Personal Picks – Best GPS navigators for the holidays

Most months, our automotive team provides their personal picks based on the vehicles tested in the latest Consumer Reports magazine. Because we receive frequent reader questions about GPS navigation devices, the GPS team thought it would help last-minute shoppers by sharing their personal insights and picks.

In the past week, we have posted updated GPS ratings, complete with model pages and dynamic product selector. In addition, we posted to the blog Consumer Reports Value Index™ for basic navigators and traffic-optional navigators, plus an index for traffic-ready navigators.

Having had a slight breather, the team presents their picks from the current crop of GPS navigators:

Jeff Bartlett: Despite living with GPS navigators every day, it is very difficult to select just one for myself. So, I will start with the easy choice, a gift. When giving a device, ease of use is paramount. A full-featured model that sounds stellar on paper may confound a first-time user, particularly if they are not tech savvy. There have been great deals on the Garmin Nuvi 200 and the newer Nuvi 205. Either would make a great, budget choice with sale prices being near $100.

For myself, I favor TomTom’s IQ Routing feature with historical traffic data, though real-time data could save me serious time in the rare, highway-clogging jam. I’m drawn to the Navigon 2200T for its free traffic data, but for ease-of-use and readability, I would choose the Garmin Nuvi 265T and grumble my way to accepting the text-based ads. However, I must say, I am sorely tempted by the Nuvi 500, the hybrid unit with both on-road routing and hiking capability. As a bonus, it includes topography maps. It can be found for about $300, making it an affordable way to hit most of my GPS hot buttons, except traffic. Tough decisions…

Frank Spinelli: With such a large range of models to choose from, it is not an easy task to pick one single GPS unit to supply perfect happiness. The GPS testing process provides countless "miles and hours" to familiarize myself with each manufacturer’s design style. The top three (Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan) all have intuitive and easy-to-use interfaces, but for me Garmin is the best in this category. Narrowing the field down to just Garmin models still leaves a multitude of options starting with basic models (Nuvi 200) to full featured units with voice commands (Nuvi 880). Although all are adequate navigators, I tend to lean toward the more premium units and my pick is the Garmin Nuvi 760.

I chose the Nuvi 760 because of its mix of price and performance. The $300 dollar price tag is relatively cheap for a premium Traffic-Ready unit, but a one time fee of $60 is needed once the traffic trial period ends. Even though traffic information does not live up to the hype, it is nice to have, as it is helpful on occasion. The 760 has some key features that I find make a big difference when you use a GPS everyday.  First off, the 760 is easy to use and address entry is aided by the widescreen format.  Another must for me is the easy release mount style; which works well with a permanent mount I installed in my car.  I also like the ability to use my GPS for Bluetooth hands-free calling. The trade off for the price is that this is not the latest and greatest from Garmin. The Nuvi 765T adds to the Nuvi 760 by adding free traffic, "reality view" and lane guidance; features that are nice to have, but for me not worth the extra price.    

Frank Rizzi: Have you ever driven down an interstate highway full of trucks on a rainy night, in an extended cargo van towing a trailer full of test equipment, trying to get a glimpse of a highway sign and wondering if you're in the right lane for an upcoming exit? I have, and would have loved to have seen a reality view and lane assistance pop up on my GPS. On an unfamiliar route an advanced look at a highway sign is helpful, especially at 65 mph and that is what this feature gives you. The Magellan Maestro 4350's reality view is very clear and seems to pop up more than the Garmin’s version. It's my favorite for long trips. For local trips, the Magellans's route selection is a little quirky, but since I don't use a GPS that much around town, I can live with that. It's important to know your own driving preferences and pick a GPS accordingly.

Jim Travers: I have yet to be sufficiently impressed with the traffic reporting capabilities of any portable GPS navigator to justify the added expense. Far too many times, I’ve sat in traffic for an hour on the three-mile long bridge I take to or from work, accompanied by a traffic-capable GPS or two. The overwhelming majority of the time, the devices haven’t uttered a visual peep about any problem. The feature hasn’t been much more reliable on trips. That said, give me reliable routing, simple interface, clear graphics, and a wide screen. I also want text-to-speech, and I find a trip computer is handy. Beyond that, I can do without a boatload of extra features that add cost. All this brings me to the Garmin 260W. It has everything I need, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg—in fact, there are some great deals available on it now. When I want traffic info, I’ll go online before I leave and check the bridge cameras.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. If you're interested in going off the beaten path, See our handheld hiking GPS buying advice and Ratings. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

 

Comments

[Samir]

I am surprised that none of your reviewers or reviews takes into a huge shortcoming of the Garmin - lack of displaying miles to destination. I have used the Garmin when trying to get to a client in heavy traffic in the Virginia area and when I called to say I was running late due to traffic the only thing I could tell them was the "time remaining" which kept changing due to the fact that traffic was barely moving. If I knew whether I was 3 miles away or 10 I could have had a better sense of where I was.

[Frank Spinelli - Consumer Reports]

Samir - Garmin does do this, but it is in the trip computer, rather than a default display. To access the information the user has to tap the data point to the left of the menu button. This brings up the trip computer and the distance remaining as well as other data such as avg. speed, speed, time stopped, etc. is available.

[dennis]

got a nuvi 260, have had to make 5 calls to tech support this afternoon. waited at least an hour each time before being able to speak to someone. i'm angry as hell! have any other garmin owners gone through this tech support nightmare?
be nice to know. thanks in advance.