Rating of the best travel navigators for cars in 2021: how to choose

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A correctly selected GPS guide for drivers and tourists is the key to saving time and a comfortable trip or hike. This device will take you along the course in a minimum amount of time, preventing you from getting into a possible traffic jam or lack of road in the direction of travel.

To avoid accidentally ending up in the wrong place, it is important to understand how to choose a travel navigator. This question is a dilemma for an ordinary citizen, because on the Internet there are a lot of devices with their own positive and negative qualities, but you want to choose the best tourist navigator, and even at an affordable price. We decided to help with this difficult task and compiled our rating of navigators for cars and tourists in 2021.

Which travel navigator is better to buy?

Before purchasing one of the navigators, you should determine for yourself how long and in what situation the device will be used.

When buying a receiver, you should focus on some parameters:

• Receiver type. The devices from the rating of tourist navigators have a GPS receiver in their design, which allows you to find your coordinates even in a situation where it is impossible to see the surrounding area in detail or weather conditions do not allow it.
• Screen.The diagonal in almost all guidebooks is no different, and some devices have an additional anti-glare coating that allows you to comfortably work with the device in bright sunlight.
• Availability of downloaded maps. Based on this criterion, it is worth dividing all navigators into automobile, sea and topographic ones. The latter allow you to determine a route around the area. They are certainly suitable for tourists, as they allow you to easily see the nearest trails and navigate a route in difficult terrain.
• Optional equipment. Basically, the best navigator for tourism comes with a cover that protects the display from scratches and abrasions. Also, some devices require a wire to connect to a computer. We won’t even talk about fastenings - they are required.

The interface of a modern navigator should have sound that notifies the motorist about the start of the route or approaching the finishing point.

Autonomy

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Choosing a navigator for tourism or a car also provides for the operation of the device for a long period without recharging or with a single power source. The ideal solution would be to combine power from a cord and the ability to insert a battery in an emergency. The battery life must be at least 10 hours. The parameter is affected not only by the size of the batteries, but also by the functionality of the equipment, which consumes energy in different quantities, so look for a compromise.

PC compatibility

For those who like to follow a pre-designed route, you should definitely purchase a device with a connection to a PC.The fact is that any road can be installed in advance on a PC, and then transferred to the device’s memory in a few seconds. The connection can be via Bluetooth or USB.

The best navigator for a car 2021

One of the main ones in the car guide segment is the navigator from Garmin GPSMAP 276Cx. The 5-inch color display is protected by durable glass. The model is assembled in such a way as to withstand maximum loads and possible mechanical damage. A lithium battery is responsible for operating autonomy, supporting the operation of the device for about 16 hours. There is a battery compartment under the guidebook. Also, when the charge runs out, you can connect via USB at 12 V. The built-in antenna catches the signal both on the highway and in hard-to-reach areas, and the set of settings is reminiscent of ERTF navigation cards. Even professional racers, in particular the KAMAZ-Master team, use this navigator during performances.

Among the advantages of the Garmin GPSMAP 276Cx model, there is a whole list of options, including: voice assistant, sound, the use of raster maps and much more. In addition, the device is configured for WAAS and EGNOS. Useful "tricks": calculation of tides, hunter's and fisherman's calendar.

The best GPS navigator for tourism

A miniature device with huge functionality, the Garmin GPSMAP 64 ST is an excellent choice for an avid hiker who only walks through swamps and impenetrable forests. Has a bright display with anti-glare coating. The guide is designed for walking: for this purpose, the body is assembled from impact-resistant and resistant elements, it works without interference in the rain, the sensor is stable even when dropped from a height of 3-5 meters.In addition to touch controls, the developers also included buttons in the device. The navigator received all the necessary functions, including: preloading maps, connecting sensors via ANT+, and the presence of the BirdsEye service. They even included a Bluetooth transmitter in the device, so you can connect to your phone.

The Garmin GPSMAP 64 ST model picks up satellite signals through GLONASS and GPS systems with increased sensitivity. An antenna is installed to strengthen the signal. If it is not possible to establish a permanent connection, the tourist can navigate the area using the altimeter, barometer and compass, which are provided in the device.

A budget device from the rating of navigators for tourism - it is worth your attention

The small Garmin eTrex 10 navigator at a low cost has everything any tourist needs. It is small in size and sensitive, and has a standard 2.2-inch monochrome screen. It is worth noting that the navigator should not be used in cold weather, as it reacts very poorly to sub-zero temperatures. The device is inexpensive, so the control system is not the most convenient - the manufacturer did not provide a lock against accidental pressing. There is a very good chance that after you pull the guidebook out of your pocket, you will get a new route or parking spot. The problem can be solved by purchasing a protective case.

The Garmin eTrex 10 can use AA batteries for storage. The device comes with a USB cable and a beginner's manual. The developers have built in support for WAAS and GLONASS and added the Track-Back option. When you turn it on for the first time, the downloaded maps will immediately appear - there is no need to download anything additional.