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Vehicle or car portable GPS navigation is an inexpensive upgrade to any vehicle. After market navigation units use the newest technology and mapping software to get you from one place to another without error. Also, with today's advancing technology, you can get portable GPS navigation for far less than the steep price tag that dealerships charge when including factory navigation.

Many are not aware that portable GPS navigations can be used for a number of different purposes, and getting directions is just one. Most are upgradable to be used in conjunction with DVD and MP3 players as well as with Bluetooth capability. Even the after market units can be a great investment. These portable navigation systems that are available are easily installed with a suction cup attached to the windshield. They also use the battery of the car through the DC outlet. These devices are very versatile and can be easily transferred from one vehicle to another.

Some Garmin portable GPS units also have built-in batteries to provide you with navigation even without an external power source. The popular and versatile Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS Navigator comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that will last up to 8 hours on a single charge. Although it has a good size screen it is compact enough to fit easily in a pocket or purse. The Garmin Nuvi 350 Personal Travel Assistant provides much more than directions; it has an Mp3 player, an audio book player and much more.

Also, you can use a GPS system called the in-dash. This system has an interactive monitor, where you can type in the address to get directions. This unit fits where your car radio goes and replaces it.

No matter what you drive, there are units available to adapt to your radio model. There are all sorts of things available, such as mp3 adapters, satellite radio, television and cell phone options. You can have all of this, and pay way less than the car manufacturer's cost to integrate it into the car.

If you put as much information into the GPS system as possible, it will be easier to find your location. Some maps are on the hard drive of the system, and you can just download the updated ones and put them onto the hard drive as updates. There are also actual maps, which are on a DVD the system can read. So you will have to purchase the new DVD maps so that you can stay up-to-date on new roads.

While they were once expensive, portable navigation systems have become affordable for everyone. Money spent on these systems is more than worth it when you consider all of the utility and fun that you get for the price. Most importantly, however, you will never have to stop for directions again with one of these systems.

The addition of portable GPS navigation in your vehicle is relatively inexpensive especially when compared to the overpriced dealership charge that comes when you order a factory navigation system. Some Garmin portable GPS units have built-in batteries that allow you to navigate without needing an external power source. The Garmin Nuvi 350 Personal Travel Assistant is very adaptable and includes a lithium-ion battery that you can recharge and it will remain charged for up to 8 hours. In some units, maps are loaded onto a DVD which is inserted into the system. New updated DVDs can be purchased in order to update yourself with the growth of your area.