GPS Systems and Reviews

Can Delphi’s NAV200 GPS System Make a Big Splash in the Market?

It has been around a year since Delphi released the moderately successful NAV200, which was meeting with lukewarm response. Now do not get me wrong it was a nice model with some very good features, but it did not do as well as the company had hoped for. Out comes the Delphi NAV300 GPS system to hopefully put this company on the map as one of the major players in the GPS market.  Now this is very similar to its predecessor the NAV200, but also has some added features that people should find very interesting. Let us look and see if the improvements have helped make Delphi a major player yet.

One of the first things that I look for and most every consumer looks for is a device that is easy to operate. The ease of operation also means the consumer is more likely to recommend the product to a friend as well. Well if that is true than the Delphi NAV300 should be a big hit. Now the NAV200 was a good product but this new addition is so much better. First, it is easy to operate and comes with many great features that will only enhance the use of it. Some of these features include Bluetooth capabilities, text-to-speech functions; both of these were not available on the NAV200 so that is a marked improvement for Delphi. Magellan and Garmin has dominated the market with higher end products but entries like this are challenging them as with a lower price and good features they are cutting into the market share these two giant GPS companies held. One of the add-ons that are offered is the Radio Data Systems-Traffic Message Channel, which lets you direct your route around congested traffic and weather which is a big deal for travelers. It costs around 100 dollars to add, but it worth considering if you travel a lot.

Design wise it really is simple and it has minimal buttons and controls on the body. With the NAV300 simple works well and they have designed it with the consumer in mind, which is a very good idea. Most all the controls are accessed by touch control screen, which is a nice feature.  Menu button is on the left side of the face and the Bluetooth button is just below that. On the sides you will find the volume and power button controls as well. Other than that, all access is done through the touch screen with either a finger or the included stylus. Size is about the same as most portable units, but this one is a bit thinner and a tad bit longer, but nothing drastic. It is portable enough that you can use it in multiple cars or even on foot if need be.

Let’s look at some of the features which make the NAV300 stand out from the NAV200. One of the first would be the Bluetooth option, but the biggest drawback is not very many phones are compatible with it. I’m sure that time goes by though more will be added. The text-to-speech function is something that I really like and this model has that. This model also has the multimedia function, which means it is capable of playing music, videos, and displaying pictures. Of course watching movies on such a small screen is tough and would advise against it. It has a preloaded game on it, which you will also be able to play and a calculator is included, which are some nice added touches from Delphi.

Looking at how it performs I was pleasantly surprised at its performance. It has an SD memory card, which holds up to 2GB. The processor was of decent speed and it performs very well under driving conditions. Battery life is around five hours, which really is about standard before needed a recharge. Ease of operation and the new features do make this a model that you will want to consider on the entry level. It has a low entry price and has many features to compete with the big players in the game. This small and compact GPS system works very well and should do well in the marketplace. It is a nice upgrade from the NAV200 that is for sure. If your entry the GPS fray for the first time you may want to consider this one has, it is easy to operate and comes with a low cost, which makes it a winner in most people’s minds.

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Buying the Best GPS Where Do You Start

Many people whom are first introduced to GPS systems are really confused about many different things. You see names like Garmin, TomTom, Magellan and others that really make no sense to you. If you’re a newbie than this is the guide for you. We have compiled a guide to help you better understand GPS and which unit is the best for you. Read further and discover how to choose the right model and not be taken by some fast talking salesperson at the store.

Most people make buying their first GPS system much tougher than it really is. One of the first steps though you need to do is set down a budget to limit yourself. By limiting yourself to a budget, you will not spend more than you have and getting the most out of your money is what the result will be. Secondly deciding on the brand you want. There are many good companies such as TomTom, Magellan who make some great models, but if you want the best, only one name stands above the crowd and that is Garmin. Garmin has been a leader in the industry for a number of years and still leads the way as the others are still trying to catch up with them, but so far, Garmin continues to lead the way.

One thing you will need to decide is what options you are looking for from your unit. Most of Garmin Units are featured rich that is why they are number one in the GPS market. One of the more popular models from Garmin is the Nuvi 350 which is one of their best sellers and for very good reasons. It has all the goodies you’re looking for such as turn-by-turn navigation and a large touch screen to make it very easy to operate. If your budget is a little, less than the Garmin Nuvi 200 is another great choice. In fact almost any in the Nuvi series would make an excellent choice as they have many features and come in at various prices so finding the one for you should not be a problem. Stick to your budget as close as possible as it will save you a lot of money in the long run. If you go into this type of market blind, you could end of spending thousands dollars for a unit that you really do not need. This is why having a fixed budget is a very good idea.

The key to getting your first GPS unit is taking your time. No matter what company you choose to buy your unit from you still must do your homework? Not every company’s model will have everything that you will want or ever use. This is why you must comparison shop and has a list already built of what you’re looking for. Most models are constantly updated so what was new two or three months ago could be old news. You must remember that the GPS market is always changing and new companies are trying to break in as well so keep this in mind when making a decision.

Finding the best prices is something that also will take you some time as well. Many offline electronic stores have very good prices and you should see what kind of deals that they can offer you. Now you also do not want to overlook places like EBay or Amazon.com as they will have a very wide selection and usually at very comparable prices to anywhere else, you try. The reason it the sheer volume of sales they have gives them the ability to do this. People understand if you want something sold, quickly you go there and that is why they sell quickly and usually at a lower price than traditional retail stores can deal with.

In the end, finding the best GPS unit will take some time, but nothing that you cannot handle. Do not get caught grabbing the first thing you see as that is not the way to go. Comparison shop and make sure you get the best deal for your model. The more research you put into it the better off you will be and the better deal you will be able to find. Do not settle for second-rate material. You cannot go wrong with anything from Garmin, as they are the leader in the GPS industry. They have many new models that are coming out and they are always updating their current selection.

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