Auto GPS buyers guide

Quite often, I am asked to recommend a GPS receiver. The answer typically is, it depends — primarily upon the price you can pay and the features you want. So here is an auto GPS buyers guide that runs the gamut, identifying some key features along the way. I'€™ll make a recommendation in each price category, based upon value, feature set and user reviews.

A few notes first:

• I'll admit a bias towards Garmin. They manufacturer quality units with intuitive interfaces. Many of the models listed below are Garmin nuvis. You may find this Garmin nuvi feature comparison chart useful.
• All the receivers listed below have a color touch screen interface and give voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions.
• These lists of features worth paying extra for and features you don't need may prove helpful.
• Prices on GPS receivers are dropping rapidly. The prices listed below are current as of the last update of this post. Keep an eye on our companion GPS Deals site for some great values.
• Finally, unless otherwise indicated, the links go to auto GPS reviews here at GPS Tracklog, where you'€™ll find several places to track down each model'€™s current low price from trusted vendors.

Budget auto GPS receivers

Our choice:

• Garmin nuvi 200

The Garmin nuvi 200 has maps of the entire U.S., except for Alaska. Like all the nuvis, the 200 has around 6 million points of interest (POIs).

The nuvi 200's retail price is $399.99, but as of this posting it can be found for around $130. Prices are quite variable though, and it’s worth looking at other low end models, such as the ones below. As I’m writing this, the nuvi 250 is available for around $125.

Alternative recommendations:

• The Garmin nuvi 200W bumps the screen size from 3.5" to 4.3"
• Step up to the Garmin
  nuvi 250 to get maps of all 50 states and Canada too

NOTE: The three budget units listed above have all been discontinued, but will remain fully supported by Garmin. They are great units and I’m very comfortable continuing to recommend them to folks looking for a deal.

Mid-range auto GPS receivers

Our choice:

• Garmin nuvi 255W

The nuvi 255W has maps of the entire U.S. and Canada, a 4.3" wide screen and adds quite a few features not found on the early 200 series models, including speed limit display. It also has text-to-speech, so you'll hear "drive one-half mile, then turn left on Oak Street," instead of just "drive one-half mile, then turn left."

As of this posting the nuvi 255W can be found for around $150.

Alternative recommendation:

• An even newer model, the Garmin nuvi 265WT adds lifetime traffic and Bluetooth for hands free cell phone use
• Its also worth checking the current price on the nuvi 1300, a new model whose price should drop over time

High-end auto GPS receivers

It gets a little more complicated at this end of the spectrum, because Garmin has several high-end models, and the key features don't overlap. Each of the units below will give you a 4.3" screen, multi-destination routing and Bluetooth for hands free calling:

• Garmin nuvi 765T – Currently priced at around $240
• Garmin nuvi 885T – Voice commands!; currently available for around $340
• Garmin nuvi 1690 – Offers connected services like Google Local Search; this one is brand new so its still priced pretty high (currently around $435)

Alternative recommendations:

• The Garmin nuvi 855 drops Bluetooth and the MSN Direct receiver (which can be added on later) from the 885T's feature set; currently about $220
• The Garmin nuvi 755T gives you all of the nuvi 765T features described above except for Bluetooth; currently available for around $240
• The TomTom GO 740 LIVE offers more customization options, and connected servcies such as Google Local search; as of this update, the 740 LIVE goes for around $300

Additional auto GPS reviews

• Garmin auto GPS reviews
• Lowrance auto GPS reviews
• Magellan auto GPS reviews
• Mio auto GPS reviews
• Navigon auto GPS reviews
• TomTom auto GPS reviews