Why Buy A Navigational GPS Receiver?

Have you ever been in another city, and not known how to get to your destination? Maybe you just want to find an address in your own town, or the fastest way to get to Joe’s Pizza? A navigational GPS receiver can help you in any of these situations, and many more.

GPS navigation receivers are able to track your current position anywhere on the globe. They can tell you how fast you are going and how long it will take to reach your destination. Many GPS navigation receivers can even tell you where the traffic jams are, and re-route you accordingly to avoid the snarls.

Most automotive-based GPS receivers will provide turn by turn directions. The directions are usually voiced using a pleasing female voice. And many others will even provide a 3D image of where to turn on the GPS receiver’s screen reducing the chance of turning down the wrong street.

These GPS receivers can be particularly useful for planning long trips. They can aid in determining the best routes to take, whether you want the fastest route according to time, or the shortest distance, it’s your choice.

Most receivers will have millions of built in POIs, or points-of-interest. These points of interest can be as big as national parks, or as small as your local taco stand. They will allow you to search for the nearest Mexican restaurant, or the closest ATM. Not only will it tell you where it is, but guide you right to it!

In this site, you’ll find articles related to navigational GPS units, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side–by–side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which one is right for your needs.

At TopTenREVIEWS, We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™

What to Look for in Navigational GPS Units

Navigational GPS receivers can make you the king of the road, but only if they give you accurate information. Make sure that your GPS unit has the features and settings you need before buying.

Navigational GPS devices usually come with mounting hardware that allows you to attach it to your dashboard. Methods range from suction cups and adhesives all the way to bean bags. You should also consider screen size because you want it to be large enough to see from your dashboard. Most GPS devices now come with large, well-lit displays and have simple menus. You also want to pay attention to battery life and weight since these are significant factors relating to the kinds of recreation you enjoy.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate recreational GPS receivers:

Screen Size/Resolution
The navigational GPS units are usually kept on the dashboard of your car so you want the screen to be big enough to see easily from the driver’s seat.

Built-in Memory
The best GPS devices will have enough memory to hold many waypoints and Point of Interest records.

Battery Life
A good GPS receiver must be able to operate for long periods of time to accommodate any kind of trip.

Traffic Services
Many GPS units can also receive real-time updates about traffic, accidents and construction areas that may affect your travel.

 
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Navigation GPS Review

Never Get Lost Again

GPS units are useful anywhere you go, whether you are traveling by land, sea or air. You'll always know where you are and how to get where you're going with navigation GPS.

Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Garmin Nuvi 755T TomTom XXL 540 S Garmin Nuvi 550 Magellan Maestro 4350 Garmin Nuvi 265WT TomTom XL 340 S Magellan Roadmate 1700 Garmin Nuvi 1390T TomTom One 140 S Garmin Nuvi 1350T
Garmin Nuvi 755T TomTom XXL 540 S Garmin Nuvi 550 Magellan Maestro 4350 Garmin Nuvi 265WT TomTom XL 340 S Magellan Roadmate 1700 Garmin Nuvi 1390T TomTom One 140 S Garmin Nuvi 1350T
Reviewer Comments Read Review
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Lowest Price Buy Garmin Nuvi 755T 755T
$198.39
Buy TomTom XXL 540 S XXL 540 S
$162.89
Buy Garmin Nuvi 550 550
$238.45
Buy Magellan Maestro 4350 4350
$194.99
Buy Garmin Nuvi 265WT Nuvi 365WT
$171.98
Buy TomTom XL 340 S XL 340 S
$127.43
Buy Magellan Roadmate 1700 Roadmate 1700
$230.18
Buy Garmin Nuvi 1390T 1390T
$231.91
Buy TomTom One 140 S One 140S
$113.10
Buy Garmin Nuvi 1350T 1350T
$191.98
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good
Ratings
Features Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Expert Reviews Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
User Reviews Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
Features
Display Screen Size 4.3 in 5 in 3.5 in 4.3 in 4.3 in 4.3 in 7 in 4.3 in 3.5 in 4.3 in
Battery Life 5 hour(s) 3 Hour(s) 8 hour(s) 4 hour(s) 4 hour(s) 3 hour(s) 1 hour 4 hour(s) 3 hour(s) 4 hour(s)
MSN Direct Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark   Check Mark
Programmable Routes 10   10        
Traffic Services Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark
Voice Recognition Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark       
Bluetooth     Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark   
Color Display Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Lane Assist Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Media Player Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark    
Removable Memory Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Screen Resolution 480 x 272 480 x 272 320 x 240 480 x 272 480 x 272 480 x 272 480 x 640 480 x 272 320 x 240 480 x 272
Accuracy    3 - 5 m 3 - 5 m 5 m   3 - 5 m 3 - 5 m 3 - 5 m 3 - 5 m
Battery Type Lithium ion Lithium ion Lithium ion Lithium ion Lithium ion Lithium ion Lithium ion Lithium ion Lithium ion Lithium ion
GPS Depth 0.8 in 0.9 in 0.9 in 0.7 in 0.8 in 0.9 in 0.7 in 0.6 in 0.8 in 0.6 in
GPS Height 3 in 3.5 in 3.3 in 3.3 in 2.9 in 3.2 in 3.3 in 2.9 in 3.0 in 2.9 in
GPS Weight 6.5 oz 6.2 oz 7.6 oz 6.9 oz 5.2 oz 7.0 oz 10.5 oz 5.7 oz 6.8 oz 5.7 oz
GPS Width 4.8 in 5.3 in 4.2 in 4.9 in 3.9 in 4.7 in 5.2 in 4.8 in 3.6 in 4.8 in
Navigation Waypoints 1000 1000 1000   1000 1000 250 1000 1000 1000
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 year 1 Year 1 Year 1 year 1 Year 1 year
 
Reviewer Comments Read Review
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Read Review
Lowest Price Buy Garmin Nuvi 755T 755T
$198.39
Buy TomTom XXL 540 S XXL 540 S
$162.89
Buy Garmin Nuvi 550 550
$238.45
Buy Magellan Maestro 4350 4350
$194.99
Buy Garmin Nuvi 265WT Nuvi 365WT
$171.98
Buy TomTom XL 340 S XL 340 S
$127.43
Buy Magellan Roadmate 1700 Roadmate 1700
$230.18
Buy Garmin Nuvi 1390T 1390T
$231.91
Buy TomTom One 140 S One 140S
$113.10
Buy Garmin Nuvi 1350T 1350T
$191.98
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