The Top 5 Products That Use GPS Bluetooth for Navigation
Bluetooth and Global Positioning System (GPS) are both technologies that have revolutionized the digital landscape. You find these systems in phones, navigation devices, and so on. However, both technologies were not typically included in a single device.
Things have changed. Now you can find devices on the market that employ both technologies instead of just one. You get the benefits of GPS navigation technology as well as Bluetooth connectivity for mobile devices. It is the best of both worlds.
In this buying guide, we look at the top devices that utilize both GPS and Bluetooth for navigation purposes.
Table of Contents
- UNITOPSCI 8-inch Car Multimedia Player with GPS Bluetooth
- OHREX GPS Navigation
- Dual Electronics XGPS150A Bluetooth GPS Receiver
- Dual Electronics XGPS160 GPS Receiver
- Podofo Double Din Android Car Stereo
- Frequently Asked Questions About Navigation Systems
- Our Picks
- Our Final Thoughts
1. UNITOPSCI 8-inch Car Multimedia Player with GPS Bluetooth
Cars are more advanced than ever before. Entertainment systems like the UNITOPSCI 8-inch Car Multimedia Player are no exception. These systems give drivers and passengers the ability to easily navigate to their destination while also ensuring the ride is entertaining.
UNITOPSCI 8-inch Car Multimedia Player features an Android 9.0 system, which gives you access to the App Store to download YouTube, Vimeo, and other applications for your entertainment. You get tons of other features also, such as backup camera input, radio, and Bluetooth connectivity with mobile devices.
The feature we will focus on is the built-in GPS receiver which powers the navigation system. You get free, preloaded maps and have access to others like Google Maps and Waze through the App Store. While the preloaded maps were accurate, we preferred having real-time information on traffic so we used Google Maps.
The navigation works flawlessly. Just input your destination and the device automatically detects your current location then guides you to your final stop. This way, you can easily navigate to destinations you don’t know the way to. Keep in mind that you need access to the internet through a hotspot to use Google Maps.
Overall, the UNITOPSCI 8-inch Car Multimedia Player is a budget-friendly car entertainment system that provides tons of features for entertainment and navigation. You can rest assured that you won’t get lost when driving around with this system installed.
Pros
- Navigation system comes with preloaded maps
- GPS receiver works well with Google Maps and other navigation apps
- Android 9.0 system gives you access to all Android apps
Cons
- Pre-loaded maps don’t give real-time traffic information
- Need to connect to a Hotspot for internet access
2. OHREX GPS Navigation
OHREX GPS Navigation has one purpose: to make your trip as smooth as possible. The system comes pre-installed with the latest maps for North America. Drivers outside this region can download maps for their specific area.
The 7-inch display won’t blow you away, but it gets the job done. You have access to both 2D and 3D maps, and the best part is you don’t need internet access to use it. The pre-loaded maps work well to guide you to your destination, providing you with the optimal route to save time and with suggestions to avoid as much traffic as possible.
The system is popular with truckers on the road because it provides numerous alerts such as bridge heights and weight limits. You also get audio turn-by-turn directions and alerts for railroad crossings, dangerous curves, and speed cameras. These features make this one of the most complete navigation systems available.
We enjoyed driving through the city with the OHREX GPS Navigation, which also features hands-free calls when you connect your phone to it through Bluetooth.
Overall, the OHREX GPS Navigation is a complete navigation system. Priced under $100, it is a steal.
Pros
- Free lifetime map updates
- 2D and 3D maps make navigation a lot more fun
- Offers a ton of alerts to ensure road safety
Cons
- No real-time traffic information
- Need to manually update maps
3. Dual Electronics XGPS150A Bluetooth GPS Receiver
The Dual Electronics XGPS150A Bluetooth GPS Receiver turns any smart device, phone or tablet, into a navigation system. While these devices already come equipped with GPS, the receiver strengthens the signal, giving you more accurate results.
You can connect the receiver to your device through Bluetooth. Once connected, you can use any app that utilizes GPS. The product is popular for aerial and marine navigation as well as hiking and outdoor adventures. It is most useful in locations where GPS signals are weak.
We used the device for hiking purposes. The moment we noticed our GPS signals dropping, we turned it on and saw a boost immediately. We hiked up mountains and various trails and didn’t lose signal throughout.
The battery can keep the receiver running for about 8.5 hours. We used it a few times for about 6-7 hours each time and it always had some juice left. Recharging it completely takes a little over 2 hours.
Overall, the Dual Electronics XGPS150A Bluetooth GPS Receiver works exceptionally well at strengthening GPS signals and ensuring they don’t drop, which is why it is so popular for aerial and marine navigation use.
Pros
- Works at speed of up to 1,150 mph and max altitude of 59,000 ft
- Long battery life of 8.5 hours
- Works with all smart devices including Android and iOS
Cons
- Single device connectivity through Bluetooth
- Basic interface is easy to use but unappealing
4. Dual Electronics XGPS160 GPS Receiver
The XGPS160 is similar to the XGPS150A but on steroids. Both are exceptional GPS receivers and work well at boosting signals, but the XGS160 is slightly better at it.
We didn’t have the chance to test the maximum altitude of the XGPS160, but it works up to 65,600 feet compared to 59,000 feet on the XGPS150A. The XGPS160 also has a longer-lasting battery that can provide power for up to 10 hours.
You can connect up to 5 devices to the receiver, which provides 10 position updates per second. This is far more than the XGPS160, which provides a maximum of 4 per second. This is important because it provides you a stronger signal and ensures more accuracy.
To be honest, we didn’t notice much of a difference as far as navigation goes between the two models. But when it comes to aerial and marine navigation, the 10 updates per second make a huge difference. We preferred the product interface of the XGPS160, which was easy to connect to a smartphone and displays the number of devices connected to the receiver.
Overall, the Dual Electronics XGPS160 GPS Receiver is an upgraded version of the XGPS150A, which enables you to connect to more devices and receive signals at higher altitudes.
Pros
- Works at an altitude of up to 65,600 ft
- Connect up to 5 Bluetooth enabled devices
- 10 hours of continuous use
Cons
- Fully recharging the battery takes 3 hours
- Costly
5. Podofo Double Din Android Car Stereo
The Double Din Android Car Stereo is an entertainment and navigation system that makes your car rides a lot more fun. The device utilizes GPS and Bluetooth to provide you with accurate navigation and easy connectivity.
You have two options for navigation, offline and online. We preferred online because we like to receive real-time traffic information. The pre-loaded offline maps were a little outdated, in the sense that they didn’t provide the most ideal route to our destinations.
However, once we switched over to Google Maps, we had no trouble selecting a route that ensured we saved time. The system is Android-based, so you have a ton of navigation apps at your disposal. We just prefer Google Maps because of the accuracy and real-time data.
Besides navigation, the system includes features such as rearview camera input, connection through a hotspot, a multimedia player, hands-free calls, and radio.
Overall, the Double Din Android Car Stereo features a reliable GPS receiver that offers accurate navigation.
Pros
- Android-based system gives access to tons of navigation apps
- Wi-Fi hotspot gives access to online navigation apps with real-time information
- Hands-free calls when connected with a smartphone
Cons
- Pre-loaded maps are outdated
- Only fits in vehicles with double din dash
Frequently Asked Questions About Navigation Systems
How does a GPS navigation system work?
GPS navigation systems have a built-in receiver that collects data from GPS satellites positioned all around the globe. Your receiver processes this data to determine your position on the map, giving you details about your current location and the surrounding area.
Are GPS Navigation systems accurate?
GPS navigation systems are very accurate. Most will provide you a location that is within a radius of 15 feet of your current position. The technology constantly receives information from satellites to update your position as you move around.
How do you benefit from a navigation system?
Navigation systems help you find the best route to get where you want to go. Depending on the application you use, you can get real-time information about routes to find the quickest option to get to your destination.
Should I opt for a system that is portable or in-dash?
That depends on your needs. If you use it exclusively in the car then an in-dash system will work. Portable systems can be carried around with you and used in different cars, boats, airplanes, or just walking. If you move around a lot and not necessarily in your car, then a portable option is best.
Our Picks For…
- Budget-friendly navigation system: The OHREX GPS Navigation is your best budget-friendly option. Not only is it the lowest priced, but it also provides accurate navigation information on both 2D and 3D maps. We really enjoyed using it.
- Entertainment and navigation combo: The UNITOPSCI system has the best combo. The Android-based system gives you access to tons of entertainment apps and navigation tools.
- Best GPS navigation system: No competition here, Dual Electronics XGPS160 takes the cake. It enables you to use your smart device as a navigation tool at altitudes of up to 65,600 feet or while traveling at speeds of up to 1,150 mph. No other device on our list offers that.
Our Final Thought
GPS Bluetooth technologies have made it easier for us to navigate the world. No matter where we are, GPS navigation systems can help us find our way.
Our guide should help you pick the right GPS tool for your needs be it for hiking or in-car navigation. If you found it helpful, be sure to check out our other guides.