Automotive GPS Navigation Devices

Tek Guides for Auto GPS Navigators

Automotive GPS Navigator Buyers Guide

Because there are lots of differing reasons for people to purchase GPS navigator for their car, there is a matching wide variety of features and functionalities available. Our guide provides a comprehensive overview of what you need to know.

A Brief Global Positioning System (GPS) Technology Overview

Global Positioning System (GPS) Satellite

NAVSTAR GPS (Navigation Signal Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System) commonly referred to as the Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed by the United States Department of Defense. GPS uses satellites and ground equipment to determine position anywhere on Earth. At least 24 satellites are operational at all times. Unlike paying an Internet Service Provider [...]

Traffic Message Channel (TMC) Traffic and Travel Information for GPS Navigators

garmin nuvi 2x5 series featuring Traffic Message Channel (TMC)

Traffic Message Channel (TMC) is an extra paid service which delivers information about traffic conditions to suitably equipped GPS navigators including heavy traffic, delays, accidents, road works, black spots and speed cameras. When integrated into route calculations traffic information gives a driver options for alternative routes to avoid delays saving time and fuel. Many traffic [...]

MSN Direct Traffic and GPS Location Based Services

MSN Direct will bring location based services information direct to your GPS unit. It’s available in 100 of the largest cities across the United states (check MSN Traffic service coverage). Traffic reports and other information is sent to your GPS navigator through an FM signal. An MSN Direct Receiver can come built into your GPS [...]

Recent Auto GPS Reviews

Magellan 9020T-LM GPS Satellite Navigator Review

Magellan RoadMate 9020T-LM GPS Navigator

The Magellan RoadMate 9020T-LM shares the largest screen size of Magellan automotive GPS navigation devices. This model comes with both lifetime traffic and map updates ensuring route calculations will be based on the latest maps and traffic reports are available for planning detours when necessary. Noteworthy features are; spoken street names, multi-destination routing, highway lane [...]

Magellan RoadMate 5145T-LM Review

Magellan RoadMate 5145T-LM GPS Navigator

Magellan’s RoadMate 5145T-LM has a 5 inch color touch screen display which is the largest in the Magellan range of automotive turn-by-turn GPS satellite navigators. The RoadMate has wide range of features including spoken street names, maps covering US, Canada and Puerto Rico, highway lane assist, 6 million POI, AAA Tourbook, Find-your-car and multi-destination routing. As well as getting a much larger than average display, the display has good color reproduction, contrast and is a transmissive LCD for easier viewing sunlight – unlike media tablet and smart phone displays one would use with a navigation app. The free map upgrades are a valuable inclusions as up to 10 percent of roads can change in a year increasing the chance of erroneous route calculations unless maps are updated regularly. The time savings from avoiding traffic congestion can be a prime reason for using a GPS device if one does a regular commute – so free traffic reports are a very useful inclusion.

Magellan RoadMate 9055 and 9055-LM GPS Navigator Review

The Magellan RoadMate 9055 and 9055-LM have an exceptionally large 7 inch display is 50% larger than the average 4.3 inch display and is ideal for large passenger cabins such as an RV or SUV. It’s a similar screen size to in-dash units and is able to display more information helping reduce the drivers eyes [...]

Motorola Motonav TN765t 5.1 inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Motorola Motonav TN765t model has an excellent range of features for its price. Not only does it have a good hardware platform but, a very usable navigation software suite into which Motorola has put considerable on usability. The navigation interface makes good use of the very large 5.1 inch widescreen display (358 x 854 pixels [...]

Motorola Motonav TN565t 4.3 inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Review

Motorola Motonav TN565t model is a well featured, favourably priced portable navigation device. Using the device reveals that Motorola have put considerable thought into usability. The navigation interface makes good use of the large 4.3 inch widescreen display (WQVGA, 480 x 270 pixels resolution). Other notable features are Bluetooth for hands-free mobile use, traffic warnings for avoiding delays, lane guidance, voice control, 2 GB(!) built-in memory, MicroSD memory card slot, 3D landmarks and spoken street names.

Motorola Motonav TN555 4.3 inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

Motorola Motonav TN555 impresses as an well featured, very reasonably priced portable navigation device. Motorola have obviously put considerable thought into usability during the design process. They had a good platform to work with in the large 4.3 inch widescreen display (WQVGA, 480 x 270 pixels resolution). Other notable features are Bluetooth for hands-free mobile use, lane guidance, voice control, 2 GB(!) built-in memory, MicroSD memory card slot, 3D landmarks and spoken street names.

Navman EZY Series | EZY30 and EZY40 Car GPS Review

Navman EZY40 and Navman EZY30 Car GPS Navigation Device

Navman’s EZY40 and Navman EZY30 are identical apart from the screen sizes which are 4.3 inches and 3.5 inches respectively. Features of these models include; Smart Route congestion avoidance, 3D Junction Views , Advanced Lane Guidance , 600,000 POI (searchable and categorized), Premium Safety Alerts, School Zone Warnings, Landmark Guidance and preloaded NAVTEQ maps.

Garmin nuvi 2200 3.5 inch Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin’s nuvi 2200 is and entry level GPS satellite navigation device with a 3.4 inch touch display and preloaded with maps of the US, Canada and Mexico. Other highlights are myTrends predictive routing and ecoRoute for fuel savings from optimized route calculations. Pedestrian navigation capabilities can be enhanced with the purchase of the optional cityXplorer maps for public transport information.

Garmin nuvi 2250 and 2250LT Portable GPS Satellite Navigation Devices Review

Garmin nuvi 2250LT GPS Navigation Device

Garmin’s nuvi 2250 and 2250LT model have a widescreen 3.4 inch touch display and are preloaded with maps of the US, Canada and Mexico. Other highlights are Lane Assist, myTrends predictive routing and ecoRoute for fuel savings from optimized route calculations. The Garmin nuvi 2300LT comes with Lifetime Traffic Updates for the nuvi 2250 to determine routes around traffic deleays.