In my last post I looked at several GPS features you don’t need. Today we’ll check out the flip-side, updating my post from several years ago. What are the best and most useful upgrades when choosing a navigator? I’ll start with ones available on relatively low end units and then move on to features found on more expensive models.
Lane assist
Have your GPS show what lanes you need to be in for an exit, or even on surface streets in some cities. Priceless!
Junction view
And if Lane Assist is too subtle for you (or you space out easily), there’s nothing like having a picture of the exit pop up to say, hey, here’s your turn!
Wide-screen
Do not buy a 3.5” GPS navigator; 4.3" is the minimum for most people and you may be happier with a 5” model. A bigger screen makes it easier to tap menus and enter text without error, and the map display isn’t as cluttered.
Speed limit display
Got a lead foot like mine? Most models will even show your current speed in red if you are exceeding the limit.
Lifetime map updates
It is cheaper to buy these bundled with the device than as an add on later. If you live in a never changing rural area, this probably isn’t that important to you. On the other hand, if you’re in a fast growing metro or an area plagued by highway construction, look for models with an M appended to the model number.
And if you can afford them…
I highly recommend the above features. The next ones may not be as critical, but are definitely worth paying extra for if you can swing it:
Voice command
Distracted driving is a serious hazard to your health. The latest voice command models from Garmin and TomTom have generally performed very well. This is an especially important feature if you’re driving solo.
Bluetooth
Previously on my do not buy list, many of the latest models have dramatically improved sound quality. Read my reviews for details before making your selection though, as quality and ease of setup does vary.
Powered mount
With these, you don’t need to fumble with the mini-USB plug each time you get in your car. Recent Garmin nuvis with this feature include the 169x, 23×0, 24×0, and 3xxx series.
Your turn
Do you agree or disagree with the above list? What have I left out? Chime in below.
About Rich Owings
Hello,
I disagree strongly with two of your first “not useful” list.
Traffic is very useful where I live in the Seattle area.
Portrait mode is preferrable because it shows what is coming and not a lot of things off to the side that are not where I am going. If the GPS is mounted properly it will not obstruct view in either portrait or landscape mode.
Thanks
Steve
I have a Magellan for the RV and it chimes as you exceed its known speed limit. Set at 5mphby above the speed limit by default, it is a nuisance and soon is ignored, but I then set it at 10mph above the speed limit, it is good, even better than Garmin’s red box reminder. (I was running both units)
Hello Rich,
I wanted to say I enjoy your site but have a question. My wife decided she wanted a gps and noticed several on sale for Black Friday. She doesn’t really have a preference for models but I am biased for Garmin. I have noticed that the 40Lm, 50Lm the 1490LMT and the 2350LMT are on sale. Should I just go with the middle range gp?. We don’t live in a busy metro area like Atlanta or Dallas, Houston or anything like that, but we may take trips to those cities. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Of those choices, I would go for the 2350LMT for the powered mount, but they are all good units.
One feature that I like, that I don’t believe Garmin has ever offered, is a Next Turn symbol on the main map screen that is always there while routing. It shows if the upcoming maneuver is a hard left or right or merge type turn, etc. IGo software has this and also has a smaller symbol for the 2nd turn you will be taking after the first. A further enhancement is the Next Turn symbol will be highlighted in some way (turn red, for example) as the next turn is imminent such as 100 yards to the turn. For those of us that are visually measurement challenged the latter is a big help. Also helpful when multiple turn choices are present. Granted it is a bit more screen clutter, but many of us don’t mind and it outweighs the usefulness and safety factor.
I guess I’m not keeping up with newer Garmin models as I see they do offer Next Turn symbols. Do they highlight as the turn is imminent?
It’s not highlighted in any way. It’s always there in the upper left corner of the screen though. The turn is called out a bit ahead of time and then again right before the turn.
Hi Rich,
I am thinking of the 2350LMT or the 2450LM, according to your comparison chart they both have powered mount but when I look at the Garmin site or on Amazon this is not mentioned in the description. I just want to be sure before I order. Thanks Anita
Yes, they do. You can see pictures and a discussion of this in my reviews…
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/02/garmin-nuvi-2350lmt-review.html
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/03/garmin-nuvi-2450lm-review.html
I have been trying to figure out what bluetooth is on gps, I don’t even really understand it on a cell phone. Therefore, I didn’t really get your explanation for bluetooth. I don’t have an iphone or smartphone, just plain muti-text. I don’t know if my cell phone service has anything to do with the bluetooth on gps, but just wonder if bluetooth can still benefit me.
It allows you to use the speaker and microphone built into the GPS for phone calls, so you don’t have to hold your phone while driving.
Camera alert for known traffic camera locations – It can save you drivers license!
My wife’s Garmin nuvi 2360 does camera alerts (not mentioned in the sales info) the 2360 has no manual so who knows what else it does.
Bluetooth – for cars GPS only lets you talk on your bluetooth cell phone hands free.
Bluetooth – for motorcycle GPS works like the car bluetooth, but it also can talk to you and listen to you through your bluetooth earpiece! Not bad if you drive a noisy vehicle, convertable, jeep, etc.
I find one of the best features is being able to rotate the GPS to portrait view. Who cares what’s on your sides. What you really want to know is whats in front of you.
I thought I would like that feature too, but I rarely use it. I guess I find the landscape orientation works better for me in terms of how much or little of my view it blocks. There also seems to be a trend by Garmin to use the sides of the the landscape display for other info (map buttons, etc.).
One feature I subscribed to on my old Tom Tom ONE V3, is the gas stations. Unlike GasBuddy (IPhone App), it not only listed local gas stations by price or distance, but also listed the gas stations between my current location abd my destination, with prices. I am a Snowbird, and my vehicle does get up to 18 mpg, with a 24 gallon tank. So it is really beneficial to “pick” my next best low price fuel up station. Does anyone know of any app for the Garmin units that will do this? The other biggies (for ladies comfort), is being able to pick out the Next Rest Stop. TomTom had a free app for that, but both had to be preloaded daily from my PC into the TomTom ONE.
The TomTom GPS App for the iPhone does not support the gas station “aong the route of travel” feature, and some states, like Massachusetts, does have a prohibition (illegal) to READ from the iPhone while driving OR while stopped. Buta dedicated GPS is exempt from that rule.
For Android maybe (not sure if it does along the route or not), for iPhone no (not yet anyway). But there are other third-party fuel price apps.