As technology gets more advanced and drivers demand more useful aids, there’s no doubt that Global Positioning Systems (GPS) which show drivers the location of their vehicle and a map of what lies ahead is one of the most beneficial. GPS systems also make it easier to locate an unknown or unfamiliar address. They can also plan their route beforehand.

According to a recent J.D. Power and Associates survey, 95 percent of people said their GPS unit meets their expectations, but nearly two-thirds of owners said they also experienced problems. Consumers are most satisfied with the appearance and voice directions of the systems, but the speed of information ranks lowest in the survey. The most problematic issues found among portable navigation devices are the accuracy of the route and mounting the system in the car.

According to All About Cars there are 225 problems met per 100 units.

Mike Marshall, the director of automotive emerging technologies with J.D. Power and Associates, said that there is also a big difference between consumers who have bought their navigational system online and on retail stores. “When experiencing a problem, customers who contacted the manufacturer directly-via online or telephone-for support were much more satisfied than those who returned back to the retail store,” said Marshall.

There are a lot of GPS’s but not all of them are good. Research specific products on offer to understand their performance, features, and also to determine the right balance for your budget.

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