If you often to new places, have trouble reading maps, or simply hate to ask for instructions, you may want to consider a portable GPS navigation system. Once you give it a destination, the system can plot a route, to provide guidance spoken, and display each turn, you drive, or in some cases on foot. Most units let you choose options that include orientation traced the shortest, fastest, and even a toll-free route. An internal database also includes points of interest such as gas stations and ATMs, and the net asset value system can deliver to you the closest. You can even choose a restaurant close by the type of food.

Although it is not always as easy to use as a dashboard systems available on many new vehicles, portable systems are catching up. Features like internal, rechargeable batteries and pre-loaded North America map databases are now commonly included on budget systems. More premium features such as real time traffic reports are becoming available on more affordable housing, but are often require additional hardware.

Portables have the advantage of being easy to move from car to car, which enables a family to share a unit or lend it to others. Their low weight and small size are well suited to long-distance business trips and vacations by plane (for use in a rental car on arrival), or for walking and cycling tours (for use as a handheld device).

And with prices of about $ 200 to $ 650, portable units are much cheaper than the typical price of up to $ 2000 for an integrated approach, in-dash factory.

What is available

As sales of portable GPS navigation devices continue to skyrocket, many manufacturers are entering the market, giving many buyers of products to choose from. With our recent notes updates, we have added new units Garmin, Mio, Navigon and TomTom. In the coming weeks, we plan to buy and evaluate devices from Garmin, Magellan, TomTom, and Uniden.

As sales of portable GPS navigation devices continue to skyrocket, many manufacturers are entering the market, giving many buyers of products to choose from. With our recent notes updates, we have added new units Dash, Delphi, Garmin, Harman Kardon, Jensen, Lowrance, Magellan, Panasonic and Sony. In the coming weeks, we plan to buy and evaluate devices from Garmin, Magellan, TomTom, and Uniden.

Units have declined in importance since the first laptops on the market, but this is not always good. If a device is too small, it may be difficult to read or use. We note that the common 3.5-inch screen, measured diagonally, is a good compromise between portability and ease of use. If you plan to use the device frequently, consider a compact unit with a wide screen, giving a larger map, easier to read the information and greater touch screen buttons.

Features such as photo viewing, a video player, hands-free, and traffic information is available in an increasing number of units.

HOW TO CHOOSE

None of navigation systems we’ve tested is perfect. They do not replace local knowledge, and all databases had minor errors. But a portable system is generally you, guide you on the path and give you peace of mind when traveling to unfamiliar. The higher models makes it especially easy to enter destinations and they give indications of the most useful.

Navigation is the priority. We recommend focusing first on how the system works for navigation, using the ratings to prioritize nav characteristics database and map coverage, more entertainment, nonessential extras.

Ease of use. Look for a unit that performed well for entering a destination. Some interfaces are more intuitive than others, and the low score units can be awkward, slow, or both.

Built in battery convenience. Look for a unit with good battery life, especially if you want to use it for walking. Although all systems include a plug for your car at 12 volts, a built-in battery gives you the opportunity to use the power port to another device, such as a cell phone, and it eliminates congestion cord. A battery also allows you to pre-load a route before you enter the vehicle. Some models are also supplied with a traditional outlet for home use and recharging.

Spoken street names. A system that speaks street names rather than simply said “turn left” can help you negotiate an unknown area and is particularly useful in urban driving, where the streets can be reconciled. It is a feature that reduces the need to take your eyes off the road to scan the screen on the map.

By avoiding traffic. A system with traffic information capacity can be useful if you travel a lot in cities that have good traffic surveillance coverage. Between the map and detour functions, the system can help you route around traffic congestion and warn you of accidents and road construction. But as traditional radio traffic, there are a number of weaknesses in the nav-system-based services, specifically related to the available data and the speed of the report. Except as otherwise provided an internal unit has a receiver, many devices need a decoder or a cell phone to get data on traffic and most require a subscription fee for information. (Generally, only the premium-priced units have a built-in receiver and is noted that on product pages, accessible by the Ratings chart.)

Moderne. A model featured upgrade may actually an old car with features like Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, MP3 player, iPod connectivity and an FM transmitter.

Travel gear. If you travel outside of the USA, to discuss a unit that provides maps for navigation overseas. Most of these functions to the USA and Canada, but some models, such as 770 Garmin and TomTom Go 920t, also work in Europe and other countries.

Size matters. The portable unit, the better especially if you often pack in a suitcase. Some are more than a wallet and weigh less than 7 ounces, while others are larger than a paperback and weigh considerably more-two pounds or more.

Montage. Most models mounting your windshield using a suction cup is attached to a ball catch, rigid, or gooseneck type arm. We believe that the rigid arms are better organize the units in place, including the bosses. (Note: windshield is prohibited in California and Minnesota.)

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