Introduction.

There can’t be many auto manufacturers that don’t at least offer factory fitted GPS systems as an optional extra, if not standard equipment, in their range of vehicles. Whilst factory fitted GPS might look all sleek and trendy – the fact is that factory fitted GPS popularity is rapidly declining. With users of factory fitted GPS experiencing more than 3 problems per year on average with the units – frustrated owners are reverting back to dashboard mounted GPS systems from the popular manufacturers like Garmin and TomTom.

Factory fitted GPS problems.

Factory fitted GPS falling in popularity, poor visibility a major issue.

The main problems reported by owners of factory fitted GPS systems are as follows. Voice recognition and voice directions were a main cause for concern, which given the premium price you pay for a factory fitted GPS really isn’t good enough – is it! The speed that factory fitted GPS systems work at, in terms of refreshing the route data, is found to be slow and, generally speaking, the quality of the route information itself can be worse that that from a bought one that you fit yourself. This will include poor street name information and a lack of points of interest being displayed. However, the fact that many users of factory fitted GPS state poor visibility of the GPS screen as being unsatisfactory is both worrying and dangerous. Having an easy to see display is surely an inherent component in the safety of using any GPS system?

The best and worst factory fitted GPS.

According to a survey conducted in the USA only seven factory fitted GPS systems scored a five star rating. These were those fitted in the Dodge Charger, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Chrysler 300 series, Acura TSX sedan, Audi S4 sedan, Hyundai Elantra and the Ford Flex. Interestingly, the Dodge and Chrysler models were both fitted with Garmin GPS units. Nineteen vehicles scored only two stars out of five, including: the Toyota Rav 4, which was the absolute worst one and the Lincoln MKX, which was second from last. Finally – none of these bottom 19 had a Garmin GPS fitted.