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Simple, affordable GPS for newbies

Bonnie Cha
Bonnie Cha, Senior Associate Editor
Updated May 09, 2008
In theory, driving from point A to point B shouldn't be such a difficult task, but sometimes you miss exits--and sometimes you're just plain lost. Do yourself a favor and get a little roadside assistance from an in-car GPS device. If you've been reluctant to invest in one of these navigation gadgets because they're too complex or expensive, its time to give in. These six systems are affordable and easy to use right out of the box, but more important, they provide text and voice-guided directions (some even with text-to-speech functionality), automatic route recalculation (in case you veer off course), and a healthy points-of-interest database. See if one is right for you.

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Product name Garmin Nuvi 200
Garmin Nuvi 200  
Mio DigiWalker C230
Mio DigiWalker C230  
Magellan RoadMate 1200
Magellan RoadMate 1200  
Pharos Drive GPS 250
Pharos Drive GPS 250  
Navigon 2100
Navigon 2100  
TomTom One (3rd edition)
TomTom One (3rd edition)  







Review date May 23, 2007   September 27, 2007   March 12, 2008   January 18, 2008   November 19, 2007    







CNET editors' rating 7.7 out of 10 7.7
Very good
6.7 out of 10 6.7
Good
6.0 out of 10 6.0
Good
6.7 out of 10 6.7
Good
6.3 out of 10 6.3
Good
 







Users' rating 7.4 out of 10 7.4
Very good
6.2 out of 10 6.2
Good
6.4 out of 10 6.4
Good
6.6 out of 10 6.6
Good
7.2 out of 10 7.2
Very good
7.3 out of 10 7.3
Very good







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Review summary The Garmin Nuvi 200 series offers drivers and travelers a more budget-friendly version of the popular portable navigation devices, but we think the price is still slightly high for what you get. With an improved display and the addition of text-to-speech functionality, the Mio DigiWalker C230 is a solid and affordable entry-level portable navigation system for GPS newbies. Despite ease of use and an affordable price tag, the entry-level Magellan RoadMate 1200 portable navigation system suffers from various performance issues. Despite ease of use and text-to-speech functionality, the Pharos Drive GPS 250 falters somewhat in the performance department. Though the affordable price tag and text-to-speech functionality are nice, the Navigon 2100's sluggish performance and roundabout route recalculations are a turnoff; you can get a better entry-level portable navigation device in the Mio C230.







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My Products
Basic Specs
Weight 5.2 oz 5.1 oz 4.94 oz 7.2 oz 5.6 oz 6.1 oz







Destination Automotive Automotive Automotive Automotive Automotive Automotive







Included GPS accessories Car power adapter , Automotive windshield mount Vehicle mount , Car power adapter Car mount , Memory card , Rechargeable lithium-ion battery , SD Card , Wall charger Stylus , USB cable , Carrying pouch , AC power adapter , Car power adapter , Automotive windshield mount Car holder , Car power adapter , Rechargeable lithium ion battery USB cable , Car power adapter , Windshield holder







Included GPS software MapSource City Navigator NT Info unavailable Info unavailable NAVTEQ ON BOARD Info unavailable TomTom HOME







Data memory type SD Memory Card SD Memory Card SD memory card SD Memory Card SD Memory Card Info unavailable







Antenna Built-in Built-in Built-in Built-in Built-in Built-in







Audible assistance Navigation instructions Navigation instructions , Street name announcement Navigation instructions , Warnings Audible signal(s) Audible signal(s) Navigation instructions







SBAS WAAS Info unavailable WAAS , EGNOS Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable







Maps included USA , Puerto Rico USA 48 United States , Puerto Rico , Hawaii USA , Canada USA Info unavailable







Navigation waypoints 500 Info unavailable 1300000 Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable







GPS PC connection USB Hi-Speed USB Hi-Speed USB USB USB USB







Design features JPEG picture viewer , Clock , Currency converter , Measurement converter , Calculator Info unavailable Clock , Touchscreen Touch screen Touch screen Rugged case







System features Calculator , Custom POIs , Garmin Lock , Preinstalled POIs , JPEG photo playback , 2D / 3D map perspective Built-in speaker , Preinstalled POIs , Optional external GPS antenna connection 2D / 3D map perspective , Automatic routing , Clock , Touchscreen Built-in speaker , Text-to-Speech (TTS) Built-in speaker , 2D / 3D map perspective Built-in speaker , Preinstalled POIs , 2D / 3D map perspective , TMC (Traffic Message Channel) ready







GPS receiver Info unavailable 20 channel Info unavailable 20 channel Info unavailable Info unavailable







Waterproof Info unavailable Info unavailable No Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable







Color Info unavailable Info unavailable Black Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable







Body material Info unavailable Info unavailable High-impact plastic Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable







GPS functions / services Info unavailable Info unavailable Bearing , Distance , ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) , ETE (Estimated Time Enroute) , Electronic compass , Heading Info unavailable Lane Assistant , Speed Assistant Speed , Electronic compass







Product name Garmin Nuvi 200   Mio DigiWalker C230   Magellan RoadMate 1200   Pharos Drive GPS 250   Navigon 2100   TomTom One (3rd edition)  







Full specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications







Price range Check latest prices
$135-400
from 34 stores
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$150-332
from 2 stores
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$118-228
from 15 stores
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$156-300
from 14 stores
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$114-206
from 18 stores
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$130-410
from 10 stores












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