On the Internet, you can find a lot of different information about the differences between GPS navigators. The large assortment of these devices on the market can confuse even those who are well versed in technology.
Which car navigators are the best rated in 2019? What parameters should you pay attention to when buying? How is a GPS navigator different from a GPS tracker? We will answer these questions in this article.
Best budget car navigators
3. NAVITEL C500
The average price is 3 121 rubles.
Characteristics:
- car navigator
- color touch screen 5 ″
- resolution 480 × 272 pixels.
- Software: Navitel
- FM transmitter
- 4 GB memory, micro SD support
- battery powered
- work from a cigarette lighter
The rating of car navigators in 2019 is opened by a popular model with preinstalled maps of Russia. She earned positive reviews for stable work, fast and accurate routing.
Users love the speed camera alert feature and the ability to navigate the screen without using a stylus.
The NAVITEL C500 is a good choice for basic navigation if you plan to use the navigator for out-of-town trips and road trips.
Pros: flexible settings, good connection with satellites, loads quickly.
Cons: no traffic alert, short cigarette lighter cable, no Bluetooth.
2. Dunobil Modern 5.0
The average price is 2 790 rubles.
Characteristics:
- car navigator
- color touch screen 5 ″
- resolution 480 × 272 pixels.
- Software: Navitel
- FM transmitter
- 4 GB memory, micro SD support
- battery powered
- work from a cigarette lighter
It is an easy-to-use and stylish looking car navigator with all the options a driver needs (and even a few not so useful ones).
It has good accuracy of maps, it is possible to view photos and video files, you can work with the on-screen menu with both a stylus and fingers. All settings of this navigator are simple and understandable even for a novice user.
If 4 GB of internal memory is not enough for you, you can upload the missing information to a memory card and install it in Dunobil Modern 5.0.
Together with the device comes a collapsible mount, which is firmly held on the windshield.
Pros: good viewing angles of the display, works without freezes and lags, quickly finds satellites.
Cons: Slightly grainy screen, no Bluetooth, no traffic alert.
1. LEXAND STR-5350 HD +
The average price is 1000 rubles.
Characteristics:
- car navigator
- color touch display 5 ″
- resolution 800 × 480 pixels.
- Software: Navitel
- 4 GB memory, micro SD support
- Bluetooth
- battery powered
- work from a cigarette lighter
STR-5350 HD + is a model with a good screen resolution, good build quality, beautiful chrome edging, and most importantly - stable and fast operation.
Navigator from LEXAND allows you to install alternative navigation programs and talk hands-free via Bluetooth.And the screen backlight allows you to comfortably use the navigator even in the dark.
This device has multimedia capabilities such as viewing pictures and videos, an MP3 player and even built-in simple games.
Pros: Slim, fast, traffic alert (requires mobile internet).
Cons: Requires the use of a stylus (unless you have very thin fingers), and according to user reviews, this navigator lasts no more than an hour on battery power.
Best GPS Navigators for Android
3. NAVITEL T500 3G
The average price is 3,890 rubles.
Characteristics:
- car navigator
- 7 ″ color touch screen
- resolution 1280 × 800 pixels.
- Software: Navitel
- 8 GB memory, micro SD support
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- battery powered
- work from the cigarette lighter
According to reviews about which car navigators are better in 2019, we can safely recommend this model. It has the optimal size to fit on the windshield of a large car or truck, is charged via a USB connector and allows the use of two SIM cards.
Unlike most car navigators, the T500 3G has Internet access. So you can quickly receive traffic reports in real time.
As conceived by the creators of this device, it can be used both as a tablet and as a GPS navigator. Therefore, it is equipped not only with multimedia options, such as video playback, listening to MP3 files and viewing photos, but also with 2 and 0.3 MP cameras. However, their resolution will not allow taking a sufficiently detailed photo. As they say, there is - and okay.
Pros: there is a Hands-Free mode, quickly builds a new route when deviating from the original.
Cons: slows down when launching several programs, not designed to work with a rear view camera.
2. Prology iMap-7000Tab
The average price is 5,990 rubles.
Characteristics:
- car navigator with DVR (2 in 1)
- 7 ″ color touch screen
- resolution 800 × 480 pixels.
- Software: Navitel
- 8 GB memory, micro SD support
- Wi-Fi
- work from the cigarette lighter
A very useful device "2 in 1" in the rating of the best car navigators of 2019. It combines both the ability to get directions to the desired address and record what is happening on the road using a 0.3 MP front camera and a 2 MP rear camera. And it does it in the background, in parallel with navigation.
Satellites iMap-7000Tab finds very quickly and reliably keeps in touch with them. You can update maps and software, as well as get in touch using Wi-Fi, which is convenient in places where there is free Wi-Fi.
Pros: there are multimedia features (picture viewing, video playback, MP3 player), large screen.
Cons: sometimes it spontaneously reboots, there is no Bluetooth, the screen glares in the sun, an inconvenient holder near the glass mount.
1. NAVITEL T700 3G
The average price is 5,840 rubles.
Characteristics:
- car navigator
- 7 ″ color touch screen
- resolution 1024 × 600 pixels.
- Software: Navitel
- 16 GB memory, micro SD support
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- battery powered
- work from the cigarette lighter
If you like navigators with large screens and Android OS, then pay attention to this model. It is equipped with software from Navitel with a lifetime license and allows you to install other navigation programs that you need on the way. The 7-inch display has good resolution and a high-quality IPS matrix.
As for the rest, its capabilities are comparable to the 5-inch T500 3G model described a little above.
Pros: reliable mount, the kit includes a charger and a cigarette lighter, quickly establishes communication with satellites.
Cons: weak speakers, freezes if you run multiple programs.
Ranking of the best car navigators of 2019 with Windows CE
3. Digma AllDrive 500
The average price is 3,290 rubles.
Characteristics:
- car navigator
- color touch screen 5 ″
- resolution 480 × 272 pixels.
- Software: Navitel
- 4 GB memory, micro SD support
- battery powered
- work from the cigarette lighter
Digma AllDrive 500 users are delighted with the speed and accuracy of building routes and finding satellites.
So if you need a GPS navigator without any special settings problems, at an adequate price, and even with the ability to download traffic jams, pay attention to this model.
Pros: bright, non-glare screen, reliable suction mount, maps with the smallest details.
Cons: the display has a TFT matrix and pixels are noticeable at a short distance from it, there is no Bluetooth.
2. Artway NV-800 GPS
The average price is 3,900 rubles.
Characteristics:
- car navigator
- color touch screen 5 ″
- resolution 472 × 272 pixels.
- Software: Navitel
- micro SD support
- work from the cigarette lighter
If you need an inexpensive and fast operating car recorder with Windows CE OS, then Artway NV-800 GPS will be the best choice. It is equipped with a large screen with a clear and non-grainy image, a GPS module with a good reception level, a fast and energy efficient ARM Cortex-A7 processor.
With MP3 support, you can listen to music while driving, there is also support for video playback and the ability to view photos. And in traffic jams, you can also play games.
Pros: convenient control, accurate and fast route planning.
Cons: no plug downloads, no bluetooth.
1. LEXAND SA5
The average price is 3,290 rubles.
Characteristics:
- car navigator
- color touch screen 5 ″
- resolution 480 × 272 pixels.
- Software: Navitel
- FM transmitter
- 4 GB memory, micro SD support
- battery powered
- work from the cigarette lighter
Here is an inexpensive and good GPS recorder with a bright and non-grainy screen, fast "catching" satellites and a lot of internal memory.
It is designed for those who travel on congested roads and need to track traffic jams. They are downloaded via a USB 3G modem, so the OTG cable must be purchased separately.
And thanks to excellent software, the navigator will always choose the best route for you, and will do it quickly.
This navigator offers not only standard multimedia features (photo and video viewing, MP3 support), but also several games to keep you busy during your break from driving.
Pros: solid soft-touch plastic case, the ability to download other navigation programs, except for the pre-installed one.
Cons: the screen glares in the sun, no Bluetooth.
The best all-round GPS navigators
3. Garmin eTrex 20
The average price is 12,090 rubles.
Characteristics:
- universal navigator
- color display 2.2 ″
- resolution 176 × 220 pixels.
- GLONASS
- Software: Garmin
- 1.70 GB memory, micro SD support
- waterproof case
- powered by AA batteries
This small device features an almost instant “cold” start (no more than a minute) and an even faster “hot start”. Considering the support of GPS + GLONASS satellites, you do not have to worry about the fact that the construction of your route will not be accurate enough.
Although its screen is not too large, it does not glare or fade in the sun, and the body is protected from moisture and very strong, withstanding drops from a height of two meters (but we do not recommend checking it yourself).
The smart ergonomics of the Garmin eTrex 20 allow you to operate it with one hand.
Pros: IPX7 waterproof, text and picture on the display are clearly visible even in the sun, you can display several cards at the same time, overlapping them.
Cons: there is no button lock, because of this, some users complain that while in their pocket, the navigator "lives its own life", drawing many waypoints.
2. Garmin GPSMAP 62
The average price is 7,302 rubles.
Characteristics:
- universal navigator
- 2.6 ″ color display
- resolution 160 × 240 pixels.
- Software: Garmin
- 1.70 GB memory
- waterproof case
- powered by AA batteries
- work from the cigarette lighter
If you use a car for out-of-town hunting and fishing trips, then this navigator will be a real godsend. It has a magnetic compass, a built-in hunting and fishing calendar, sun and moon information, and tide tables.
Of course, all this is not to the detriment of the main purpose - fast and accurate route planning from point A to point B. This Garmin GPSMAP 62 copes without problems, although the loading of maps could be faster.
Pros: rubber buttons, waterproof and very durable body, catches satellites in all conditions.
Cons: inconvenient menu, low screen resolution.
1. Garmin Montana 610
The average price is 35,890 rubles.
Characteristics:
- universal navigator
- color touch screen 4 ″
- resolution 272 × 480 pixels.
- GLONASS
- Software: Garmin
- 8 GB memory, micro SD support
- waterproof case
- battery powered
- work from the cigarette lighter
Such a high price of this model is explained by the richness of its functionality. She has:
- 1 year subscription to BirdsEye Satellite Imagery;
- pre-installed topographic map of the Roads of Russia. RF. TOPO with data from tourist, fishing and hunting bases;
- hunting and fishing calendar;
- information about the sun and moon;
- tide tables;
- allows you to work with the screen with gloves;
- up to 500 raster map titles can be loaded.
And, in addition, it is equipped with a barometer, magnetic compass, calculator and stopwatch. And the large and very touch-sensitive screen allows you to use this GPS navigator with comfort both in and out of the car.
Pros: solid build, bright screen, there is a mode of following the already traveled path (Track-Back).
Cons: slightly slows down when scrolling raster maps.
Which car navigator is better to buy
Like any other modern electronic device, the GPS navigator has a long list of functions and specifications. However, the most important of them for ease of use are only these six criteria:
- Screen size - this parameter determines the overall usability of the navigator and immediately affects three characteristics: the convenience of viewing information, the size and weight of the device.
- If you do not plan to talk using Hands Free or connect a rear view camera, take the navigator without Bluetooth and AV input. Bluetooth is needed to pair the phone with the navigator. It loads the phonebook memory into the navigator, and you can talk hands-free through the navigator.
- If you have a passenger car, a 5-inch navigator will be enough so that it does not interfere with the view. But if you have a truck or bus, choose a model with a 6-7 inch screen. The larger the diagonal of the screen, the more "gluttonous" the navigator, and it will have to be charged more often or the battery charge will be sacrificed.
- Modern GPS navigators work on Windows CE or Android.
- The first OS is slow to work, but devices with it are cheaper. In addition, many Windows CE navigators have the ability to launch navigation programs that you load onto a memory card.
- The best gps navigators with Android work very quickly and have a convenient and intuitive interface.
- If you are traveling in Europe using a navigator, you should take a navigator with the iGO Primo navigation software. Maps in this program must be from NAVTEQ. Navigation software from Navitel or City Guide is perfect for trips across Russia and the CIS countries.
- Traffic alert function. It is very convenient if you use a navigator for trips around the metropolis. If you need it for country trips, then this function is not particularly needed, but it raises the cost of the device by 1-3 thousand rubles.
How is a GPS navigation system different from a GPS tracker?
The GPS navigation system uses maps to give you directions on where to go. A GPS tracking device helps track the location of an object or person.
Parents can use GPS tracker for kids or teenagersand companies often use a GPS tracker to track vehicles. The best GPS car trackers have real-time location updates to alert you when the device you are tracking leaves a specified area.