GPS Reviews

When we reviewed the Delphi NAV200 last year, we gave it props for being a good value and offering accurate directions. Now, the company has come out with a step-up model, the Delphi NAV300, and once again, we’re impressed with how much the system offers for its $399.99 price tag, including Bluetooth integration and text-to-speech functionality. But the admiration stopped once we took it out for a test drive. The text-to-speech directions aren’t as smooth as other GPS devices we’ve tested, and the number of compatible phones is so limited that it almost makes the Bluetooth feature worthless. We were also given inaccurate directions on a couple of occasions. You’ll get much better performance from the similarly priced and featured Mio C520. Read full Delphi NAV300 Review »

GPS and location-based services aren’t always about driving from Point A to Point B. There are plenty of other uses for GPS, from geocaching to hiking, and now a company called Trimble Outdoors is trying to bring that experience to your cell phone. Working in conjunction with Sprint Nextel, the Trimble GPS Pack brings a suite of three applications that lets fitness freaks, geocachers, and outdoor enthusiasts use their compatible cell phone as a navigation device. It’s certainly not for everyone, but for its target audience, the programs are quite useful and work well. The Trimble GPS Pack is available on a select number of Sprint Nextel phones (you can check for your phone’s compatibility here and costs $6.99 per month. Read full Trimble GPS Pack Review »

When we reviewed the TomTom One last year, we were impressed by its ease of use, affordable price tag, and good performance. Now, the company has released a new model in the product line called the TomTom One XL ($399.99) that adds a larger, 4.3-inch touch screen and, well, that’s about it. On the one hand, it’s great because the One XL continues to offer all the navigation basics with the same user-friendly interface and accurate directions. On the other hand, for the same price, you can get more for your money with GPS devices like the Mio C520, which adds text-to-speech functionality, or the Magellan Maestro 4000. In short, the TomTom One XL is a perfectly fine system for drivers who want a basic system and for GPS newbies, but there are just better values out there. Read full TomTom One XL GPS Review »

Though Harman Kardon is more well-known for its home audio products, the company has made a push into aftermarket car tech, starting with the Harman Kardon Drive + Play 2 and now the Harman Kardon Guide + Play GPS-500. Merging navigation and multimedia into one device, the GPS-500 isn’t a bad first try. It offers a stylish and compact design with a beautiful and sharp wide screen. You get all the navigation basics, plus some multimedia extras, for a fair price of $399.95. However, it lags a bit in the performance department, as satellite acquisition can take some time and directions weren’t always efficient. The music and video playback is an added bonus, but as we’ve said in the past, we’re a bit weary of its real-life practicality (for now, anyway). That said, if you’re looking for a basic and affordable GPS device, the GPS-500 isn’t a bad choice, but you’ll get smoother performance in the similarly priced Mio C520 or Garmin Nuvi 200. Read full Harman/Kardon Guide Play GPS-500 Review »

The last portable navigation system we reviewed from Mio Technology didn’t fare so well in our tests. It’s a shame, because the Mio C220 had so much going for it–affordable price, good performance, compact design–but its screen was a complete wash. Fortunately, Mio’s latest GPS device, the Mio C520, delivers a better experience and packs in even more features at a wallet-friendly price of $399. For that money, you get a large 4.3-inch touch screen, integrated Bluetooth, multimedia capabilities, and accurate directions. It’s certainly a better value than the Magellan Maestro 3100. That said, the C520 has its downfalls: the Bluetooth integration is limited, and real-time tracking and route recalculations could be better. If navigation and usability is of the utmost importance to you, and you can find a good deal on the Garmin Nuvi, you’d be better served by that device instead. Read full Mio C520 Navigation Receiver Review »