We tested a range of wireless GPS from some of the biggest household names. We were looking for gps that were easy to set up, Navigate fast and were cost-effective too. Here's what we found...
Rand McNally TND 1050 10-inch GPS Truck Navigator, Easy-to-Read Display, Custom Truck Routing, Rand Navigation, and Removable Guard, Black
Garmin Approach G80 - Garmin Approach G80
Garmin GPSMAP 66i GPS Handheld and Satellite Communicator, Featuring TopoActive Mapping and inReach Technology
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Black Handy GPS Navigation, Genuine Japanese Product, Small
Navman F20 Navigation System, Germany/Austria/Switzerland
NAV Navman S30
Navman S90 Navigation Europe 10.9 cm (4.3 inches), Bluetooth and TMC
TomTom Car GPS GO 520
-5 Inch World Map, Traffic, Danger Zones via Smartphone, Hands-Free Calling
TomTom Car Sat Nav GO Basic
6 inch, with Updates via WiFi, Lifetime Traffic via Smartphone and EU Maps
The Magellan TRX7 CS Pro
Trail and Street GPS Navigator (TN1840SGLUC)
Where GPS models differ the most is in ease of use and features. For our ratings we factor heavily the qualities that make it easy to input destinations and give the most helpful directions. Our recommendations break out the best-performing models overall, and those that perform core navigation chores well and do so at an attractive price.
Using phone-based phone GPS apps eats up precious data from your monthly plan, and some conk out during phone calls or when your cellular signal drops. (Some apps work around this by saving maps to your phone, so you won't lose your way even if you lose phone service.) Whichever option you choose, you ll likely need to purchase a mount, car charger (since navigation can quickly deplete a battery), and possibly a data plan for your phone (if you don't already have one).
Hop in the car with your smartphone and choose a pre-loaded app such as Google Maps or Apple Maps (or download the likes of Here, Waze, or Mapquest) and your phone service gives you multiple options for a smoother trip, complete with traffic views, alternate-route suggestions, and warnings if you're going too fast. The often-bright displays of these apps can make them easy to read on a sun-drenched dashboard. Plus, you don't have to buy any other GPS device because you already have the smartphone nor do you have to worry about carrying around a portable navigation device (PND).