GPS navigator for a car, truck or motorcycle: how to buy
Which vehicle is it for
A normal car navigator and a truck navigator are different devices because of their software. A truck needs truck routing, which takes height, weight, width and road restrictions into account, including bridges and tunnels. A motorcycle navigator has a moisture-resistant body and a handlebar mount. So always say in your request what vehicle you are buying for.
Maps and software
The most important part of a navigator is not the hardware but the maps and the software. Popular options include Garmin and TomTom. Check which countries and regions come with the device: just New Zealand, New Zealand with nearby countries, or more. Also ask whether map updates are free, lifetime or paid, and how you load them: over Wi-Fi or with a cable. This often matters more than the difference in processors.
Screen and extra features
- Screen size: 5 inches is compact, 7 inches is more comfortable for a truck or a car.
- Bluetooth for hands-free calls.
- Built-in dashcam: two devices in one, but the recording quality is usually lower than a separate dashcam.
- Android: separate apps and updates, but more load on the device.
- Traffic information (needs a connection) and Wi-Fi updates.
For a motorcycle and for rural roads, ask about offline maps, because online navigation does not work without mobile internet. Also check whether a car charger and a suction-cup or sticky mount are included.
What to put in your request
- Which vehicle — car, truck, motorcycle.
- Screen size — for example, 7 inches.
- Maps — the software and regions, for example New Zealand plus nearby countries.
- Model — Garmin DriveSmart 76 or another.
- Features — Bluetooth, dashcam, Android, traffic, Wi-Fi.
- Condition — new or used.
- Delivery city or delivery method, such as courier.
- Budget.
Example: “I need a new GPS navigator for a truck, 7 inches, with a truck mode and maps of New Zealand, with Bluetooth. Courier delivery to Tauranga. Budget up to $170.”
How to compare offers
First check the map version: is it recent, and is the licence included? The same device can come with the software activated or without it. For a used one, ask whether the licence is locked to the previous owner and whether the maps have been wiped. It helps when the seller shows the device working.
How BlaBlaPrice helps
You write a request, and sellers answer in chat with the model, the software, the price and delivery terms. The platform compares the offers and shows the best one for your request first, and you can see reviews next to each seller. Your phone number stays hidden until you choose a seller yourself. More in how it works.
With a navigator you may also need navigation maps and GPS accessories, dashcams or GPS trackers.
