Road map to the best last-minute GPS deals

For holiday shoppers, the countdown is on for buying a high-tech gift—especially for those looking to order online. To allow for shipping time, many online retailers are urging consumers to order by December 18th. For some, there is real encouragement to do so, with sites like Amazon providing free shipping. Wait any longer and you’ll have to buck up for a premium shipping solution, or buy locally.

In scanning advertised deals and online prices, we find that the current offers generally don’t match the deep, door-busting deals from Black Friday. However, there are attractive prices available on portable navigation devices (PNDs) that are often significantly less than full-priced offerings just one month ago. (We’ve seen it with our own purchases, having acquired more than 20 units in the past month for testing. For example, we bought the Navigon 5100 for $550 and have recently seen it priced under $300.)

Many of the retailers we’ve been monitoring are of the click-and-mortar variety, providing all the research and convenience benefits of online shopping, with the ability to pick-up and/or return the merchandise locally. However, each store has its own rules, and it pays to check the details before purchasing. For example, most SamsClub.com deals are online only, but you can return the products at a local store. Some items are eligible to be ordered online and picked up locally. Costco.com offers convenient return to stores or by mail. A members-only site, Bjs.com does not allow for local returns. The details can be dizzying. Chase the best prices, and then scan the FAQs before placing an order. While there, be sure to look for a price-matching policy. Given the volatility of GPS prices this season, this can add extra protection.

Finding the deals
In searching for last-minute deals, we focused on major, brand-name retailers, though some online-only stores grabbed our attention. Of course, other retailers may offer similar or even better deals. It is worth doing your own online price search, though these deals do give you a good benchmark by which to judge other offers. In all cases, be sure to confirm the sale specifics. Prices, dates, and availability are all subject to change.

In the end, remember to do your research. (Complete portable GPS navigation system ratings are available to CR online subscribers. From the main ratings chart, click on any model for detailed specs and information.) The devices we've tested in the past will all handle basic mapping chores, though there are key differences in ease of use, screen size, features, battery life, routing options, and driver information. Read our free buying advice to learn more. Or watch our video on GPS buying.

We've collected a few standout offers on units that have tested well, as well as other untested models from Garmin, Magellan, and TomTom that warrant a closer look. These brands have typically performed average or better in our recent tests.

Christmas shipping cut-offs
Below are the dates that the featured online retailers are advising orders be placed by to ensure the items are received by December 25th without a rush shipping premium. Clearly, the countdown is on.

Best Buy—Order by 11am EST 12/20 (standard).
Amazon*—Order by 12/17 for free shipping, order by 12/18 for standard shipping.
BJ’s—Shipping varies.
BuyDig—7-9 business days for free shipping.
Circuit City—Order by 1pm 12/19. Standard shipping.
Costco—Express shipping is 3-5 days.
Sam’s Club—Order by 12/18. Standard shipping.
Wal-Mart—Order by 12/18. Standard shipping.
West Marine—Free ground shipping. No date guidelines.
*Note: On Amazon, a number of models are fulfilled by outside companies and may have different shipping deadlines.

—Liza Barth and Jeff Bartlett

Current online GPS deals

Garmin nuvi 200
$179.00 Amazon, free shipping
$185.74 Sam‘s Club
$187.00 BuyDig.com, free shipping
$199.99 Circuit City, free shipping
$198.54 Wal-Mart
$194.99 West Marine, free shipping

Garmin nuvi 200W
$230.26 Amazon
$249.99 West Marine, free shipping
$249.99 Costco

Garmin nuvi 250
$224.84 Amazon.com
$238.97 BuyDig.com, free shipping

Garmin nuvi 250W
$279.30 Amazon
$299.99 BJ’s

Garmin nuvi 260
$273.49 BuyDig, free shipping

Garmin nuvi 350
309.9 Amazon, free shipping
$326.49 Wal-Mart

Garmin nuvi 360
$309 BuyDig.com, free shipping
$333.95 Amazon.com

Garmin nuvi 650
$299.99 Costco
$369.00 BuyDig.com, Free shipping
$377.49 Amazon

Garmin nuvi 660
$449.49 BuyDig.com, free shipping
$459.99 Amazon

Garmin nuvi 680
$549.99 BJ’s

Garmin StreetPilot c330
$309.99 Amazon

Garmin StreetPilot c340
$229 BuyDig.com, free shipping

Garmin StreetPilot c580
$329.99 Amazon, free shipping

Garmin StreetPilot c550
$336.88 Sam‘s Club
$337.97 BuyDig.com, free shipping
$349.99 Circuit City

Garmin StreetPilot c530
$209.99 Amazon, free shipping

Magellan Crossover
$229.99 Costco

Magellan Maestro 3100
$146.95 BuyDig.com, free shipping
$148.82 Amazon, free shipping
$149.99 BJ’s

Magellan Maestro 3200
$209.95 BuyDig.com, free shipping

Magellan Maestro 3210
$239.00 BuyDig.com, free shipping

Magellan Maestro 3225
$199.99 Costco.com

Magellan Maestro 3250
$285 BuyDig.com, free shipping

Magellan Maestro 3140
$399.99 Best Buy
$219 Amazon
$268.86 Wal-Mart
$267.00 BuyDig.com, free shipping

Magellan Maestro 4000
$248.17 Amazon, free shipping
$249.99 Circuit City, free shipping

Magellan Maestro 4040
$315.95 BuyDig.com, free shipping
$399.99 BJ’s

Magellan Maestro 4050
$395.00 BuyDig.com, free shipping
$399.99 BJ’s

Magellan Maestro 4250
$449.99 Best Buy
$349.99 Costco
$449.00 BuyDig.com, free shipping
$386.94 Amazon, free shipping

TomTom One LE
$139.99 Best Buy

TomTom One (3rd edition)
$248.06 Amazon

TomTom One XL
$249.99 Best Buy
$249.99 Circuit City
$248.86 Wal-Mart

TomTom One XL Wide
$357.57 Amazon

TomTom Go920
$599.99 Best Buy
$499.99 Amazon

TomTom Go720
$329.64 Sam‘s Club
$348.63 Amazon
$349.99 BJ’s

Comments

[Joachim Vobis]

RadioShack and others currently sell the TomTom One 3rd edition for $149.

[Evan Golieb, Member CR]

For GPS' also check out the AAA website.

[Jason Durbin]

Circuit City has the Garmin Nuvi 350 for $299 on sale. Grab a 10% off coupon from E-bay and it comes out to $290 after tax but only available for in-store pick-up.

[Ray]

Refurb Depot has the Garmin Streetpilot C330, a CR Top Pick, for $169.95, as of 18 Dec. 2007.

[am4]

West Marine also has 375 retail locations that will sell for prices listed on it's website. Store locator at www.westmarine.com

[TJ]

One wonders if US or Canadian prices and product are being quoted? There also seems to be a disproportionate amount of exchange dollars compared to actual dollar exchange of GPS units and other products.
Availability of the top models with current (up to date)technology seem to be rarely on sale.
Does this mean Canadians are getting an abundance of old, outdated stock, on sales?

[Ken]

CR has no ratings for marine electronics. EVER. Why?

[Joe]

I agree, there is no mention of MARINE ELECTRONICS anywhere on there site. I need some advise on a marine VHF radio, and nothing! Come on CR, lets step it up!