Test drive - Garmin Nuvi 1690 GPS

Premium navigation devices are distinguished by their rich feature sets and real-time information. The all-new Garmin Nuvi 1690 is a full-featured model with a wide screen, reality view, Bluetooth, multi-destination routing, and spoken street names. But what really sets it apart is that it uses a cellular modem to receive information through nuLink Services, rather than use FM-sourced traffic data. 
 
However, the Nuvi 1690 lacks features found on some other upscale Garmin units, including an MP3 player, FM transmitter, 3D buildings, and voice recognition. Admittedly, these features may not matter to most shoppers, though it does underscore the importance of reviewing the specifications for each model you are considering. (See our complete GPS ratings and specifications.)
 
We paid $430 for our Nuvi 1690, with a two-year data subscription to nuLink Services included. Once the trial period ends, the nuLink service is $5 a month.The connection is made through AT&T’s network, which is also the sole carrier for the Garim Nuvifone. (See our full Garmin Nuvifone G60 review.)
 
Key features include:

• 4.4-inch screen
• Spoken street names
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Reality view and lane assist
• Photo navigation with geotagged images
• “Help me” feature for emergency assistance

 
Initial impressions
The Nuvi 1690 is similar to the many Garmin GPS units we have tested. Being similar to other, well-rated models, it is no surprise that the 1690 has the features, easy-to-use interface, and good navigation guidance to excel in our testing.  Where it stands out is with connectivity, as it raises the bar by providing useful information on a more consistent basis than with previous devices. 
 
Most of the features provided by Garmin nuLink were already present on Garmin devices that received information from MSN Direct.  A recurring criticism with the MSN service has been that it frequently takes a long time to acquire any data, and often no information would be supplied at all.  In our initial testing, the nuLink service has been much more consistent, and it reports data very soon after the device is powered on. 
 
The most used feature of the nuLink is the live Google search, which provides more current, local points of interest (POI) listings than the databases that come with a typical PND. Further, it introduces the ability for user ratings of selected POIs. 
 
We have found that other connected services can come in handy, too, such as gas prices, local events, and weather information. The traffic service is ad-based Navteq traffic that is offered free on many Garmin models.  There is no claim of crowdsourcing traffic pattern data, but curiously a user is prompted to share location and speed data at start up.  Hopefully this connectivity will progress to supplement traffic reports.   
 
Garmin typically scores well in our tests with limited complaints, but that does not mean they are perfect.  For some time now, we have consistently mentioned some improvements we would like to see on the Garmin products—now including the Nuvi 1690, as well.  We would like to see the ability to exclude roads from a given route, as well as a more robust detour function.  It also would have been beneficial if the 1690 was given the full feature set, including those functions found on the 700 series devices. As a premium unit, it would have been preferred that the Bluetooth connectivity use A2DP technology that would enable higher-quality audio for streaming to the car and head sets. This feature would also warrant the MP3 player feature.
 
One of the biggest drawbacks for the 1690 is the new mount design.  Most premium mounts have a simple button for quick release of the device that leaves DC power cord with the mount.  The 1690’s mount does connect directly to the power cord, but it is a cheaper design that clips the device into the cradle. 
 
CR’s take
Following the trail blazed by TomTom with the 740 Go Live, the Nuvi 1690 finally brings cell-based connectivity to the Garmin line. The Nuvi 1690 is well done, with some room for improvement (inevitable on future model variants). Its features and price are comparable to the TomTom 740 Go Live, but the 740 Go Live includes just three months of free service. After that, the monthly fee is $10—fully twice the Garmin rate. A good, intuitive device, the Nuvi 1690 has a real advantage in overall ownership costs.

For buyers who don’t need weather information, movie times, and the last POI information, a non-connected device can be significantly less expensive and still provide good navigational aid.

The Garmin Nuvi 1690 will be added to our online GPS ratings this week.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

—Frank Spinelli and Jeff Bartlett

Test Drive: Live traffic data on Navigon Mobile Navigator iPhone app

Navigon was the first major GPS maker to offer a downloadable iPhone navigation app, porting over its graphic interface and features to the popular cell phone. Today, the Navigon Mobile Navigator stands as the top-grossing application in the Apple iTunes store, though until this week it has lacked one key feature: traffic information. (See our Navigon Mobile Navigator review.)
 
Navigon has pioneered many features on portable navigation devices (PNDs), such as reality view and free, real-time traffic data. Now no longer offering devices in the United States, Navigon is focused on applications, Navigon continues to innovate by offering Traffic Live as a premium iPhone app with a one-time fee. Navigon Mobile Navigator is now a $90 application. Traffic Live adds another $25, though no monthly or annual fee is required. The costs do add up, but the total price is still significantly less than purchasing a comparable PND. This add-on is purchased through the Mobile Navigator application, rather than from the iTunes store.
 
As with past Navigon PNDs, the Traffic Live information is aggregated from road sensors and traffic cameras, and supplied by Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network. Navigon claims to supplement this traffic information with real-time speed data from commercial fleets, as well as regular GPS users. The most exciting development is adding crowdsourced data from Navigon application users who choose to share their current speed and location.
 
The traffic information is neatly integrated into the iPhone application, which has a similar look and feel to the traffic menus on the discontinued Navigon PNDs. Traffic Live provides information such as the start and end point of an incident, the average speed of traffic, a description of the traffic type (construction, accident, road closed, etc.), an expected time delay, the distance to incident, and length of the traffic incident. Users can decide if they want traffic information to be automatically included when calculating a route or upon request. 
 
Traffic incidents can be viewed in a list and can be sorted a number of ways.  For example, surrounding traffic can be displayed or only incidents on the current route. Incidents can be further filtered by distance to event, road, or expected delay time. When selecting a traffic incident from the list, it is displayed on the route with an overhead view, along with related information, such as traffic speed.
 
In our initial tests, we found a Garmin Nuvi 1690 found more traffic incidents, though it is hard to say which system is better. Remember, more alerts isn’t the goal. Timely, accurate reports are more valuable. Due to the variables in testing, we do not rate traffic services on accuracy. However, we expect the crowdsourcing aspect to significantly aid Live Traffic as more users download the add-on application.
 
We can say, the traffic integration is well done, though there remains room for improvement regarding color coding, especially on the main map screen. (Many competitors overlay traffic conditions in different colors on the main map screen so a user can see upcoming incidents at a glance.)
 
Bottom line
The Mobile Navigator remains one of the best navigation apps available for the iPhone, serving as a viable alternative to a traditional PND. For $25, Traffic Live is a natural choice for users looking to add traffic information. However, our long-standing advice remains that any traffic information can be inaccurate or outdated, as is the case with other competing products, whether apps or PNDs. Navigon’s edge is in tapping users to be mobile traffic sensors, and given the popularity of the iPhone and this software, the company has a better chance than most of making good on the promised benefits of crowdsourcing traffic info.

See our full reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone. And our Motorola Droid navigation review.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

  —Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Review: Motorola Droid with free Google Maps Navigation

Navigation options continue to expand, with cell phones and smart phones providing alternatives to traditional portable navigation devices (PNDs). The latest such option is Google Maps Navigation, included in beta form on Android 2.0 devices. While Google Maps has long been available on the iPhone, this latest version offers true Google turn-by-turn directions for the first time on a mobile device. (Read our Android 2.0 navigation preview.)
 
The free Google Maps Navigation launches on the Motorola Droid phone with Verizon service. The Google service will expand to other phones and smart-phone platforms running other operating systems.
 
We tested the Google navigator on the Droid, a slider-style phone with a full QWERTY keyboard. The Droid has a 3.7-inch screen, giving it an advantage over the 3.5-inch iPhone screen. It also has the ability to run multiple applications at once, unlike the Apple phone. Perhaps the greater advantage is that it is on the Verizon network, rather than AT&T, which as been higher rated in our national cell phone surveys. (See our iPhone navigation app reviews.)
 
Verizon has the exclusive on the Motorola Droid, which is priced at $199, after a $100 rebate. Nationwide cell-phone voice plans begin at $40 a month, with e-mail/Web data plan adding at least $30.
 
Like other cell-phone navigators, Google Maps Navigation is server based—meaning it downloads maps and points of interest data as needed, rather than storing a large database on the device. Consequently, a data plan is required to use it. In addition, a cell signal is needed—limiting its usefulness in some remote places. In areas without a 3G network, downloading maps and recalculating routes can be slowed. An upside of this approach is that there is no need for map upgrades.
 
Test findings
As a navigator, Google Maps Navigation has common features, including spoken street names, and provides adequate routing. However, it does not include some features found on mid-priced PNDs and even some iPhone applications, such as reality view and lane assistance.
 
On the other hand, the free, bundled Android application has some of the more enticing features found in the online version of Google Maps. For example, a user can layer additional information on the main map screen, such as real-time traffic patterns, selected POIs, and satellite imagery of the actual landscape. “Street view” provides a photographic street-level representation, with the ability to zoom and pan the area. This could potentially be helpful when identifying a destination. All navigators indicate “you have arrived,” though this can theoretically literally show your destination.
 
These innovative features are novel, but the practical use when driving is limited. The satellite layer makes it more challenging to interpret the map at a glance, and street view can be confusing, as we found it often wasn’t accurate.
 
Following the connected trend among navigation devices, Google Maps Navigation taps users to supply traffic information, to provide user reviews for POIs, and to share their current location with Google Latitude.
 
Basic route guidance is adequate, providing turn-by-turn directions. Address entry is mixed. Some users found the onscreen menus to be less intuitive than those found on a traditional PND, and the touch-screen operation is less intuitive. The slide-out keyboard provides an alternative method to entering data, but its keys are small and closely placed. We found using it to be more difficult than with other competing devices. However, the Droid does have plain-speech voice recognition, allowing for verbal data entries in a more natural way than premium PNDs with voice recognition. We found this worked well.
 
The application sometimes feels more like using Google.com via a handheld, than an integrated solution. For example, a query from the main menu leads to Google.com, which can be confusing. To get results like on traditional PND, a user must be on the map screen (or navigation) then perform a search.  This will drop pins on the map and a user can select a pin to navigate too. The user can view the results in a list, as well, by tapping an icon.
 
When receiving a call, the screen changes and the map is no longer visible. This effectively negates the Android’s multitasking capabilities, whose chief in-car benefit would be to use the phone and navigation simultaneously.
 
Bottom line
The power and potential of Google Maps Navigation has captured the attention of the GPS industry and tech enthusiasts, but this service has a way to go to be compared among the best solutions for GPS navigation. That being said, if you decide to buy a phone with Google Maps Navigation preinstalled, it is adequate and would eliminate the need to pay for GPS and traffic services. But don’t let this software be the leading reason to purchase an Android 2.0 phone.

As we have seen with iPhone applications, software can advance rapidly. Clearly, Google Maps Navigation has promise. Consequently, competitors will likely redouble their development efforts, ensuring consumers have better navigation choices down the road. For now, we favor the better iPhone applications such as Navigon, Tomtom, and MotionX offerings for the combination of software and hardware.

For frequent use, a dedicated portable navigator remains the best choice.

 —Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Also read:
Droid vs. iPhone: A 10-round bout
Our first impressions of the Motorola Droid
Garmin Nuvifone G60 navigation review

See our reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Gokivo, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone.

Images courtesy Motorola and Google.

Test Drive: Garmin Nuvifone G60

The Consumer Reports GPS team has completed its test of the Garmin Nuvifone G60, and the results are mixed. The Nuvifone is the best phone-based navigator we have evaluated, though it falls short  of its potential and lacks the value and luster of the iPhone. (Read our Garmin Nuvifone G60 review.)
 
Consider the Nuvifone to be like a Nuvi 265 portable navigation device (PND) enhanced with basic telephony features and a three-megapixel camera. It has an easy-to-use interface that is immediately recognizable to anyone familiar with Garmin devices. Address entry is simple, directions are clear with spoken street names, and points of interest readily found. However, it lacks some features readily available on mid-priced Garmin devices, such as multi-destination routing, lane guidance, and reality view. With a $400 price tag, it should have these enhancements and more. (There is currently a $100 rebate available.)
 
Credit can be given for including a compact, well-engineered mount—something other phones do not bundle. However, at this price, a car charger should be also included. Despite getting three-hours of navigation from the Nuvifone, the battery life will diminish with cell-phone use and Bluetooth audio streaming, making the charger essential for road tripping. The Nuvifone also includes a pedestrian mode, something we have found helpful for negotiating unfamiliar metropolitan areas.
 
The Nuvifone does handle multitasking phone calls and navigation better than other tested mobile devices. iPhone applications typically require the user to choose one function or the other. But in the end, the Nuvifone is short on features and sizzle, yet with a price premium over established, slicker smart phones. It may have special appeal to Garmin loyalists, though likely will be a tough sell for others.  

The Consumer Reports Electronics franchise is running the Nuvifone through their telephone tests and will have results soon.

Read the full Garmin Nuvifone G60 navigation review. 

See our reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Gokivo, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

 —Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Test Drive: Gokivo GPS iPhone navigation app

Gokivo is the latest iPhone navigation app that our GPS team has evaluated. We have spent hours in the lab and in the real-world in the New York City metro area putting the software through our paces, judging ease of use, features, and usefulness. It has proven to be an effective navigator, though its limited feature set and pricey service plan limit its appeal.
 
Gokivo is made by Networks In Motion (NIM), who provides the similar VZNavigator service for Verizon. The program is just 2.7 MB. Pre-installed databases, like those used with the Navigon and TomTom applications, typically use more than 1 GB of memory.
 
It is a server-based solution, meaning the maps and data are downloaded as need, akin carrier-based services from AT&T and Verizon. Consequently, this model carries a monthly service charge, $5. Well suited to seasonal usage, the Gokivo is a less-expensive choice for year-round navigating than some competitors.
 
Navigating with Gokivo is much like using VZNavigator, found on many Verizon cell phones. It provides good verbal directions with a typical map layout, displaying the current road, next road, and distance to next turn. Further, it is one of the few GPS applications we have tested on the iPhone that provides text-to-speech for spoken street names--a valued feature. However, it lacks some helpful features found on many GPS products, such as multi-destination routing, reality view, and lane assistance.
 
We feel there are better iPhone solutions available, such as Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, and the TomTom iPhone application.

Read our full Gokivo review.

See our reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

 —Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Waze – Test driving a free, crowd-sourcing phone navigation app

Consumer Reports GPS test team has been toggling between testing portable navigation devices (PNDs) and iPhone navigation apps since the summer. Among all the technology and innovations we have sampled, Waze stood out to us as an interesting alternative to a traditional, name-brand nav solution. The free app is in a development stage, tapping users to build out the mapping and provide the real-time traffic data. Consider it the dawn of Navigation 2.0.
 
We had been intrigued by the promise of the Dash Express unit when it was first introduced. Its twist on the genre was to share traffic-flow data among its users. The device was a bit cumbersome, and it didn’t sell in great enough volume to be truly effective or succeed. Since the Express left the market, some companies have begun offering free traffic information, while others have expanded into the user-sourced map corrections and connectivity.
 
We just updated our GPS ratings (available to online subscribers), adding devices from Mio, Magellan, and Insignia. Before hitting the typical iPhone apps and PNDs again, we downloaded Waze and took it for a test drive. (We also tried the DriveSafe.ly texting application.)
 

Admittedly a work in progress, the concept is quite captivating. Waze is using early adopters to users to build and enhance the maps, along with the travel information. The underlying map is based on the open-source United States Census Bureau Tiger Map, rather than the ubiquitous Navteq or Tele Atlas maps.
 
Instead of storing maps on the phone, Waze uses a server-based system that downloads maps and related information as needed. Consequently, the application takes up just 7.4 MB of memory—much less than the 1 GB that is common among other iPhone apps. Waze is also available on Android, Symbian, RIM, and Windows Mobile platforms.
 
As a true navigator, Waze has deficiencies. The maps are incomplete, guidance quality varies, and it lacks many features that are common on the paid navigation applications, such as text-to-speech, ability to exclude a road, lane assist, reality view, and a directions list. That being said, the overall interface is relatively easy to use, and address entry is identical to using the Google maps application.
 
While it certainly has a “ways” to go, the Waze concept is intriguing and may appeal to tech enthusiasts as a public science experiment. For true navigation, you’ll want to download another application, or stick with a traditional PND.
 
We will soon post a full Waze review. See our full reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

 —Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Test Drive: CoPilot Live iPhone GPS navigation app

In our experience thus far, all initial iPhone navigation apps have some teething pains. In the rush to market, many have cut corners on features, choosing instead to roll them out in future updates—a real benefit of being software, rather than product, focused. This is true for CoPilot Live North America from ALK Technologies, a budget-priced application that shows promise.
 
We paid $34.99 for version 8.0.0.331 that included a map and points of interest (POI) database covering the United States and Canada. Since then, we have updated to version 8.0.0.417, which has some additional features
 
For a low purchase price, CoPilot Live North America provides basic route guidance with some useful features like multi-destination routing and a direction list with the ability to exclude a road. However, it lacks features that are increasingly common to the better portable navigation devices (PNDs) such as lane assistance, reality view, speed limit icons, and text-to-speech for spoken street names.
 

The graphic interface and map screen have vivid colors and good contrast, though the display overall feels a bit busy. In general, iPhone integration is lacking, as it is with other early iPhone navigation apps. It does have an option to select a destination from a user’s contact list, but the functionality is so poor as to be of negligible benefit.
 
A key concern is the map accuracy. We have found that the iPhone in general is not as accurate in pinpointing a user’s location as dedicated navigators. This limitation is exacerbated with our version of CoPilot Live, which had difficulty in finding some addresses and points of interest in our field evaluation. ALK Technologies has told us that it is working on improvements.
 
CoPilot Live North America is offered at an attractive price. As the software evolves it may provide very good value, but not yet. For now, we would recommend choosing  from other tested iPhone apps.

Read the final CoPilot Live review.

Also, see our full reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

 —Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Test Drive: Sygic Mobile Maps iPhone GPS navigation app

We have often said that the navigation industry moves quickly, with new innovations advancing the state of the art every three to six months. The companies that lag behind can be left in the dust with the passing of a single holiday season. Well, iPhone navigation apps are measured on a whole different scale. As evidenced by Sygic, software developers are working full throttle on their applications and competition is fierce.
 
We recently completed our full evaluation of the Sygic Mobile Maps U.S., version 7.71.1, putting it through our comprehensive battery of tests. And already Sygic has introduced an update, free to current users, that addresses many of our criticisms, plus it has announced other near-future upgrades that will further advance the app.
 

Priced at $60, Mobile Apps undercuts its name-brand competitors with few compromises. It looks sharp, gives good verbal directions, and has an intuitive interface. Plus it has several built-in niceties such as lane assistance, multi-destination routing, speed limit icons, coordinate entry, and automatic day/night display modes. While our version lacked spoken street names, the feature also known as text-to-speech has since been added.
 
It is a large download, with our version using 1.43 gigs of memory—notably more than other apps. However, it does include a whopping 28 languages.
 
Like other iPhone applications we have tested, Mobile Maps is not well integrated and its accuracy trails that of dedicated navigation devices. That said, Mobile Maps shows promise and with the announced updates, it is a compelling choice for iPhone users seeking PND functionality in their mobile phone.

See our full reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

—Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Test Drive: iGo My Way iPhone GPS navigation app

The Consumer Reports GPS test team continues to log miles throughout the greater New York City metropolitan area testing iPhone applications. The latest software to be run through the testing gauntlet is iGo My Way, an app from NNG Global Services that has a similar interface to the Nextar 43LT portable navigation device. (See our GPS buying advice and Ratings.)
 
The $80 application includes a map database covering the entire United States and Canada. The price undercuts competing offerings from established GPS companies Navigon and TomTom.
 
Despite its close connection to the Nextar PND, the iGo My Way app features notable improvements on the iPhone platform,, with a more vivid screen, better touch sensitivity, and a more fluid menu structure.
 
Destination programming is eased with predictive data entry, a feature we appreciate on PNDs that grays out impossible letter combinations (based on its database). Once an address is entered, iGo My Way asks for confirmation of the desired route type: Fast, Short, Economical, or Easy.
 

Another feature we like is three-dimensional rendering  major landmarks, such as famous buildings. There is a generous selection of icon vehicles to choose as the navigation pointer.
 
However, like other iPhone applications we have tested, the iGo My Way has compromised GPS accuracy – a trait that appears to be inherent to the phone itself. The GPS will often place the current position on a surrounding road, rather than the road a user is traveling on. This can cause the software to recalculate and confuse the driver.
 
Several shortcomings found in this early version will be addressed in future updates, revealing a key benefit of downloadable software. For those interested in buying an iPhone application, we expect the better software packages to evolve rapidly. If possible, wait a month to read further reviews and allow for updates to be posted to the iTunes store.

Read the full iGo My Way review. See our reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Gokivo, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

—Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Test drive: Navigon Mobile Navigator iPhone GPS navigation app

Last May, GPS-maker Navigon announced its withdrawal from the U.S. device market to focus its efforts on software, eliciting a collective gasp from the Consumer Reports GPS team. The European company seemed to be admitting defeat in the face of market domination by Garmin and TomTom. However, just days later, Forrester Research released an industry report predicting that phone-based navigation will dominate the market by 2013. Navigon, best known for its innovative features (reality view, free real-time traffic, three-dimensional terrain), is pioneering again by being the first portable navigation device company to offer an application for the Apple iPhone through the iTunes store.

We have just completed testing of the Navigon Mobile Navigator North America for the iPhone 3G and 3GS. A full report will be posted soon, along with a review of the XRoad G-Map. (See our initial XRoad G-Map test drive.)

Unlike some carrier-based cell-phone navigation services that charge by the day or month for navigation, Navigon has a one-time fee for the software. It includes full North American maps, rather than just regional maps like the previously tested XRoad G-Map. The application itself mimics past Navigon devices, even providing reality view and lane assist to aid in negotiating major exchanges. It feels like a portable navigation device (PND) emulated on the popular iPhone, though laboratory and real-world testing revealed several short comings that, for now, show that a traditional dash-top navigator may be the best choice for most shoppers.

For instance, we found that the GPS accuracy with Mobile Navigator and G-Map is not as precise as with traditional navigation devices. The GPS will often place the current position on a surrounding road, rather than the road a user is actually traveling on. This will cause the software to recalculate, which needless to say is annoying and confusing. We also experienced times when the iPhone unexpectedly lost GPS reception. 

Another concern is the price. At $70, the Mobile Navigator is about half the price of CR Recommended budget models. However, a mount and car charger could reasonably add $35. (The price will increase to $100 on August 15th.) While still less money than say a Garmin Nuvi 205 or TomTom One 140 with the necessary accessories, there are compromises with both the software and the device itself.

Ultimately, the version name says it all: 1.0.0. This is just the beginning for professional iPhone navigation applications, and we expect they will rapidly evolve. We will monitor this emerging segment, testing the major entries, including the TomTom app expected late this summer.

See our previous report on cell-phone navigation. See our full reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map.

—Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

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.