There’s no doubt that portable car navigation is one of the most groundbreaking devices that has emerged on the market in recent years. Some of the benefits of utilizing the system include:
1. Getting lost is out of the question, as it gives you specific instruction, and it’s definitely easier to use than a paper map.
2. It offers the latest traffic updates so that you can plan your route ahead of time, this service is only available in certain countries.
3. It is easier to determine your location (in case of an emergency).
But how do you choose the best portable car navigation system? Here is a rundown of the things that you should consider prior to purchasing one.
1. Determine how much you are willing to spend on a portable car navigation system. When you consider the price of the device, keep in mind that portable car navigation is much cheaper than a built-in GPS. You have to set your budget so that you can narrow down the choices.
2. Consider your typical driving situation. A portable car navigation device is most useful for people who commonly encounter traffic as well as people who need to drive in unfamiliar locations. Portable navigation systems are the best way to avoid heavy traffic, road construction and accidents.
3. Determine the kind of features that you want in a portable car navigation system. These may include a GCC map in comprehensive detail, a variety of location searching applications, such as Google. Bluetooth capabilities, touch screen, voice guidance, etc. Knowing the features you want will allow you to make the best choice and purchase the device that is most suited to your navigating needs.
4. Browse/Research and visit as many retail stores that offer portable car navigation devices as you can. There are hundreds of choices on the market, and you will need to narrow down your choices by identifying the price range, the most dependable brands, and the features that will fit your criteria and your budget.
5. Make sure that it has adequate reserve power capacity. All portable car navigation devices come with rechargeable batteries. Having a portable car navigation system with awesome features but unreliable reserve power capacity is useless. A battery allows you to “search” your destination and plot a route before even entering your car. The built-in battery on the navigation device should run at least 4 hours on a charge.
6. Choose one that has text-to-speech capability. Text-to-speech on navigation systems takes voice guidance to the next level. Instead of simply instructing you to “Turn Right,” this feature actually states the specific street or exit you need to use.
7. Consider the size of the device. Although the current trend is, “The more portable, the better,” you have to make sure that you can view the map and text on the navigation device easily. The sizes of portable navigation devices range from 8.9- to 17.8-cm screens, and your choice depends on your preferences.