Rating of good navigators for a car

In the past 10 years, car navigators have become an indispensable complement when buying a car. An automatic map, independently building a route and indicating a direction, was appreciated not only by taxi drivers and truckers, but also by ordinary drivers. A wide range of GPS receivers is now available, from simple Chinese devices to sophisticated DVRs with 2 cameras. The possibility of choice creates a problem, so below we will present the rating of navigators and we will figure out what to consider when buying.

Classic suction cup mount

What is important to know when choosing a navigator

Many believe that the benefits of a GPS-receiver are now small, because there are alternative devices on the market: smartphones, tablets, media centers and full-time navigation systems.

However, when it comes to navigation, these devices are not able to effectively cope with the task for a number of reasons:

1. Smartphone. This device simply distracts the driver with its functionality (SMS, calls, various alerts).
2. The tablet. They usually do not provide a powerful GPS module. And with a long work in the navigator mode, they start to warm up and "dull". Yes, and with mounting there are difficulties.
3. On-board auto-GPS. For Russia and the CIS countries they are not adapted in the best way and do not have good detail.
4. Multimedia Center. This device is much better than the previous ones, but it has a rather high price, sometimes higher than a good GPS-receiver.

The safest and most reliable solution is a GPS navigator. To choose a car "guide", you need to know what characteristics to consider first.

Functionality is not always needed

Screen and display resolution

Screen size - a parameter that determines the usability of the navigator. From the characteristics of the display depends on how convenient it will be to read information from it and what will be the dimensions and weight of the electronic gadget itself.The larger the screen, the larger the icons will be on it (easier to hit with a finger) and a map showing the route, which will make it easier to navigate.

The large display is convenient for drivers in that while driving you have to look at the device "in fits and starts," while managing to assess the state of affairs. Preference should be given to models with a screen of 5 inches or more.

The number of displayed objects depends on the size of the screen.

CPU and memory

The chipset is an equally important link in a good navigator for a car. It determines the coordinates and receives a signal. There are several varieties. The first option is a radiation receiver. All other operations are assigned to the microcontroller.

The second option is a processor with a signal receiver. For the most part, these are MediaTek-based devices - they consume little resources. The speed depends on the frequency of the process. For comfortable operation, a model with a frequency of 468 to 533 MHz is sufficient.

From memory depends on how quickly the gadget will work. With a high rate, all operations are performed many times faster, which makes working with the navigator more comfortable. Allocate internal and external memory:

• Built-in determines how much information can be downloaded to the device. On average, in GPS-receivers from 32 to 512 MB of memory. Additional software and the navigation system itself works from the built-in memory, that is, the more it is, the faster the device will be.
• The second option is flash memory (ROM), the minimum amount of which is 64 MB. But such devices have a drawback - many navigation programs will not work.

Mount and battery

Navigation devices are already equipped with a standard mount in the form of a suction cup. She attach the device to the windshield. However, there are various mounting mechanisms that allow you to install the device on the dashboard or body, and each driver selects for himself. The main thing is that it is convenient to read information from the screen while driving, while maintaining a review.

In car navigators, unlike portable models, Li-Ion batteries are installed. With this battery, the gadget is able to continuously work for 5 hours. And yet, battery life is not a particularly significant parameter when choosing a device, since navigators are connected to the cigarette lighter. Therefore, many drivers even prefer models without a power source. As a rule, this characteristic is compensated by another, for example, an enlarged screen size.

Various holders available now

Device operating and navigation system

Navigators, in fact, are compact computers, respectively, they are based on the operating system (platform). The most common operating systems are Windows and Android (since 2012).

Garmin company, in turn, introduced its own OS for its hardware - Garmin OS, which is based on Linux OS. This is a stable, reliable and productive system, but not all software is supported.

On all platforms, navigation software is preinstalled. The driver needs to know where he is and how to build a route. At the moment, many programs for working with maps are presented and all have a user interface and cartographic databases. Navigation software allows you to download a detailed map of the city, with house numbers, street names, and so on.

Navigator manufacturers

The brand manufacturer is no less important point when choosing a device than functionality, screen size or multimedia. Recognized Leaders:

• Garmin;
• TomTom
• Magellan eXplorist.

Of course, there are other brands, for example, IXTONE, LEXAND, TeXet, Prestigio and so on. But taking into account the price-quality ratio, the top leaders mentioned above meet the basic requirements.

Rating of the best GPS navigators of 2019

Check out which car navigator is the best. We will rely on ratings and user reviews. Consider 3 categories: budget devices, middle and top level.

The best inexpensive GPS navigators

Here we present navigation devices worth up to 5000 rubles.Of course, they cannot boast of functionality, but the cards in them are quite good.

NAVITEL N500

This is a simple model with a 5-inch TFT-display, excellent signal reception. The gadget runs on the Windows CE 6.0 OS. The device is preinstalled with Navitel software with many maps for the CIS countries. A large database is not the only advantage of this model. Internal memory, if desired, can be increased up to 32 GB. For drivers, a voice assistant will be useful, which will tell, for example, how to rebuild. The mount included in the kit is quite reliable.

Price - 4990 rubles.

NAVITEL N500

LEXAND SA5 HD +

The device is popular among Russian drivers. The image is displayed on a 5-inch display with a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels. As for the hardware platform, the navigator has the following filling: 800 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 4 GB internal memory, 3G modem and Windows CE 6.0 OS. The model works on the basis of Navitel navigation software, where there are maps of such countries: Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland.

Price - from 3390 rubles.

LEXAND SA5 HD +

Prology iMap-5700

This is a device that costs up to 5000 rubles, which boasts a reliable assembly and beautiful design. The resolution of the 5-inch display is 480 by 272 pixels, the processor is installed MStar 800 MHz, the memory capacity is 128 MB. Navigation features are not the only things this model has to offer. If you wish, you can play simple games, watch videos or photos, or listen to music through the built-in MP3 player. The device is capable of working from the cigarette lighter or from a battery with a capacity of 600 mAh. Navigation software supports maps of 370,000 settlements, where 30,000 are presented in HD format.

Price - from 3150 rubles.

Prology iMap-5700

Best mid-range GPS navigators

This category includes devices priced from 5,000 rubles. These devices can not only provide the driver with an accurate map, but also have functionality that comes in handy on a long road.

NAVITEL T700 3G

The advantages of the device are enough, at least, a large 7-inch IPS-screen, which provides a bright and rich picture in any light. If desired, the device can be used as a phone, since it supports the 3G communication standard and has 2 slots for SIM cards. Navigation software covers the territory of 47 states. The autonomy of the device is also at the level - the battery here with a capacity of 2800 mAh. A powerful GPS antenna allows you to instantly connect to satellites. There is a “Hands free” mode, with which it is even more convenient to use the navigator.

Price - from 6990 rubles.

NAVITEL T700 3G

Prology iMap-7300

The hardware component of the device is as follows: mobile processor 500 MHz, RAM - 4 GB, 7 inch display. OS on which the navigator works - updated Windows CE 6.0. The navigation software here is from Navitel, offering all world maps and even rough terrain. Separately, you can find various collections, for example, coastal routes in the Black Sea region are displayed. The large display not only allows you to navigate the terrain, but also supports the playback of videos and flash games.

Price - from 6190 rubles.

Prology iMap-7300

AvtoVision 7GL

By and large, this is a tablet equipped with a navigator with a built-in GPS receiver. To determine the location, the device focuses on a joint GLONASS and GPS signal. Visually similar to a smartphone, only a few overall. The battery capacity here is 2700 mAh. If you fully load the processor, then the charge is enough for battery life for 2 hours. It operates on the basis of Android 5.1. If desired, you can install the Navitel program with any necessary maps. All applications are easily located on Google Play. Hardware specifications: RAM - 1 GB, processor - 1 GHz, 7-inch screen with a resolution of 1024 by 600 pixels.

Price - from 6990 rubles.

AvtoVision 7GL

The best top GPS navigators

In this segment, we will consider the best navigators of 2019. These devices are able to work both independently and together with a smartphone, which will expand the functionality.

Garmin Drive 61 RUS LMT

The model is equipped with a 6.1-inch screen and a fairly fast processor that works well even when performing several actions at the same time. There are pre-installed maps of Russia, which are updated automatically from the date of purchase. It supports Bluetooth wireless technology, which is used to synchronize with a smartphone via the Smartphone Link application. Thus, the driver will be able to receive information about the current weather and the presence of traffic jams. If necessary, the device is complemented by a wireless rear view camera, which will help when parking.

Price - from 11900 rubles.

Garmin Drive 61 RUS LMT

TomTom GO 620

This device is 2 in 1, which is a navigator and a radar detector in one case. The image is displayed on a bright 6-inch display with a resolution of 480p. Thanks to the radar detector, the driver will avoid many problems with the police. The internal memory has a capacity of 16 GB. If this is not enough, you can install an additional memory card to expand the storage. The device is able to synchronize with a smartphone, as a result of which voice control will be available. The software in this model is proprietary, quite convenient.

Price - from 16950 rubles.

TomTom GO 620

Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S Europe

The model of this brand has already been presented above. But this device is fundamentally different from it, despite the similar name. The advantage of this device is that the driver receives an unlimited subscription to pre-installed cards. In addition, the device alerts you to speed cameras. If necessary, you can connect third-party cameras and additional modules. Using the Internet, the gadget independently downloads information about traffic jams and displays the ratings of objects through the TripAdvisor service. Maps are very easy to navigate, as the navigator displays information on a large 6.95-inch screen with a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels.

The price is about 29,220 rubles.

Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S Europe

The best navigator without internet

If you have a phone, you may not need a separate GPS receiver. One such program with offline maps is HERE WeGo from Nokia. This is a free app with a beautiful design. It has more than 100 countries with their maps, so you can travel without the Internet.It is recommended to plan your route in advance, download the necessary maps, and the rest will be prompted by a voice assistant.

It is used not only by drivers, but also by pedestrians and athletes. The maps will show what is next to you, which cafes or restaurants. It is not always safe to be distracted by the smartphone screen on the road, so the application supports voice guidance “from turn to turn”. Some maps even display 3D models. There is a function that allows you to share your own position with friends.

HERE WeGo App

The best navigator on Android

Not so long ago, MapFactor was not very famous. Nowadays, it is one of the best navigation programs, at the same time, with free updates and constant improvements. After downloading MapFactor to your phone, you no longer need to connect to the Internet on the go to find out where you are. It will be enough to update the database once a month.

There is a voice navigation system and preliminary route development. Maps are displayed in 2D and 3D modes, that is, simplified and more detailed. For example, when moving along an intercity highway, it is better to set up a simplified flow of information, since it is enough to track the direction of movement. Detailed maps are more suitable for settlements where cafes, restaurants, gas stations and so on are displayed.

MapFactor Application

The best navigator for iPhone

You can plot a detailed route using a smartphone in the Yandex.Navigator application. This is the best solution if your device has an Internet connection. Maps are available for most cities, they display the current situation on the roads and all kinds of events (from the users themselves). If desired, cards can be uploaded to the phone. There is a voice assistant so as not to be distracted by the gadget.

The main advantage of Yandex.Navigator is free of charge. But, for this you have to pay with some disadvantages. For example, the application will not notify the driver about speeding, and multi-lane roads are not displayed in the best way. This is not to mention that the program requires a permanent network connection.

Application interface

Conclusion

At the moment, various combined devices with integrated navigation systems are appearing, but classic GPS receivers have not lost their relevance. Manufacturers are working hard to improve their models, making them more convenient and productive. It’s hard to say which navigator is better, since all devices have both pros and cons. For this reason, it is necessary to build on the basic characteristics and functionality.