Text to Speech for GPS is surely a term you have heard, if you are currently in the market for a vehicle GPS device. One problem with the GPS market is that there is a lot to know about GPS devices, text-to-speech, Bluetooth, multi-point routing, real-time traffic, for example. These are not things you normally think about if you are not shopping for a vehicle GPS. But, if you’re going to buy the right model and not spend more money than you need to, you really need to thoroughly understand the market and all the features you can get.

The basic feature that comes with these devices today is text to speech for GPS. Text to speech means that your GPS will tell you the names of the streets to turn on. So it would say something like “Turn right onto Elm Street”, instead of just “Turn right”.

Trust me, text to speech for GPS is a great feature, especially if you’re driving in unfamiliar territory. (Where else would you use a GPS?) But here’s the deal. Text to speech for GPS comes in virtually every GPS made today.

Garmin’s nuvi series, for example, only has two GPS devices that don’t have text-to-speech. Virtually all Magellans have text-to-speech for GPS. Same for TomTom.

So what does this mean for you, the GPS consumer?

What this means is this. Prices have dropped, and now you can easily afford features like multi-point routing, Bluetooth, and real-time traffic.

Garmin’s newest model, the 1690, has everything from pedestrian maps to public transportation information. And it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg to buy it either. Two years ago, this GPS computing power would have cost $800 or $900. But not anymore.

You can buy a text-to-speech GPS device for around $100, and it doesn’t have to be a cheap knockoff from China or some other place. You can get a Garmin or TomTom for this price.

Then text to speech for GPS is definitely within your reach!