By Steve Holdgren

The Magellan RoadMate 2045T-LM has a 4.3-inch screen with 480 x 272 pixels. The GPS device picks up live traffic information without subscription and also shows you points of interest for each highway exit you approach. We liked how it gives an advanced warning for upcoming turns as well as a chime for the exact moment you’re supposed to turn. The speaking voice for directions for the most part comes out clear and loud enough to hear. You also need to keep it plugged in most of the time, because the battery life lasts for two hours. Despite some quirks, this Magellan GPS is fairly reliable and includes a handy OneTouch favorites feature that saves your favorite destination spots. It’s available for $91.07.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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By Steve Holdgren

The TomTom GO 50 1FC5.019.01 is a handy tool to have when you’re traveling through unfamiliar regions. It’s nice having free traffic updates and a way to avoid tollroads without the annoying advertisements, and this TomTom allows you to insert a memory card containing more maps if desired. You can keep the maps up-to-date too by downloading current versions every couple months. This TomTom GPS navigator has 10 million points of interest, and it gives vocal commands with a clear, humanlike voice. The interface is easy to navigate if a little sluggish at times. Overall, the design is nice and clear, and it’s an affordable device at $119.99.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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By Steve Holdgren

Portable GPS navigators are useful tools to have in the car whether you’re traveling to unfamiliar cities or just navigating your own hometown. We reviewed several GPS devices and selected our top 10 based on the following factors:

1. Large, bright touchscreen display that’s visible even in sunlight
2. User-friendly interface with large icons
3. Good touchscreen responsiveness
4. Powers up and finds destinations quickly
5. Mounts easily to the windshield or dashboard and detaches for safekeeping
6. Provides free traffic updates and current maps
7. Gives adequate notice of upcoming turns
8. Speaks clearly and includes street names in the directions
9. Shows pertinent information on the screen like speed limit, ETA, and current location
10.Provides lane assistance in complicated junctions

GPS Device Buying Guide

A Portable GPS Navigator Buying Guide

As you shop for a GPS device to mount in your car, consider the following factors that can have an impact on your device’s effectiveness.

Screen size

There are GPS screens ranging from 2.5 to 7 inches. While the small screens can be difficult to see at a glance while you’re driving and cumbersome to type on, the large screens can block your view of the road when mounted on the windshield. Look for a GPS device with a screen around 4.5 to 5 inches as a good compromise. The 5-inch screens are especially easy to take in at a glance, especially if you’re driving a truck, RV, or other large vehicle.

Dynamic search

Typing on a touchpad screen can be cumbersome, especially if the screen isn’t very responsive. Some GPS devices include dynamic search options that predict the possible locations based on the letters you’ve typed in. If you see the correct destination, you can save yourself the trouble of typing it all in just by pressing it.

Lane assistance

As you approach complicated junctions, the lane assistance feature on your GPS navigator will help you figure out exactly which lane you need to be in to make your exit or turn.

Bluetooth

In a further effort to keep your hands on the wheel, many GPS navigators include Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to make and receive calls through the loudspeaker without using your hands. You must have a phone that supports Bluetooth for this to work.

Mounting units

A GPS device can be attached either to the windshield or the dashboard with a suction cup mount. Look for mounts that hold the GPS navigator steady without vibrating. Also be aware that some states like Minnesota and California have restrictions on mounting any device to the windshield.

Charging options

Your GPS device can always be powered by the car adapter, but many also have an internal power supply that lasts a couple hours per charge. With an internal power supply, you can carry the GPS device along with you on bike rides or to navigate subway and bus stops. Often you can charge the GPS device through the USB cord plugged into the computer.

Street names

An ideal GPS navigator speaks the names of the streets you turn on so you don’t have to keep glancing at the screen for the directions. While this is a very helpful feature, be aware that some models are better at vocalizing text than others. When a GPS device can’t pronounce simple street names, it kind of defeats the purpose.

Traffic updates

Most high-end GPS devices offer real-time traffic updates, alerting you to accidents and traffic jams and rerouting you to a less congested path. Sometimes this traffic service is limited to major roads. Sometimes the traffic information comes through a subscription, and other times it’s free—but you’ll have to put up with pop-up ad banners.

Other special alerts and features

Advanced GPS navigators have advanced routing options, such as avoiding toll roads. Some GPS devices alert you to streets with speed cameras or intersections with red light cameras so you can advance with caution. The more versatile and flexible your GPS navigator, the more options you have on the road.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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By Steve Holdgren

TomTom’s START 50M entry-level GPS device is perfect for those who only need one occasionally. These handy devices pay for themselves the first time you get yourself out of a pinch on the road. The START 50M comes preloaded with points of interest, lowest gas prices, a map of the US, and TomTom’s IQ routes for the best travel route. You can add your own points of interest as well. We noted that there isn’t expandable memory, however, and the device comes out of the box with most of its memory used. We were satisfied with the speed of map navigation and the on-board voice even handled hard-to-pronounce street names pretty well. The 5-inch touchscreen tends to be sluggish when you’re searching maps, but we liked the lane guidance feature that helps you navigate complicated junctions. For less than $100 at some online retailers, it’s an outstanding budget performer.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

This 5-inch GPS navigator from Garmin has a touchscreen that is very responsive and brighter than a lot of the competition. It’s also got a dual orientation feature so you can use it horizontally or vertically. The Garmin Nüvi 2557LMT has a design and feel that is very similar to a smartphone, it slips easily into a pocket. When it’s mounted in its dock, however, you receive live traffic updates. This lets you know where the delays are and roughly how long of a delay it is going to be. While the glossy glass screen picks up the sun’s glare, the overall design is well planned and its ability to direct you can’t be faulted. The 2557LMT model feature lifetime map updates for North America. That means you can update the maps up to 4 times per year for the life of the device at no charge. This Garmin GPS can be found for the excellent price of $199 from online retailers.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

Garmin is one of the most familiar names of portable GPS device makers. The 52LM model is available for a great low price with excellent performance. The feature set is pretty slim as a result, but what is on the unit is probably good for those who don’t need GPS every time they get into the car. The best feature here is the lifetime updates for maps of the lower 49 US states. You’ll never worry about missing a new road again. It’s available for $149.99, and it readily plots the best route to get you from Point A to Point B. The simple interface is the same as it has been with Garmin for a while, with the starting menu that asks you “Where To?” or “View Map.” Familiar is good when it comes to a device like this. That familiarity also makes the 52LM a great choice for an upgrade if you are ready to move up. The Garmin Nüvi 55LM is fairly easy to program and navigate, and its turn-by-turn directions include street names for extra helpfulness.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

The basic features of Garmin and TomTom GPS devices don’t differ too wildly. Both have map systems that you can update online, preloaded points of interest (POIs), and models supporting Bluetooth. Some special models from both brands have perks like MP3 players and picture viewers, which aren’t necessities but are nice nonetheless.

Whether Garmin or TomTom has the better interface depends largely on your personal preferences. Garmin is known for its large, clearly labeled icons that make navigation simple, but some people claim TomTom’s interface is easier. You’ll have to compare specific models side by side to see which you like better.

However, if you want a portable GPS navigator you can carry with you on hikes, walks through the city, or bike rides, then you should stick with Garmin. TomTom’s models are permanently affixed to the mounts, meaning you can’t carry them around with you easily.

Which GPS brand has better map system? Garmin has maps supplied by Navteq; TomTom by Tele Atlas. Both brands have ample map coverage for most of the major locations you’ll need. Some people argue that Garmin’s map coverage is better suited to U.S. travel, while TomTom’s is more useful in European settings. TomTom does allow users to share map errors, such as improperly marked one-way streets.

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By Steve Holdgren

TomTom updated this GPS device with the VIA 1505TM, but the XXL 540TM is also a reliable GPS navigator with a wide 5-inch screen and bright, colorful maps. The 540TM comes preloaded with 7 million points of interest, and you can add your own as well. We noted that there isn’t expandable memory, however, and the device comes out of the box with most of its memory used. Performance wise, though, we were satisfied with how it pulled up directions fairly quickly and even handled hard-to-pronounce street names pretty well. The touchscreen can be a tad sluggish when you’re searching maps, but we liked the lane guidance feature that helps you navigate complicated junctions. For $99.99, it’s a competent performer.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

If you want a portable GPS device for a low price and you’re satisfied with just the bare-bones functions, then the Garmin Nüvi 50 is a solid choice. It’s available for $117.99, and it readily plots the best route to get you from Point A to Point B. The simple interface is the same as it has been with Garmin for a while, with the starting menu that asks you “Where To?” or “View Map.” The 5-inch screen is bright and colorful, but we noticed the graphics aren’t quite as sharp as some of the more expensive models. Regardless, the Garmin Nüvi 50 is fairly easy to program and navigate, and its turn-by-turn directions include street names for extra helpfulness.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

We were impressed with the Magellan RoadMate 1700LM, which gives you audible cues to get off the highway, make a turn, or turn around. This feature comes in handy if you’re traveling through an unfamiliar area and are afraid to take your eyes off the road. This Magellan GPS device has clear road maps with lifetime updates, traffic information, and lane guidance. The interface is user-friendly and intuitive, and we liked having the ability to use the back-up camera to see behind us in reverse. The seven-inch screen really makes a difference in showing you the route to your destination. This Magellan RoadMate GPS device is available for $152.99.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

A popular GPS navigator in competition with Garmin’s Nüvi series, the TomTom VIA is a 5-inch GPS device for just $115.92. It provides lifetime traffic and maps, and shows images clearly and in full color in the wide touchscreen. Preloaded with 7 million points of interest, the TomTom VIA helps you find your way using street names in the directions. We liked how it shows the street you’re currently on and the speed limit. Its IQ routes plots the fastest route based on the time of day and week. The GPS device is permanently attached to the car mount, which means you may need to remount it each time you get in the car rather than leave it sitting in plain sight. Overall, we were pleased with the design, even if the touchscreen is sometimes sluggish.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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By Steve Holdgren

The first portable GPS navigator to integrate travel apps into its functions, the TomTom GO Live allows you to connect to Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Google to search for points of interest and read professional reviews of restaurants, hotels, museums, etc. The 5-inch screen is very crisp and bright, with icons that become enlarged when you touch them. Following the maps and lane guidance is fairly straightforward. One feature we especially appreciated was the audible alert that lets you know a speed camera or red light camera is coming up. As with many other GPS devices we looked at, the touchscreen responsiveness isn’t as fast as we’d like, but we were impressed with the overall design and wealth of features. This TomTom GPS is available for $179.99.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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By Steve Holdgren

The Garmin Nüvi series continues to impress with this 1450LMT GPS navigator with a 5-inch screen. The touchscreen is large and bright, with clear images even in sunlight. The interface is thankfully simple and user-friendly. We liked being able to program the most fuel-efficient route. Alternately, you can take this Garmin with you as you travel by bus or subway and it helps you figure out the stops. Its lane assistance comes in handy when you’re facing tricky junctions; the screen’s directions are easy to follow. We wish there was the option to turn down the audible beeps every time you press the screen, or to change the robotic voice, but these are just minor quibbles. The Nüvi 1450LMT doesn’t disappoint, and it costs $139.99.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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By Steve Holdgren

The latest Garmin GPS navigator expands its touchscreen to 5 inches, which is very helpful when you’re driving and you need to glance at the GPS quickly. The graphics have also improved, showing you roads, bridges, and overpasses and including icons for branded locations. The starting screen is made as simple as possible with two buttons: “Where To?” and “Show Map.” It has 8 million points of interest already, and you have the ability to add more. We liked that it includes street names when it tells you to turn. We just wish some of the programming steps were a bit less cumbersome to go through. This Garmin Nüvi is available for $219.99.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

This 4.3-inch GPS navigator from Garmin looks small compared to the many 5-inch devices available, but its touchscreen is very responsive and crisper than a lot of the competition. The Garmin Nüvi 3790T is also extremely thin and lightweight; like a smartphone, it slips easily into a pocket. When it’s mounted in its dock, however, you receive traffic updates and hands-free Bluetooth. In fact, we were impressed with how well its voice command technology works; you can get the Garmin’s attention by saying “Voice command” or another customized phrase. While the glossy glass screen picks up the sun’s glare, the overall design is well planned and its ability to direct you can’t be faulted. This Garmin GPS navigator costs $349.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

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