Home arrow GPS Portable Systemsarrow GPS System That Puts You in the Fast Lane

GPS System That Puts You in the Fast Lane
E-mail
Written by Brian J. Sero   
Monday, 09 March 2009
The latest units don't just show you the way-they can also help you dodge traffic

Perhaps the most frustrating part of being stuck in snail-paced, bumper-to-bumper traffic is that moment when the radio announcer comes on to say that the other highway-that is, the one that you would have taken if only you'd known better-is smooth going. Then he proceeds to repeat it every 10 minutes as if to rub it in.

There may be a way to avoid such misery next time, and all it takes is a device the size of a PDA that attaches to your dashboard or windshield. In addition to giving directions, the latest after-market GPS units offer live traffic info and promise to alert you to bottlenecks, roadwork and accidents before you get to them. Plus, they can respond accordingly with alternate routes.

Sales of Global Positioning System navigation units, which rely on satellite technology for pinpointing road location, quadrupled in 2007, according to market research firm NPD Group. That's in part thanks to the fact that GPS technology has become more sophisticated and less expensive of late. These days you get quality routing even on the lower end of the $200-to-$1,000 price spectrum, says Tim Flight, editor of GPSReview.net. But pricier units offer many desirable extras, he's quick to note.

The most desirable is the traffic function, which can be added to a higher-end unit for an annual fee, usually less than $75. The feature is far from perfect: Manufacturers rely on info from nationwide traffic-monitoring services, so the data are only as up to the minute as the services. In fact, there were occasions during our tests when we sat in gridlock that the unit hadn't predicted. Still, having some specific, relevant info at our beck and call beat waiting for periodic, generic radio reports. Scott Martin, editor of enthusiast site GPSLodge.com, agrees: "Anyone who drives in traffic daily should invest in one of these."

Other reasons to consider a top-rung model: They allow more customization, such as routing for multiple stops or warning you when you're speeding. Most offer Bluetooth connectivity, meaning they function as a speaker and receiver for hands-free cell calling. Some take verbal commands. A few even have travel content.

But the make-or-break factor for any unit is its user-friendliness. Garmin, Magellan and TomTom, which came out top in our test, have the best reputations in this area. Comfort can be subjective, however. Thus it's worth playing around with the units at a store; at least try entering an address.
Last Updated ( Monday, 09 March 2009 )