Choosing the best GPS for Father's Day

Finding the perfect gift for Father's Day can be a real challenge, especially if you've gone through the gifting staples of golf balls, ties, tools, action movies, and beer-of-the-month club through the years. If you're stuck for a great idea, a portable GPS navigation device can show your appreciation for dear ol' Dad.

The latest devices can help on daily commutes with real-time traffic data, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling, and smart points-of-interest features to locate the cheapest, nearby gas station. Dad can use the photo viewer to proudly show off the kids, and display pictures of his favorite dream machine, or even sports team in action. No doubt, he would enjoy his new navigation tool and travel companion, especially on long road trips.

Of course, choosing the right one can make or break the gift.

Fatherly GPS buying advice
In choosing a device, weigh your budget against your father's needs. There are many extra features available that may sound enticing, but in the long-run he would most appreciate an easy-to-use device—the performance attribute that is weighted most heavily throughout our testing.

Features to consider:
An important feature commonly referred to as "text to speech" translates map data by speaking street names. So, rather than  simple "left" or "right" instruction, the device would say, "Turn right on Main Street."

Wide screens not only display more map area, but provide larger touch-screen buttons to ease data entry —particularly appreciated by users with large fingers.

Bluetooth-connectivity can enable hands-free cell phone operation and pair with a phone to deliver traffic and other data to capable devices. This can be a welcomed feature for a mobile business person, though it is typically available only on mid-level and premium devices.

Be wary that traffic features often require a monthly service and possibly an extra-cost receiver. So, bear in mind that this feature will cost him money to use. (The Navigon 5100 and 7100 include free traffic.)

We also caution against buying a model based on bargain pricing over our Ratings, as we have found few low-cost units to be good. That said, both Garmin and TomTom have entry-level units that have performed well in our tests and are available with a full range of features. Of particular interest, the current TomTom One series is being replaced by the new 130 and soon-to-arrive 330 lines, driving a price reduction on the One and One XL models. The new TomTom devices feature a completely redesigned body, a new integrated locking mount, and larger speaker. While the hardware has been updated, the software has the familiar TomTom interface—similar to that used on the well-rated One 3rd Edition.

Garmin will soon release new Nuvi "2x5" models that build on the strong Nuvi 200 series with the promise of swifter satellite acquisition times, shaded maps to indicate elevation, and ability to choose user-supplied pictures from the Garmin Connect Photos site to use for seeking landmarks. We have not tested these Garmin units yet, but we expect they may lead to deals on the current Nuvi 200 models.

Latest GPS Ratings
We have just updated our exhaustive GPS navigation device ratings, adding:

• Garmin Nuvi 5000
• Mio Moov 310
• Navigon 2100 max
• TomTom One 130, One 130S, Go 730T, Go 930T

These join the ratings of dozens of other GPS devices from Alpine, Cobra, Dash, Delphi, Garmin, HP, Harman Kardon, Jensen, LG, Lowrance, Magellan, Navigon, Panasonic, Pharos, Pioneer, Sony, and TomTom.

In the weeks ahead, we plan to purchase and evaluate devices from Garmin, Magellan, TomTom, and Uniden.

If you do buy a unit for Father's Day, take the time to set it up with your dad's home address, favorite points of interest, and family photos—if capable. After all, he likely assembled many toys for you through the years.

—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. 

Also read "A car guy's Father's Day, parts 1 and 2."

Comments

[william]

Ditto, everybody. I hadn't even considered range finders. I hope CR includes them in their review.
I purchased my CR membership this morning because I was sure CR would have already done it. I am surprised they haven't,as I see you are to.

[Michael]

I have owned a SkyCaddie SG4 for over two years. As a duffer (high 90s)this device is a lot better than I am. I have not needed service, but did have to do a "hard reset" once. Acquisition time is long (sometimes four minutes), but who cares? Turn it on when you are enroute from the clubhouse to the first tee and it will be ready. After all that, I am looking for a unit with better graphics and more course info so would really like CR to do a report (and include laser range finders too please).

[Dave]

I would like Consumer Report do a comparison and rating on Golf GPS before I buy an expensive on for Christmas. I want the best performing before I waste $400.00 on one. I like the UPro but do not know enough about it. Store are pushing the Skycaddie S5 but I don't know. Please hurry CR.

[Mark]

Please do a CR review of all the GPS units available for golfers. There is such a wide range of prices and annual fees that nothing less than CR comparisons and recommendations is warranted.

[Brett Halford]

There seems to have been many requests for CR to investigate golf related GPS and range finders ... progress?

[Bob Fox]

I am very surprised that CR does not include GPS solutions that run on laptops. I have a laptop mounted in my Honda and use it often while traveling within the city as well as on trips.

I have an excellent GPS system from DeLorme that I am very pleased with. Yet, I never see this mentioned with GPS reviews that are many times more expensive than mine.

Can anyone explain why CR does this?

Thank you.

[Mike]

So, I guess consumer reports does not think golf gps is of enough interest to people. They have yet to do a review and people want the info.

[Dave]

I'd like to see golf GPS compared with laser range finders.

[John McClary]

I would really appreciate an assessment and report from CR on the golf GPS unit vs range finders. As a somewhat successful user of a SkyCaddie SG2 unit I am finding out after 2 years of use that it starting to fail with button locked/side button not working any more. I have sent a msg to SkyGolf with no reply so far. I will not spend ~$200 to get a refurbished unit and I would like an unbiased assessment of all golf-related range finders.

[larry]

i am looking for more input about the bushnell laser range finder. i am having trouble with the numbers fading after about 1/3 into the round on mine.

has anyone else had this problem and is it repairable?

[gfox]

Yes, golf GPS and also Range finders for golf. What do I get???

[gfox]

Jeff, you have got to be kidding me! There are tons of posts up here that plead for a golf GPS - range finder review, and all you can say is we have hikers GPS coming soon. What is that? Are you a sales person? Customer representative? Where is your manager? I think I'm going to cancel my subscription to CR because you give good insight to some of the hiring standards of CR, I'm sure your not the only one. This is really surprising for a company like CR to be so lame. Ill find other ways to evaluate my purchases. I really appreciate some of the folks who wrote of their experiences in this comment section, it has helped much more that anything CR has done.
Thanks
George

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

@gfox Let's not make it personal. We reviewed the market scale, through industry sales reports, manufacturer reps, commissioned survey, and search queries to determine if we should allocate GPS testing resources to golf. While there are interested enthusiasts, for now, the numbers show we would serve more readers through testing automotive units. However, golf remains very much on our radar and we continue to discuss a means for providing test-based advice.

[gfox]

Jeff, I appreciate the fact that you responded. Obviously, the bulk GPS users will be in the marine and automotive industry, but I was looking at this as a completely different sub-set. I don't mean to down play any other recreational group. I'm sure you have plenty of graphs and trends you have to try to abide by, by I cant ignore the response from this one CR article. Just think of all the golfers who are not commenting! These GPS and range finders recently became PGA tour legal and and becoming more competitively priced every day. I am starting to see many more of them on the course but as the new products come out, questions arise. I think this is a good example of CR being ahead of the curve and taking the lead in this research. My only beef with you was the very "thrown under the bus" tone that you replied with, but I guess I understand your regimented position. Sometimes, every once and a while, step outside the box and take a chance.
Take Care.
Gfox

[Rick in GA]

I, and many friends at my club have been very disappointed with various Skycaddie models. I gave-up on them and got an Igolf II that was cheaper, has more memory, and more dependable. I too, would love to see CU do a test on GPS for golf.

[John]

CR, another avid golfer hoping you'll review the golf GPS units soon. When you started out, I'm sure many of the first products you reviewed didn't have the consumer base to support the research. However, you tested golf balls in 2006; what exactly is the magic number to review any given product? I'm also interested to know...are you blanket polling the US for your market research or does that info come directly from those of us paying your light bill and salaries? ;-) Hope to read a golf review in 2009 and look forward to your response. Thanks!

[John II]

Another golfer requesting CR to review GPS devices. I haven't reviewed the number of requests from hikers for a GPS review, but as mentioned previously, the demand from golfers is probably greater than from hikers. Let's go CR, golfers "worldwide" could use a review just as GPS automotive products have reached that same worldwide audience.

[Frank Giglio]

This post is not intended to compete with Consumer Reports. It seems as though many have questions about the various golf gps devices available. I haven't read the article yet, but I saw an article on About.com that contains many of the units with a rating (both customer and About.com). Until Consumer Reports does its review, this may be a good alternative article.

[D Palmeter]

Please hurry with an evaluation of the many golf gps on the market. The golf season is upon us and I would like to see a current comparison of the gps models available.

[Larry]

Please do some evaluation of golf GPS units. It is very challenging to get a handle on comparable features.

[Fathers Day Poems]

why is fathers day not so popular as mothers day?

[carol]

me too!!!!

[Brad A]

CR: Had enough of the Golf GPS string yet? Get with it, review all the models and the laser rangefinders as well. Huge market. Just fiddle about a little longer and see what happens. Most of the "golf market" at the retail level is saturated...people of all categories (gift buyers, avid golfers, gadget geeks, etc.)are looking for a great golf item....they already have really good clubs, etc...but, ah, a reliable yardage device that really works at a decent price, now that is worth CR's attention. Let's go.

[chadjacq]

This seems like a no brainer - obviously not. Fathers Day is upon us and CR has not done a Golf Range Finder/GPS comparison or review. Why is that? I subscribed to CR to review many items that I have been looking at purchasing, because I believed that CR reviewed all of the popular products, guess not. I have talked to many golfers at my club and everyone has a different opinion - all with good reasons as to why they like a GPS or a laser. CR really needs to do a comparison and review. Can you honestly tell us that there are enough hikers out there to warrant reviews of GPS units, but, there are not enough golfers to do a review? There is no excuse! Your subscribers have fervently pushed for this - can you please deliver to us?

[James Brummett]

I would like to join all the other folks who are requesting a CR report on golf gps units.