In-car GPS with traffic services

Bonnie Cha
Bonnie Cha Senior Associate Editor April 1, 2009
We've yelled, we've honked, we've all experienced the pain and the frustration of traffic. And as people spend more time in their cars and endure longer commutes, is there any relief in sight? Some GPS manufacturers are betting so. The latest crop of portable navigation devices(PNDs) from the likes of Garmin, TomTom, Navigon, and Magellan is incorporating traffic services to provide you with real-time road updates; highlighting construction zones, slow-moving roadways, and traffic accidents. Many of the models will even suggest alternate routes around the affected areas.


Now, in the past, you've had to pay a monthly or annual subscription fee for the privilege of getting traffic updates (as you do on the Magellan Maestro 4050), but now we're seeing a trend where GPS manufacturers are offering the services for free. For example, the Navigon 7200T offers a lifetime of free traffic as does the Garmin Nuvi 265WT, though as a trade off you have to put up with some minimal advertisements on the Nuvi. Meanwhile, both the Dash Express and the TomTom GO 930 require extra costs, they also use historical traffic data to provide you with the most efficient route to your destination. Check out our full reviews of these PNDs to see if one is right for you.

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Product Navigon 7200T Garmin Nuvi 265WT Dash Express TomTom GO 930 GPS Magellan Maestro 4050
Price $479.00 $249.99 $195.99 Pricing is currently unavailable. Pricing is currently unavailable.
CNET editors' rating 3.5 stars 3.5 stars 3 stars 3.5 stars 3.5 stars
Average user rating 2.5 stars 3 stars 3.5 stars 2.5 stars 2.5 stars
Release date Info unavailable Info unavailable March 27, 2008 Info unavailable Info unavailable
Bottom line
Though the Navigon 7200T doesn't have cleanest user interface, the portable GPS offers plenty of advanced navigation features and accurate directions.
Despite some minor performance issues, the Garmin Nuvi 265WT is a good value GPS, offering a number of high-end features for an affordable price.
The two-way connectivity of the Dash Express portable navigation system offers powerful search and traffic capabilities to drivers and increases the value of GPS to the next level, but the system needs some refinements before we're willing to invest in it.
If you're looking for a high-end in-car GPS with the latest features, the TomTom GO 930 delivers with accurate directions and new navigation tools like advanced lane guidance and voice address entry.
Sporting a sleeker design and interface, the affordable Magellan Maestro series offers drivers an accurate in-car GPS device with useful trip information, thanks to its partnership with AAA.
Destination

Automotive

Automotive

Automotive

Info unavailable

Automotive

Included GPS accessories

Car power adapter

Dashboard disc

Car holder

TMC reciever

Car power adapter

USB cable

Suction cup mount

Dash express

Mounting arm and cradle

Mounting arm extension and wrench

Dashboard mounting disk

Car power adapter

Wall charger

USB cable

Alcohol wipe

Info unavailable

Car power adapter

AC power adapter

Carrying pouch

Windshield holder

USB cable

Audible assistance

Voice command recognition

Street name announcement

Navigation instructions

Street name announcement

Navigation instructions

Audible signal(s)

Info unavailable

Navigation instructions

Weight

6.5 oz

6.1 oz

13.3 oz

Info unavailable

8.5 oz

GPS PC connection

USB

USB

Wi-Fi

Info unavailable

USB

Services features

Reality View Pro

Lane Assistant Pro

Speed Assistant

Auto re-route

Route avoidance

Photo navigation

Picture viewer

Garmin garage

Garmin lock

TruTraffic

Traffic alerts/detours

Alternate routes

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)

Distance

Speed

Info unavailable
Design features

Touchscreen

Day mode

Night mode

Clock

Currency converter

Unit converter

Calculator

Touchscreen

Qwerty or ABC keyboard

Touch screen

Calculator

Calendar

Clock

Photo viewer

Built-in speaker

Touchscreen

Info unavailable
System features

Automatic routing

Calculator

Calendar

Clock

Compass

Touchscreen

Calculator

Clock

Garmin Lock

2D / 3D map perspective

Automatic re-route

Garmin Garage

Hands-free calling via Bluetooth

Currency converter

Photo viewer

Custom POIs

Automatic routing

Built-in speaker

Keyboard

Built-in speaker

Info unavailable

2D / 3D map perspective

Hands-free calling via Bluetooth

Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications
Buying choices Prices from 1 store Prices from 1 store Prices from 1 store

Pricing is currently unavailable.

Pricing is currently unavailable.