Auto GPS: Reviews

Updated July 2009

May 7th:
GPS-maker Navigon pulls out of U.S.
From: Consumer Reports

Handheld GPS

Compare All

Best car GPS receiver under $200

Garmin nuvi 265T

*Est. $180 Compare Prices

The Garmin nuvi 265T comes loaded with features that were impossible to find on an under-$200 GPS receiver just a few months ago, including text-to-speech (it speaks street names instead of just "turn left in 200 feet")… and free traffic information for the life of the GPS unit. Tests show it navigates just as well -- and is just as easy to use -- as pricier Garmin GPS receivers. However, you'll still have to step up to a midpriced auto GPS like the Garmin nuvi 765T (*Est. $350) if you want niceties like lane assist, 3-D building view and the ability to save your favorite routes.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org tests the Garmin nuvi 265WT and dozens of other auto GPS models on nine criteria, including traffic ...

PCMag.com: The Garmin nuvi 265T is an Editors' Choice pick at PCMag.com. Craig Ellison's expert testing covers all of the major aspects of ...

PC World: Liane Cassavoy says the Garmin nuvi 265T is so loaded with features and information that its 3.5-inch screen feels cramped. The ...

Amazon.com: Users award the nuvi 265T an average of four stars (out of five), with more than 60 reviews posted. Written reviews provide a ...

NewEgg.com: The Garmin nuvi 265T is one of the highest-rated GPS units at Newegg.com, earning an average rating of five (out of five) from ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Best GPS navigation device overall

Garmin nuvi 765T

*Est. $350 Compare Prices

The Garmin nuvi 765T adds useful features you won't find on budget automotive GPS units like the Garmin nuvi 265T (*Est. $180). Although it doesn't have the very latest high-tech features -- voice-command operation or an… Internet connection -- experts say the nuvi 765T navigates expertly, with the ability to sort multiple destinations into one efficient route and to save your favorite routes. The Garmin nuvi 765T is loaded with extras, including 3-D building view and an MP3 player. This car GPS receiver can even tell you which lane to be in at an interchange, or help you find your car in a crowded parking lot. Like its budget-priced counterpart, the nuvi 765T also includes text-to-speech capability (so turns are announced by street name) and free traffic information for the life of the unit.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

GPSMagazine.com: This expert reviewer calls the nuvi 765T "the best all-around nuvi available today," and worth trading up from an earlier model. ...

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org tests the Garmin nuvi 765T alongside dozens of other GPS units, ranking the models from best to worst. Tests ...

GPSLodge.com: The Garmin nuvi 765T is a top "splurge" pick in reviewer Scott Martin's buyer's guide. Martin doesn't test the nuvi 765T, but ...

GPS Tracklog: The Garmin nuvi 765T is a top pick at this GPS enthusiast site. Blogger Rich Owings bases this full review on his road tests of ...

Which? magazine: Which? magazine -- a U.K. publication similar to Consumer Reports -- tests 100 GPS (or sat nav) units, including the European ...

Amazon.com: More than 100 users award the Garmin nuvi 765T an average rating of 3.5 stars (out of five). Reviews include criticism, and some ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Internet-connected auto GPS

TomTom Go 740 Live

*Est. $340 Compare Prices

The TomTom Go 740 Live connects to the Internet via a cellular signal, allowing it to do two things most GPS units can't. First, it constantly collects traffic information from other Go 740 Live units on the road, so it… will know quickly if traffic starts to back up somewhere along your route. Second, it allows you to search for destinations on Google, giving you a virtually unlimited address database. Most experts are impressed, saying the TomTom Go 740 Live sets a new standard for automotive GPS receivers. However, the online service costs an additional $10 a month, and more than one tester notes that this latest TomTom GPS still isn't as easy to use as an auto GPS made by Garmin.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

GPSMagazine.com: After extensive testing, this expert reviewer concludes that the TomTom Go 740 Live has the same ease-of-use problems as previous ...

GPSReview.net: Reviewer Tim Flight highly recommends the TomTom Go 740 Live, even though he notes that it's expensive. He says the live traffic ...

CNET: The TomTom Go 740 Live is an Editors' Choice at CNET, but reviewer Antuan Goodwin says it's not without its flaws: Route ...

PCMag.com: Reviewer Craig Ellison awards the TomTom Go 740 Live a rating of 3.5 (out of five). He's impressed with the added functionality ...

ConsumerReports.org: The TomTom Go 740 Live is one of 83 GPS units included in ConsumerReports.org's most recent test. Editors rate the models on nine ...

Gizmodo: After driving with the TomTom Go 740 Live for a week, reviewer Wilson Rothman writes a point-by-point analysis of why he thinks ...

Amazon.com: Fewer than 20 users had posted reviews for this new model at Amazon.com when we checked, but they were already noting some of the ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Voice-command car GPS

Garmin nuvi 885T

*Est. $400 Compare Prices

You pay a lot more for it, but experts say voice command makes auto GPS receivers easier and safer to use. Hands-free operation means no more typing while driving -- something GPS makers and safety experts warn against,… but some people do anyway. Testers say the Garmin nuvi 885T is the most capable and fully functional voice-command auto GPS to date. It's also the most expensive. The lower-priced Garmin nuvi 855 (*Est. $275) is nearly identical, lacking only the Bluetooth and MSN Direct service you'll find on the nuvi 885T. However, these Garmin GPS units aren't Internet-connected like the TomTom Go 740 Live (*Est. $340), and they lack a few of the useful features on the midprice Garmin nuvi 765T (*Est. $350) -- notably 3-D building view and a faster map refresh rate.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

GPSMagazine.com: This review tests every feature of the Garmin nuvi 885T, and it includes lots of screen shots and photos of the unit. The expert ...

GPS Tracklog: GPS blogger Rich Owings highly recommends the Garmin nuvi 885T, based on a thorough road test. However, he wishes it didn't omit ...

PCMag.com: The Garmin nuvi 885T is an Editors' Choice here. Tester Craig Ellison concludes that its advanced features are worth the ...

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org subjects the Garmin nuvi 885T to its exhaustive, expert testing. Dozens of GPS units are scored in nine ...

Amazon.com: The Garmin nuvi 885T earns an average rating of four stars (out of five) from about 50 users. Most users are very happy with the ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

TomTom Go 930T *Est. $420

5 picks including: Amazon.com, PocketGPSWorld.com…

TomTom GO 930 *Est. $380

4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Garmin nuvi 265WT *Est. $220

3 picks including: Amazon.com, PC World…

Garmin nuvi 255W *Est. $175

3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…

Garmin nuvi 205W *Est. $160

3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…

Garmin nuvi 255 *Est. $165

3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…

Garmin nuvi 500 *Est. $255

3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSMagazine.com…

TeleNav Shotgun *Est. $300

3 picks including: GPSLodge.com, PC World…

Navigon 2200T *Est. $130

3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…

Magellan Maestro 4250 *Est. $200

2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

TomTom One 130S *Est. $120

2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Garmin nuvi 205 *Est. $130