Talking GPS receivers for use in cars are a vital component of all GPS receivers that are designed for the road.
As having the ability to focus on the road instead of trying to press buttons and fiddle with things other than the steering wheel is important in preventing potentially fatal accidents, you will want to ensure that the device has this feature.
This feature varies depending on the model, so you should make certain you are aware of what style of talking feature is in the unit. The most common type is where the GPS device talks and directs you where to go. This is useful, but does not prevent you from having to operate the device while driving.
The second type is a mixture of the device speaking to you, and you having the ability to speak to it. Voice recognition software in a GPS unit does not come cheaply, however, but it is well worth the investment. A high accuracy GPS receiver is more likely to have the function than a marine or low accuracy unit.
When purchasing talking GPS receivers such as those made by Magellan or Garmin, you will want to ensure that the model has all of the functions that you need. The Magellan Road Mate and the Garmin Street Pilot are very popular, as they have some of the voice capabilities while costing a reasonable amount.
When you purchase either a Road Mate or a Street Pilot, you will want to make certain you have the latest model, as the older models do not have this functionality.