The Latest GPS Navigation Systems Are Equipped With Numerous Facilities Like 3-D Maps, Traffic Alert

Whether you want to visit your favorite deli or take a nice peaceful trip outside the city, your GPS navigator can effectively help you reach your destination faster without needing to sit in traffic for hours. Car GPS navigation systems can help you with maps, turn-by-turn directions and that's not all, it can also guide you towards multiple points of interest.

The latest GPS navigation systems are equipped with numerous facilities like 3-D maps, traffic alerts, easy touch screen, hands free calling etc. Some models also offer FM transmitters; this makes it easier for you to hear alerts and prompts through your own car stereo. Many navigators come equipped with theft prevention features, Bluetooth, and a couple of other helpful features to aid the driver.

There are many vehicles on the market that come equipped with a GPS navigator, however if your car does not come with a GPS navigator, you can consider buying a separate portable unit for yourself. This portable unit can be mounted on the dashboard or windshield of your car.

Here below are some of the features that you should look for when buying a GPS navigation system:

1. Accurate navigation is the most important feature that your GPS should offer; also, it is advisable to go for a navigator that recalculates routes fast.

2. A GPS screen should be easy to touch as well as read. Also, the displays on your navigator should be very clear and sharp. Preferably, pick a model that can be viewed in different lighting conditions, including daylight.

3. Voice command is offered by a few models, this can be helpful as it allows the driver to operate certain functions solely with voice.

4. If you like to do exploring on foot often, it is wiser to consider a lightweight GPS navigator. Although in most cases the cheaper models tend to be lighter, there are a few premium units that are lightweight and easy to carry.

5. Invest in a GPS navigation system that comes equipped with street-level mapping, updating your mapping software can be done for no extra cost.

6. Aside from the basic features of preloaded maps and driving directions, also look for features like Bluetooth and text-to-speech capability.

7. Additional features to look for would be real-time traffic support, FM transmitters and some new models offer MP3 playback for music on the go.

8. Make sure that the GPS has a long battery life, the longer the better. Although, a GPS unit offering a long battery life can be expensive, it will be worth every penny you spend.

9. Before making a decision make sure that the features the unit offers are in perfect working condition, for example it is very important for the pronunciation and sound of the device to be clear otherwise you would end up looking at the unit more often than the road.

Car GPS navigation systems can make car travel easy and hassle free. You no longer need to crack your brains on deciphering complicated directions and maps; you GPS navigator can help you get to your destination safe and sound.

There are many companies offering top-of-the-line products like TomTom, Magellan, Garmin and many more. With so many options, why not go ahead and choose one that suits your driving needs the best to make traveling easier and so much better.

SNS Designs, INC. owns a number of websites. They carry wide selection of Garmin GPS, Magellan GPS systems, Handheld GPS Units and Tom Tom GPS they offer the most popular gps navigation equipment for cars and mobile devices as well as computers for everyone.

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Garmin Traffic GPS - Everything You Need to Know

All Garmin traffic GPS are in a group Garmin calls "FM traffic compatible". This means these GPS can accept FM traffic data from an FM traffic receiver and show it on the GPS display. A subgroup of this larger group is titled "FM traffic included" which means that the GPS is sold with an integrated traffic receiver and subscription to the traffic service included in the purchase price.

Now that we have the definitions out of the way, let's clear up one point that may surprise you. None of these Garmin GPS actually have the FM receiver built inside the GPS. The FM receiver is actually built into the cigarette lighter power plug that powers the GPS. The cord that powers the GPS also carries the data from the FM traffic receiver located in the power plug to the GPS.

On all current Garmin units, you can tell if the GPS has FM traffic included in the purchase price if the model number has the letter "T" in the last character position. Example: Garmin Nuvi 1490T.

If you purchase a GPS that includes traffic, you will have an easy time installing it since the GPS and the FM receiver are matched when they arrive together in the box.

If you purchased an FM Traffic compatible unit without the FM receiver (and associated subscription to the traffic service), you will need to do some research if you want to add the traffic service to your GPS.

The best place to find the information you need for this is on the Garmin website. Go to the Garmin home page. You will see a link on the top left of the page, "On the Road". Move your cursor over this link and a drop down box with appear. Click the link "Automotive" in this box. This will bring up a page that lists all the current Garmin automotive GPS models.

On the top left of this page are several links, one of which will be "Traffic Receivers". Click this link and all of the Garmin traffic receivers will be displayed. Note that there are also some satellite receivers shown, but we will not address those in this article.

The basic differences between these traffic receivers are the traffic service that they provide and the type of plug on the cord that plugs into the GPS. To find the FM traffic receiver for your Garmin Traffic GPS, click on the link to a specific receiver (Example: GTM(TM) 25 with lifetime traffic). When the page loads, you will see some tabs across the page toward the bottom of the screen. When you click on the "Products" tab, a page will display all the Garmin GPS that are compatible with the FM traffic receiver.

Check to see if your GPS is included and verify that the FM traffic service covers your area. The traffic service is provided by either Clear Channel Traffic Message Channel or NAVTEQ Traffic. Other subscriptions may be available under the "Accessories" tab (if displayed).

You should now have the information you need to make an intelligent decision about how to add traffic capability to your Garmin traffic GPS.

Good luck and good driving. Steer clear of traffic with your Garmin traffic GPS.

See the resource information below for more information about using the Garmin and Amazon websites to find the correct FM receiver for your Garmin traffic GPS. 

John V. W. Howe is an entrepreneur, author, inventor, patent holder, husband, father, and grandfather. His degree in physics makes him curious about how things work and he was naturally fascinated with early GPS units and has followed their development.

His website, The-Best-GPS.com, helps readers identify the best GPS units.

For more information and help in finding all Garmin Traffic GPS go to http://www.the-best-gps.com/Garmin-Traffic-GPS.html

For more information about Garmin FM Traffic Receivers go to http://www.the-best-gps.com/Garmin-Traffic-Receiver.html

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