Smart Technology
Big Screen, Big Price
Is a built-in GPS worth the cost?
By Jessica L. Anderson, Associate Editor
From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, June 2008
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With portable navigation systems running $150 to $500, should you pay $1,500 to $2,500 extra to buy a vehicle with a built-in GPS unit? Maybe. There are a few advantages to taking the more expensive route.
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Size matters. The typical big screen on a handheld unit is 4.3 inches. Stick a unit much bigger than that on a window or dash and you risk a driving hazard.
Built-in screens range from 6.5 to 8 inches. More screen gives you more map -- whether it's a neighborhood close-up or a bigger picture of your whole route. A larger unit also means larger buttons, which make operating the system easier. Many carmakers are placing their screens deep in the dash to make them more visible in daylight; portable units are often hard to read in bright light.
Better reliability. If you lose a satellite signal, your car system may still be able to navigate. In addition to satellites, built-in systems use gyroscopes and sensors that measure steering and speed to track your location. Even if a signal isn't reliable -- say, you're stuck in a tunnel or surrounded by tall buildings in Manhattan -- your map information is.
Less looting. The best reason to go with a built-in GPS may be this: It's difficult to steal. A thief would be hard-pressed to yank the system out without damaging it. Plus, in many cases, once a system is removed from its power source, it goes into lockdown mode and requires a code to unlock it when it's powered back up.
If a crafty thief does get away with your factory-installed system, replacement is covered by your auto insurance. A portable GPS is covered by homeowners insurance, but hefty deductibles and hair-trigger cancellations usually mean filing such small claims is a bad idea.
Feature presentation. Even if you're inclined to skip the built-in GPS, the features you want in a car, such as a rearview camera (mighty handy in SUVs) and an upgraded sound system, may not be available without it. For example, the Infiniti G37 touch-screen GPS system ($2,200) includes a backup cam, plus a 9.3-gigabyte hard drive for music and voice-activated controls.
Regardless of the promised features of any built-in system, make sure to give it a test-drive. If itŐs not intuitive or user-friendly, you could be better off saving a lot of money with a portable.
Reader Comments (1)
Posted by: Jonathan at 06/11/2008 08:44:59 AM
I have a 2006 Acura TL with a built in navigation system. The navigation in my cell phone is more accurate and updated and costs $9.95 a month. It is hugely a waste of money to buy the pre-installed system and I regret doing it. To upgrade the DVD, it costs nearly $200...My cell phone needs no updates as it is real time....Do your research and buy a portable system that is rated well or try your cell carrier option. Even if I kept my car 4 years the extra cost of $2k comes out to $42 a month without the finance charges. The cellular option would be $478 for four years. You can also by a decent portable unit for $300 or less. Also with the portable unit you can take it with you on vacation, use it to walk around a strange city, and even swap between cars say if you are going out with friends or using you spouse's/partner's car...Surprised Kiplinger's would offer such poor advice.