Auto Extreme

Vehicle/car navigation is an inexpensive upgrade to any vehicle. Aftermarket navigation units use the newest technology and mapping software to get you from point “A” to point “B” without error. Also, with today’s technology, you can get this upgrade for far less expensive than the steep price tag that dealerships charge when including factory navigation.

Most aftermarket units can be used for much more than just getting directions. Expandability features allow for numerous upgrades, including: DVD, Mp3, I-pod integration, and Bluetooth, the aftermarket units are well worth the investment.

Navigation Systems Types:

Portable GPS units are just one type of Navigation available. These types of GPS units are mainly made to be suctioned to your windshield and powered from your vehicle’s DC outlet. The best feature of these would be the versatility. You can easily unplug the unit and move from vehicle to vehicle. Some even have built-in batteries to provide you with navigation even without an external power source. A couple sacrifices of portable Navigation include screen size and expandability. Most portable units only have a screen size of around 4 inches and can only be used for navigation.

Another type of navigation system would be the in-dash. In-Dash Navigation units usually include a Touch-Screen Monitor, which puts entering destination addresses at your finger-tip. These systems replace your factory radio, and provide control over your entire audio system. With systems designed to fit both Standard and Oversized Radios it’s possible to find a system for any vehicle. Options such as Bluetooth, IPod Integration, Satellite Radio and TV tuners allow you to outfit your vehicle with all the options at a fraction of the cost that your Dealership would charge.

Some Things to Look For in any Navigation system:

-Points-of-Interests (POI) – The more points of interest loaded into the unit the better the chances of you finding a destination with minimal information. -Hard-Drive- Maps are pre-loaded onto your unit, updates are as easy as downloading new maps from your PC and loading them onto your NAV Hard Drive via SD Card or DVD. Most Hard-drive NAVs will allow you to Update your POI for your area. -DVD-ROM – Maps are loaded onto a DVD which must be inserted into the System in order to you’re the Navigation Feature. New updated DVDs must be purchased as years go on in order to stay current with the growth of your area.

Now Navigation system is affordable no matter what your budget. It’s a small price to pay for all the comforts of a Luxury Vehicle and the Satisfaction of knowing you will never again have to pull over and ask for directions.

Here are the Top Car GPS Navigation Systems

• JVC KD-NX5000: Aside from some usability niggles resulting from its compact size, the JVC KD-NX5000 offers about as many car tech features per square foot as you can get. Specs: 15 channel, Automotive, Navigation instructions
• Garmin Nuvi 260: The Garmin Nuvi 260 offers drivers and travelers a more budget-friendly version of the popular portable navigation devices and includes text-to-speech, but we think the price is still slightly high for what you get. Specs: Automotive, Navigation instructions, Street name announcement, 5.2 oz
• Eclipse AVN726E DVD/GPS receiver: The Eclipse AVN726e will cover most users’ hands-free calling, navigation, audio, and visual needs in a single installation. It is also an excellent starting point for system builders. Specs: In-dash, LCD monitor, iPod compatible, ID3 tags support, Bluetooth audio streaming, Rear-facing camera capability, Bluetooth hands-free for cellular phone, 50 Watts x 4, DVD player, LCD display, Radio tuner, Digital player, GPS navigation system, CD, DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW
• TomTom GO 740 Live: The TomTom GO 740 Live puts a tremendous amount of information at your fingertips and makes it easy to access and process it all from the driver’s seat. Specs: Automotive, Navigation instructions, Street name announcement, Voice command recognition, 7.9 oz
• Garmin Nuvi 880: As we’ve come to expect from the Nuvi line, the Garmin Nuvi 880 offers an impressive feature list and solid performance, but it’s the accurate speech recognition that really pushes the Nuvi 880 over the edge and makes it one of the best GPS we’ve tested to date. Specs: Automotive, Navigation instructions, Street name announcement, 6.2 oz
• TomTom GO 720: The TomTom GO 720 delivers with sleek looks, good performance, and a full set of features that includes a map-sharing function for the most up-to-date maps and a helpful safety tool. Specs: Automotive, Navigation instructions, 7.8 oz
• Garmin StreetPilot c580: In addition to accurate driving directions, the high-end Garmin StreetPilot c580 provides a number of useful tools to the driver, such as real-time traffic data and local gas prices, thanks to the integration of MSN Direct services. Specs: Automotive, Warnings, Navigation instructions, Street name announcement, 9 oz
• Garmin Nuvi 660: If you can afford the hefty price tag, the Garmin Nuvi 660 is a solid-performing and versatile GPS device that offers all the navigation basics, tools for the world traveler, Bluetooth, and more. Specs: Automotive, Navigation instructions, 6.7 oz
• Pioneer AVIC Z-1: The Pioneer AVIC Z-1 is an impressive all-in-one aftermarket head unit incorporating most of today’s in-car technology features. Despite a few usability glitches, it is a competitively priced car tech package. Specs: 8 channel, Automotive, Warnings, Navigation instructions
• armin Nuvi 350: No bigger than a deck of cards, the Garmin Nüvi 350 is more than just another voice-guided GPS device, packing in travel tools, entertainment features, and good performance; just be prepared to pay a price. Specs: Automotive, Navigation instructions, 5.1 oz

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