Which navigator is better to install in the car - TOP-11 GPS navigators and applications for smartphones
Best GPS Navigators
Despite the emergence of the possibility of using mobile devices as a navigator, equipment that receives data from satellites remains in demand.
No. 6. PROLOGY iMap-M500
The navigation system is equipped with a 5 "touchscreen display. The device is equipped with an MStar 800 MHz processor and a GPS receiver. The operating system is Microsoft WinCE 6.0. If necessary, the navigator can function autonomously for quite a long time. Its battery lasts for two hours. The built-in memory (4 GB) can be expanded by inserting a memory card.
The PROGOROD software is used for navigation. The device memory contains the most demanded cartographic information (covers more than 1 million settlements), including those with HD-resolution. If desired, other maps can be downloaded for free on the website of the software provider. The device has built-in audio and video players.
pros
- simplicity;
- reliability;
- availability of maps, the ability to update data free of charge;
- loud speaker;
- good speed of searching for satellites;
- clear interface.
Minuses
- low performance, delays in the delivery of the necessary information;
- not very high display resolution.
No. 5. Lexand Click & Drive CD5 HD City
The GPS-enabled navigator has a 5 ″ TFT screen. Responsible for the performance are the MStar MSB2531 processor and 128 MB of RAM. The built-in memory is 4 GB. The device runs on Windows CE.
The front panel of the device has an LED that changes color depending on the state of charge of the navigator. The battery charge lasts for an hour and a half of battery life. The device is fixed to the holder using a magnetic mount. The wire for connecting to the cigarette lighter is short enough; it will not work to run it so that it does not interfere while driving.
You can view video content, view photos, and listen to music on your navigator. However, it doesn't connect to the internet. Cellular, Bluetooth and WIFI modules are missing.
pros
- compactness;
- simple and reliable fastening;
- good satellite signal;
- clear and user-friendly interface;
- budgetary cost;
- the ability to update maps for free.
Minuses
- lack of access to the Internet;
- Crashes occur when updating maps.
No. 4. Dunobil Ultra 5.0
The device, equipped with a convenient navigation system from Navitel, has wide multimedia capabilities: mp3 player, photo viewer, video playback and FM transmitter. The device is equipped with a five-inch color touch screen with a resolution of 800 × 480 pixels, backlit. Maps of the Russian Federation are installed in it initially. Additional data can be downloaded if desired. The navigator runs on the Windows CE 6.0 operating system.
The presence of Bluetooth allows you to access the Internet (you can use a phone as an access point), as a result of which it becomes possible to see traffic jams and other operational information. A camera can be connected via the AV input.
pros
- ergonomics;
- high-quality assembly;
- excellent signal reception anywhere, fast route provision;
- contrasting image;
- the ability to watch videos and listen to music;
- simple and intuitive interface;
- long battery life.
Minuses
There were no shortcomings in this model.
No. 3. Lesko Pioneer DVR700PI Max
The navigation system has an excellent 7-inch IPS display. High speed of work is provided by a processor with 4 cores and 1 GB of RAM. The device runs on Android, it has Navitel and IGO software installed. Built-in memory capacity - 16 GB.
An interesting navigator is the ability to install two SIM cards and the presence of a WI-FI module, which allows you to use the Internet in your work, as well as make calls. Equipping the device with two cameras makes it possible to operate it as a video recorder.
pros
- high-quality filling;
- the ability to go online;
- complete with a battery with a large capacity, which is enough for 6 hours of operation;
- the ability to shoot in the recorder mode.
Minuses
- poor quality of shooting at night;
- long search for a satellite after the first start.
In addition, this navigator is not so easy to find on sale.
No. 2. Garmin DriveSmart 51 RUS LMT
The portable device, equipped with a five-inch display, runs on Garmin OS and has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. The navigator not only helps to choose the path, but also warns about the presence of CCTV cameras, difficult road sections, pedestrian zones, etc. The ability to synchronize with a smartphone makes it possible to receive operational information about traffic jams (the RDS standard or the Smarthphone Link application is used for analysis), repair work or other problems on the road, as well as learn about incoming calls and notifications. To search for the desired point, there is no need to hammer in the address - it is enough to pronounce it.
You can insert 2 SIM cards into the device, as well as a memory card. For autonomous operation (within an hour), it is equipped with a rechargeable battery. The maps are provided with the device; in the future, the software can be updated.
pros
- GPS positioning accuracy;
- good speed of work;
- support for voice commands;
- synchronization with a smartphone;
- informativeness of the picture;
- reliable fastening.
Minuses
- high price;
- lack of multimedia capabilities;
- not very clear pronunciation of street names.
The model combines the functions of a navigator and a video recorder. It is equipped with a 5 ″ touch screen with a resolution of 1280 × 720.
The device supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, has a slot for microSD (internal memory of 16 GB can be expanded up to 64 GB). It comes with a camera with a modern OmniVision sensor and a viewing angle of 140 degrees.
The voice-guided navigator has a map package covering 47 countries. When analyzing a route, traffic intensity is taken into account. Traffic jams are displayed on the screen. The driver also receives information about the location of speed cameras.
pros
- multifunctionality (2 in 1);
- the ability to update the software;
- high-quality screen;
- high speed of finding satellites;
- exact location.
Minuses
- the suction cup is visible in the frame;
- not very capacious battery;
- the device does not work at subzero temperatures.
Best smartphone apps
For those who want to download a navigator application to their phone, the rating of the most popular products will help.
No. 5. 2 GIS
The app works on iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms. The navigator works even without an internet connection. 2 GIS allows you to download the necessary databases to your smartphone so that you do not have to connect to the World Wide Web to find a route. When calculating the time, traffic jams, road closures, bridge opening schedules, etc. are taken into account.
pros
- good detail;
- there is a directory function;
- the ability to use without connecting to the Internet;
- monthly data update.
Minuses
- annoying advertising.
No. 4. Maps.me
With this application, you can easily get directions for walking or driving. It works all over the world and features precise detailing, right down to walking paths and benches where you can relax. You don't need the Internet to use Maps.me, you only need a map and a working GPS in your phone.
pros
- you can download not a complete map of the country, but a specific region;
- the ability to work offline;
- cartographic data are detailed.
Minuses
- not for everyone a user-friendly interface;
- there may be little information about small settlements;
- the optimal route is not always chosen.
No. 3. Navitel
Installing this application allows you to plan trips, choose the desired route and determine the travel time. Navitel's cartographic coverage includes most of the settlements of the Russian Federation, as well as the CIS countries and Europe. The navigator, like most analogs, is able to work successfully in the absence of the Internet.
pros
- user-friendly interface;
- pleasant timbre of voice accompaniment;
- informativeness;
- the ability to work without Internet access.
Minuses
- the volume of some maps can be impressive;
- you have to pay to download maps.
No. 2. Google maps
This voice search navigator belongs to the standard software used by many phone manufacturers for presetting. The free application gives the driver a choice of several routes and, after determining the optimal one, does not jump from it to another during the trip, as some competitors do. If you need to use the navigator in offline mode and the map is downloaded before that, you need to remember that it retains its relevance only for a month.
pros
- works in online and offline modes;
- quickly updates the traffic data on the selected route;
- shows the direction of movement along the lanes;
- convenient voice search;
- lack of advertising.
Minuses
- no notification about cameras;
- the speed allowed on the road is not shown;
- a limited set of locations along the route.
# 1. Yandex.Navigator
This domestic product is the most popular. It provides the user with complete information about route options, traffic congestion, various situations on the road that can complicate the trip.
pros
- simple and user-friendly interface;
- non-annoying voice prompts (you can choose a voice);
- there are warnings about cameras on the road;
- there is a night mode;
- can be used without internet access.
Minuses
- turns off when a call comes in;
- information about traffic jams does not always correspond to reality;
- in offline mode, malfunctions often occur.
Nowadays, many can no longer imagine moving around the city or region without a voice assistant. However, choosing the best device is not easy.
Types of navigators
Today, several types of devices can be used to facilitate the driver's orientation on the road.
OEM navigation system... Factory devices have many advantages:
- large display;
- clarity and sufficient volume of voice commands;
- convenient control;
- fast search for satellites.
However, the presence of such a system significantly increases the cost of the car. In addition, the driver does not have a choice of software. There is difficulty in updating maps. In addition, the system also malfunctions: the navigator makes a mistake when choosing a route, the detail of the maps does not correspond to reality, and sometimes voice prompts are incomprehensible.
Car navigators... The built-in antenna of these devices is highly sensitive and quickly locates the satellite. The devices are able to quickly and accurately lead to the desired point. Connecting the equipment to the on-board power supply system allows you not to worry about its charge. Sunlight is not too harmful to the operation of the devices. However, the user interface of many models is questionable.
Smartphones with the app installed... Using the installed software or downloading the necessary application, the car owner gets a navigator for his use, for which he does not need to pay (you can also buy the necessary program by paying quite a bit of money). All that remains is to purchase a mount so that it is convenient to use the phone. However, the excessive functionality of modern smartphones sometimes becomes their disadvantage.Calls and incoming alerts can distract the driver from the road. During a conversation, there is a risk of skipping the desired turn. In addition, for the trip, you need to stock up on a charger, otherwise the phone can be discharged pretty soon and there is a risk of being left not only without a navigator, but also without a connection. And prolonged exposure to the sun (if you install the phone under the windshield) can negatively affect the device.
Tablets can also be used for auto-navigation, but they are not very convenient, since due to their cumbersomeness there are problems with their installation.
Drivers who need a device to help navigate the road and find the best path, as a rule, choose between a car GPS-navigator or a smartphone with the installed program.
What is important when choosing equipment?
When planning to purchase and install a navigator in a car, you need to take into account several aspects, on which ease of use and information content for the driver largely depend.
Updating map data
Without up-to-date maps, any navigator becomes a useless device. Usually, the cost of software that is installed on a GPS navigator is not so cheap. And in the basic configuration, the set of installed cards is scarce. And updating the information is not too easy. The cards that are in applications for smartphones not only are not inferior to the equipment of specialized equipment, but sometimes they are also more relevant. In addition, mobile technology allows you to exchange information with other users.
Internet access
The ability to access the World Wide Web is important when moving around. Many navigator models have this feature, but they are quite expensive. Going online from a smartphone is not a problem. As a result, you can quickly update cartographic data, receive information about traffic jams and other obstacles on the way.
Functionality
Of course, smartphones look more attractive by this criterion. However, do not forget that today multifunctional devices are being produced, which are equipped with a navigator, recorder, radar detector and a rear-view camera.
Operating system
The most common platforms used for navigation are Windows CE or Android. The first one is rather slow, but it costs less. The second is faster and more convenient to use.
Cost of devices
Comparing equipment on this principle is very difficult. Today, motorists have the opportunity to purchase both specialized navigation equipment and smartphones at quite budget prices.
Table. Comparison of smartphone and GPS navigator.
| Device | Advantages | disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone | Availability of map data, ease of updating | The need for constant charging, as using applications will quickly drain the phone |
| Ease of Internet access | Ability to disrupt navigation when receiving a call from another subscriber | |
| No need to invest | The need to purchase a mount | |
| Constant presence with the owner without being tied to a specific car | Problems with prolonged exposure to the sun | |
| GPS navigator | Positioning Accuracy | High cost of quality models |
| Comfort of operation | Lack of Internet access for many types of equipment | |
| No charger dependency | Inconvenient user interface of many models | |
| The presence of a mount for installation in the kit | Difficulty updating software |
It is impossible to unequivocally determine which is better: a mobile phone with an application or a navigator. Each driver determines the optimal device, taking into account his needs and capabilities.
