Off the beaten path: Unique GPS

Bonnie Cha, Senior Associate Editor October 3, 2008

Portable navigation devices are a dime a dozen these days. It seems every consumer electronic company is jumping on the GPS bandwagon and releasing their own model, making for quite a crowded market. It doesn't help that at their core, all the PNDs provide the same basic navigation features, only making the selection process more dizzying. However, there are a few GPS that stand out from the crowd by offering some unique features, whether it be just for novelty's sake or to introduce a new, advanced navigation tool.

First, there's the Mio Knight Rider GPS. This entry-level PND is perfect for any fans of the old Knight Rider TV show as it uses the uses the actual voice of William Daniels (the actor who provided the voice of KITT) to present you with audible directions. The use of celebrity voices isn't new (TomTom has offered this for a while), but Mio goes all out and includes LED "scanner" lights on the device. Next, we have the Dash Express. It's the first GPS to offer two-way connectivity via cellular and Wi-Fi, giving drivers access to a whole new world of information via the Internet. For those who travel by land and sea, the Magellan CrossoverGPS is a versatile PND with modes for car, boat, and outdoors. Other companies have since followed suit and there are a couple multiuse GPS available now, including the Lowrance Xog and Garmin Nuvi 500. Last but not least, there's the HP iPaq 310 Travel Companion. To our memory, it was the first device to offer 3D renderings of buildings and major landmarks--quite a helpful aid in getting your bearings in unfamiliar areas since it gives you a visual reference point.

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