Tiger GPS Official Automotive GPS Buying Guide

Tired of getting lost on vacation? No idea where to make the deliveries? Wish you had known there wouldn't be another rest stop for 300 miles?

All of these hazards, and more, can be avoided with a dedicated Automotive GPS Navigation system. Once used only by the military, civilian GPS has been widespread for the better part of the last decade. Precise location fixes and powerful trip computers are now standard with just about any GPS device. Manufacturers such as Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, and TomTom have expanded the capabilities of GPS from a simple readout of UTM coordinates to specific street-level directions for any address in North America. Automotive GPS models range from $300 on the low end to $1000 for top-of-the-line, fully functional complete navigation systems. So which one is right for you?

When picking a GPS, the most important question to ask is "What do I want to do with it?" Any automotive GPS unit that Tiger GPS carries will tell you where you are and where to go, without getting you lost. The first factor to consider, price-wise, is whether or not you need a pre-loaded system. Many systems come with road maps for the entire United States and Canada loaded onto a hard drive. This gives you the luxury to go anywhere without worrying about whether or not you loaded the proper maps; it also makes the device ready-to-roll, right out of the box. Pre-loaded maps for all of North America typically occupy about 2GB of memory; any excess memory is for additional map, music, or accessory storage.

Another important feature to look for is "text-to-speech." Most voice-prompting GPS units will give an audio command such as "Turn left in 300 feet" or "Take next exit." A unit with a text-to-speech function will speak not only the direction but the name of the street as well: "Turn left onto Mulberry Lane in 300 feet" or "Take Exit 23A." This is a huge help for many people, as they won't even have to glance at the screen to know where to go.

A new feature to consider is live traffic service. Available in larger cities, a subscription to a traffic service gives you real-time, up-to-the-minute updates on traffic and road conditions. Freeway's blocked from Exit 23 to Exit 29? Your GPS will notify you and offer an alternative route. After a free trial period, traffic service typically costs about $5/month. Some Garmin units also offer XM Radio services, so that you can get not only live traffic but XM Satellite Radio in your car, as well.

One of the newest additions to GPS systems is the integration of a Bluetooth chip. If both your cell phone and GPS unit are Bluetooth-enabled, you'll be able to pair them up for hands-free calling, dial-a-POI features, and more, making your automotive electronics suite completely integrated.

So which is the "best?" That depends entirely on your needs and your preferences. Tiger GPS has enough models to choose from that will suit just about anyone's taste.

Among the most popular pre-loaded GPS navigation systems are the Garmin nuvi 360 and nuvi 680, the Lowrance iWAY 600C, the Garmin StreetPilot c550, the Magellan Maestro 4040 and CrossOver GPS, the Garmin nuvi 200, and the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition. So what are the differences between them, really?

If you want simple, touch-screen navigation at your fingertips, check out the new Garmin nuvi 680 with Bluetooth and new MSN Direct. No bigger than a deck of playing cards, but with a super-wide 4.3" diagonal screen, the nuvi is pre-programmed with maps for all of North America, making it perfect for travel. It also accepts European maps and special software such as a Travel Guide and Language Guide to keep you on the proper path here or across the Pond. It crams all the navigation features of the StreetPilot c580 into a compact multimedia unit, including text-to-speech voice instructions. Plus, the nuvi plays MP3s and Audio Books, making all other handheld electronics useless. Choose the Garmin nuvi 660 for a Bluetooth unit without MSN Direct; if you don't want Bluetooth or traffic included, try the nuvi 650. Also available is the Garmin nuvi 360, with an original compact 3.5" diagonal screen. Bump up to the Garmin nuvi 370 or nuvi 670 and you'll get pre-loaded maps for both North America and Europe! There's also the basic Garmin nuvi 350, which is pre-loaded with North American maps but lacks the Bluetooth hands-free calling of the 360. Not sure which nuvi is for you? Check out our exclusive Garmin nuvi Guide (click here).

Are you a multi-tasker? Do you want a GPS system suitable for both your car and boat? Do you need a 5" diagonal touch-screen unit that's pre-loaded with North American street maps, United States marine coastal maps, and U.S. inland lakes charts? If yes, check out the Lowrance iWAY 600C. It features a beautiful high-resolution screen and an enormous 30GB hard drive to hold not only the maps but all your MP3 music files and digital camera photos as well. The iWAY 600c is also the first automotive unit to boast a satellite photography basemap, for unmatched high-detail imagery. The iWAY 600c is considerably bulkier than the other models, however, so you'll need to set aside some serious room on your dashboard for it. It also has an external speaker that is part of the cigarette lighter adapter, but it can be hard wired into your car's audio system as well. For marine mounting, there's a simple accessory kit with bracket and power cables.

The Garmin StreetPilot c550 shows that you don't have to compromise with a compact unit. With a new design and safety features, the c550 features Bluetooth phone support, text-to-speech voice prompts, an integrated GTM traffic receiver, pre-loaded maps with a 3.5" diagon touch screen and more! The StreetPilot c580 does the c550 one better with MSN Direct, a service that provides live traffic, weather forecasts, local gas prices and movie times, while the Garmin StreetPilot c530 has the same design as its big brothers without all the bells and whistles. The Garmin StreetPilot c340 and StreetPilot c330 are still available at blowout prices. All c-series StreetPilots have a 3D map view on a compact 3.5" diagonal touch-screen display. The c-series cuts out the more advanced navigation features of the StreetPilot 2720 but improves in aesthetics and ease-of-use.

The Magellan Maestro series replaces the popular RoadMate line with updated maps and a simpler interface. The value-level Maestro 3100 comes loaded with maps for the lower 48 states, while the Maestro 3140 adds Bluetooth, text-to-speech, and maps for all of North America. There's also the wide-screen Maestro 4xxx series, which includes the basic Maestro 4000; the Maestro 4040 with Bluetooth, text-to-speech, and traffic capability; and the Maestro 4050, which is the first after-market GPS system to accept voice commands! The higher end Maestros are also loaded with AAA TourBook information, giving you description, ratings and even discounts for popular points-of-interest.

Still want a Garmin nuvi, but don't need a ton of extras? The Garmin nuvi 200 is perfect for you. The nuvi 200 provides basic voice prompts and is pre-loaded with maps of the lower 48 United States, plus Hawaii and Puerto Rico - and that's it. No Bluetooth, no traffic option, no fancy media players - just solid navigation throughout America. If you need Canada and Alaska maps as well, invest in a nuvi 250. There's also the nuvi 200W and nuvi 250W, which have the same feature set but in a wide screen. And if you're off to Europe, the nuvi 270 is the ultimate combination of portability and price! Still not sure which nuvi is for you? Check out our exclusive Garmin nuvi Guide (click here).

The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition is the latest in a long line of dynamic, easy-to-use navigators. With a new edition of pre-loaded 3D maps of the United States and Canada, traffic receiver capability, and a sleek design with a simple interface, the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition is an outstanding bang for your buck. The ONE is also compatible with new TomTom MapShare technology, which will provide real-time map updates with user input. There's also the wide-screen TomTom ONE XL, with a wider screen, and the ONE XL-S, which updates the ONE XL with MapShare and text-to-speech.

The Magellan CrossOver GPS (formerly RoadMate 2500T) is a brand-new navigator that's suitable for both automotive and outdoors navigation. It's the first system to be pre-loaded with both North American street maps as well as a topographic U.S. basemap. Now you can take your automotive GPS with you from the car to the trail. It even accepts marine maps as well! The CrossOver GPS features text-to-speech voice prompts, traffic capability, and MP3 media features in a compact touch-screen unit. The CrossOver GPS is big brother to the Magellan RoadMate 2000, which contains basic map information and is still available at a blowout price.

Still uncertain which model is for you? Check out the Tiger GPS Automotive GPS Selection Tool (click here) or call our toll-free customer service line at 1-866-798-4437 and speak to one of our dedicated customer service reps.