Text-to-speech for GPS is surely a term you’ve heard, if you’re currently in the market for a vehicle GPS device. One problem with the GPS market is that there is a lot to know about GPS devices, text-to-speech, Bluetooth, multipoint routing, real-time traffic, for example. These are not things you normally think about, if you are not shopping for a vehicle GPS. But, if you’re going to buy the right model and not spend more money than you need to, you really need to thoroughly understand the market and all the features you can get.
The basic feature that comes with these devices today is text to speech for GPS. Text-to-speech means your GPS will tell you the street names to turn on. Then it would say something like “Turn right on Elm Street”, instead of just “Turn right”.
Believe me, text to speech for GPS is a great feature, especially if you are driving in unknown territory. (Where else would you use a GPS?) But here’s the deal. GPS text-to-speech comes on virtually every GPS made today.
Garmin’s nuvi series, for example, only has two GPS devices that don’t have text-to-speech. Virtually all Magellans have text-to-speech for GPS. Same for TomTom.
So what does this mean for you, the GPS consumer?
What this means is this. Prices have come down and you can now easily afford features like multipoint routing, Bluetooth, and real-time traffic.
Garmin’s newest model, the 1690, has everything from pedestrian maps to public transportation information. And it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to buy it either. Two years ago, this GPS computing power would have cost $800 or $900. But not anymore.
You can buy a text-to-speech GPS device for around $100, and it doesn’t have to be a cheap knockoff from China or somewhere else. You can get a Garmin or TomTom for this price.
Then text to speech for GPS is definitely at your fingertips!