Author of this comparative report: alexander jakob directly to the clear comparison table ↓directly to the clear comparison table ↓
while most people rely on their smartphones and map apps rely, they may have already realized that a GPS navigation device (briefly "navi" called) is a much better solution. Still, according to the HEMIX, the number of navis sold declined 21.6% in 2018 as more and more rely on their smartphones. Also due to the corona crisis, demand for navis has plummeted since 2020.
But a navigation system has numerous advantages facing smartphone navi apps, including the fact that they are no internet connection required and the devices provide you with a greater amount of information.
With one of these devices in your car, you can be sure that you will get to your destination as quickly as possible.
The tricky part is figuring out which are the best gps navigation systems for cars on the current market. Well, you don’t have to worry anymore, because we’ve already taken care of that for you.
In this guide you will find a series of GPS systems that will make your travel easier. It’s worth reading the full review to find out which GPS car system is best for your needs.
Here’s what you should look for before you buy
Before we introduce you to the best navi for your car, we would first like to take you through the various functions that can make a navigation device one of the best on the market:
- Usability: when you drive, you need a GPS system that’s as user-friendly as possible. So you don’t have to divert too much attention from driving while you get driving instructions and directions.
- map clarity and directions: next, consider how easy it is to understand the directions displayed on the screen. How is the clarity of the map? Is there an automatic voice that also gives verbal instructions?
- Additional warnings: the best gps satnavs can give drivers additional alerts, such as.B. Traffic, speed warnings, red lights, school zones, etc. The additional warnings are an excellent feature, as they allow the driver to move more carefully and safely in the city.
- Lifetime updates: top models offer regular updates. Therefore, you can rely on the accuracy of the information provided, as updates reinforce the maps with the latest road changes and/or construction work.
The 6 best navigation devices in test (for 2022)
These are the BEST navigation devices this year:
- 1st place: garmin drivesmart 55(very good)
- 2nd place: aonerex 9 inch navi(very good)
- 3rd place: tomtom GO 620(very good)
- 4th place: garmin driveassist 51 LMT-D EU(very good)
- 5th place: tomtom via 52(very good)
- 6th place: tinin 7 inch navi(very good)
320 customer reviews
30 customer reviews
914 customer reviews
231 customer reviews
347 customer reviews 519 customer reviews
320 customer reviews
30 customer ratings
914 customer reviews
231 customer reviews
347 customer reviews
519 customer reviews
320 customer reviews
30 customer reviews
914 customer reviews
231 customer reviews
347 customer reviews 519 customer reviews
320 customer reviews
30 customer reviews
914 customer reviews
231 customer reviews
347 customer reviews
519 customer reviews
Last updated 08. January 2022 .
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1st place: garmin drivesmart 55
Combined with garmin’s top-notch instructions, user interface, points-of-interest database, and driver alerts, the drivesmart 55 offers the most best display we have seen in this segment, as well as an elegant design without a frame. The latter leads to a larger, 5.5 inch screen than its direct competitors with an even slightly smaller body. Like other high-end navigation devices, the 55 model allows for the use of voice commands for common functions, THE connection with your smartphone via bluetooth and updating maps and software via a wi-fi connection, so you don’t have to connect it to a computer.
The drivesmart 55 features a super-sharp, capacitive display with a resolution of 1200×720 pixels, which is much sharper and easier to read than the screens of similarly sized "5-inch" models. As with their smartphone, the 55 also allows for multi-touch gestures, like z.B. Pulling open or spreading to make zooming on a map easier. This is a clear progress compared to the resistive displays of the cheaper devices, which only allow one-finger gestures and where you have to tap on the plus and minus buttons to zoom in or out.
Compared to models from other brands, the visual and audio instructions from garmin more accurate. Once you enter your destination, the drivesmart 55 clearly displays and pronounces its directions on the screen. We like that garmin’s voice instructions, called real directions, are more specific than other navigation devices about landmarks: in our tests, instead of simply saying "turn" or turn at a specific street, it often told us to "turn at the traffic light," "the stop sign," or even "the red building". These real directions are updated three times a year and help make up for those times when you can’t easily see a street sign.
Like some tomtom models, the drivesmart 55 (and its bigger brother, the drivesmart 65) now includes an 3D mapping; in some major cities, it shows famous buildings and landmarks as recognizable 3d images, which can help you find your way around your surroundings more easily in an unfamiliar area.
hints and warnings
Like many similar models, garmin shows the speed limit for the road you are currently driving on (highlighted in red when crossed). But one new feature we found very helpful is the yellow indicator that emits a soft beep when you are approaching a speeding zone. This alerted us to those unexpected changes where the police often like to park with radar guns.
Similarly, all current GPS devices from garmin offer a range of alerts for the driver, alerting you to things like an upcoming school zone, a sharp turn, a railroad or animal crossing, and more; it even tells you if you’re going the wrong way on a one-way street. Each alert is accompanied by a small icon that appears in the lower left corner of the screen, as well as a quiet chime that you can turn off individually for each type of alert. other brand models can warn you of upcoming red light and speed cameras, but they don’t offer nearly the same level of alerts as garmin.
Voice control
The voice control system from garmin works well overall and is much easier to use than tomtom’s (the only other brand that offers it). You do need to use basic commands (which are prompted on the screen), but after activating the system with a chosen trigger word, we could usually quickly create new routes by simply saying "find location", "find address", or a similar phrase, and then speaking the appropriate address or point of interest.
This feature is especially convenient while driving, as by default garmin blocks entering destinations or changing settings on the screen while driving to reduce driver distraction. However, the system is not nearly as seamless or conversational as the voice command systems in a good smartphone or digital assistant, and on several occasions, despite several attempts, it simply could not understand the destination we were trying to reach. (repeating the same destination in google maps resulted in almost instant directions).
If you use this device via bluetooth and the garmin drive app (ios, android) pair with your smartphone, get more frequent and detailed information through garmin’s live traffic service. The traffic data updated every minute, contain more specific warnings (e.g. B. "car stopped in the right lane") and cover a wider range of roads – but they’re not as good as the traffic information you get via google maps, for example.
- Clearer 5.5 inch screen
- Preloaded maps
- Voice control function
- Many hints& warnings
- Zoom function
- Finger swipe gestures
- Comparatively high price
- voice control is not 100% reliable
summary: the garmin drivesmart 55 is one of the best navigation systems available on the market today.
Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars (314 votes) on amazon.De
External reviews:
- Ranked #1 by best of all.De
- 3rd place at chip.De
- ranked #2 by stern.De
2nd place: aonerex 7 inch GPS navi
The aonerex navi is really praised for its sharp GPS navigation system, which provides reliable satellite connections in virtually any environment. Therefore, it is a really reliable GPS system, which is well able to maintain a connection and deliver up to the second direction. It quickly calculates the best route after a destination is set, and then gets you there without damage and on time.
The device features a visual map, animation, and voice display for your preferred way of getting directions. It is preloaded with the latest 2020 maps of the united states, canada and mexico. Additionally, maps of the united kingdom, europe, new zealand and australia are available. Updates are provided for the life of the unit and at no additional cost.
The aonerex 7″ GPS navigator offers a turn-by-turn voice navigation, available in multiple languages. It also quickly corrects if you miss a turn and adjusts to the best alternate route in real time. the voice instructions are very comprehensive and will help you, safely reach your destination to get.
In addition, the device has a vibrant 7-inch HD touchscreen. It’s one of the clearest displays on the market for in-car GPS navigation systems. The touchscreen is very responsive and easy to use even with larger fingers.
The device comes supplied with a sun visor, so you can view the screen even in intense daylight. Visual cues are simply presented with a map of the starting point, final destination, and estimated time to arrival.
warnings for the driver
The system features several different smart reminders. Driver warnings include voice prompts or visual displays on magnified maps that zoom into complex intersections and other problematic areas. It also reminds you of the speed limit. Drivers can receive notifications about upcoming gas stations, stores, schools, red lights or high speed cameras.
Additional features
The aonerex 7″ touchscreen gps navigator comes with a car charger, a backrest, a car mount and a sun visor supplied. there is also a user manual to learn everything about the device. It is also a portable device that you can take with you if you do not want to keep it in your car.
Anorex offers a really good warranty. The company offers aftercare for five years of use in the united states. In addition 90-day money back guarantee and a 2-year full warranty.
- Clear 7 inch screen
- touchscreen works well
- Flawless connection to satellites
- Fast recalculation
- Useful notifications
- Accessories included
- Comparatively high price
- Display a little dark
Summary: the aonerex 7″ touchscreen gps navigator is an excellent car navigation device with a large 7 inch touchscreen and 8 gigabytes of memory. The GPS system provides clear turn-by-turn directions as well as advanced lane guidance.
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars on amazon.De
3rd place: tomtom GO 620
First of all, you should know that this device is available in two screen sizes. You can choose between a 5-inch screen and a 6-inch screen. This is a great feature for people with poor eyesight. If you fit into this category, you’ll probably have a hard time seeing the letters on the 5-inch screen. The 6-inch screen will increase the likelihood that you can see the details without squinting. And you never have to take your eyes off the road for long.
Traffic details
Having a GPS system is great. Still, some of them are more advantageous than others. You will notice that some of them offer traffic details for a short period of time. Others offer no traffic information at all. If you read a review of tomtom go 620, you will find that this device offers lifetime traffic information and that the information will be very accurate. This ensures that you are able to avoid traffic jams. You can plan your route to make sure your trip is cheaper and less time consuming.
Updates
Another thing to consider is that the tomtom will provide you with simple updates. With many GPS navigation devices, you have to take the device inside and connect it to your computer to access the updates. This can be a problem, and they probably won’t bother you. With the tomtom you don’t have to jump through so many hoops. You can download and install updates via wifi. This ensures that you can keep the device up to date without the hassle.
Have smartphone messages read aloud
When you’re on the road, there’s a good chance you’ll get a text message or two. It might be important for you to be able to read the news right away. The only problem is that you can get into trouble if you are caught using your cell phone while driving. It can also be very dangerous. You will want to avoid this problem. Instead, you should rely on the tomtom go 620. With this device, it reads your messages out loud. This ensures that you can find out what’s going on without having to take your hands off the wheel. And you can keep your eyes on the road at all times.
Detailed information
the tomtom 620 go offers a wealth of functions. When you are driving in your vehicle, you should always be aware of what is going on. This system will help you do just that. It provides you with several details. For example, you can read the speed limit and the speed at which you are driving on the screen. You can also check the time and duration of the trip. You will also get information about the call on the screen. If you receive a call while you are driving, the system will inform you about it. And you can answer the phone safely.
Ultimately, this is one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly GPS devices available. The only downside to this device is the fact that it doesn’t have a dashcam.
Voice control
When you go on a trip, you want to drive safely. That means you should keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times. If you don’t, your chances of getting into an accident will increase immensely. This is why you should consider buying the tomtom 620 go. You will find that you can control the device with your voice. This will prove to be very beneficial and much safer than the alternatives. Finally, you can talk to the device and not have to use your eyes or hands.
With the tomtom 620 go, you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. However, you can still take calls and adjust the settings.
- Voice control
- read cell phone messages aloud
- Lane changes work well
- Top navigation
- Useful notifications
- Updates need to be started manually
- Hardware could be improved
- Voice control not 100% accurate
4th place: garmin drive assist 51
garmin drive assist 51 offers a range of features, including live traffic and a dashboard camera in a compact package. With a size of 140 x 84 x 21 mm, the drive assist 51 is one of garmin’s smallest satnavs, and that makes it beautiful and portable.
It also means it doesn’t take up too much space on the dashboard or windshield, giving you a better view of the road and making the screen less distracting.
It comes with not one, but two micro-SD card slots, one of which already contains a 4GB memory card out of the box. This is used to store recorded footage from the dashboard camera, so don’t remove it.
However, one of the best elements of the design is the docking station that attaches the device to your car. It easily clicks on and off the suction cup mount, which means you can easily remove it from view with one hand at the end of your trip.
The 5-inch touchscreen display is bright, clear and responsive, so you can easily see the next navigation instruction and key trip data like time and distance remaining.
The 480 X 272 resolution won’t impress you much, it’s not even HD, but with large fonts and icons it’s not much of a problem. However, we question the price tag, as you can buy a smartphone with a full-HD display for less money.
While the compact form factor and display will appeal to those who want something that’s easy to carry around, 5 inches may not be big enough for people with poor eyesight.
Garmin does make larger navis for those who want a bigger screen, but the drive assist 51’s small size means it can easily be tucked into the back pocket of your jeans, not that we recommend you keep it there.
A disappointing feature of the drive assist 51 is its battery life, lasting only 30 minutes on a single charge.
It’s pretty shocking and means you’ll have to plug it into your car’s power port every time you go on a road trip.
This may not be a big problem, but it’s frustrating that it can’t last a few hours to get through an entire trip before needing to recharge.
Navigation& OPERATION
We were impressed with the ease of setting up the garmin assist 51 with only a few short steps required to set it up out of the box.
You will need to be in your car and connected to the mains, as the battery life is not very long.
Once the initial setup is complete and you have mounted your drive assist 51, you will be prompted to adjust the camera position so that it is pointing at the center of the road in front of you.
you get three options depending on where you have the windshield mounted: left, center and right, and once you have decided, you can drive off.
The large icons on the menu make it easy to plan a route, and by simply tapping a zip code, drive assist 51 will plot not one, but three viable routes.
It will also use live traffic data (we reviewed the cheaper model that offered this) to give you real-time estimates of travel times.
You can choose to search for points of interest as a destination, which is handy if you know where you’re going but don’t have an address, and the map also shows useful things like speed limits and cameras, gas stations and locations of gas stations and popular food chains like mcdonald’s.
It also provides clear lane guidance that shows you exactly which lane to be in at busy intersections, which is extremely useful when you’re driving somewhere you don’t know your way around.
One frustration with navigation was the regular "stay on route/right" instruction while we were driving on the freeway. Instead of telling us we had 90 miles to exit the road, the drive assist 51 nav unit instead said much less and then told us not to exit at an intersection.
The commands felt redundant, and we would much rather see the total mileage for the current highway than receive it in bits and pieces while driving.
Car camera and features
The camera mounted on the back of the drive assist 51 doesn’t just have a function.
It can act as a dash cam that automatically records and saves footage with accurate GPS coordinates when it detects a collision, giving you proof if you are involved in an accident to prove it wasn’t your fault.
The footage can then be downloaded to your smartphone via the garmin VIRB app, and from there you have the option to share it via various communication and social media outlets.
It’s more than that, though, as it also provides forward collision and lane departure warnings.
This means that the drive assist 51 will give you a beep if you get too close to the vehicle ahead or the edge of the lane you’re in.
We have found in our time with drive assist 51 that the forward collision warning is smarter than the lane departure warning, but both work and help you keep your focus on the road ahead.
Another feature of the camera is the target view. As you approach your destination (we’re talking tens of meters away), the drive assist 51 switches from the digital map view to a live feed from the camera with overlaid map details.
It’s a simple augmented reality (AR) experience, but one that surprised and delighted us the first time around.
you can even connect your smartphone to the navi via bluetooth, so you can make and receive phone calls safely and hands-free from drive assist 51, and see important notifications like messages and calendar events.
Should you buy this navi?
If you fall into the less tech-savvy category and/or don’t feel like using your smartphone to steer, the drive assist 51 won’t disappoint you.
It’s not cheap, but at least you get good value for your money.
5th place: tomtom via 52
The tomtom via 52 is an interesting proposal from tomtom. it’s a satnav that offers many of the same features as its more expensive competitors, but at a price that won’t break the bank.
It accomplishes this by using what most of us carry with us all the time: a smartphone.
it uses your phone’s data to update your sat nav in real time – whether it’s traffic information, road changes or the positioning of speed cameras, it gets this information from your phone.
That’s not all it will do to your phone either. It also has bluetooth connectivity, so it can be used as a hands-free phone – handy if your car doesn’t offer that functionality.
Product design
The tomtom via 52 has a 5 inch screen, which for us is the perfect size for a sat nav. From tomtom’s perspective, the via series is a bull’s eye in the middle of the company’s offering.
It’s a step above the start models, which are limited in their data functionality as they don’t offer data traffic, and is cheaper than the go offerings as that range has its own data connection built in.
In terms of design, it doesn’t make too much of a difference. The via 52 measures: 14.45 cm x 9.05 cm x 2.38 cm and weighs 209 grams. There is also a tomtom via 62 option that is 6 inches tall and offers the exact same features.
The screen is decent enough, even in bright sunlight – at 480 x 272 pixels – and while it’s resistive (ugh), we haven’t had any issues with lag or fumbling while jumping through menus. It does mean, however, that you actually have to tap the screen for things like zooming in and out, which feels a bit archaic.
If you’re looking for something that’s slimmer and, well, looks like your phone, you’ll be disappointed. Navigation devices are still devices that belong on a cradle, not in a pocket.
Speaking of mounts, the one that comes with the via 52 is ‘okay’. It’s reversible. So if you are one of those who do not want to stick anything on your window, you can turn it around and it will be attached to a dashboard. It took some work to change the mount connector on the back.
It looked like it should snap into place nicely. And it did, but only after numerous attempts. The mount uses a suction cup. If you upgrade to a tomtom go, you get a magnetic mount – something that is much easier to use.
Of course, the mount is by no means an obstacle, and once we mastered it and held it to the windshield, we had no more problems with it.
Features and functionality
We already have the hands-free mentioned in this navigation device, and that’s a really useful feature to have on a device like this one. But there are a number of other features that make this navi really easy to use. First of all voice control.
Since the voice is the closest point of contact for device operation, it makes sense that it would be used in the via 52. It’s no siri, but the commands we gave it were ably accepted.
Since there are only a few phrases to use, tomtom also puts them on the screen so you know what you can and can’t say. When you say "hello tomtom", the satellite navigation system is woken up from its slumber, and from here you can plan your route.
When it comes to route planning, there are a number of options. One of the most fascinating is eco. Choose it and it will find the most environmentally friendly route.
Every time we tried it, we felt like we were just being offered the fastest route rather than the one that was the most economical – like a steady ride on a highway – but it’s good to see tomtom trying something different here.
Finding a seat on the via 52 was a dream come true. tomtom’s mapping has always been second to none and remains the big thing to lure drivers away from free alternatives; that and the least robotic sounding voice available.
Tomtom has done it again on the via 52. Sometimes it takes its time to find the route – especially when you ask it for an alternative – but once the course is locked, it rarely drops for us or needs to be reloaded.
The user interface is something you will be very used to from tomtom devices. A nice thing is to have all speed camera/fuel stop information on a right bar. This removes the clutter from the main map.
Setting up your phone for via 52 was also pretty easy. to get it working, connect the navi to your phone via bluetooth, set up a personal hotspot on your phone and then activate traffic notifications on the device – this is something you get for free for life.
Data consumption is also extremely low. Tomtom estimates that you will use about 7 MB per month if you are on the road for one hour per day. You also get updates to the radar cameras.
The device is included free of charge for three months. after that you have to pay 19,99 € per year for this privilege. The data it provides is decent, but if you’re not paranoid about your speed, you don’t need to worry about it.
if you want to use this navigation device worldwide, you have 16 GB of integrated memory for additional maps and a microsd slot, so you can "map" to your heart’s content.
wherever you go, don’t forget to take the charging cable with you. It fits into your car’s aux port – or cigarette lighter for those who still use it as such – and will save you from fretting about the tomtom’s bad battery via 52.
One hour of charge time is simply not good enough – especially since most people will use their PND to cover some distance. Tomtom could also have offered a double USB connector on the plug so you could plug in your phone at the same time – especially if you use a personal hotspot that can eat away at your battery – but there’s only one in the box.
Conclusion
Battery life aside, the tomtom via 52 is a very capable, competent navi. If you’re still afraid of using your phone as a navigation device, via 52 is a super great alternative.
Using your phone’s data for traffic analysis is a smart way to keep the cost of the device down, and while it’s not the flattest or best-looking navi, it’s a recommended product.
Important information on the purchase of navigation devices
1. How is a navi better than a smartphone??
This is a popular question. A few years ago, the answer would have been yes. But navigation applications and the processing speed of phones are now on a par with a dedicated GPS unit. The best reasons to choose a portable gps are
- A navi won’t consume your phone’s data: phone data is usually quite cheap up to a certain point, and then it can become very expensive. If you’re a phone user who exceeds your data limit every month, a dedicated GPS device can help you avoid the fear of a car trip that will throw off your data plan.
- A navi does not consume the battery of your phone: as phones and apps become more advanced, phone manufacturers have no choice but to keep up with making batteries that will last a long time with constant use. If you’re packing for a trip, wouldn’t it be nice to know you won’t run out of juice if you forget your charger because you used your phone for directions? A portable or dedicated navigation device can alleviate this concern.
- You’re less likely to get interrupted: a dedicated navigation device won’t interrupt your maps and spoken directions for incoming texts or calls that could cause you to miss an important turnoff. In the heat of battle, a little mistake like this could mean you have to go way out of your way to get back on track. With a navigator at the helm, you won’t take that risk.
It ultimately comes down to the question of convenience and practicality to. For some people it is easier to have their own GPS unit. Especially if your vehicle is also your office. If you need to make frequent phone calls on the road, then investing in a separate navigation device could easily be worthwhile.
2. Where to go?
- maps: most portable navigation devices come with all the maps you’ll ever need built right in. In most cases, you will receive maps of EU countries. Some navigation devices even allow you to edit certain aspects of the integrated maps if a road changes direction, your favorite restaurant moves, or there is extensive construction along your work route. additional maps are usually available as downloads or on separate dvds or memory cards (see below).
- Storage capacity: some portable navigation devices also offer additional maps that can be downloaded from their brand’s website. So if you want a super-detailed map of new york city or some maps for your upcoming european vacation (for units working abroad), this is the one for you. If you think you’ll be uploading maps frequently, choose a unit with plenty of storage space. some websites also offer additional POIs if you want to see a more detailed tour of your destination, or you can add your own. For portable GPS devices used primarily for outdoor use, you can even download marine and fishing maps.
- Points of interest: one of the key differentiators among portable navigation devices is the number of points of interest (POI). POI are all the different places along a trip that might make it more fun, educational, or useful, such as.B. theaters, museums, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, ATMs and gas stations. If you want as many options as possible for places to stop, rest, or explore, look for a device with more POIs. Some sophisticated navigation devices use two-way internet connectivity to provide unlimited, up-to-date, consumer-rated POIs for businesses, products and services.
3. Screen size and handiness
- Screen size: most portable navigation devices have touchscreen displays ranging from 3.5″ to 7″ in size. Smaller devices with smaller screens are generally easier to mount and less likely to interfere with street visibility. However, large displays may offer more control on a given screen than a smaller device. For example, you can see the map and six other menu options on a large screen, while you can see the map and one or two menu options on a small screen. Larger screens can also be helpful if the ideal mounting location is far enough away to require squinting or neck craning. A 3.5-inch screen from two and a half feet away can be a challenge for anyone to read.
- Portability: most portable navigation devices today are very thin, ranging from less than an inch to about an inch and a half thick. But that’s not always the case – think about how often you’ll be taking your portable navigation device out of the car to use for directions on foot, to keep safe, or to use in a rental car after a flight. A larger navigation device might be better suited for use in the car, but a smaller, more compact device might be more convenient to carry in a pocket or purse.
4. Voice
- Voice control: voice-activated navigation is becoming more and more common and allows you to start a search without touching the device. In most cases, you simply say a keyword aloud and the navigator "wakes up" to ask you where you want to go. you may have to tell it state, city and street in separate steps, or you can say something like "find nearest starbucks" to get directions to the next place to get your caffeine fix. either way, it’s much smarter (and safer) than typing in a search while driving
- voice guidance: without voice guidance and a built-in speaker, it would be difficult to find a navigator these days – but not all voice guidance systems are the same. Most of them give you a list of accents and languages to choose from. If you are an anglophile, you may want to hear a British accent; if you are trying to learn Spanish, you may want to switch to Spanish directions. Some navigation devices now have voice directions that use landmarks and buildings instead of street names and numbers to indicate the next turn – this should make the directions sound more natural and like what you would get from another person. And if you don’t want someone else telling you where to go, some navigation devices even let you record your own voice with keywords and directions that you can listen to while driving.
- Text-to-speech: one of the most exciting developments in voice guidance technology is called text-to-speech. This means that instead of a general instruction like "turn left", you will hear a reference to the specific street name: "turn left onto greenbriar drive.". This can eliminate a lot of confusion at a busy intersection or when roads are close together. A navigator with this technology would be good for you if you know you will often be driving in areas with confusing traffic patterns or exploring unfamiliar areas.
5. Should it be an exceptional navigator?
- Additional features: some portable navigators include additional user functions. You might find a built-in dash cam or MP3/WMA playback function. And some devices are expandable, with A/V inputs and outputs available for devices like your DVD player, rearview camera or portable MP3 player.
- map updates: every year there are thousands of changes in geography, from new buildings, to businesses changing locations, to roads changing direction. If the maps on your navigation device are out of date, you may get lost just as you would without the device. Many maps can now be updated with a download from the manufacturer’s website, but in most cases you’ll have to pay a small upfront surcharge for the navigation device to get free map updates for the life of the device.
- Traffic updates: some portable navigation devices can show on the screen where there are traffic jams in your area or along your route. These navigation devices typically use auxiliary receivers – some of which are built into the 12-volt power cord – to receive traffic data reports from FM-based RDS (radio data system) signals or other sources, such as. TMC (traffic message channel), navteq traffic, satellite radio or HD traffic to receive. The receiver translates the data into visual cues on the screen that show which roads are affected and how bad the congestion is. As a rule, you can try to avoid traffic, which can take you on a longer but ultimately faster route. Traffic info reports are usually available in and around metropolitan areas and sometimes require a paid subscription, but more and more navigators are offering free basic traffic updates. For more information about traffic information services, see our article here.
- Bluetooth®: some navigation devices offer a wireless bluetooth connection so you can make and receive calls with your compatible cell phone through the navigation device. Since many areas have regulations that require hands-free use of phones while driving, this feature can be very useful. Many navigation devices include a phone number with their POI information so that you can use the device to find a destination, e.g., a city. B. To find a restaurant or hotel, and then call for a reservation.
- App compatibility: some navigation devices with integrated bluetooth can pair with your phone to make more than just phone calls. There is a range of smartphone apps that can transmit information to your navigation device via bluetooth. These apps provide real-time search results for destinations, as well as access to up-to-date travel information such as gas prices, weather forecasts, movie times, local event listings and more. So you can quickly find unusual places along the way, as well as consumer reviews and other useful applications, without touching your phone. In some cases, you can even "check in" to locations via social media apps like foursquare®.
- 3D view for buildings: as portable navigation devices integrate faster processors, they are able to provide better visual information than in the past. One example is 3D building graphics, which realistically depicts important buildings or landmarks on the screen so you can better visualize your surroundings when following directions either in the car or on foot. these graphics are currently limited to buildings in major cities or other important landmarks.
- Intersection view and lane guidance: in addition to the graphics mentioned above, many newer navigation devices offer lane guidance, which displays on the screen the correct lane to take on a multi-lane road to ensure you don’t miss an upcoming turn or maneuver. This is especially helpful in unfamiliar areas or on busy highways with many exits in quick succession. Intersection view provides a detailed and realistic look at complicated intersections, including highway signs, to ease the confusion of "mixing-bowl" scenarios with multiple ramps and levels that would be more difficult to follow with a simple 2D rendering.
- alerts for school zones and speed limits: if you miss a sign indicating a speed limit change or school zone while driving, you could be speeding without even realizing it. some navigators can tell you when there is a school zone ahead or when you are exceeding the posted speed limit, so you can drive safely and legally.
6. Mounting the device
Most navigation devices come with a windshield mount (suction cup mount), which is one of the easiest and most visible ways to install the device. These work very well with the smaller portable devices. However, in some areas it is not possible to attach devices of any kind to the windshield, so be sure to check your local regulations. Another mounting option is a screen that attaches to your dashboard or console with a heavy-duty adhesive film. Or you can use a portable friction mount, which is a non-slip beanbag with a bracket attached to it – perfect for uneven surfaces. Many of the mounting and bracket solutions available for handheld devices in the car can also be used for portable navigation devices.
There are many other features that can make the difference between choosing one device or another. so be sure to read any product description before deciding which system is best for you.
Frequently asked questions
Question 1: which 7 inch navi is the best?
The best navi with a screen size of 7 inches is the aonerex navi (place 2 rated "VERY GOOD"). Other recommended models with similar display size:
- Jimwey GPS navi
- Tomtom GO 620 car navi
- Garmin drivesmart 61 LMT-D CE
Question 2: is there a navi test from stiftung warentest??
Yes, on 07.07.2021 a new navi test was published by the foundation warentest. 2 navigation devices and 15 navigation solutions (apps) were tested and rated. Below that, the garmin drivesmart 65 and the tomtom go discover 7″. You can purchase the full report at this link. We find it very unfortunate, however, that only 2 navi devices were tested.
Other reputable portals we have searched:
- 1 official navi test from "autobild.De"
- 1 official navi test from "stern
- no official navi test by "okotest
- No official navi test from "vergleich.Org"
- No official navi test from "warentest.De"
Question 3: what does live traffic mean?
Live traffic is a popular feature on gps navigation systems. It displays current traffic data, for example, to warn you of high traffic volumes or. Warn traffic jam.
Question 4: what is a DAB+ navi?
The abbreviation DAB+ stands for "digital audio broadcasting", which means a digital transmission standard for terrestrial reception of digital radio. Many current navis offer this additional function.
Question 5: what other devices were tested??
Below is a list of all the navis tested (including the ratings from test reports).De):
- Tomtom go premium (1.3 very good)
- Tomtom go professional 6250 (1,3 very good)
- Garmin drivesmart 65& digital traffic (1.5 very good)
- Tomtom start 52 (1.5 very good)
- Tomtom go premium 5" (1.5 very good)
- Tomtom start 42 (1.5 very good)
- Tomtom go essential 6" (1,5 very good)
- Tomtom go premium 6" (1.6 good)
- Garmin drivesmart 61 LMT-S (1.6 good)
- Tomtom go essential (1.7 good)
- Tomtom go 6200 (1.7 good)
- Garmin drive 40 (1.7 good)
- Tomtom go professional 520 (1.7 good)
- Garmin dezl 580 LMT-D (1.7 good)
- Tomtom go basic (1.8 good)
- Tomtom go essential 5" (1.8 good)
- Garmin drive 61 LMT-S (1.8 good)
- Tomtom go basic 6" (1,8 good)
- Garmin drive 40 LMT (1.8 good)
- Tomtom via 53 (1.8 good)
- Awesafe GPS navi (1.9 good)
- Jimwey bluetooth navi (1.9 good)
- Tenswall GPS navi (2,0 good)
Question 6: what is TMC (traffic message channel)??
Traffic message channel is a free radio traffic information service provided by public radio stations. This is used exclusively to record access and exit from freeways. The specific data of traffic obstructions between two highway interchanges cannot be captured and reported by the traffic message channel.
