10 best car GPS navigators

Car GPS-navigators are useful not only in unfamiliar areas, but also in your hometown, every corner of which is studied by the driver to the smallest detail. Such a device allows not only to quickly find the desired address, but also offers the shortest route, notifies about traffic congestion and provides other valuable information. Maps in such devices can be updated in just a few minutes, without even leaving the car, which is useful when traveling to a remote settlement and abroad. But what should you pay attention to when choosing a quality GPS navigator, and which models are better to give preference to? We will talk about this in today's article.

Best Car GPS Navigator Firms

But it's worth starting with a discussion of the companies that release them. Yes, there are also top brands here that consistently delight with high quality, as well as companies whose devices it is better not to buy. The latter were not included in the rating, and among the noteworthy manufacturers, we recommend paying attention to the following brands:

1. Garmin. An American manufacturer, one of the most famous in this market segment.
2. NAVITEL. Initially an application, and then navigators from a Russian company with a worldwide reputation. Works with proprietary cartographic software.
3. LEXAND. Another domestic brand that is regularly included in the TOP-5 on the Russian market. The manufacturer has been working since 1989, and the brand has been actively engaged in the production of its own devices since 2008.
4. Digma. A company with British roots operating in the Russian market since 2005. Works with a wide variety of consumer electronics, which include budget car navigators (but in very small numbers).
5. Prestigio. An international brand based in Belarus. By the principle of operation, this brand is similar to Digma, so the range of its navigators is not too large, but the price remains affordable for almost any budget.

How to choose a car GPS navigator

First of all, you need to decide on the purpose of the device. If you plan to use it for local travel, then you can choose a cheaper model. Regular travels in Russia, and even more so abroad, require more advanced devices.

Look out for additional features if you need them. These include displaying traffic jams, an FM receiver, the ability to play videos, music and read books, view photos, and so on. If you do not need these options or they will not be used often, then it is better not to spend extra money.

The speed of the devices is an important factor. It is better to check it right away before buying. If lags, freezes and other problems are observed, then discard such a model.

The provider of the maps and their version is another significant characteristic. It all depends on the type, frequency and distance of travel, as well as the driver's preferences. The last two, but no less important parameters, are cost and screen size. And if everything is obvious with the cost, it is not always clear which display to choose. In our opinion, it is better to take a larger screen. But a large display also means a high price tag. If this does not suit you, then the optimal diagonal is in the range of 4.3 to 5 inches.

The best premium GPS navigators

Many car enthusiasts are primarily concerned with comfort, and only then with costs. For such people, the functionality of the purchased devices, their reliability and other characteristics are important. And if the navigator really deserves it, then tens of thousands of rubles can be given for it. Do you consider yourself to be in this category of drivers? Then we present to your attention the top navigators, selected according to the reviews of motorists.

1. Garmin Drive 61 RUS LMT

Drivers are often interested in which navigator is better to buy for Russia. And the Garmin Drive 61 RUS LMT is an excellent answer to this question. It contains maps of all regions of the Russian Federation, and their update is guaranteed free of charge for the entire operating time of the device. New versions, by the way, are released quite often, so it is immediately clear why the manufacturer asks to give about .

Formally, this model can be called an analogue of the Drive 51, but with a display size increased to 6.1 inches. If you need a smaller screen, choose the younger modification.

However, this is not the only reason the Drive 61 is so expensive. Responsive system, speed of finding satellites, stability of work - all this is typical for this device. And the voice control, which works without a single error, also adds points to the Garmin GPS navigator.

Advantages:

• loading information about traffic jams;
• quite easy to use;
• it is possible to connect a rear view camera;
• cartography from the Here company;
• convenience and thoughtfulness of the shell;
• satellites are at lightning speed;
• the ability to connect to a smartphone;
• RDS for once is not for show.

Disadvantages:

• poor equipment (as for its price).

2. TomTom GO 620

The GO 620 from the TomTom brand is almost the ideal model in its class. This is the best combined navigator with radar detector according to the reviews of real buyers. It has a 6-inch display with 480p resolution.

The device is equipped with a radar detector, thus avoiding problems with the police. The built-in memory in the navigator is available 16 GB, but if this is not enough for you, then you can expand the storage using memory cards. The device supports synchronization with a smartphone, and after that it can be controlled through the voice assistants Siri and Google Assistant. The software in GO 620 is proprietary and quite user-friendly.

Advantages:

• pairing with mobile devices;
• great software developed by TomTom;
• detects radars well;
• smart processor;
• responsive sensor;
• acceptable screen diagonal;
• loading traffic information.

Disadvantages:

• incomplete support for the Russian language.

3. Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S Europe

If you pay attention solely to the name, it might seem that the popular model of the DriveSmart 61 LMT-S Europe car navigator is one of the modifications of the Garmin model described above. In fact, we have completely different devices with their own set of capabilities. So, giving preference to this option, it is worth cooking about .

What do you get for this amount? First, an unlimited subscription to pre-installed maps. Secondly, notifications about speed cameras and the ability to connect third-party cameras, as well as additional modules. Thirdly, the GPS-navigator is able to download information about traffic jams and TripAdvisor ratings for objects on the map from the Internet.

We did not devote a separate place in the review to navigators for trucks, but if we had to choose a specific model, then it would be the DriveSmart 61 LMT-S Europe. The most detailed and regularly updated maps of Europe were appreciated by many truckers. At the same time, thanks to the screen with a diagonal of 6.95 inches with a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels, they are very convenient to navigate.

Advantages:

• impressive functionality;
• loading useful information from the network;
• large display with high pixel density;
• European cards with the possibility of additional loading;
• support for external cameras (optional);
• synchronization with a smartphone is possible;
• very frequent updates;
• the presence of navigation tips simplifies the work with the device;
• radar alerts (information from databases).

Disadvantages:

• impressive cost.

The best navigators for a car in terms of price and quality

Not every driver has an impressive budget. And not everyone needs top-end devices. But budget options in this case may not be a good choice, because even the best among them sometimes do not offer the necessary characteristics. We recommend that you take a closer look at the models with an ideal ratio of cost and quality, since they have enough capabilities and smart hardware is installed for comfortable work. At the same time, after purchasing such GPS-navigators, the wallet will remain quite complete.

1. Eplutus GR-71

We decided to start the second category with the best navigator with a video recorder - the GR-71 produced by Eplutus. This model boasts a 7-inch screen with a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels, a 1.3 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM. The device works on the basis of the Android 4.4 operating system, so if you wish, you will be able to install any cards that the user requires. Of course, due to the chosen system, a large number of functions are available here, including video playback and photo viewing. The device also has an FM transmitter.

Despite the low cost from before us is a GPS navigator with a radar detector. It does not always work accurately, but in most cases it helps out.

As for the recorder, it is realized due to a camera with a resolution of 8 MP and a viewing angle of 170 degrees. She writes videos well, but in the dark, the recording quality is noticeably reduced. But there is a 2000 mAh battery, so the GR-71 can boast of a relatively good (for this segment) autonomy.

Advantages:

• there is a radar detector;
• DVR in the navigator;
• affordable cost;
• work on the basis of Android;
• installation of any software;
• huge display;
• video recording at 1080p;
• fastening and assembly quality;
• colossal set of functions.

2. Prology iMap-5200

The second line was taken by one of the best car navigators in the range of the Prology brand. At the same time, the iMap-5200 is the most affordable in this category. The GPS navigator has a 5-inch display (resolution 480 × 272 pixels).

The manufacturer chose software popular in Russia from NAVITEL as the cards. If necessary, additional cards can be quickly loaded into the device, although to simultaneously store a large amount of data, you will have to purchase a microSD card.

This model uses a rather modest 600 mAh battery. But for the low-power hardware installed here, this is enough for about 2 hours of work. In general, if you wanted to find an excellent navigator in the TOP 10 in terms of price and quality, then the iMap-5200 can definitely claim your attention.

Advantages:

• excellent value;
• preinstalled NAVITEL maps;
• compactness and lightness;
• works pretty fast;
• voice notifications;
• decent build and reliability;
• GPS accuracy and speed.

Disadvantages:

• modest display resolution.

3. NAVITEL E500 Magnetic

Austere design, excellent build and good functionality - all this can be said about the E500 Magnetic model from the NAVITEL brand. The device works on the basis of the Windows CE system, which remains quite popular in this technique. The 5-inch display of the navigator is made using resistive technology, so you can use not only your fingers to control it, but also the stylus, which is hidden on the right end.

Also on sale is the NAVITEL E500 model without the Magnetic attachment. It is more affordable, slightly different in size and design, and is also equipped with a lower resolution screen.

In the reviews, the navigator is praised for a convenient magnetic pad with a 12-pin contact. The latter transfers power to the bracket. If the user needs to use the device outside the car, then he can do it thanks to the 1200 mAh battery.

Advantages:

• capacious battery;
• high-quality assembly;
• magnetic holder;
• the best price on the market;
• building several routes at the same time;
• free updates;
• powerful processor;
• many detailed maps of Europe and Russia.

Disadvantages:

• there is no Internet connection to display traffic jams;
• sensor for a four with a minus.

Best inexpensive GPS navigators

Alas, not everyone has a sufficient budget to buy expensive devices. However, you don't want to give up useful devices for your car. For such people, we have added another category to the rating of GPS navigators, in which we have collected devices with a cost below ... Despite such a low price, all devices in this group can boast of reliability, high performance and convenience, which is important for most modern drivers.

1. NAVITEL C500

A simple reliable car navigator from NAVITEL is an ideal solution for a limited budget. The C500 model pleases with a good appearance and high-quality dark gray plastic. The device is well assembled and equipped with a 5-inch screen with a good margin of brightness. For ease of use, the kit includes a stylus, which is hidden in the mount. The latter is made in the form of a sucker, so a navigator costing up to can be quickly outweighed to another car if necessary.

If you do not want to leave the device in the salon at night or when going to work, then you can quickly remove it from the bracket and put it in your pocket. It is also convenient when you need to walk part of the way, checking the route on the map. For autonomous work, the C500 has a 950 mAh battery. In the car, the device is powered by a cigarette lighter plugged into the Mini USB connector on the left side. There is also a 3.5 mm audio jack, an input for microSD cards up to 32 GB and an LED indicator.

Advantages:

• inexpensive and functional;
• quality of materials and workmanship;
• informative maps of Russia;
• high accuracy of GPS;
• speed camera alert.

Disadvantages:

• outdated software;
• the display lacks brightness a little.

2. LEXAND SA5 +

If every ruble saved is important to the motorist, then you can choose the SA5 + budget navigator from the LEXAND brand. The cost of this device starts from just ... For this price, the user gets a high-quality device with a modest package (power supply, mount, stylus and sync cable) and solid assembly.

The manufacturer also offers the SA5 HDR model. The characteristics and appearance of this device are almost the same. The main difference between the older version is a camera with the ability to record HD video. At the same time, clips in SA5 HDR are written to a separate microSD memory card, the slot for which is located on top.

This robust GPS navigator is made of non-marking plastic that feels pretty good. The main connectors are also located on the left here. It is convenient that the device has an input for connecting a rear view camera (purchased separately). The device works with Navitel cards (available for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries).

Advantages:

• excellent functionality;
• you can buy a rear view camera;
• a large selection of cards and the possibility of additional loading;
• you can install third-party programs;
• productive processor;
• there is the ability to connect to smartphones.

Disadvantages:

• the screen is too tight.

3. Digma AllDrive 505

The Digma company is familiar to customers thanks to its affordable tablets. But the manufacturer also produces good navigators for the car. One of these is the AllDrive 505, which offers a 5-inch display with a resolution of 480 × 272 pixels, 4 gigabytes of internal memory and support for microSD drives with a capacity of up to 32 GB.

The GPS-navigator works quite quickly, for which the undemanding Windows CE 6.0 system is worth thanks. In addition to the device itself, the kit includes a bracket, a mini USB cable for connecting to a computer, instructions, a warranty card and charging. If necessary, a 950 mAh battery will allow you to work for a short time without on-board power.

Advantages:

• very low cost;
• starts quickly;
• finds satellites quickly;
• clear routes;
• brightness and screen size;
• convenient voice prompts.

Disadvantages:

• no internet connection;
• low display resolution.

4. Prestigio GeoVision Tour 4 Progorod

First place goes to the most expensive model in the category. The price list for GeoVision Tour 4 Progorod starts from ... This 7-inch navigator is produced by the Prestigio brand, which is also known for tablet computers. In addition to direct responsibilities, the device allows you to view photos and videos, listen to music and radio, and also talk over a cellular connection. The navigator is based on PROGOROD software and can calculate routes, display voice notifications and download local maps. The screen in GeoVision Tour 4 is quite high quality, and its resolution is 1024 × 600 pixels.

Advantages:

• high-quality and large screen;
• you can install a SIM card;
• speed of finding satellites;
• good battery capacity;
• intuitive control;
• support for FM radio;
• the presence of built-in WiFi and 3G modules.

Disadvantages:

• Support for Google services is not declared.

Which car navigator is better to buy

We would like to find the perfect solution to suit all drivers. But, unfortunately, such a device has not yet appeared on the market. In reviewing the very best car GPS navigators, we found some great budget devices. Among them there was even one model from NAVITEL. But competitors in the face of Prestigio and Digma are not far behind in terms of attractiveness. In the top segment, Garmin clearly won. True, it would be wiser to choose its competitor from the TomTom brand, if, in addition to navigation, you also need to identify police radars. As for the second category, we most liked the model from the already mentioned NAVITEL. But if you want to get the most of the features at the lowest price, then buy the Eplutus GR-71.