Best GPS navigation deals for Black Friday 2008
The official holiday shopping season kicks into gear this week, with online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores promising deep discounts to move merchandise on Black Friday. Given the troubled economy and growing concern for consumer spending, it is safe to say that good deals will be abundant. However, be sure to compare prices and research the products to ensure you are getting a good deal on good items.
In scanning the deals for portable GPS navigation systems, we’re seeing attractive prices on many good models. This isn’t surprising. The general trend in this fast-moving electronics category has been for new models to offer more features and often come in at a lower price than the ones they replace.
Many of the units we’re seeing in sales flyers are basic navigators—devices that provide guidance with few extras. As always, consider the features that you will use regularly and avoid the temptation to overspend for a high-end model that you simply don’t need.
In particular, there are a wide range of Garmin and (to a lesser degree) TomTom models offered at "giftable" prices. Recent products from both brands tend to score above average in our GPS Ratings.
Whether buying for a gift or personal indulgence, consult our GPS buying advice to learn about key features and check the Ratings—updated in just the last few days. (We are testing more units and will again update the Ratings in December.) There is a convenient product selector to help sort and filter the GPS Ratings based on the features that matter most to you. (These charts and tools are available to online subscribers.)
Each Rated GPS navigator has its own model page, complete with specs, detailed Ratings breakdown, and insights from our staff experts. In addition, detailed reviews can be found in our latest First Looks.
First Looks:
Navigon 7200T
Premium automotive GPS impresses with features
Garmin eTrex
Affordable, mapping handheld GPS well suited for casual hiking and geocaching
Garmin Nuvi 880
This pricey, premium navigation device features voice recognition that works well.
Garmin Nuvi 205
Evolutionary changes mark improvements to the entry-level navigation device line
HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion
An entertaining navigator, though there are better choices for the money
TomTom One 130
Popular, entry-level navigation device evolves with welcomed updates
TomTom 730
Easy-to-use navigator impresses with useful and entertaining features
Black Friday GPS navigator deals
We've collected standout offers on units that have tested well or are similar to top tested models and warrant a closer look. For this round-up, we focused on retailers that have traditionally had aggressive holiday pricing and a national presence. Better prices may be available from other sellers, and this list can provide a benchmark to judge by.
As prices and conditions may change, we encourage you to confirm pricing, availability, and store hours to ensure you can get these deals. In addition, some items may be available through the store Web sites for the discounted price, sparing you from the early-morning shopping frenzy.
Garmin Nuvi 200
$129.83 Amazon.com
$139.99 BJs.com
Garmin Nuvi 200W
$159.99 West Marine
$174.00 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 205
$124.99 Sears, Friday & Saturday
$146.97 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 205W
$174.00 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 250
$129.99 BJ's, Weds-Monday, online only
$139.99 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 250W
$149.99 Staples, Friday & Saturday
$169.99 Radio Shack, Friday
Garmin Nuvi 255
$189.00 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 255W
$215.47 BuyDig.com
$229.99 Radio Shack, Friday & Saturday
Garmin Nuvi 260
$149.99 Circuit City, Friday
$162.97 BuyDig.com
$189.99 Best Buy, Friday
Garmin Nuvi 260W
$228.00 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 265WT
$249.99 Circuit City
$264.93 Amazon.com
Garmin Nuvi 270
$172.00 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 350
$175.00 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 360
$174.99 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 650
$219.97 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 660
$274.00 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 680
$252.00 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 750
$199.99 Costco.com, through December 15
$227.97 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 760
$249.85 Amazon.com
$249.99 BJs.com, Weds-Monday
$251.97 BuyDig.com
Garmin Nuvi 880
$609.00 BuyDig.com
Magellan Roadmate 1200
$89.99 Meijer, Friday 5 a.m.-12noon
$99.99 Sears, Friday & Saturday
$99.99 BJ's, Weds-Monday
$99.99 Target, Friday & Saturday
Magellan Roadmate 1212
$99.99 Costco, Friday-Sunday
Magellan Roadmate 1412
$147.00 Walmart, Friday & Saturday
$149.99 Sears, Friday 5 a.m.-noon
$149.99 Meijer, Friday 5 a.m.-noon
Magellan Maestro Elite 4350
$199.99 Meijer, Friday 5 a.m.-noon
Magellan Triton 400 GPS Adventure Pack
$199.00 Walmart, Friday 5-11 a.m.
Navigon 2100 Max
$199.99 Staples, Friday & Saturday
Navigon 2200T
$169.99 Amazon.com
Sony NV-U44
$179.99 Sears, Friday & Saturday
TomTom One 125
$97.99 BJs.com
$99.99 Radio Shack, Friday
$99.99 Staples, Friday 6-10 a.m.
$99.99 Sears, Friday & Saturday
$99.99 BJ's Weds-Monday w/ coupon
$99.99 K-Mart, Friday & Saturday
$99.99 Circuit City, Friday
TomTom One 130S
$199.99 Radio Shack, Friday & Saturday
—Jeff Bartlett and Desiree Calamari
For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.
Previous
Posted by: Test | Nov 25, 2008 12:05:43 AM
Walmart has Nuvi 200 for $97
Posted by: Len | Nov 25, 2008 5:54:48 AM
Garmin nuvi 350 .....$148 plus .97 shipping
Just received mine yesterday via UPS
Posted by: david | Nov 25, 2008 12:20:56 PM
Could we please have more blogs on something other than GPS? Suggested blogs...
1) Replacement parts such as brake pads, rotors, shocks (we are keeping cars longer these days due to the economic crisis, so I would think there will be a lot of interest here)
2) Effect of rim widths on tire section width, on handling, and on braking. Also, CR did a test on plus sizing before. How about same diameter rims on wider tires?
3) How effective are all-season tires when it gets cold out (temperature say 20F) but roads are free from snow/ice. Lots of household got access to two cars: one for all weather use, one maybe just for fair weather use. We still like to drive our sports cars even when cold.
4) First look ... more of these would be great.
Just my 1 cent (down from 2 cents due to credit crisis).
Posted by: Nick | Nov 26, 2008 9:54:15 AM
Office Depot has the Garmin nuvi 255W for $199 on 11/28
Adorama has the Garmin nuvi 750 for $222.99 (currently on backorder)
Posted by: Rajesh | Nov 29, 2008 8:39:21 AM
We bought Magellan Roadmate 1212 for $79.99 at Best Buy [in-stores]. The flyers, however, did not mention this "deal". Wonder why..
Posted by: Judy | Dec 2, 2008 2:29:30 AM
I found Nextar x3i-02, byt CR does not rate this brand - an reason - or clue to this brand's value?
Posted by: Jeff Bartlett | Dec 2, 2008 10:32:56 AM
Nextar products to offer significant features for the money, however, we have not yet tested them. In general, I recommend focusing on models that have performed well in our tests. For example, there are high-scoring basic navigators, like the Garmin Nuvi 200 and TomTom One 125/130, that have been sold with deep holiday discounts.
We did preview the Nextar devices from the 2008 SEMA show based on a hands-on demonstration:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2008/11/nextar-gps-navi.html
Posted by: Davis | Dec 16, 2008 8:01:59 AM
Thanks for sharing nice information about Gps models. but can you tell me map technology in TomTom 730.
Posted by: Jeff Bartlett | Dec 16, 2008 11:42:36 AM
Hi Davis, The basic overview of the TomTom 730T and its maps can be found in on the model page, accessed via the Ratings.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/tires-auto-parts/gps/index.htm
For a deeper dive into the technology, you might want to visit tomtom.com.