There are many separate electronic devices that you can get for your car. There is car audio, video, GPS, radar detectors, hands free phones, HD satellite radio, rear camera for reversing, and probably some other features that I have missed. What I have been researching for though is an in-dash GPS navigation / entertainment system.
The Brands and the Prices
First of, the major players in the in-dash GPS navigation systems are from Kenwood, Garmin, Pioneer, JVC, Panasonic, and Clarion. Depending on the features, the price range can be from a low of just under $300 all the way up to over $1500. So, for choice you will have no problem - the real problem is finding the best complete system that does all that you want it to do at the right price.
GPS and Navigation
This was my first priority; a good GPS and navigation system. The better ones use the Garmin navigation board that has built in maps of the continental US, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. Look for an easy to use graphic user interface with touch screen, text to speech voice guidance (with a pleasant male or female voice,) selectable 2D or 3D map display.
Some also feature things like millions of points of interest so that you know which places are worth stopping to visit; one system I saw had 8 million points of interest. Another great feature is the traffic ready navigation; you can get traffic and weather ready units that warn you of pending bad weather or traffic jams and then give you alternative directions.
Bluetooth Hands Free Phone
This is a great feature as more and more states are passing laws that makes it illegal to use a cell phone while driving. You just have to have a compatible Bluetooth phone and you can then use the in-dash touch screen to mark the number or search for one. You will also be able to stream music from any Bluetooth device that holds your music collection.
Radio
The most basic of features in the in-dash GPA navigation systems is the AM/FM radio. But that is just the beginning; you can connect to a Sirius Satellite Radio receiver or XM radio and listen with digital quality sound to over 130 channels of music, news, sports, talk shows, and traffic information throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Audio and Video
For the complete entertainment system you need a good variety of audio and video input options. The best units let you play your favorite music and videos in many digital audio and video formats and be able to play CD, MP3, MP4, CD-R/RW, DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, VCD, HDCD, SD card readers, and CD-DA discs.
You should also be able to plug in USB devices, MP3 players, iPods, and video game systems. For battery powered devices like the iPod or MP3 player, you will also be charging the device while you are enjoying the music. Other options should allow you to plug in more speakers, woofers, amplifiers as well as extra screens for the back of the headrests.
Summary
The last feature that many in-dash systems have is the ability to plug-in a rear view colour camera - handy for drivers that are hopeless at reversing or for bigger SUV's and trucks. So which in-dash GPS navigation / entertainment system am I going to buy? I'm afraid I am as confused as I was when I first started researching. I will just have to pick the features that I really want and read the reviews to see which system is best.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-to-Look-For-in-an-In-Dash-GPS-Navigation-System&id=3364591] What to Look For in an In-Dash GPS Navigation System
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