How much do you love being mobile? I lot I bet! Most people have grown completely accustomed to their lives hands-free. That’s not to say that we can’t appreciate the corded phone (sounds weird, doesn’t it?) but with so many options available that allow the convenience of not having to untangle a cord every few minutes, most people say “Yay!” to that option, and “Nay!” to the old days. Catching up to the world of free hands is the global position system (GPS) that can help you keep track of where you are going anywhere in the country. Now there are tons of Bluetooth GPS units on the market that are wireless and offer great features for customers. In this article, we will look at some of these units to see which ones might be a great match for you.
You may not remember or be aware of this, but there was a time that GPS units were installed in cars with wires attached. Because everything is portable and wireless now, it is hard to imagine this is possible. But since those days, of course, companies have found ways to not only create great Bluetooth GPS units that are attractive and compact, but also give you all of the features of a cell phone and entertainment center in one. Here are a few of the more popular models on the market:
TomTom
This company definitely offers some of the more popular Bluetooth GPS units on the market. This is because the company is known for being extremely accurate and reliable under all circumstances. Most of their receivers have similar features – of course, some more advanced than others. Overall, you can count on them offering street-level maps for the entire United States; some even offer maps of Europe. Also, you can get pictures of lifelike 3D maps that show your position on the road and give you icons that represent points of interest in a clear display for those who have vision difficulties. Also, most of their systems have menus that allow you to customize your experience and they also have low-glare night display options.
The TomTom Navigator software adds special features to their Bluetooth GPS units. So in addition to being able to pinpoint your location on one of their maps, you can get door-to-door navigation by simply plugging in addresses you want to travel between. In addition, the software provides a roadblock feature that quickly reroutes your travel to help you avoid any unexpected traffic issues. But probably one of the most impressive features of this software is the Point of Interest database that gives you access to literally millions of locations in the country. But using this database, you can simply scroll through the directory to map out navigation directions. This way, you don’t always have to feel responsible for finding the address to a location before traveling to it – the system will do the work for you.
Magellan
While this company is not as well known and popular as TomTom, it does offer a pretty popular device that is getting good reviews from the experts. The Magellan Crossover is one of the better portable Bluetooth GPS units on the market as it is pocket-sized, offers the ability to listen to MP3s, allows you to view photos, and of course, has great mapping capabilities. While some receivers are only meant to sit on your dashboard, this device is great to take on a hiking trip with you, as it has a battery life that is longer than others on the market (up to 8 hours). But most importantly, it is a great trip planner, helping you determine where you are on a map, and letting you easily navigate your way from Point A to Point B. Most people use these devices if they are interested in boating and fishing, or just taking advantage of the outdoors with the outdoors taking advantage of them. So if you are an outdoorsman, but get lost easily, then the Magellan Crossover might be the device for you.
Garmin
Garmin is probably known as one of the most popular companies on the market for selling Bluetooth GPS units and other systems meant for navigation, mapping, and tracking. They are known primarily for being highly reliable and accurate in the toughest of conditions. And they offer over 30 portable devices as well as tons of others that make it easy for a person in any price range to choose one that will work well for them.
Two Bluetooth GPS units offer by Garmin that hold reviewers’ attention pretty well are the StreetPilot c340 and StreetPilot 7500. Both are portable devices, but one is handheld and one is not. The c340 version is great for those who like to get outdoors but don’t want to carry a bulky, uncomfortable (and potentially unsafe) device around with them. It has great features for any outdoorsman, including a 3D view of the area you’re in, an easy to use touch screen to assist with navigation features, and a battery life that lasts for up to 8 hours. In addition, you can view pictures on this receiver, giving you a great way to have fun while outdoors.
The 7500 on the other hand was created more so for the person who doesn’t plan to step out of the car except to enter another building. This device sits on the dashboard and has a large 7” screen, which is great for viewing at night, and for those with vision challenges. Like its smaller counterpart, it offers 3D maps and navigational options; and it also has an MP3 player to keep you company on your way to your location.
If you are interested in learning more about Bluetooth GPS units, you might want to consider visiting an electronic store in your area. Because while the Internet can provide great information to get you started, it is important that you view the systems in person to see which one suits your personal tastes. Once you find one you like, you can always get back on line to sift through Bluetooth GPS units until you locate the one you want to buy at a great Internet price. By taking this route, you can get the price you want with the guarantee that you will have device you want.
