The Evolution of GPS Navigation: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Device

In recent years, getting around by car, on foot, and through traffic has become easier than ever thanks to today's advanced GPS navigation systems. While any GPS device can get you where you want to go, our tests reveal that there are significant differences in how easy they are to use. It's not just about looking at a box; rather, it's essential to consider factors such as screen size, user interface, and features.

When it comes to choosing a GPS device, having a wide screen is crucial for a broader view of maps, making it much easier to read and navigate. Furthermore, entering your destination should be straightforward, with devices that make it simple for drivers to input their desired location receiving high ratings from us. However, we've found that devices with voice command may not always be the easiest to use. Take, for example, the GPS device from Ridgefield that gave us Litchfield instead of our intended destination. This highlights the importance of speaking slowly and clearly and turning down the music to avoid misunderstandings.

Most GPS devices offer a range of routing options, including fastest, shortest, and toll-free routes. Additionally, they often come equipped with turn-by-turn spoken street directions, allowing users to stay on track while driving. Our tests have found that the best devices list a route as text as well as provide users with the ability to avoid certain roads, making it easier to avoid congested areas and traffic jams. This is especially crucial in today's world where getting stuck in traffic can be frustrating and time-consuming.

Another feature worth considering is pedestrian mode, which is becoming increasingly popular among device makers. This feature is particularly helpful for navigating unfamiliar towns or cities on foot, as it provides users with real-time guidance and assistance. Moreover, it's essential to consider the battery life of a GPS device, as some models can last up to five hours, while others may only last about an hour. When selecting a GPS device, it's crucial to weigh these factors against other features that may be important to you.

In addition to these basic features, some GPS devices offer advanced capabilities worth considering. Reality view paired with Lane Guidance provides a realistic glimpse of major junctions, complete with overhead road signs and showing users the best lane to be in. This feature is particularly useful for drivers who want to avoid accidents or navigate complex intersections safely. Furthermore, devices with a "where am I" or "help" feature can pinpoint your exact location if you're lost or in an emergency, guiding you to the nearest hospital, police station, restaurant, or other points of interest.

Some GPS devices also come equipped with additional features such as directories for finding specific locations, triple-A approved auto shops, and gas stations. These features are particularly useful when having car trouble or running low on fuel. Moreover, some advanced units provide users with gas prices, night flight directions from the statics ability, and other valuable information. If you're considering a multimedia device, look for one that offers Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calls, MP3 players, and iPod connections.

In today's world where smartphones are ubiquitous, it may be tempting to rely on your phone's GPS capabilities instead of a dedicated device. Our tests have found that some smartphones can work just as well as traditional GPS units, but the smaller screen can make it tougher to see and use. Furthermore, while free GPS navigation apps like Google Maps may seem like a good deal, paid apps from GPS manufacturers often provide more comprehensive features and better accuracy.

At Consumer Reports, we're dedicated to helping you find the best GPS device for your needs and budget. We test and review each device thoroughly, providing users with detailed profiles that include highs and lows, as well as a list of key features. By choosing a GPS device that meets your specific requirements, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable driving experience, whether on the road or on foot.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: engetting around by car on foot and through traffic has never been easier thanks to today's GPS navigation systems and while any GPS device can get you where you want to go our tests find that there are big differences between how easy they are to use which is something you cannot tell just by looking at a box first you want one with a wide screen for a broader view of maps that's much easier to read a wide screen is a must entering your destination should be easy - we give high ratings to GPS devices that make it simple for drivers to enter where they want to go you might think devices with voice command would be the easiest to use of all but our tests show that isn't always the case Ridgefield but the GPS gave us litchfield instead you do need to speak slowly and clearly and turn down the music since there's usually more than one way to get to your destination most GPS devices will let you choose the fastest shortest or even toll-free routes continue point to miles and along with turn-by-turn spoken street directions our tests find the best devices list a route as text as well as allow you to avoid certain roads tired of getting stuck in traffic many new GPS systems are providing traffic information for free you can just as readily get lost on foot as you can in a car that's why many device makers are now including a pedestrian mode so be real helpful for getting around in unfamiliar towns or cities becomes real important to take a look at the battery life in our test the best devices lasts up to five hours the worst only about an hour okay we've covered the basics now let's look at some features that are worth paying more for reality view paired with Lane Guidance provides a realistic glimpse of major junctions complete with overhead road signs while showing you the best lane to be in consider a GPS device with a where am i or help feature it can pinpoint your exact location if you're lost or in an emergency this feature can guide you with one touch to the nearest hospital or police station want to find a restaurant point of interest directories can help you find what you crave and more if you're having car trouble some can find triple-a approved auto shops running on empty get directions to the nearest gas station and more advanced units will show you gas prices to night flight and from the statics ability should you pay more for a multimedia device these have bluetooth for hands-free calls mp3 players and iPod connections this is an appealing option if you don't want to carry extra devices or you want to upgrade an older vehicle if you have GPS navigation on your cell phone do you even need a dedicated device our test finds some smart phones can work just as well as a traditional GPS unit but the smaller screen can be tougher to see and the smaller buttons harder to use the free Google navigation that works with most smartphones may seem like a good deal but paid apps from the GPS manufacturers provide more of the helpful features that you find on standalone GPS units at Consumer Reports we're always testing new GPS devices we have a full profile on each GPS complete with highs lows and a full list of features we can help you find the device that best meets your needs and budget so check out the ratings I'm Jeff Bartlett yougetting around by car on foot and through traffic has never been easier thanks to today's GPS navigation systems and while any GPS device can get you where you want to go our tests find that there are big differences between how easy they are to use which is something you cannot tell just by looking at a box first you want one with a wide screen for a broader view of maps that's much easier to read a wide screen is a must entering your destination should be easy - we give high ratings to GPS devices that make it simple for drivers to enter where they want to go you might think devices with voice command would be the easiest to use of all but our tests show that isn't always the case Ridgefield but the GPS gave us litchfield instead you do need to speak slowly and clearly and turn down the music since there's usually more than one way to get to your destination most GPS devices will let you choose the fastest shortest or even toll-free routes continue point to miles and along with turn-by-turn spoken street directions our tests find the best devices list a route as text as well as allow you to avoid certain roads tired of getting stuck in traffic many new GPS systems are providing traffic information for free you can just as readily get lost on foot as you can in a car that's why many device makers are now including a pedestrian mode so be real helpful for getting around in unfamiliar towns or cities becomes real important to take a look at the battery life in our test the best devices lasts up to five hours the worst only about an hour okay we've covered the basics now let's look at some features that are worth paying more for reality view paired with Lane Guidance provides a realistic glimpse of major junctions complete with overhead road signs while showing you the best lane to be in consider a GPS device with a where am i or help feature it can pinpoint your exact location if you're lost or in an emergency this feature can guide you with one touch to the nearest hospital or police station want to find a restaurant point of interest directories can help you find what you crave and more if you're having car trouble some can find triple-a approved auto shops running on empty get directions to the nearest gas station and more advanced units will show you gas prices to night flight and from the statics ability should you pay more for a multimedia device these have bluetooth for hands-free calls mp3 players and iPod connections this is an appealing option if you don't want to carry extra devices or you want to upgrade an older vehicle if you have GPS navigation on your cell phone do you even need a dedicated device our test finds some smart phones can work just as well as a traditional GPS unit but the smaller screen can be tougher to see and the smaller buttons harder to use the free Google navigation that works with most smartphones may seem like a good deal but paid apps from the GPS manufacturers provide more of the helpful features that you find on standalone GPS units at Consumer Reports we're always testing new GPS devices we have a full profile on each GPS complete with highs lows and a full list of features we can help you find the device that best meets your needs and budget so check out the ratings I'm Jeff Bartlett you\n"