Auto GPS: Reviews

Updated October 2011

You really have no excuse for getting lost nowadays. And that paper map? Archaic. A good, basic automotive GPS can be had for as little as around a hundred bucks, and more advanced models offer sophisticated features like live traffic info, Bluetooth handsfree phone compatibility, voice commands, and gigantic points-of-interest databases. ConsumerSearch studies reviews and rates the best auto GPS devices so you don’t need to stop and ask for directions.

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Budget car GPS

Garmin nuvi 1350T

*Est. $155 Compare Prices

Despite its low price, the Garmin nuvi 1350T includes all of the important features experts say you really need -- namely, a wide screen (which is easier to see than a small screen) and spoken street names (which make… expanddirections easier to follow). It also boasts several useful extras, like lane assist and free traffic alerts for the life of the unit. To keep its price down, the nuvi 1350T omits the latest bells and whistles; it doesn't connect to the Internet like the Garmin nuLink 1695 (*Est. $320), learn local traffic patterns like the sleek Garmin nuvi 3790T (*Est. $250) or have a big 5-inch screen like the Garmin nuvi 1490T (*Est. $195). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors here thoroughly test the Garmin nuvi 1350T alongside 136 other GPS navigators.

GPS Tracklog: The Garmin nuvi 1350T has been one of Rich Owings' top recommended GPS picks since it debuted as a midpriced unit.

PC World: Craig Ellison calls the Garmin nuvi 1350T "a bargain," and it earns a spot on PC World's list of the top 10 GPS units.

Gizmodo.com: Gizmodo.com stopped reviewing GPS navigators after the Garmin Nuvi 1350T, which Wilson Rothman calls "the logical end" of the personal navigation device: It's fast, it's easy to use, it's got traffic information and it's reasonably priced.

Amazon.com: With nearly 1,600 customer reviews posted, the Garmin nuvi 1350T averages 4 stars out of 5.

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Buy from Amazon for $109.99
BuyDig.com for $229.99	TigerDirect- .com for $119.99	eBay for $119.95

Big-screen GPS

Garmin nuvi 1490T

*Est. $195 Compare Prices

For less than $200, the Garmin nuvi 1490T adds a big, easy-to-see 5-inch screen and a few features you won't find on the cheaper Garmin nuvi 1350T (*Est. $155) -- junction view, Bluetooth for hands-free calling, the… expandability to store 10 of your favorite routes, and automatic sorting of multiple destinations into one efficient route. If you would find these features useful, experts say the nuvi 1490T is a nice step up that's still not too expensive. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

GPSMagazine.com: Fletcher Previn conducts his typically thorough test of the Garmin nuvi 1490T and draws comparisons with other Garmin nuvi models.

GPS Tracklog: GPS blogger Rich Owings tests the new and advanced features of the Garmin nuvi 1490, with lots of screen shots to demonstrate how they work.

TrustedReviews.com: The Garmin nuvi 1490T isn't revolutionary, tester James Morris says.

Amazon.com: With more than 1,400 owner reviews posted, the Garmin nuvi 1490T averages 4 stars out of 5.

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Buy from Amazon for Too low to display
eBay for $193.04	QVC for $149.96	Overton's for $299.99

Best overall GPS learns traffic patterns

Garmin nuvi 3790T

*Est. $250 Compare Prices

Slim and sleek, the Garmin nuvi 3790T boasts a helpful feature: it figures out when and where traffic is typically slow, so it can come up with smarter routes. It also figures out the types of routes you typically like… expandand takes that into account, too. Experts say this intelligent routing really works well, and they're smitten with the nuvi 3790T's iPhone-like form and gorgeous multitouch display. Some owners say newer Garmin GPS units don't route as well as the older, simpler models that Garmin recently discontinued, though. The nuvi 3790T recognizes voice commands, but it does not connect to the Internet like the Garmin nuLink 1695 (*Est. $320) does. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

GPSMagazine.com: After an extraordinarily thorough test, GPSMagazine.com declares that the Garmin nuvi 3790T "sets the new standard for GPS navigation." But reviewer Fletcher Previn says the question is how many people will spend this much for the absolute best navigation available, and how many will prefer to make do with the GPS software that's already on their smartphones?

GPS Tracklog: "The best nuvi yet," the Garmin nuvi 3790T has a gorgeous display and improved routing, thanks to its ability to remember past traffic tie-ups.

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org subjects the Garmin nuvi 3790T to its usual rigorous testing, along with 136 other GPS units.

PCMag.com: It's pricey, but Jamie Lendino says the Garmin nuvi 3790T "raises the bar" for GPS units with its slim case, sharp, beautiful maps and ability to "learn" about your traffic and driving behavior.

CNET: With a rare, nearly perfect rating of 4.5 stars, the Garmin nuvi 3790T tops CNET's Editors' Choice list.

TechRadar.com: This U.K. reviewer tests all aspects of the Garmin nuvi 3790T and comes away thoroughly impressed.

Budget Travel: The Garmin nuvi 3790T loses this shootout to the less expensive nuvi 3750.

About.com: Fred Zahradnik, About.com's guide to GPS, gives the Garmin nuvi 3790T 4.5 stars out of 5, making it his top-rated unit.

Amazon.com: Owners are not as uniformly enthusiastic about the Garmin nuvi 3790T as experts are.

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Buy from Amazon for $299.94
FactoryOutl- etStore for $189.95	QVC for $296.96	cameraworld- .com for $289.99

Internet-connected GPS device

Garmin nuLink 1695

*Est. $320 Compare Prices

The Garmin nuLink 1695's Internet connection lets you search for destinations on Google, so you can navigate to nearly unlimited points of interest, unlike non-connected GPS units that have a finite POI database. The… expandnuLink 1695's Internet connection also feeds information on traffic snarls, local gas prices and more into the device. These connected services come free with the unit for one year and cost $60 a year thereafter. The nuLink 1695 also includes a big 5-inch screen and most of Garmin's other high-end features. For instance, it can "learn" which routes you prefer or which ones tend to be slow at certain times of day. If you don't need the enormous screen or the Internet connectivity, the Garmin nuvi 3790T (*Est. $250) can also learn traffic patterns and costs less. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

GPS Tracklog: After a full test, Rich Owings is impressed with the Garmin nuLink 1695.

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org includes the Garmin nuLink 1695 in its latest round of expert, unbiased GPS tests.

Which? magazine: Which? magazine, a U.K. publication similar to ConsumerReports.org, tests the Garmin nuLink 1695 alongside 96 other GPS navigators.

Amazon.com: With around 15 customer reviews posted at the time of this update, the Garmin nuLink 1695 averages 4 stars out of 5.

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for $159.95

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