Best GPS navigation systems

The Magellan SmartGPS bridges a gap between connected navigation apps and car-friendly GPS hardware with its ability to sync with the cloud and connect to the Web via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but its busy interface could use fewer moving parts.

The Garmin Nuvi 3490 LMT packs every trick in Garmin's book into an ultra-thin chassis, but the high MSRP will deter some.

The TomTom GO Live 1535M's is a solidly performing GPS device and its app integration for search is a nice first, but that's hardly this PND's strongest feature. The killer app here is TomTom's clever use of automatic Twitter tweets to keep friends and family in the loop about where you're going and when you'll be there.

Garmin's formula for entry-level GPS devices doesn't change much with the new Nuvi 50, but small tweaks, a lower price, and a massive 5-inch screen enhance value. Users looking to save a few bucks can step down to the smaller Nuvi 40 or Nuvi 30, which offer the same functionality but with smaller 4.7 and 3.5 inch screens, respectively.

TomTom's low cost VIA series of GPS navigators benefits greatly from trickle-down features from its top-tier cousins. Available lifetime map and traffic updates ensure that this PND wiill always be up-to-date.