Automotive GPS are the dashboard mounted electronic devices which tell you your position on an electronic map and guide you to your destination via voice instructions. With a database full of various Points Of Interest (POIs), these ‘must have’ gadgets of modern day world, can take you to hotels, gas stations, hospitals, airports or even an unknown address, with quite an ease.

However, as easy it is to use these systems, it is equally cumbersome to choose the perfect one for your vehicle, unless you opt for an Automotive GPS Price Comparison.

The reason is simple, these systems come in a wide variety of brands, price ranges ($150 -$1000), features and upgrades. An Automotive GPS Price Comparison, available on numerous sites these days, helps make your decision easier, as it provides you the following information –

•    It tells you what all brands are available for the device, along with the different models available with each brand. You can also see the pictures of the devices available with brands like – Alpine, Garmin, Goodyear, Magellon Maestro, Navigon, Nextar, TellyNay, TomTom, etc.

•    The Automotive GPS Price Comparison allows you to go through the various features of each product and then compare them with those of the others. Some of the basic features available in all models are – Multi-segment routing facility, text-to-voice conversion, POI database, etc. Some model specific features are – screen size, onboard map database, traffic navigation systems and the multimedia features.

•    The reviews and star ratings on the Automotive Price Comparison sites give you a clear idea of the product’s performance on road.

•    Some of the Automotive GPS Price Comparison sites allow their users to choose from the mapping software, map books and service stations too.

Here are a few vital points to be kept in mind while choosing your system-

•    Automotive GPS are of two major types – Stand-alone Navigation Systems and the PC/PDA based systems. The former further are sub categorized into – Entry level navigation systems, advanced navigation systems, fully loaded navigators, multi–purpose navigators and Europe navigation systems, based on their features.

•    It is important to know one’s specific requirements and then decide on the model, keeping the budget in mind.

•    While buying from an Automotive GPS Price Comparison site, ensure your system has all the basic features and its map database should suit your area of movement.

•    Before buying also consider the latest products in the market, what they offer and the possibility of updation in the system of your choice. Bluetooth integration, multimedia options and live updating of software are some of the frills worth considering.

•    You’ll can get a decent deal on an Automotive GPS Price Comparison site for $200 – $300.

In today’s world, no high end automotive is without its GPS to helps us travel from destination A to destination B. We can buy optional GPS systems as part of a new car buy or select models that are installed later. However, whether to buy one straight off or select one later that may be of better quality is a tough choice. Here are some considerations to think about when considering buying the GPS option that comes with a new car or having another GPS system installed.

Almost all the newest GPS system have a few things in common: Full-color Street maps, easy touch-screen controls, traffic alerts and rerouting options. It is the other features, cost and your integration options that make the difference.

First off let’s consider cost. Built-in GPS systems offered on new vehicles are often much more expensive. In-dash add-on navigational GPS systems are often only moderately expensive but need to be installed by professionals which can add to your expenses. Portable automotive GPS navigation systems are usually the most economical and easily ported from one vehicle to the next.

Secondly, consider integration with other automotive systems. Built-in GPS’s LCD display are shared with other car systems like climate control, antenna, power attachments, the radio, and hands-free cell phone. In-dash add-on GPS systems usually replace a vehicle’s radio/CD player, require an additional antenna and are not is only partially “integrated” into the car’s systems. Portable GPS systems have the least integration but often do not require external antennae.

New-car built-in GPS systems offered larger LCD screens are usually larger which gives better visibility, but the drawback is that they are usually a step behind in new features and map updates. In-dash GPS also usually include large LCD displays, AM/FM sterol and sometimes CD/DVD players with LCDs that fold away when not in use. While the portable automotive GPS device is usually much smaller, it has the usually provides quickest available update as it can be easily removed and updated through your PC.

Your final consideration is the size of the screen and features. The largest LCD screens are found in the new-car built-in GPS systems which increase visibility to the driver. The drawback to these systems is they are usually slower in feature and map updates. The good news is that in-dash GPS usually provide comparable size LCD displays. They can also provide integrated AM/FM stereo and sometimes CD/DVD players with LCDs that fold away. However, for quickest and easiest updates, it is the portable automotive GPS device that a consumer wants. The drawback is that these devices generally have smaller displays.