The best GPS for me, and you

With cars, we have become quite accustomed to the 4-5 year product cycle. This pattern sees a new model introduced,  a midlife update after 2-3 years, then the model is phased out or  replaced by a new, larger, more powerful, and pricier car.

But like other electronics, the fast-paced portable GPS navigation world is much different. There are now about 2-3 model cycles occurring each year, and the new models are typically sleeker, more feature packed, and sometimes less expensive than the models they replace.

Since we have accelerated our test program during the past 18 months, we’ve seen new abilities and features continually emerging. Many of these features truly improve the breed, or at least show great promise with further development. We have rated some excellent units, noting attractive Best Buys for their combination of features and price. But even recognizing how good today’s best units are, for my personal taste, there is not yet a single, do-it-all navigation device that hits all my hot buttons and sells for an attainable price. But I believe it is coming.

That hope brings excitement to testing each new product. Will this one be better than its predecessors? Just like with cars, I find myself often thinking, "The next generation will be perfect." I am still waiting.

As we have just added new units to Dash and Sony to our GPS ratings (available to online subscribers), and are now evaluating the next test group, I realize that GPS perfection may be  a never-ending quest. For now, if I could assemble a fantasy device from current units, my electronic platypus would include:

Ease of use—Garmin. From the moment you turn on any Garmin Nuvi, the interface is simple as can be. "Where to?" it asks. Being able to quickly find the destination you seek saves time and frustration. This is particularly valued if you have a passenger program the unit who may not be familiar with it or if you are a tech-averse, first-time GPS owner.

Wide screen—The larger screen width not only make the maps easier to read, but it can simplify address entry with larger on-screen buttons. Plus, I like using a split-screen with a large arrow indicating the next turn.

Spoken street names—Also known as "text to speech." Knowing exactly what street to turn on can reduce confusion, especially in urban settings. Driving through a major city, like New York, being told "Turn right" just isn’t specific enough.

Free traffic—Navigon 5100. Living in the greater NYC metropolitan area, traffic info is important to me. After all, the right information can mean the difference between domestic tranquility and a cold, lonely dinner. The MSN Direct service and Dash Driver Network both have proven to be useful services, with the Dash promising even more future potential. But, my life is overflowing with fees for other devices and I just can’t stomach one more. The free traffic information with the Navigon is similar to the data received from some other for-pay services. While not perfect, it is helpful and the price is right.

Historic traffic—TomTom, Dash. In my experience, so-called real-time traffic isn’t always up to the minute and still doesn’t adequately contend with rush-hour congestion. The increasing trend for units to tap historic traffic information means the route suggested at 8 a.m. may be different than the one proffered at noon, even if there isn’t a major accident. This is helpful for commuting to find better routes, and even more welcomed when traveling, where you simply don’t have local knowledge to predict likely traffic flow.

Reality view—Sony NV-U83T, NV-U73T, and TomTom 930, 730. Like latest Navigon units, these newer devices provide a so-called “reality view” that presents a simple graphic of an upcoming, major intersection, though their graphics are a touch more pleasing. I have found this feature to be very helpful in navigating complex highway interchanges, with clear guidance on the proper lanes to occupy.

Speed alerts—Integrated speed alerts can display the current speed limit and alert when it has been exceeded by a user-set amount. This can be a real help in unfamiliar areas where the speed limits rise and fall unexpectedly.

Processing speed—It can be frustrating to delay leaving on a road trip while a device seemingly flips endlessly through a card catalog to find and route to a POI, rather than whisking quickly through its electronic database.

Design—Give me a clean design that maximizes screen size, with a thin, non-reflective case. And place a hard-key button on the exterior for muting.

Best for you
As the innovation continues, more and more consumers will find the multi-function GPS devices to be an important tool in their mobile electronics inventory. However, it is the core navigation features that I want to see refined and gathered in a single, affordable model. To me, stuff like a video player or currency converters don’t contribute to the main purpose of a GPS device—just efficiently get me where I want to go.

So while the perfect GPS device (by my standards) may not yet exist, any online subscriber can quickly find the best GPS device available for their needs and budget using our dynamic ratings chart. Links from each product name will take you to a detailed product page, with our testers’ notes on the highs, lows, and bottom line.

If you buy a device, please return to the product pages once you’ve had some experience to share your insights with others via the user reviews. And rest assured, the GPS team will continue to rate models on our never-ending search for the perfect device.

In the meantime, what features matter most to you? Post your thoughts in the comments below.

—Jeff Bartlett

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums. 

Comments

[Andrea Johnson]

To me, the most important feature of a GPS would be having the ability to correct and install the newer roads that it does not already have. Just like maps, they get out-dated quickly.
I like everything about my Nextar GPS EXCEPT for that. It is constantly telling me to go to the nearest road, when I'm already on the highway! The best feature that a GPS could have would be one that automatically puts in the streets that you are driving on, that weren't already installed in it.

[Larry Trowbridge]

I think this is another case of finding what you want to find and reporting on only that. If you had done any investigating at CleanMPG.com you would see that drafting trucks at less than a car length is not recommended. It is only mentioned because it does work but is much too dangerous to use. It would be like saying that steroids don't increase muscle mass. The fact is that they do but it is much too dangerous to go that route. Acknowledging something and recommending it are two completely different things.

As for running red lights, that isn't recommended either. However, timing the lights to miss the red light is stressed. A true hypermiler will grit their teeth and hold back a few choice words and stop.

[Tom Molnar]

I guess I'm still an old "hand held" GPS guy, but I wish these auto units would allow you to input latitude and longitude, place and remember waypoints (a place you've gone to and want to remember), and maybe give you the ability to remember a route that you're taking that you did not ask for help on, as when you're just touring around enjoying the area and the route. No destination entered. This is all stuff I've had in my hand held units for years. Most people probably don't give a hoot about this stuff, but then they're probably not Geocachers either - ha.

[Al Ozanian]

I have had several GPS systems in my vehicles and they have been great! I have saved common tourist sites for friends and family and then let them borrow my car druing visits. This has saved me from seeing the same sites over and over again, and saved them from having to figure out how to get around. At the end of the day, they just select "HOME" and they come home for dinner.

Today, I am interested in more afordable GPS systems. My vehicle systems came with pachages that cost $5000 or so AND I have to buy CD's to update the map. I am looking for automatic updating, real time traffic information, and afordability so that as new technology comes on seen I can move to it!

[Dave Carr]

I agree with the posts of Tom Molnar May 5, 2008 11:02:54 AM and Al Ozanian May 17, 2008 6:58:12 PM.
I am highly dissatisfied with my factory navigation system in my 2005 GMC Envoy. Aside from the fact that you can not play a cd if you are using the GPS ,(because the gps is CD driven) The gps is fairly accurate in the reported location. But, there is no provision for updating the base map for new streets. Keep reading....The biggest pain is that the GM GPS's do not show the names of primary roads through town until you are actually on them. i.e.: You do not see the names of primary roads as you approach. I have addressed these issues with GM. They push you off to a third party. Their remedy is to sell you a $299.00 update CD. With NO guarantee that these issues are fixed. My suggestion.. DO NOT spend the big bucks on a factory GPS, especially General Motors. There are many great aftermarket units. My daughter has the Garmin Nuvi 350 and likes it.
Good luck.

[Joseph aliperti]

My gps, a lowrence 500 iway was purchased about 3 years ago. Back then it was state of the are with a huge screen but very heavy and not at all portable. The feature that I hate the most about this unit is that if you bail out of a particular route, say I-95 North through Connecticut because traffic is really bad and want to head for the merrit pky or even us-1, it just badgers me that i'm off the route and ONLY directs be back to I-95. Do any of the current units give me the option of returning to the route, say at the next exit, or choosing an alternate route to the same destination? thanks

[RAD Moose]

How about checking out Verizon Wireless (VZW) Phones with VZNavigator?

The latest version not only has traffic with detour notification, it also has weather AND gas price search too!

It also has a web interface allowing syncing between the handset and website allowing you to easily 'load up' addresses via a typical map web interface.

Oh, and it does talk full street names, has multiple voice settings, and can work with a headset.

[David]

I have a TomTom One Second Edition that I purchased refurbished from a big box store. I had to update the map because the one the unit came with was several versions old. To my surprise and later great disappointment, approximately 15-20 after my purchase of $99.99 update, a newer version was released by TomTom. Naturally I inquired about my options for obtaining a bump up to the upgraded version and after several emails back and forth I was politely told I was out-of-luck. They carry a "14-day" policy that covers these circumstances with no work arounds or discount on the newer version. I would have to pay another $99.99 to replace my not yet 30 day old map. I was never warned that a new one was due for release and as such TomTom basically screwed me. I had previously recommended TomTom for ease of use and price etc. but this has definitely made me change my mind.

[Wayne Cochrane]

Does anyone know if any of the automotive GPS units are set up to conveniently receive place mark information (lat., long., place description)from Google Earth? GE is often the most convenient way to determine position information about particular points of interest. I have been using a TomTom One this past year and have found it a practical basic unit, but inputting data from Google Earth is a strictly manual task.

[bruce coughlin]

OK I use my Garmin Nuvi 360 all the time. My 2001 Mercedes Benz has a built in GPS but it's pretty terrible and I'm always missing turns or getting lost with it. On the other hand I can always hear the commands with the built-in GPS because it plays through my car sound system whether I'm listening to the radio or a CD.

BUT as much as I like the portable Garmin for navigation I CANNOT HEAR IT if I'm playing a CD or listening to the radio. The speakers are just too feeble to compete with the car stereo.

Which brings me to my point: a key thing to evaluate is speaker volume!!! It's one thing to test them with the radio off and the windows closed. But play some music while you drive... there's the important test! Either full bodied speakers or the ability to blast into your car stereo (no matter what you're listening to.... not a preset, separate FM frequency, that's lame).

[catten]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a GPS I can use in my car AND on my motorcycle? I currently use my Verizon phone (VZNavigator) and a Bluetooth headset in my helmet, but it eats up my minutes and the phone screen is too small to safely look at while moving.

My biggest concern is vibration.

Catten

[Wayne Boyce]

Garmin makes several GPS models that are work well with either an automobile or motorcycle. It all depends on the features you want and the price you are willing to pay.

I use a Garmin 660 for my business, becasue it has traffic, and bluetooth, which are two important options for me Monday thru Friday.

I just replaced a nine (9) year old Garmin III Plus on my motorcycle with a re-manufactured Garmin Quest which I purchased new for less than $130.00.

I suggest you got to www.garmin.com and look under motorcycle to find a comarison of their different units.

[Kelly]

Does anyone know of a portable GPS unit that can be used in a vehicle and also be used off road for things like hunting and marking locations?

[Scott Schaefer]

GPS buying advice needed! Thoughts on Portable vs. Laptop unit vs. Verizon cell phone system vs. Honda factory installed system in an Odyssey or Pilot? Please be specific about brands if possible. Regarding portables, it seems a Garmin would be the wisest choice. We just bought a Dell laptop, and have a car adapter for it, but I'm not sure about using it as a GPS. Right now we use it in the car to play videos for our 2 young boys, so it would take away from that.Our Verizon cell phone contract recently expired, so we will need to get new cell phones, and I'm curious about their GPS navigation possibilities and how good/bad they are. And we will be getting a new Honda vehicle soon, so I'm curious about the factory installed system they use. Is it better than the GM system mentioned previously? Your thoughts are appreciated with as much detailed info (brands, type of device, etc...) as possible. Thank you!

Scott

[Joe Q]

I will be travelling to Europe in Sep 08 Germany, Italy, France. Will pick up new Benz in Stutgart at beginning. Considering a GPS for this senior citizen (and wife) that will work miracles in Europe and still be a good thing in US. Not terribly proficient in electronics, but OK (barely). Handheld or auto?(hate that big hurkin thing stuck to the dash or window).
Any comments would help. Thank you.

[John Hiam]

I am at a loss to understand your favorable rating of the TomTom One. I have owned one for eighteen months and had nothing but grief with it. I have just returned from a trip to Pittsburgh and the unit made ten navigational errors which would have sent me anywhere but where I wanted to go. Fortunately I knew the way! This has been my experience with this piece of junk every time I have used it. The maps are full of errors and they are not because the info is out of date. For example, I am frequently given instructions to turn onto roads that have never existed, it indicates hotels and restaurants that have never existed and doesn't have roads, hotels and restaurants that have been there for at least 20 years to my knowledge. The TomTom help people have been no help whatsoever and I have been unable to get any meaningful updates either from them or by downloading. All in all, this gadget was a total waste of money.

[Paul Cole]

Is there a portable GPS system that can be played on the same frequency as XM/Sirrus? I understand that certain GPS systems will interupt or lower the sound of the radio in order to give directions, if so, can you recommend such a system?
Kindest Regards

[Bibi]

I am planning to purchase a Nuvi as I've been relatively satisfied with my previous Garmin purchase.
I will be traveling to southern France next week. Has anyone used their US-purchased Nuvi in Europe and inform me on what's required? Should the European (or French) map be preinstalled?
Is it difficult converting?
Will the system work in those cars?
Thanks!