Wize Blog

5 Best GPS Systems for Your Car

Wize.com rates GPS systems for your car. The 5 best GPS navigation systems for your car are why they are good are:

1. GARMIN ZUMO 550 System is easy to use, accurate, has bluetooth and adapts to direction changes. (pictured to the left)
2. GARMIN STREETPILOT C530 System is easy to use, accurate and affordable.
3. GARMIN NUVI 200 System is compact, accurate and affordable.
4. MIO C220 System is accurate, easy to use and affordable.
5. MAGELLAN MAESTRO 3100 PLUS System adapts to direction changes and uses current maps.

Sony's New Portable Navigation System is Affordable

Sony's 4.3 inch widescreen GPS system is just $300, which isn't a bad price when you consider you'll pay from $100 or more for a Garmin system.

The Sony system also comes in a 4.8 inch size for $400.

Both GPS systems contain dual views, Bluetooth Hands-free calling, TMC traffic info and Position Plus.

The system has a high contrast touch-screen display to see your position and route.

It's a device that is less then one inch thick. The device sticks to your dash using a super suction cup, which keeps it stable while driving.

The GPS system gives spoken and visual directions. "Whether typing in your destination using the on-screen keyboard or searching by name or category, the system's graphic interface uses simple icons and touch screen buttons that make navigation easy," writes Sony on its Web site.

Two more features make this, the nav-u portable satellite navigation system, worth looking into:

1. There's an intelligent rerouting option that recalculates your route if you make a wrong turn.
2. There's a "Home" command which instantly directs you to your home address.

From GPS to Cell Phones, Garmin Competes

Garmin announced today that it is entering the mobile phone market.

Garmin's no stranger to technology. They've been producing GPS systems since 1989.

"What began as a brainstorming session of a handful of engineers around a card table in 1989 has evolved into a worldwide collaborative effort of thousands of colleagues," the company's Web site states.

The company's goal squarely puts cell phones into its domain.

"To create navigation and communication devices that can enrich our customers’ lives," it continues on its Web site.

With GPS devices that range from Garmin zÅ«mo 450 GPS Receiver (rated 95 at wize.com) to the Garmin nuvi 670 GPS Receiver (rated 93), it's no wonder that they're making a GPS-enabled cell phone. The phone, coined Nuvifone, is a touchscreen device that combines a phone, mobile Web-browser, and GPS navigator. The Nuvifone includes Google's local search capability, a feature that lets users search for locations and where Google sorts out the results based on the user’s current location. The phone will be available later this year.

Wize.com Top 5 Thanksgiving Gadgets

This Thanksgiving you deserve to splurge on the following gadgets that will make you both happy and thankful.

1.      

1.  To take pictures of your crazy Uncle Larry Wize recommends the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Digital Camera

2. When still photos might not catch all that this Thanksgiving has in store, Wize recommends the Canon DC50 DVD Camcorder

3. Whether you are looking forward to the Parade, or Thanksgiving football everything will look better on the Panasonic TH-42PX77U Television

4. This Thanksgiving don’t argue with your significant other on how to get to the grandparents house, get the Gamin nvi 350 GPS Receiver. It will save you time and will prevent you from pulling your hair out, both of which are things to be thankful for this holiday.

5. And for the newest member of the family spoil him or her with the Peg Perego Prima Pappa Multiposition Highchair Marble so that they, too can join in the dinner festivities

6. If you are ready to take dinner to the next level, instead of buying your bread at the grocery store, how about making your own with the highly rated Zojirushi BBCC-X20 Home Bakery Supreme Bread Maker, and if you are cutting down on carbs (don’t ask me why you would want to do that on Thanksgiving), at least your home will smell delicious.

7. You can tell, I love espresso, because I am recommending two. The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine or the Gaggia Titanium Espresso Machine. The Rancilio will suffice for the amateur espresso enthusiast, but if you are looking for a top of the line machine that will replace Starbucks or Peet’s from your routine, and can afford the wallet dent, make a statement with the Gaggia Titanium. With either one, guests will surely be impressed.

8. Pie dough, mashed potatoes, stuffing, the Cuisinart DFP-14BC Custom 14 Cups Food Processor can do it all and more.  It is a must have kitchen tool for Thanksgiving. 

9. Need a Microwave upgrade before the holiday? The Panasonic Panasonic NN-SD967S 2.2 cft, 1250 Watts, Sensor, Stainless Steel Face, Pop-Out Dial Microwave just hit stores this past summer and is the sleekest most stylish microwave that will match the rest of your Stainless Steel appliances.

10. If you are cooking for a large family and need a second gadget that goes along with the Cuisinart Food Processor, pick up the KitchenAid 350 Watts KP50PS Professional 5 Series Stand Mixer

 

With these top WizeRanked products you are sure to have a fun and festive holiday season. 

 

Garmin Turns Cell Phones into Spiffy GPS Master with Mobile XT

That's right, just in case you were about ready to jump out and buy a new GPS system like the Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx GPS Receiver with a WizeRank of 90, Garmin (with the highest rated products on Wize.com of the existing GPS systems) introduces a new set of microSD cards preloaded with its navigation software and standard maps of the US or Europe for your mobile phone. 

The Garmin XT provides like turn-by-turn directions, route planning, and voice prompts right on your regular cell phone.  As well, imagine this, as you drive along the new Garmin XT can provide you with real-time fuel prices, traffic reports and weather updates. 

What is even more amazing is that all this is being offered right now for a mere $99, with no monthly fees or other costs.  This along makes us undoubtedly once again concur that Garmin is two steps ahead of the game when it comes to GPS systems.