01.Introduction
Test results for 12 GPS systems, priced from $129 to $399
With the inexpensive car GPS applications found on Apple's iPhone and Android smartphones and the subsequent decline in sales, car GPS makers have been forced to deliver more value for money.
Car GPS systems now come loaded with more features to convince drivers they still need a dedicated GPS device to get from point A to point B quickly and efficiently.
The overall quality and ease of use of car GPS devices has improved and they have special features for planning trips and navigating through unfamiliar territory quickly and easily. However, it is still useful to consider whether your smartphone, placed in an appropriate cradle to ensure safe use while driving, can add navigation device to the long list of tasks it already performs.
This test includes 12 newly tested models. All are good performers in city and regional areas, but it’s the rural test that continues to show the biggest differences between GPS units. However, this situation is becoming less significant, with some units delivering improved rural results compared to the models they have replaced.
Because all units perform well in the city, we’ve simplified the city driving component of our test. Our rural testing included regions in South Australia and WA to help us discover any variance in performance outside the city areas.
Models in our last test can be found on the 2009 GPS results page.
For more information on GPS, see Cars.
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CHOICE puts a collection of GPS navigation units through their paces.
Brands and models tested
- Garmin nϋvi 2250 *
- Garmin nϋvi 50 *
- Navman EZY45 *
- Navman MY85XLT *
- Navman My80T *
- Navman MyEscape *
- TomTom GO LIVE 2050 (Australia) *
- TomTom GO LIVE 820 *
- TomTom Via 220 *
- Uniden IGO500 *
- TomTom Start 10
- TomTom Via 180
* Newly tested.
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