Ad: Manage updates with the Download App

In-car GPS with traffic services

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.

More Resources

Editors' top in-car GPS devices, Read the latest GPS reviews, Car tech podcast, GPS Buying Guide

			Play video	Play video	Play video
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	Amazon.com Marketplace $479.00 In stock: Yes Prices from 1 store	Amazon.com Marketplace $249.99 In stock: Yes Prices from 1 store	Amazon.com Marketplace $195.99 In stock: Yes Prices from 1 store	Pricing is currently unavailable.	Pricing is currently unavailable.