowest-rated devices include the Rand McNally GPS Navigator which costs about $350. Consumer Reports has the complete result of the reviews and the ratings of the eighteen GPS navigation systems on their October issue. A video of how Consumer Reports reviewed the devices can be found on Consumer Reports' site.
The review of the different devices found out that if one is looking for a good navigational system, he or she need not spend a more money compared to buying, say, an Acura Integra radiator. The Magellan Roadmate 2000 costs only about $250 and it received good ratings from Consumer Reports, enough for it to be classified as a CR Best Buy. This device is a basic navigational tool - it gives motorists basic information like the name of the streets. This is a good choice for consumers who just need to get from point A to an unknown point B without the fanfare of speaking machines which also could play music and connect to his or her mobile phone.
But for those who want more technologically advanced devices which offer additional features such as text to speech feature, Bluetooth connectivity, and doubles as an MP3 player, then they should expect to pay more.
Other features that technologically advanced navigational systems offer include real-time traffic reporting. This feature though may be available as a subscription feature meaning that a consumer will not only pay for the device but will also pay extra for the real-time traffic reporting service.
Jeff Bartlett, the deputy automotive editor of ConsumerReports.org, said that even with all the devices given 'Good' or better ratings, there are some devices which stands out among the rest. "While all the devices tested here earned at least a 'Good' rating, some are still better than others." Bartlett also said that the devices are not perfect. "Above all else, it is important consumers understand none of these devices are perfect, and that there's no substitute for local knowledge," Bartlett concluded.
Source: Amazines.com