New portable GPS navigation ratings

We have just completed testing 10 new personal navigation devices (PNDs) and posted the results to our online ratings. These new products include:

Delphi NAV300
Garmin Nuvi 260 and Nuvi 260W
Harman Kardon Guide+Play GPS-310 and GPS-810
Jensen Rock n Road NVXM1000 and Touch & Go NVX430BT
Lowrance XOG
Magellan Maestro 3140
Panasonic Strada CN-GP50U

The ratings are a result of months of in-lab and on-the-road testing, thousands of miles of driving, and putting the units through their paces in cities and the countryside. As we’ve found, portable GPS devices can all provide nationwide route guidance to help you find long-distance destinations and local points of interest. Where they differ most is in ease of use and their features. For our ratings, we factor heavily the qualities that make it easy to input destinations and give the most helpful directions.

With newcomers such as Jensen, Panasonic, Sony, and others entering the market, there are more choices and dramatically lower prices than ever before. Many features that were previously found only on high-end models are now available on budget-priced ones.

Yet, despite the influx of new models, the longtime GPS brands—Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan—are still making the best systems, accounting for 16 of the top 20 models in our Ratings.

To help in making PND selections, we have Quick Picks for Best Overall and Best Budget. Of course, online subscribers can browse the standard ratings chart and click through for the detailed model pages, complete with user reviews. We encourage GPS shoppers to engage with our interactive ratings tool that allows you to sort and filter by the parameters that matter most to you.

If you're not ready to replace a paper map this month, look for continued coverage in the near future. We will further expand the ratings when we complete testing on units from Dash, Garmin, Magellan, Sony, and Uniden.

—Jeff Bartlett and Jim Travers

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

[Martina]

This site is very nice. I like this navigation ratings.

[Tina Manley]

I would also like reviews of handheld GPS units for hiking and geocaching. Please review the Garmin Oregon 400t, Colorado, and 60CSX, and the Magellan Tritons. There are so many conflicting reviews on the web that it's hard to make a decision on these expensive GPS units.

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

Tina - We've heard readers ask for buying advice and ratings on the hiking handhelds, and we are looking at those specific units right now. (In fact, I'm sore from all the hiking!) We'll have info soon, and true advice in time for the holidays.

[Bob Cheatham]

Just spent $ to join CR for Marine GPS comparisons. Surprise.... not even a catagory or feature for comparison. Google shows three main catagories of rating; on road, off road, and marine.

When you get around to it (maybe in time for Christmas?),
please make sure weather ( water ) and flotation are considered.

Back to Google Land.

: (

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

Inspired by user feedback, in the blogs and forums, we are now evaluating handheld hiking units. Expect buying advice and insights this fall. At present, we do not have plans to test marine or golf applications.

[Jackie]

When reviewing handheld GPS systems, could you please comment on the differences between the Garmin etrex vista Hcx and the Cx models. Are they in fact the same? I'm anxious to see a report on these units as Christmas is quickly approaching!

[Michael]

Where are the reviews for HANDHELD GPS Units??????????????????

[Dennis Lindell]

Yet another vote for hand held GPS reviews!

Please expose the poor business practice of selling handheld units with a poor basemap, so unsavvy consumers have to go out and buy the maps and points of interest info, as well as the memory card, for additional hundreds of $. As far as I know, both Magellan and Garmin do this.

We use our old Maggie for geocaching. The screen recently faded, and the company won't even answer correspondence about it! Stay away from Magellan!

[jeff]

when CR is reviewing handheld GPS units for hiking can it include if the units can also be used for running/cycling. Buying 2 separate units-one for hiking & one of running-can become very expensive.

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

We are finishing our review of several hiking-focused GPS units and plan to post buying advice, ratings, and misc. blogs in October. Right now, we do not have plans to test running or golf units. One segment at a time! Plus, we still have much work left to do on the hiking units. Rest assured, we'll have advice and ratings well ahead of the holiday shopping season.

[Dennis Lindell]

Hi Mr. Bartlett,
With only 73 days to go before Christmas, it would be great to start researching a suitable handheld gps for geocaching and hiking.

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

Soon. Really! We are wrapping up the ratings and will draft our buying advice this week. Not to worry, there will be plenty of time to shop when we finally post. ;-)

[Troy Boucher]

I have owned and used both a Magellan 3250 and a Garmin Nuvi 350. I have found that for my purposes the Magellan is better than the Garmin. I can type in a business name or restaurant in the Magellan and it will find it whereas the Garmin can not. Also, since I am a AAA member the feature AAA feature in Magellan is much appreciated. The Garmin is accurate as is the Magellan but the Magellan is more intuitive and easier to use.

[Lori Shipley]

I'm anxiously awaiting your ratings on handheld GPS units for geocaching. You said soon, but that was almost a month ago. When are they coming????

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

Hi Lori - We're wrapping up the hiking unit test right now. Without question, we'll have the results up by Thanksgiving, likely sooner. This coming week, we will have a First Look at the Garmin eTrex Venture HC, the lowest-price device in our test group.

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

We just posted a First Look report on the Garmin eTrex Venture HC at:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/tires-auto-parts/auto-parts/portable-gps-navigation-systems/garmin-etrex-venture-hc-hiking-gpsfirst-look/overview/garmin-etrex-venture-hc-hiking-gpsfirst-look.htm

[Pete]

Dear Mr. Bartlett:
Seriously now,... for MANY subscribers (including myself) the handheld reviews are long overdue. We really appreciate your responses but Thanksgiving is a week away. Christmas shopping season is upon us. WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD POST THE REVIEW OF HANDHELD GPS UNITS. Thank you and Happy Holidays!!! Pete - Chicago, IL

[Jerry]

Mr. Bartlett,

I hope you will include the Delorme handheld GPS with your test. The new PN-40 looks interesting but I have no idea how it compares to other products on the market. Just to give some feed back on GPS usage, I would like to use one for off road dirt bike riding.

Thank you,

[Jeff Bartlett]

Jerry - We hoped the PN-40 would be available for our handheld hiking GPS test, but it launched a little too late. It is a very interesting unit.

We posted a brief preview at:

The handheld hiking GPS ratings will be live soon, and we are exploring adding the DeLorme in 2009.

Understanding there has been considerable interest in the hiking units, this video presents an overview that may help in the selection:
http://video.consumerreports.org/services/link/bcpid1329233564/bclid1886209040/bctid2440295001

The full buying advice and ratings are being built now. Literally. Won't be long...

[Carl Brock]

Just wanted to comment on how disappointed I am with the Magellan Roadmate 750 I paid $1200 for. It must have a short in it as it is off more than it is on. Lately I haven't been able to make it stay on for over a minute at a time. I don't know if they will even repair it for a reasonable price.

[Gloria Kennedy]

Can you advise the best hand held GPS for walking and travelling destinations for the blind.
We are very much in need of a good reliable system, easy to use for navigation.
Don't forget about us please.
Gloria