GPS Buying Guide

When it comes to car travel, time really is money these days. You're looking for the best way to shorten your route or avoid traffic to keep from burning extra gas. But there is hope -- GPS prices have come down in the past year as technology has improved and competition has heated up, and you could free up both travel time and money by investing in a quality portable GPS system right now.

Real-time traffic services through a satellite radio subscription or with an in-dash navigation system are increasingly becoming popular, but stand-alone options, like those from GPS leaders TomTom or Navigon are potentially more cost-effective. If you're in the market for a new car altogether, consider the cost benefit of a portable unit over the expensive factory or dealer-installed GPS navigation. 

In the GPS market, Garmin, Magellan and TomTom are the best-known brands and often considered the best quality GPS systems. But Mio, Navigon and Sony GPS systems are also becoming popular. Apple's iPhone 3G and others are also entering the industry by introducing basic GPS navigation in Smartphones, and there are rumors that Sony's PlayStation Portable might soon add GPS capability. Still, most people will find a separate dash or windshield-mounted portable GPS system is a safer and easier tool for car navigation.

1. Price

With so many options, setting a budget is probably the best way to start your search for the right GPS. Keep in mind that inexpensive GPS systems are priced at $250 and below, and generally have 3.5-inch displays and pre-loaded mapping for the mainland U.S. These cheaper units are suitable for most drivers, and offer features like turn-by-turn navigation and a touchscreen, but also light extras like JPEG picture viewing and a calculator.

Mid-range GPS systems are priced between $250 and $500. Their extras include convenience features like real-time traffic, Bluetooth connectivity, FM transmitters and MP3 players.

Then there are the advanced GPS systems. These exclusive units are loaded with features that go beyond basic navigation and car travel. Instead of storing pictures, these devices might even take them. In addition to playing music, these devices can probably play movie files too.

2. Performance

The crux of any GPS device is its ability to navigate. Forget the bells and whistles, the weight -- even the price -- all of those factors could become irrelevant if your unit takes you from point A to point F instead of point B.

All navigation systems sometimes have difficulty maintaining a signal surrounded by tall buildings or dense trees, and all devices will occasionally need map updates. But still, even the most basic models should offer accurate directions, quick re-routing, and relatively current points of interest. Garmin GPS especially have a reputation for reliability, whereas reviewers have found Mio GPS devices can sometimes falter. If basic navigation is your main concern, be mindful that the more advanced models are meant to be an adequate integration of navigation and convenience features, but might not provide the most precise directions.

Look for a GPS device that can make a cold start (or turn on and orient itself for the first trip of the day) in approximately two minutes. Once you get going, the gold standard for recovering a GPS signal is between three and six seconds.

Battery life can vary depending on the amount of extra features a navigation system has. But generally, anything less than four hours of service from a full charge is considered unsatisfactory. Models like the Knight Rider GPS by Mio, or the HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion have received negative attention for their shorter battery lives, while the Garmin nuvi 660 is praised for having plenty of stamina and features.

3. Ease of Use

Let's face it -- if you can't use your GPS, there's no point in buying it. The most popular models (Garmin, TomTom or Magellan) became so because they have simple interfaces and functions, especially when it comes to finding points of interest or entering directions. Besides that, a devices' usability might be a matter of preference. For example, Magellans place some of the controls on the body of the device, while the majority of Garmins' features are accessed through a touchscreen. As a result, some reviewers prefer Magellan units like the Maestro 4250 over the Garmin nuvi 250 when it comes to changing the speaker volume or the brightness of the screen.

Too many graphics can also dampen the user experience. The Navigon 2100 is generally praised for its simplicity, but its 3D maps feature a level of animation that could turn off some users. TomTom GPS have developed a reputation for well-designed interfaces, and the GO 930 is especially praised for offering a colorful display screen that's still easy to operate.

4. Design

Design might not seem like an important factor in buying a GPS, but purchasing one that's poorly engineered can greatly affect your user experience. Ideal devices are lightweight, easy to read and easy to mount. Weight might not seem like an important factor when all GPS are measured in ounces, but the difference between 5 ounces and 22.4 ounces will become apparent if you have one device for a two-car household, or if you just like to do some exploring on foot. Dash Navigation blames the Dash Express' hefty weight on its additional capabilities, while the Garmin nuvi 5000's extra girth is to accommodate a larger screen and larger car. But there are advanced devices with low weights --  for example, the nuvi 880 is only 6.2 oz, while the Magellan Maestro 4250 weighs 6.9 oz.

Although size can be a significant factor in how well you can see your screen, the key is really the clarity of the display. The Mio Digiwalker C220 is criticized for excessive glare in the sunlight, but models like the HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion are praised for offering anti-glare coating to cut down the sun's rays.

There are a variety of ways to display your GPS unit inside your vehicle, but most models provide for a windshield mount using a suction cup. TomTom GPS like the ONE 130 stay secure on the windshield thanks to a twisting lock on the mount's adjustable arm. Meanwhile, the Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 comes with a fist-size wireless control rotary knob that can be placed anywhere in your car cabin and prevent you from fussing with the windshield mounted GPS screen. Before choosing your nav's placement, keep in mind that some states have laws on windshield obstructions or restrictions on your GPS' placement. You might need to invest in an air-vent mount or a weighted beanbag to hold your device in place.  

5.  Features

The latest and greatest navigation systems don't just give directions, they play music, answer your telephone calls and so much more. Still, reviewers concentrate on the convenience features offered that make navigation easier.

Although text-to-speech functionality -- or in other words, reading out specific street names -- might seem like a basic feature, inexpensive models like the Garmin nuvi 200 or even the Knight Rider GPS by Mio don't come with it. Many tech writers recommend spending a little extra for a device that offers this feature --  in fact, several note the Mio Moov 310 is a better (and cheaper) option than the Knight Rider GPS because it skips the nostalgia and gimmickry but delivers outstanding navigation basics in return.

Real-time traffic is another coveted feature in this GPS market. Navigon GPS like the 2100 are gaining momentum on the more mainstream brands by offering affordable GPS devices that boast real-time traffic with free updates. Similarly, the Dash Express or HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion utilize a Wi-Fi Internet connection to facilitate traffic assistance.

Other popular GPS features include Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 playback and FM transmission, rear view cameras and voice-guided directions.

Go back to U.S. News' GPS Reviews home page for more information on the portable navigation systems.