rating and review of popular models

A car navigator is a useful device, as it will help you find a route in any unfamiliar city. However, recently, most motorists, instead of buying a separate navigator, simply download navigation programs from Google Play or the AppStore to their smartphones or tablets.

You can give a lot of arguments in favor of one or another solution. So, the car navigator has the following advantages:

• specially designed for positioning and route planning;
• can work with a large number of satellites at the same time;
• most navigators have built-in modules for working with GPS and GLONASS;
• they have convenient mounts and a large touch screen.

If you use a smartphone, then this is also a good solution, but be prepared for the fact that you have to buy special mounts or stands. The smartphone may not be designed to work with GLONASS. In the end, it can simply hang on a large number of simultaneously executing programs.

Thus, if you travel a lot, then the Vodi.su editors advise you to purchase a car navigator, since it is unlikely to let you down. In addition, it will work even where there is no operator network, which cannot be said about ordinary smartphones or tablets.

What models are relevant in 2017? Let's consider this question in more detail.

Garmin nuvi

This brand continues to lead, as in previous years. Garmin navigators cannot be attributed to the cheap segment. Prices for them range from eight to 30 thousand rubles.

The most popular models for 2017:

• Garmin Nuvi 710 - 11 rubles;
• Garmin Nuvi 2497LMT—17;
• Garmin Nuvi 2597 - from 14 thousand;
• Garmin NuviCam LMT RUS - 38 500 rubles. (combined with a video recorder).

You can continue the list further, but the essence is clear - this brand is in many ways the standard of quality when choosing a car navigator. Even cheaper models have a huge amount of useful functionality:

• fairly wide displays from 4 inches diagonally;
• touch touchscreen;
• RAM from 256 MB to 1 GB;
• support for GPS, EGNOS (EU navigation system), GLONASS;
• WAAS support - GPS data correction system.

If you buy one of these devices, then everything you need is included in the kit. Plus, you get already downloaded maps of Russia, the EU, you can update them at any time or download maps of other countries. Some models contain preloaded databases of speed cameras, they display information about traffic jams and repairs.

Donovil

This is already a more budget proposal. At the beginning of 2017, we would recommend readers to pay attention to the following models:

• Dunobil Modern 5.0;
• Dunobil Ultra 5.0;
• Dunobil Plasma 5.0;
• Dunobil Echo 5.0.

Prices are between three and four thousand rubles. We had the good fortune to test the Dunobil Echo model, which can be bought for 4200-4300 rubles.

Its characteristics:

• touch screen 5 inches;
• runs on Windows CE 6.0 operating system;
• RAM 128 MB;
• navigation system - Navitel;
• built-in FM transmitter.

There are also certain disadvantages - information about traffic jams is not displayed. You will receive it only if you turn on 3G in your phone and upload this information to the navigator via Bluetooth. In addition, the touchscreen is not the best sensitivity - you literally have to press your fingers on it to enter information about waypoints.

But for the money this is a good choice. Moreover, most drivers speak positively about this brand.

GeoVision Prestige

Prestigio is traditionally a budget solution, but it conquers users with build quality and reliability. True, as it often happens, gadgets will work out their warranty period well (2-3 years), and then they need to look for a replacement.

Of the new models of 2016-2017, we can distinguish:

• Prestigio GeoVision 5068, 5067, 5066, 5057 - price in the range of 3500-4000 rubles;
• Prestigio GeoVision Tower 7795 — 5600 р.;
• Prestigio GeoVision 4250 GPRS - 6500 rubles.

The latest model works with both GPS and GPRS. It can be used, for example, to send SMS. Also, information about traffic jams is downloaded through the network of the mobile operator. There is an FM transmitter. The small screen is only 4,3 inches. You can store photos, videos, music.

In general, Prestigio devices perform well. But their common problem is a slow cold start. The navigator takes a long time to load and catch satellites, although it is designed for 20 communication channels. Sometimes, due to freezes, information may be displayed late, or displayed incorrectly at all - a parallel street will be displayed on the screen. There are other troubles as well.

However, these navigators are quite popular because of their cheapness. They work on Windows system with Navitel maps.

GlobeGPS

A new brand for the Russian consumer in the middle price range. Globus navigators appeared on sale only in the middle of 2016, so we did not find a clear analysis of their characteristics. But still we had the good fortune to try out such navigators in practice.

We are talking about the model GlobusGPS GL-800Metal Glonass, which can be bought for 14 thousand rubles.

Its advantages:

• works with Navitel and Yandex.Maps;
• touch screen 5 inches;
• RAM 2 GB;
• built-in memory 4 GB;
• support for two SIM cards.

There are many useful programs here, such as GlobusGPS Tracker, which tracks your location over the Internet. There are front and rear cameras of 2 and 8 megapixels. Runs on Android 6.0 operating system.

In a word, we have an ordinary smartphone with advanced features. The only difference is that licensed Navitel maps are installed here absolutely free of charge, and you also get all updates for free. The navigator works with GPS and GLONASS. Originally developed for Scandinavia.

There is support for: Wi-Fi, 3 / 4G, LTE, face sensor, fingerprint scanner. It can be used as a DVR, as well as download data on traffic jams, speed cameras, weather, etc. In a word, a multifunctional device, but quite expensive.

LEXAND

Budget manufacturer that produces good products. To date, the following models are in demand among buyers:

• Lexand SA5 - 3200 р .;
• Lexand SA5 HD + - 3800 rubles;
• Lexand STA 6.0 - 3300.

We would advise choosing an average model for 3800.

Its advantages:

• 5-inch LCD-display, touch;
• works on Windows CE 6.0 with Navitel maps;
• internal memory 4 GB, operational - 128 MB;
• 3G modem included.

Drivers note the high-quality display, so there are no glare on it. Despite the weak RAM, the route is laid quite quickly. Convenient fastenings on glass or a torpedo.

But there are also the usual drawbacks: it does not support Yandex.Traffic, far from the city and federal highways, it shows outdated information, or even incorrect information, the battery runs out quickly.

As you can see from the review, car navigators are becoming less and less popular, as smartphones and tablets take over their functions.

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