GPS Portable Navigation Systems with Real-Time Traffic Capability

GPS Portable Navigation Systems with Real-Time Traffic Capability

Written by D.H. Lecter

Monday, 12 May 2008

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It’s summer vacation time and you’re looking for a portable navigation system. The question is which one?

It seems that the dashtop-mounted GPS portable navigation system has become as ubiquitous as iPods in our cars. With some units priced as low as $100, they are affordable for everyone. So you ask, “What justifies the price of more expensive units?”

If you’ve driven a new car with factory-installed XM NavTraffic, available on many GM, Honda, and Acura models, visually viewing traffic flow (green = moving normally; yellow = slowing down; red = bumper-to-bumper) can be indispensable in major metropolitan areas. In the coming era of $5.00/gallon gas, this capability can’t be under-estimated.

All the units featured here provide in-car, real-time traffic information, helping you re-route and getting you out of bumper-to-bumper traffic and on alternate routes; saving time as well as petrol. If you commute every day you’ll find the feature indispensable.

COMPACT GPS UNIT COMBINES NAVIGATION WITH A DIGITAL CAMERA AND VIDEO PLAYBACK CAPABILITY

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Mio's DigiWalker C720t Portable Navigation System, $350, mio.com/us

Cool factor – 4.3-inch widescreen touch control, 12 million points of interest (POI) database, US and Canada mapping, text-to-speech voice prompts, Bluetooth wireless connectivity to link to your compatible cell phone, built-in audio/video player with 2 MB flash memory, 2 MP digital camera, and FM-TMC traffic receiver to give you real-time updates on congestion along your route (subscription required after 3-month free trial).

PHOTO REALISTIC DISPLAY HELPS YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH COMPLEX INTERSECTIONS

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Navigon 7100 Portable Navigation System, $350, navigonusa.com

Cool factor – 4.3-inch widescreen touch control, 1.7 million POI database, US and Canada mapping, text-to-speech voice prompts, built-in Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and access to most menu functions on your compatible phone, “Reality View” photo-realistic displays images of complicated intersections, and the included FM-TMC traffic-info receiver includes a free lifetime subscription. The 7100 gives you expert advice on where to wine, dine, and play along your journey from the preloaded Zagat Survey database.

UNIQUE IQ ROUTES ALLOWS THE GO 730T TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER TOMTOM USERS TO FIND BEST ROUTE

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TomTom Go 730T Portable Navigation System, $500, tomtom.com

Cool factor – 4.3-inch widescreen touch control, 5 million POI database, text-to-speech voice prompts, built-in Bluetooth wireless for compatible cell phones, and FM-TMC traffic receiver offers current traffic updates which is combined with IQ Routes which uses historic traffic flow data based on travel speeds from other TomTom users in the area. TomTom's MapShare software lets update the unit as you encounter mapping anomalies. The built-in MP3 player sends your SD card-stored music files to your existing audio system through its integrated FM transmitter.

FIVE INCH BIG SCREEN COMBINED WITH AAA RECCOMENDATIONS MEANS YOU’LL NEVER STAY AT THE BATES MOTEL

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Magellan Maestro 5310 Portable Navigation System, $500, magellangps.com

Cool factor – 5.0-inch widescreen touch control, 6 million POI database, text-to-speech capability, and integrated FM-TMC traffic-information receiver that provides current updates on congestion along your route. The 5310 provides integrated travel information from AAA TourBook guide gives you instant access to service details and Diamond ratings from the world's leading travel expert. Quickly find AAA approved lodgings and restaurants, member roadside assistance details, and discounts available through the AAA Show Your Card & Save program.

XM NAVTRAFFIC AVAILABLE IN A UNIVERSAL, FEATURE-RICH AFTERMARKET PORTABLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM

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Garmin StreetPilot 2820 Portable Navigation System, $1,000 (NavTraffic antenna add $250), garmin.com

Cool factor – 3.8-inch widescreen touch control, 6 million POI database, built-in Bluetooth capability lets you chat hands-free on your compatible cell phone, and turn-by-turn, voice-prompted navigation allows the unit to audibly announce the name of upcoming streets and addresses. XM satellite radio and XM NavTraffic ready (GXM 30 antenna and subscription required, not included) provides traffic updates with construction and weather delays that automatically suggests alternative routes, Built-in MP3 player lets you enjoy your favorite songs or audiobooks.

Among the five units tested, you simply can’t make a bad decision; they will all get you from point A to point B while avoiding traffic bottlenecks. It’s all about your priorities.

In the case of the $350 units, it’s the outstanding display of the Navigon vs. the digital camera capability of the Mio. Since we’re buying a PNS, and almost everyone now has a digital camera, we give the slight nod to the Navigon. It’s display is simply the best of any unit in this comparison.

When you up your budget to $500, the choice again comes down to priorities: the ability of the TomTom to take advantage of additional information provided by other TomTom users vs. the larger screen and the AAA database in the Magellan. Here we give the advantage to the Magellan.

The Garmin unit is in another category in terms of capability (XM NavTraffic) and price (three to more than four times more expensive than the other units). With the exception of the larger screens available on factory-installed units, this is the unit that comes closest to providing the capability found on the best in-dash units.

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