GPS Receiver Review Index

The old adage - you get what you pay for - is as true with GPS receivers as it is with anything else.

Surprisingly (perhaps) although most GPS receivers use the same receiver chip, and one of two different sources of mapping data, there are wide variations in end user experience, based primarily on how the interface is designed.

Use this series of articles to make a better informed decision about what to expect in a GPS, and use the reviews to choose the model that best meets your needs.

This is a series of GPS reviews we're starting in March 2007. In time, we hope it will rival our web-leading series of reviews on noise cancelling headphones; please bear with us as we add extra reviews as time and money (for review unit purchases) allows.

Here is a summary list of reviews and comments on what they contain; this will hopefully save you from needing to read through all of them to get to the information you need.

Garmin Nuvi 660		$860	reviewed June 2007
	From market leader Garmin, the 4.3" wide screened Nuvi 660 is a fully featured unit with Bluetooth and FM Traffic capabilities, too.
Garmin Nuvi 680		$965	reviewed June 2007
	Garmin's Nuvi 680 is their current top of the line unit, and upgrades the FM Traffic data service on the Nuvi 660 (reviewed above) with a much better and broader range of data via MSN Direct. Recommended.
Garmin StreetPilot 7200		$1071	reviewed August 2007
	The StreetPilot 7200 has a large 7" diagonal screen and very fully featured capabilities, including the ability to solve the 'traveling salesman' puzzle. On the other hand, the screen is disappointing low resolution, and it lacks Bluetooth connectivity. Recommended with reservations.
GlobalSat GV-370		$200 or less	reviewed August 2007
	This unit is similar in size and price to the Via Michelin X-930, but is vastly superior in all respects. We rate this a 'best buy' for a person looking for a 3.5" screen sized entry level unit. Recommended.
Landrover LR3		$n/a	reviewed June 2007
	Either standard or an option in the 2005 and subsequent year LR3s, this is an excellent unit with a large screen, versatile functionality, and clever extra smarts. Recommended.
Plenio VXA-3000		$369	reviewed April 2007
	A huge 7" diagonal screen, but a small price. This is a good unit - not a great unit, but a good unit, and at the price and considering its features, a good value.
Trafficgauge Traffic Map		$80	reviewed August 2007
	Not actually a GPS, but instead a device that displays regional freeway traffic conditions. Very helpful and more accurate than the traffic data on expensive GPS units. Recommended.
Via Michelin X-930		$199	reviewed March 2007
	Small, compact, and cheap; this is the first unit released by Michelin in the US (in Dec 06) but is generally a disappointment in all respects. Not recommended.

See the links at the top right of the page to visit other articles in our GPS series.

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