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This page covers devices for car GPS systems. These differ from the handheld GPS units used for hiking, camping and geocaching. Car GPS systems have much larger screens, voice given directions, highway and city maps. Car GPS systems are larger and heavier than the handheld units, and most aren't known for their long battery life. However, all aftermarket car GPS systems are somewhat portable, as some are marketed as crossover devices. These automotive GPS units are thin enough to be placed in your pocket. Therefore, you can walk on any city sidewalk and have directions at your disposal.

	TomTom USB Car Charger for TomTom GPS Units List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $7.99 Used From: $10.00 Average Rating:
	With this spare charger you can keep your TomTom fully charged while you drive. Simply plug the adapter into your car cigarette lighter socket to charge your TomTom in your car. The power charger supports the 12-24V of your cigarette lighter socket.

	Garmin Portable Friction Mount List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $21.21 Used From: $39.00 Average Rating:
	Keep your nüvi in place with this portable friction mount. It'll keep everything in plain sight when you need it and out of the way when you don't. Place the mount on any stable surface, and adjust the position of your GPS to your liking...

	Garmin nüvi 765/765T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic List Price: $499.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $199.98 Average Rating:
	Have you lost your sense of direction? Let Garmin nuvi 765t 4.3" GPS be your guiding system to take you hither and yonder. It opens United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico for visual exploration. You'll get the knowledge of a native where and when ever you choose to go...

	PDA/PDA Phone/Smartphone/Cellphone: HP iPAQ, iPhone, iTouch, iPod, PALM Treo car / auto mount universal vent + windshield holder GPS navigation List Price: $30.00 Sale Price: $4.99 Average Rating:
	100% new high quality Universal PDA car auto mount windshield vent holder. Hit the road with a windshield mount for your Handheld. Using a suction cup, adjustable side-grip support arms and a flexible gooseneck pedestal, users can safely and securely attach their PDA/Smartphone to any vehicle's windshield without the use of messy adhesives...

	Universal Car Mount Holder for GPS / PDA / Cell phone / Ipod / MP3 Player Mounting on Windshield, Dash, or AC Vent Sale Price: $9.99 Used From: $7.84 Average Rating:
	This universal car mount is the ultimate in convenience and satisfaction. It can be attached to either the windshield, dash, or air conditioning vent. There are no extra tools needed for a quick installation.

	Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator List Price: $219.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $77.77 Average Rating:
	The 255W features predictive technology that provides faster satellite lock, a redesigned screen with more information, terrain maps, and an exciting new photo navigation feature. The 255W adds complete maps for North America and Text-to-Speech, so you get turn by turn spoken directions with the real names of streets (e...

	Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic List Price: $349.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $129.95 Average Rating:

	Magellan Maestro 4700 4.7-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $135.99 Average Rating:
	The premium Magellan Maestro 4700 GPS device boasts the acclaimed and exclusive OneTouch favorites menu and an ultra-slim 4.7-inch color touch screen. Preloaded NAVTEQ maps and six million points of interest for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico make the Magellan Maestro 4700 GPS product ideal for both business trips and vacations...

	Garmin nüvi 265/265T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic List Price: $329.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $110.00 Average Rating:
	Packed with features at a price that fits any budget, n?vi 265T takes you there with preloaded maps and turn-by-turn directions that call out streets by name. It adds lifetime traffic and hands-free calling to the popular n?vi 255, simplifying life on the go...

	TomTom GPS Dashboard Mount for TomTom GPS Navigators List Price: $39.95 Sale Price: $14.99 Average Rating:
	TomTom Dashboard Mount. Beanbag/Friction style mount for easy setup and removal in vehicle. This mount works with all TomTom products and is a great alternative to windshield mounting your TomTom ONE, XL, or GO product.

If you find reviews about older GPS systems, it's important to remember that some favorably reviewed car GPS systems are technologically obsolete, although they can still be bought at retailers.

How GPS works:

GPS which stands for (Global Positioning System) is a navigation technology that provides accurate time and location data by using 24 NAVSTAR (Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging) satellites. Every satellite completes an orbit of the Earth once every 12 hours. They are positioned at an altitude that allows them to cover the same ground once every 24 hours.

These satellites carry an extremely accurate atomic clock and transmits both its position and a time signal, which then can be picked up by a car GPS system. Since a GPS unit can receive data from multiple satellites, and since each satellite provides information that is appropriate to its own location and distance. The GPS unit performs the necessary calculations and arrives at a position fix accurate to within about 15 feet.

Handheld GPS vs. Car GPS System

GPS receivers for the outdoor adventure market and for the auto market are two different units, although some can do both functions. Outdoor oriented GPS units are made to withstand the elements. Many are rubberized, withstand vibrations and are water-resistant. Handheld GPS units are also meant to be lightweight and are easier to hold with only one hand. They have smaller screens than car GPS systems do, and the screen isn't always in color. Handheld GPS receivers also much better on battery life.

Car GPS systems are portable, but I don't believe you would want to take them on camping trips. They aren't water-resistant and because of the large screen, they are somewhat heavier than a handheld GPS. The bigger screen also drains battery life much quicker. Most car GPS systems can be plugged into the cars cigarette lighter. Car GPS systems come with highway, city maps and give voice directions. Handheld models sometimes only come with the most basic maps, some are in color and some don't come with any maps at all. Car GPS systems also come with a windshield or dash mount, while handheld GPS units are carried loosely.

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