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

[Zeats in NJ]

I enjoyed reading the blog. Being a frequent golfer - I too would like to see CR run a test the on the range/gps finders that are on the market today. I know of three gps units that are out there and after being a CR subscriber for more years than I would like to mention I have to believe there are enough golfers that meet the demand for CR to warant the expense to do the testing. I know yo won't let us down :-)

[Vicki]

I too am disappointed there is no ranger finder review. I would have like to have purchased one for my dad and my husband. Please add me to the list!

[JPB]

I'm not much of a golfer. However, I am looking to purchase a rangefinder for my job. We are currently conducting stream assessments for the USEPA and we need to find a durable, reliable rangefinder in order to get accurate readings of wetted stream width, bank full width, and to determine sample reaches. I just now thought of another use (personal), to find the 40 yard kill zone for duck hunting! Please provide a review of rangefinders for golfers, scientists and other potential outdoor users. Thanks.

[Boston Bob]

Obviously Jeff does not golf! Until he does, he won't get it.

TEST GOLF GPS SYSTEMS PLEASE THANK YOU :)

[Allen Thomas]

CR-
I'll throw my hat in the ring of parties very interested in a comprehensive review of range finding devices (golf and sport) - particularly laser range finders capable out to 1500 yards.
Please let me know when I might expect to see something in print.
Thanks,
Allen

[One Putt]

Please add my name to the list of requestors for information on laser range finders and golf gps systems. I am very disappointed the issue hasn't already been addressed.

FORE CR

[Don Even]

Need data on golf GPS. Demand is there and growing.

[JLudlow]

I too would like to see CR do a comparison of golf GPS or at least rate them. This has become as much a part of the game as the clubs and the balls used. Please do a study so the public has a reliable sort to base a decision on before Christmas shopping begins.

[frank golembiewski]

SKY CADDIE IS GOOD BUT A PAIN IF YOU ARE OUT OF TOWN AND WANT TO CHANGE COURSES IT HOLDS 20. TNE DOWN LOAD IS EASY AT HOME BUT ON A TRIP NOT TO FRIENDLY . THE UNIT WORKS GREAT
IF PRICE IS AN ISSUE COSTCO HAS A GOOD BUY ON A SG4 AT $150.00 AND YOU CAN UPDATE IT ON LINE FOR 20.OO AND IT WORKS THE SAME AS THE SG5 EXCEPT NOT COLOR BUT COLOR COST $400.00

SKY CADDIE HAS 20,000 COURSES PRE LOADED SO IF YOU TRAVEL ALOT THAT WOULD BE THE UNIT ABOUT $400.00

BUT IF YOUR GOING TO PLAY MOSTLY LOCAL THE SKYCADDIE SG4 IS GREAT

[Keester]

I also wanted a CR report but wound up conducting my own with the various friends and golfers I know. Membership fees and memory capasity were a concern but I really wanted dependability and ease of use. Most all performed well some better than most, suprised by the pro view with fly over capability. cool but shuts off in the sun, cant see the screen. Overall I wenr with Sonocaddie v 300. And most I know agree, great layout good screen ease of use long batt life. Good luck. All my wife could say was "What you need is a gps to tell you where your ball is"
Ya funny I know.......Keith

[Jim Smith]

The demand for golf GPS is definitely growing quickly. I, too, believe that it is time for Consumer Reports to review, test, and report on the golf ranging devices that are now on the market. It would have saved me a big mistake:

Until than, if you are about to buy a SkyCaddie (which www.skygolf.com claims is the, "#! rangefinder in golf.") consider this: I got a SkyCaddie SG2.5 thirteen months ago. My annual subscription ran out in June. Next day, when I powered up my SkyCaddie, all the courses that I had downloaded into it had vanished. Angry, I contacted Skygolf and they told me that the SkyCaddie software was designed to do that!

What if, when your subscription to Gormet Magazine or Wine Spectator expired, all of the issues that you had carefully filed away suddenly disappeared? You'd be pretty angry. You won't be any happier to have this happen to the golf course profiles that you had already downloaded to your SkyCaddie. I doubt it is even legal for them to do that. But that is what they do.

They don't tell you this will happen when you buy a SkyCaddie. Nor even when you subscribe to their on-line service. It just happens.

Here is another problem: The belt clip is very unreliable. About twice a round, the SkyCaddie works loose from it and falls-- usually to the ground. Twice, I've had to hold-up my foursome while I retraced my steps on the previous hole to find it. Fortunately, I've not run a cart over it yet, and mine still operates despite that SkyCaddies have a terrible reputation for fragility and battery life.

And yet another: SkyGolf, which markets SkyCaddie, has a reputation for technical support that is slow, ineffective. and disturbingly expensive. Verify this for yourself thru Google searches for reviews.

Hopefully, CU will have published a good review of golf range finding devices by the time I save enough to replace the SkyCaddie with something reasonable.