GPS

Drivers wanted: in-car GPS devices that will get your engines revving

For the directionally challenged, there is help. No longer do you have to listen to your companion belittle your abilities as a navigator or swallow your pride by admitting that you're lost. Today's in-car navigation devices are just the thing to keep you on track during your travels, and they're ready for prime time. We take a look at eight automotive GPS (Global Positioning System) products. See if you should take one out for a spin.

By Bonnie Cha and Rafe Needleman (Updated May 10, 2005)

Getting from point A to point B isn't always as easy as it seems. Between a minivan-load's worth of chattering kids and those never-ending cell phone conversations that we all know we shouldn't have, getting lost is easy. And with roads at full capacity, stopping for directions is the last thing you want to do. That's where a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation product can ease the pain. These systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from rugged handhelds for the outdoors enthusiast to add-on receivers for PDAs, but for you road warriors out there, a system designed especially for cars can be a guiding light in your life. And despite what you might think, in-car GPS devices require neither a working knowledge of satellites nor a complicated installation. Nowadays, these navigation aids are largely plug-and-play and ready to hit the open road. Here, we take eight standalone automotive systems for a test-drive and provide you with a road map of how they work and what to look for when selecting a model. Read on to see which one is right for you.

How does it work?
Founded and managed by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Global Positioning System consists of 24 satellites working in conjunction with five ground stations. They orbit the Earth and send precise location and time data to the ground. The system was originally designed for the military, but in the past couple of years, commercial GPS devices have grown in popularity with hikers, hunters, boaters, geocachers, and drivers. These products typically use a 12-channel receiver and require a strong signal from at least three satellites to establish your two-dimensional (longitude and latitude) position and four satellites to get your three-dimensional (longitude, latitude, and altitude) fix. In addition, there is a Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) that monitors the satellite data through a field of 25 ground stations to make signal corrections and provide even more accurate positioning information. WAAS channel support is something you'll want to keep an eye out for when checking out potential devices. As we mentioned before, you don't need to know all these intimate details about GPS to operate a device.

You are here
You may be asking why you should spend money on these systems when you can just print directions from the Web or rely on paper maps. In short: reliability, precision, and safety. Paper maps can't account for missed exits; recalculate your route on the fly; or alert you to upcoming rest stops, gas stations, or other points of interest. Along with text and voice-guided directions, all these functions come standard on today's automotive GPS devices and are designed to make your time on the road less stressful.

When choosing a GPS product for your car, you basically have two flavors to choose from: those that come with maps preloaded on their hard drives or those that require you to transfer map data from your PC using memory cards. The former includes models such as the Cobra NavOne 3000, the Garmin StreetPilot 2620, and the Navman iCN 650. Since they come preloaded with detailed maps of North America, you can plan your trip straight from the device. The trade-off: these systems usually cost more, running between $1,000 and $1,500. Others such as the Magellan RoadMate 300 and the TomTom GO require that you install the included mapping software on your PC and transfer map data to the device's built-in memory or use a memory card. While these systems may be a little more labor-intensive, they also cost less ($500 to $800). To get the most bang for your buck, there are even some ultraportable models, such as the Garmin Quest and the Garmin StreetPilot c330, that can guide you while on foot. But whichever road you choose, there are some basic features that you want: a bright screen that is visible in all lighting conditions, a sturdy vehicle mount (windshield, vent, or dashboard) and car charger, and user-friendly menus and software.

Read the CNET editor's take

Cobra NavOne 3000

Garmin StreetPilot 2620

Garmin StreetPilot c330

Garmin Quest GPS receiver

Magellan RoadMate 300

Magellan RoadMate 700

Navman iCN 650

TomTom GO

	Cobra NavOne 3000 The NavOne 3000 is a respectable performer, but for $1,300, we expect top-of-the-line features such as a remote or a touch-screen menu control. 7.3 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	Garmin StreetPilot 2620 The Garmin StreetPilot 2620 is a top-notch performer, user-friendly, and ready to use right out of the box. 7.7 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	Garmin StreetPilot c330 The Garmin StreetPilot c330 may lack some of the features found in its more expensive siblings, but it's accurate and easy to use. 7.3 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	Garmin Quest GPS receiver The versatile and ultraportable Garmin Quest delivers accurate street-level directions whether you're driving or walking. 7.6 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	Magellan RoadMate 300 Magellan's RoadMate 300 lacks some of the features found on more expensive vehicle navigation systems, but it's still a solid performer. 7.7 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	Magellan RoadMate 700 We thought Garmin's StreetPilot III was the best vehicle-navigation system, but Magellan's RoadMate 700 has raised the bar. 7.3 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	Navman iCN 650 The Navman iCN 650 has everything you need to get you from point A to point B, but we expected better performance and a touch screen. 6.3 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices
	TomTom GO The TomTom GO in-car navigator is one of the coolest portable vehicle GPS systems we've seen to date. 8.6 out of 10 CNET editor's take Check prices