Two of the most popular Global Positioning System devices are made by Garmin and Magellan. The devices--the Nuvi by Garmin and the RoadMate by Magellan--help people navigate to their destinations and offer several points of interests on the way. The devices these two companies make are almost exactly alike, but there are some key differences to consider.
User Interface
Above everything else, a GPS unit has to be easy to use. The menus must be user-friendly, the features should be easy to use, and in the case of car-based GPS units, users should not have to make frequent trips to the manual. A review by CNET.com argues that a Garmin unit has an easier menu access than most other GPS units, but "GPS Magazine" argues that Magellan has easier ones. In short, it really depends on your personal opinion.
Points of Interest
Both GPS companies provide their units with Points of Interest (POIs) which consist of places like gas stations, hotels, places to eat, parks, hospitals, police departments, and several other places people might need to go to during their trips. Research seems to suggest, however, that when it comes to the amount of POIs initially available to the GPS unit, Garmin's GPS units seem to have much more POIs in their units then Magellan units.
Pricing
The majority of the units uncovered researching this article found most GPS units by both Garmin and Magellan priced under $200, which is ideal for purchasing an affordable GPS unit. However, further research into the price of the Garmin and Magellan units found that stores carrying the brands would offer Garmin GPS units at a slightly lower price then the Magellan GPS units.
Traffic Features
Both Garmin and Magellan offer traffic data as part of their GPS device capabilities, with some being offered for free, and others paid for, depending on the type of unit you have. Some units come with lifetime access; others require you to pay for it. The GPS units get the traffic data by pulling information off a FM radio frequency. It seems that the respective GPS units get the data from the same provider. With the prices varying from unit to unit, it seems that Garmin and Magellan reach a tie with traffic.
Overall
Both the Garmin Nuvi and Magellan RoadMate and their features are too similar and too close to call a clear winner in this case. If you travel a lot and require several places to stop during it or if you need a cheaper GPS, the Garmin Nuvi might be the device for you. However, you should still consider your needs to decide if there is one particular aspect about the unit that makes it superior to the other.
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