Navigating the Latest GPS UnitsPoint by Point

  • By Joe Stoddard

Continued from page 2

Navigon. The 7100 GPS offers subscription-free lifetime traffic updates and special features like "Reality View," which puts a photo-realistic view of the upcoming turn on screen, and "Lane Assistance," which lets the user know what lane to migrate toward. Products are Bluetooth-accessible and employ text-to-speech technology. 888-848-0701. www.navigonusa.com.

Navigon

7100 GPS

Magellan. The Maestro 4250 features a voice-recognition command system that enables hands-free control of the GPS, with possible commands including "go home," "nearest gas," and "nearest ATM." Products also display live traffic reports and have 6 million points of interest, available AAA TourBook information, and Bluetooth phone capability. 800-707-9971. www.magellangps.com.

Magellan

Maestro 4250

Lowrance. The XOG water-resistant GPS comes with on-road, off-road, and walking navigation capability. In addition to Navteq mapping data, the XOG supports a wide variety of add-in maps on SD cards, including topographic maps. The product also can access downloadable maps with U.S. satellite and aerial imagery, and it features an MP3 audio player and a JPEG picture viewer. 800-324-1356. www.lowrance.com.

Lowrance

XOG Water-Resistant GPS

Mio Technology. The C230 personal GPS features a SiRFstarIII receiver that can navigate in challenging environments like forests and large cities, according to the manufacturer. The GPS employs text-to-speech navigation, pedestrian mode, and an LCD color screen. Products also have a memory slot for additional maps, and a "points of interest" feature, which finds local businesses in the category of the user's choice. 866-646-4477. www.mio-tech.com.

Mio Technology

C230 Personal GPS

Garmin. The Nuvi 760 is a thin, 6-ounce GPS that enables the user to create and share driving and on-foot custom routes. Products feature a route-optimized routing engine and text-to-speech capability. The GPS has Bluetooth phone capability and a receiver that alerts the driver about traffic delays and provides detour routes. The GPS, which boasts a 4.3-inch display, accepts SD cards and also includes an MP3 player, an audio book player, a JPEG picture viewer, and a currency converter. 913-397-8200. www.garmin.com.

Garmin

Nuvi 760

Verizon. The LG Voyager cell phone supports the manufacturer's GPS service, VZ Navigator. The service features text-to-speech, local points of interest, and traffic updates. The flip-style phone also includes mobile TV, music, camera, and video functions. The phone is Bluetooth-compatible. 800-243-0000. us.lge.com.

Verizon

LG Voyager Cell Phone

Dash. The Express is the first GPS with Web 2.0 collaboration, the firm says, providing Internet connection via both WiFi and cellular wireless. Express gathers traffic information from the Dash Driver Network and combines it with other sources of traffic data for freeways and local roads and side streets. It provides up to three routing options based on flow rather than incident data, and automatically alerts users when traffic conditions change and a faster route is available. Subscription to the Dash Service is required with GPS purchase. 877-500-3274. www.dash.net.

Dash

Express GPS

TomTom. The GO 920 GPS unit comes pre-installed with complete, up-to-date maps of the U.S., Canada, and western and central Europe, and it includes Map Share technology that allows users to make changes to maps and share corrections with other customers. The product is compatible with an RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver, which provides up-to-date traffic information. Other features include Enhanced Positioning Technology, text-to-speech capability, voice-prompted address entry, a 4.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth remote control, and an FM transmitter. 866-486-6866. www.tomtom.com.

TomTom

GO 920 GPS Unit

<Previous 1 2 3