Top GPS Brands

Progressive innovation has been the hallmark of increased GPS use. They now feature brighter, higher-resolution screen displays, highly accurate maps, more points of interest, and convenient turn-by-turn directional guidance. They can provide real-time traffic information and can be linked to a cell phone to allow hands-free use.

More elaborate models can be tapped to control other systems, such as air-conditioning, heating, and stereo systems. Other GPS devices can playback movies on DVD while your vehicle is parked, remotely unlock car doors and activate the horn and lights, and provide you with news and e-mail.

Many companies produce GPS receivers, but three makers corner the lion's share of this rapidly expanding market: Garmin, TomTom and Magellan. Other notable manufacturers include Navigon, Lowrance, and Mio. The majority of users favor Garmin, but TomTom and Magellan have their own core of rabid supporters.

Garmin - Since 1989, Garmin has provided GPS receivers for a wide range of users, from soldiers in the U.S. military to the automotive market to aircraft systems. The automotive market accounts for one-third of the company's consumer products sales. The company provides original-equipment GPS systems to Chrysler vehicles, BMW, Harley Davidson and Honda Motorcycles; detachable units are also available, for use in cars or when going hiking or biking.

Garmin also produces GPS navigation systems for the recreational market. In addition to surface navigation capabilities, its marine products provide information on wind speeds, weather forecasts, tides, and charts of the coastlines in the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii. Garmin GPS systems for aviation include panel-mounted units (for the retrofit market and older aircraft) and portable units used in general aviation aircraft.

TomTom - The Netherlands-based company, TomTom NV, started in 1999 as a supplier of mobile phone software applications. In 2001, it began partnering with PALM, Microsoft and HP to produce the TomTom Navigator system for PDAs and smartphones. The TomTom GO family of GPS navigation systems was launched in 2004 for cars, later followed by its variant TomTom ONE. The TomTom RIDER line was developed for motorcycles and scooters and TomTom PLUS was designed to provide traditional navigation capabilities in combination with a host of web-based subscription services.

Magellan - Magellan (formerly Thales Navigation) is an industry leader in navigation and positioning systems for consumers, surveying, GIS, and the OEM markets. Its product line includes the award-winning RoadMate portable car GPS series, the eXplorist handheld GPS for hikers and outdoors types, the Hertz NeverLost car GPS, and the best-selling ProMark surveying GPS. Its consumer products also include marine GPS devices for boaters and address navigation add-ons to car GPS. Professional products serve surveying needs in land and marine applications, mobile mapping, and original-equipment units for various industries, including aviation.