Bonnie Cha, Senior Associate Editor April 6, 2009
A GPS device can be a great co-pilot in the car, providing turn-by-turn directions and information on points of interest along the way, but wouldn't it be nice if you could take this navigation aid with you as you explore your new destination on foot? Well, you can with these versatile systems. A PDA/GPS combo, such as the HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion can not only keep you on course, it'll also help you stay on top of your appointments and tasks; as a bonus, the WorldMate travel app and TomTom mapping software are all preloaded on the device. Alternatively, there are ultraportable in-car GPS units, such as the Garmin Quest 2, that slip easily from your car into your hand. The Quest even allows you to download maps of national parks and waterways so that you can use it for hikes and boating trips. Even better, the versatile Garmin Nuvi 500, the Lowrance XOG, and the Magellan CrossoverGPS come with all this functionality right out of the box. Read our GPS unit reviews to see if one is right for you.
| Product name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $263.99 to $499.99 | Pricing not available |
As shown: $749.95
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| CNET editors' rating | ||||
| Average user rating | ||||
| Review date | September 27, 2006 | August 14, 2008 | April 13, 2007 | June 26, 2006 |
| The Bottom Line | The HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion delivers a sleek all-in-one navigation, productivity, and entertainment device to mobile professionals; we just wish it had better battery life. | The Garmin Nuvi 500 is a satisfactory multimode GPS, but serious boaters and outdoor enthusiasts should consider dedicated devices. | The Magellan CrossoverGPS is a versatile GPS, offering navigation help to drivers, boaters, and walkers, but it's tripped up by sluggish performance. | Those looking for a dedicated GPS device in the car and on foot will find the Garmin Quest 2 delivers in portability and performance. |
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| Features | ||||
| Weight | 6 oz | 7.6 oz | 8.5 oz | 5.5 oz |
| Destination | Info unavailable | Automotive | Hiking Marine Automotive | Motorcycle Automotive |
| Antenna | Info unavailable | Built-in | Built-in | External |
| Audible assistance | Info unavailable | Navigation instructions | Navigation instructions | Warnings Navigation instructions |
| Waterproof | Info unavailable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GPS PC connection | Info unavailable | USB | USB | USB |
| System features | Info unavailable | Calculator Clock 2D / 3D map perspective Photo viewer Custom POIs Garmin Lock Built-in speaker | Built-in HDD 2D / 3D map perspective Preinstalled POIs Built-in speaker | Preinstalled POIs |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | | | Pricing not available | Pricing not available |
