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In-car GPS with traffic services

Bonnie Cha
Bonnie Cha, Senior Associate Editor
Updated November 15, 2007
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 systems from the likes of Garmin, TomTom, Alpine, 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. Of course, it's not all smooth sailing. The one downside is you have to pay extra for these services. Typically, you'll be required to purchase a traffic receiver, then you have to pay a monthly or an annual subscription fee to the traffic-information network. Still, for some, it might be worth the cost, avoiding the headache of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. If this sounds like you, here are four navigation systems that can ease the pain.

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Product name Garmin StreetPilot c580
Garmin StreetPilot c580  
TomTom GO 720
TomTom GO 720  
Magellan Maestro 4050
Magellan Maestro 4050  
Alpine PMD-B200 Blackbird II
Alpine PMD-B200 Blackbird II  
Delphi NAV200
Delphi NAV200  
Navigon 7100
Navigon 7100  







Review date February 14, 2007   August 31, 2007   April 05, 2007   October 31, 2007   October 06, 2006   October 15, 2007  







CNET editors' rating 8.0 out of 10 8.0
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6.3 out of 10 6.3
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6.7 out of 10 6.7
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Users' rating 7.6 out of 10 7.6
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6.4 out of 10 6.4
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5.4 out of 10 5.4
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3.8 out of 10 3.8
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6.0 out of 10 6.0
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5.4 out of 10 5.4
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Review summary In addition to accurate driving directions, the high-end Garmin StreetPilot c580 provides a number of useful tools to the driver, such as real-time traffic data and local gas prices, thanks to the integration of MSN Direct services. The TomTom GO 720 delivers with sleek looks, good performance, and a full set of features that includes a map-sharing function for the most up-to-date maps and a helpful safety tool. 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. The Alpine PMD-B200 is a decent portable navigation system, with good Bluetooth integration and traffic services. But the lack of text-to-speech functionality and inefficient route recalculations doesn't make it worth the high price tag. The Delphi NAV200 is a good value portable-navigation system, but its map interface needs some work. Though the Navigon 7100 offers some handy navigation tools and integrated Bluetooth, the confusing interface and sluggish performance prevents us from giving it higher marks.







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My Products
Basic Specs
Weight 9 oz 7.8 oz 8.5 oz 8 oz 7.1 oz 6.9 oz







Manufacturer Warranty 1 year warranty 1 year warranty 1 year warranty Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable







Destination Automotive Automotive Automotive Automotive Automotive Automotive







Included GPS accessories USB cable , Carrying case , Car power adapter , Automotive windshield mount , MSN Direct receiver (with 1 year free service) Docking station , Mounting bracket , Car power adapter Carrying pouch , AC power adapter , Car power adapter , Windshield holder Info unavailable Stylus , Vehicle mount , Windshield holder Stylus , USB cable , Car holder , AC power adapter , Car power adapter







Included GPS software Garmin City Navigator North America NT TomTom HOME NAVTEQ ON BOARD Info unavailable NAVTECH US and Canada maps NAVTEQ ON BOARD







Data memory type SD Memory Card SD Memory Card SD Memory Card SD Memory Card SD Memory Card SD Memory Card







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







Audible assistance Warnings , Navigation instructions , Street name announcement Navigation instructions Navigation instructions , Voice command recognition Info unavailable Navigation instructions Navigation instructions , Voice command recognition







SBAS WAAS Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable







Update rate 1/second Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable







GPS functions / services Speed Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Reality View , Lane Assistant , Speed Assistant







Maps included North America USA , Canada USA , Canada , Puerto Rico USA , Canada USA , Canada North America







Navigation waypoints 500 Info unavailable Info unavailable 10 Info unavailable Info unavailable







GPS PC connection USB Bluetooth USB Hi-Speed USB Info unavailable USB , Bluetooth







System features Custom POIs , Garmin Lock , Built-in speaker , Downloadable POIs , Preinstalled POIs , Built-in microphone , 2D / 3D map perspective , Hands-free calling via Bluetooth , TMC (Traffic Message Channel) ready Built-in speaker , Preinstalled POIs , TomTom PLUS ready , Built-in microphone , 2D / 3D map perspective , Built-in FM transmitter , Hands-free calling via Bluetooth Preinstalled POIs , 2D / 3D map perspective , Hands-free calling via Bluetooth Built-in speaker , Preinstalled POIs , Hands-free calling via Bluetooth , Optional external GPS antenna connection Games , Calculator , Video playback , Built-in speaker , Preinstalled POIs , 2D / 3D map perspective Built-in speaker , Preinstalled POIs , Built-in microphone , 2D / 3D map perspective , Hands-free calling via Bluetooth







GPS receiver Info unavailable Info unavailable 20 channel 16 channel Info unavailable 20 channel







Design features Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Movie player , Music player , Picture viewer , Clock , Calculator , Game Info unavailable







Product name Garmin StreetPilot c580   TomTom GO 720   Magellan Maestro 4050   Alpine PMD-B200 Blackbird II   Delphi NAV200   Navigon 7100  







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







Price range Check latest prices
$190-600
from 18 stores
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$258-500
from 13 stores
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$210-611
from 10 stores
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$490-651
from 4 stores
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$146
from 1 store
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$250-500
from 20 stores












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