Over the past decade, a car navigator has quietly and quietly occupied the niche of necessary electronics when buying a car. An automatic map that indicates the direction and builds a route itself has proven useful not only to truckers and taxi drivers, but also to ordinary drivers.

The number and range of models, from simple Chinese devices to a DVR with two cameras, can create problems when choosing best device. In this rating, we will highlight 10 models that differ in their price-quality ratio or their unique features.

1. - the best GPS navigator according to reviews

• 1000 MHz processor, 64-channel receiver;
• 7-inch screen with touch surface, 1024x600 pixels;
• 1 GB random access memory, 8 GB built-in, MicroSD slot;
• battery 2500 mAh;
• cameras, 0.3 and 2 megapixels;
• USB connector, Bluetooth modules, Wi-Fi;
• Windows CE, software from Navitel.

This device practically disappeared from stores after the release of the 3G version. Nevertheless, OS Windows and peripherals from Navitel still maintain a high price-quality ratio. Don't confuse it with the cheaper model of the E700 line - everything possible has been cut down on it, except the price.

• Good screen and viewing angles.
• High positioning accuracy.
• Relatively low cost.
• Easy to set up and operate.

• Discontinued, very difficult to find.
• Very weak cameras.

8. - 7-inch navigator on Android

In general, the differences between operating systems are minimal, and this is more a matter of taste/habitus than a real advantage.

Navigator manufacturers

Garmin– positive reviews and wide the lineup. Perhaps the largest player on the market with its own operating system and cards.

Explay – Russian manufacturer with powerful technical support in the CIS countries. Navigators from "Explay" stand out for their build quality and large screens with high resolution.

Navitel- in addition to the most accurate maps that are used by most manufacturers, it is known for budget devices at the limit of payback. Its operating system, service centers countrywide.

Prestigio – high quality overpriced assemblies. Appeared on the market later than everyone else large manufacturers, which did not prevent us from occupying half of the premium segment. Very high reliability and fault tolerance.

Texet- another Russian company. It started with the concept of “cheap and cheerful”, gradually developed and expanded the range. Still controls a significant part of the budget segment.

Lexand– a newcomer who has relied on quality of execution. Lexand offers a wide range of models, user-friendly interface and love for little things, even if they are a little more expensive than others.

Does not guarantee an easy journey or escape from city traffic. Much more important is the “filling” of such an assistant - cards. So, educational program: for standard navigators There are two types of cards:

• raster (tourist, such as Yandex.Maps and Google Maps. Simply put, this is a picture with the real terrain);
• vector (more convenient for motorists: all points of interest are marked here - POI. This is no longer a picture, but a set of objects).

The best map programs for navigators: guidelines for choosing

Do you have a headache due to the daily planning of your car route? The solution is a GPS navigator filled with detailed and convenient maps, otherwise it can lead you into a very real swamp.

But the headache comes for another reason: too much choice. We decided to simplify life and selected 5 best cards for GPS navigators. Let's talk further about Navitel, CityGuide, Yandex Navigator, Garmin, IGO.

And further, 3 simple rules on how not to make a mistake when choosing navigation maps:

1. Determine where the cards will be more useful - within the country or abroad?

2. Do you get lost in the city or when you travel outside of it?

3. Is traffic jam a daily problem?

When you answer these questions, the choice will be obvious.

Navitel

Let's start with, perhaps, a well-promoted and recognizable brand - Navitel. In almost every store you can easily find a navigator with this program (already built-in and configured), for example, as in the and models. Navitel navigation maps, of course, not a free pleasure. But this applies to any licensed product.

Of course, the maps are not perfect and users often have complaints. Among them: an ill-conceived card interface and inflated requirements for the device and operating system. There are also complaints that Navitel periodically starts to become “stupid” outside the country or during city traffic.

But it is much more useful to learn about the advantages that Navitel has in abundance:

1. cards operate on 9 operating systems + high-quality technical support;
2. several options for the language panel;
3. I am pleased with updates a couple of times a month;
4. functionality - the package includes “Navitel.Traffic”, “Friends”, “Weather” and so on;
5. the more expensive package includes built-in maps of more than 50 countries;
6. Free services are also offered.

If you buy a navigator with navigation Navitel maps, then, traditionally, a license is guaranteed for 2 years.

CityGuide

CityGuide navigation maps operate on 8 platforms and are not deprived of user attention. It entered the market in 2003, but developers have made great progress since then. Interesting fact- CityGuide has patented an algorithm for constructing routes that initially takes into account possible traffic jams.

Let's dwell on significant advantages of CityGuide:

• even if the operating system is low-performance, the interface still does not freeze;
• The traffic situation is updated automatically;
• the graphics were highly praised, because the objects are presented in 3D format;
• notifies the driver about objects on the route: cafes, hotels, patrol posts or traffic jams;
• regular updates;
• high-speed construction of adequate routes (and if you turn off the road, an updated route is provided);
• quick start(from 9 to 12 seconds).

But it is worth noting a number of shortcomings - the developers did not provide a universal search system, you cannot rotate the map in manual mode. Both search and viewing received disapproval. Work to improve navigation maps is still ahead.

On the official website of this navigation service you can easily find out the latest news about the company, contact the service technical support, add POI to the map and even report traffic jams.

Yandex Navigator

The presented mobile navigation application works only on three operating systems, but is considered popular. It has spread in the post-Soviet countries and is tailored specifically to this audience. And, by the way, there is free software “Yandex.Navigator”.

Users highlight one unpleasant disadvantage - functionality decreases sharply in the absence of a good Internet signal. In offline mode, Yandex navigation maps are useless.

And here advantages of Yandex Navigator an order of magnitude more:

• thoughtful interface;
• use of voice commands (the driver is less distracted from the road);
• quickly navigates and suggests alternative detour routes (roads being repaired, an accident or other unforeseen obstacle);
• speed, planned time of arrival and distance to the point - this is broadcast by the application;
• switches from two-dimensional to three-dimensional mode and back automatically;
• When constructing a route, intermediate points are recorded and traffic jams are taken into account.

You can easily find more information about Yandex navigation maps at official resource. This will form a clear idea of ​​the product.

Garmin

Let us clarify right away - the software works exclusively on Garmin navigators: motorists often choose the model, but tourists are attracted to or. People unfamiliar with the program will consider this a disadvantage, but the brand's position is already established and its reputation is simply excellent. Navigational Garmin maps initially successfully mastered the American market, and now they are gradually entering others. But Garmin has a disadvantage - not everyone is able to afford such an expensive product.

Although there is something to pay for here, there are plenty of advantages:

• “photoReal” function (clear, realistic pictures of roads, signs or objects that you will meet along the way);
• The “Traffic” service remains free for now;
• convenient and thoughtful interface;
• wide coverage;
• detailing during address search (building and building numbers are taken into account, and not just the house number);
• base cards are provided immediately after purchase.

If we remember about GPS navigators, then cars are far from the only transport that people are concerned about. Garmin- the line is very diverse.

On the official website you will find the necessary information: maps - tourist, automobile, sports, aviation and marine, accessories, discounted goods and all kinds of new items.

IGO

Our short top 5 best maps for GPS navigators We finish with the IGO navigation program. At one time it was developed by a Hungarian company. The application was a serious success on the market. These cards seem to have been created for those who are ready to take off and go on a long journey - to rush abroad by car.

An indisputable advantage is the drawn 3D maps of more than 70 countries. Initially, the application was available only for 3 software, but now Android has been added. Of course, the list of advantages is not limited to this:

1. about 40 languages ​​for listening to voice prompts;
2. interface without unnecessary additions;
3. auto-backlight and auto-scaling;
4. recalculation of the route in case of deviation;
5. search for objects of infrastructure (POI) is carried out by address, name or distance to the point of arrival;
6. door-to-door navigation.

IGO navigation maps good, but no one is perfect. People say that the disadvantage of the application is the infrequent release of updates. Therefore, it is difficult to talk about the relevance of this or that route. It is also known that better program works in large cities. Therefore, there is a high probability of ending up somewhere different from where you planned.

Minimum program - don't get lost

We are confident that our material has at least a little cleared up the picture of the navigation offerings market. And there is no point in wondering anymore how to choose a navigation program? For traveling abroad, we recommend taking a closer look at the IGO line, but in the fight against city traffic jams, Yandex Navigator will be more useful.

We also suggest you watch the video, which describes in detail how to get directions in the Navitel program:

When purchasing a navigator, many car owners' eyes widen. A huge number of models from different manufacturers, with many additional functions. It becomes more and more difficult to understand all the parameters and decide on the appropriate model every year.

But the most important criterion when purchasing is navigation program installed in the device. This article describes the advantages and disadvantages of various navigation systems.

IGO

• interface: beautiful and quite convenient, it will not be difficult for any driver to understand it. 3D mode is available and the terrain is displayed. There are a huge number of settings;
• additional features: displaying traffic jams is supported, but does not always work correctly. The application can notify you about cameras installed on the roads. There is a structured list of popular facilities in each locality (supermarkets, ATMs, pharmacies, etc.);
• maps: not the most detailed and developed compared to competitors. In large cities, problems usually do not arise, but on highways and in small towns problems often begin. In European countries, the development of settlements and roads is much better;
• updates: come out quite rarely compared to car navigators from Navitel.

IGO is installed in products from the following companies: Pioneer, Explay, Prestigio and Parrot.

Garmin

• interface: terribly primitive. The map does not display projections of buildings, only multi-colored road lines and dots indicating houses;
• cards: the situation is similar to IGO. Russian road maps are not always accurate and detailed. In Europe, on the contrary, the detail is very high. The advantages of Garmin include effective construction routes. The system always offers the most convenient options for the driver;
• additional functions: the application receives information from the Yandex traffic jams service, but works this function not always correct. The “real directions” feature allows you to receive hints about objects that you need to focus on when turning;
• updates: appear frequently, but the installation procedure is quite complicated.

Garmin is installed exclusively in devices of the same company. A significant drawback of their devices is the inability to install third-party navigation programs.

Navitel: program and car navigators

• interface: simple and informative menu consisting of large squares, minimum settings;
• maps: the highest quality and most detailed among all systems of this type). Most cities have a huge selection of various facilities (hotels, service stations, gas stations). The downside is the routing mechanism, which often leads drivers onto bad roads or into deep forests;
• Features: Navitel car navigators are the best driver assistants for traveling around Russia and neighboring countries. Outside the CIS, the situation changes dramatically and it is quite difficult to navigate European roads using these devices;
• additional features: there is the ability to record tracks, there is support for traffic jams, it is possible to create several points on the route, view the weather forecast, and receive information about the location of cameras;
• updates: appear frequently, and the process itself is simple and convenient.

This navigation system is installed both in Navitel products and in devices from LEXAND Prology Prestigio, Explay and a number of other companies.

Conclusion

• Navitel: is the most suitable system for moving around the territory Russian Federation. Inconvenience can only be caused by the peculiarities of the route;
• IGO: will be an excellent choice for people who value a convenient interface and periodically travel to Europe. For frequent trips around Russia (with the exception of megacities) it is not always convenient;
• Garmin: can attract with a huge range of additional functions and excellent route planning. The disadvantages are detail Russian maps and an inconvenient interface.