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 and feature set.
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.
- 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:
The Garmin nuvi 40 is a newer model with a 4.3″ screen that is loaded with features like lane assist, junction view and speed limit display. Currently available for around $100.
Alternative recommendations:
The Garmin nuvi 1200 has a 3.5″ screen, text-to-speech (calls out street names for upcoming turns) and maps of the entire U.S., except for Alaska. Like all the nuvis, the 1200 has around 6 million points of interest (POIs). The nuvi 1200′s retail price is $119.99, but as of this posting it can be found for around $80.
The TomTom EASE comes with pre-loaded maps of the entire United States and offers text-to-speech, calling out street names on turns. The big draw here though is the inclusion of TomTom’s historical traffic speed database, making the EASE an excellent choice for folks living in areas with routine traffic problems. The TomTom EASE is often available in the $60 to $80 range.
Mid-range auto GPS receivers
Our choice:
The Garmin nuvi 2455LT is a new 4.3″ model, loaded with features including lifetime traffic; at the time of our last update, this unit was running around $160.
- The 4.3″ Garmin nuvi 1300LM comes bundled with lifetime map updates; as of this posting the nuvi 1300LM can be found for about $130.
- The TomTom VIA 1505TM gives you a lot of bang for the buck — a 5″ screen and lifetime map updates and traffic
High-end auto GPS receivers
Our choice:
This 5” ultra-widescreen model is loaded with great features like custom avoidances and advanced detours. It also sports lifetime map updates and traffic, voice commands and the best sounding Bluetooth I’ve ever heard on a GPS navigator. It’s new though, so expect to pay pretty close to the $249 MSRP. Alternative recommendations:
- Garmin nuvi 3590LMT – This recently released model has more eye candy (3D terrain view and 3D buildings) and comes with a powered mount and an ad-free HD traffic receiver. It’s running around $150 more than the 2495LMT.
- Garmin nuLink 1695 – Offers connected services like Google Local Search, gas prices and weather; currently priced at about $250
More resources:
Image courtesy Reedz Malik
Hello again!
I ended up with the 2460LMT after your recommendation. I had to call Garmin Tech support right away since there is a glitch with the software updating page. After it updates your software its SUPPOSE to tell you the software successfully updated. It did not for me. I had to check it manually.
I will say this about local roads and the area I live in, I know the roads better than the GPS and can knock both miles and time off the given routes. They also do not take traffic into consideration during rush hour which DID surprise me a little. Budget was not an issue in my case and if the 3790LMT has been a 5″ screen that would have been the one I would have gone for! Interestingly enough the Garmin Tech told me customers ask for that ALL the time and so far there are no plans to do that! I LOVE the power head it makes life SO much easier! He also told me that when updating maps ALWAYS do a full upgrade which can take to 45 minutes vs. some places that give you an email patch update. He says SOMETIMES there can be corruption with the maps doing that way, its not often but it can still happens. That is why Garmin makes you do a full upgrade.
One last thing. I LOVED their tech support! I was on hold about 3-4 minutes and the tech guy spent as MUCH time as I wanted going over every little question I had. I am engineer as I said before and I always have VERY Specific question about things that are not easily found in the e-manual. He was quite surprised I found a few weaknesses in it and it may make them update it again!
So the end result is while I would have loved the 3D eye candy and a few other features of the 379LMT, you simply can NOT go wrong with the 2460LMT I just wish it was smart as me for the local roads but there is nothing perfect about any of them!
Thanks! Good info.
Generally speaking, a local is often going to be able to route better than a GPS device. This is why myTrends is set up to discover your preferred routes, though it can take several trips to do so (even if your time of day doesn’t vary much).
what is the different between the garmin nuvi 1350lmt & the tom tom xxx540tm & what is a better buy
Its almost like comparing apples and oranges. They are two different brands. These are some broad generalizations…
The TomTom is a bit more customizable. Its routing may be better due to IQ Routes, its historic road speed database. Expect better Advanced Lane Guidance coverage. Many people report problems updating maps on the TomToms due to limited memory. I’m not a fan of the early generation easy port mount, which seems to come apart way too easily.
The nuvi has (IMHO) a more intuitive and simpler interface. Speed limit coverage is better, in my experience.
Great site, thank you.
Considering Garmin Nuvi 3790T. I’m in urban area, don’t think lifetime maps important. Agree/disagree?
Alternatively, also noted your comment concerning 8xx better at voice command allowing more menu items, (such as?) and allowing selection of ‘near’ if I understand correctly, so am alternatively considering 885 T.
Street lables are important to me, so perhaps this is better on the 3790?Curious how different this function is between the 2 models.
Also, ability to pan map is critical (tried out a previous garmin 1450 where couldn’t seem to do this) and curious if this feature on the 885 is comparable to the 3790?
Not concerned about speed limit/speed….want good, accurate routing.
Curious how models compare in these areas. thank you so much
Lifetime maps are nice, especially in urban areas, but you can always add these later. I’ve seen them as low as $70 or so.
If I recall correctly, the (now discontinued) 8xx series would allow you to say about any command you could see on any screen, including “near.”
Yes, the 37xx series does a better job with street labels.
Map panning is at its worst on the 1xxx series. The 37xx models are easier to pan.
The trafficTrends historical road speed database found on the 37xx series often results in better routing but can occasionally throw in something weird. It can be disabled. I like the 24xx’s routing (advanced detour) options even more.
Thanks, Rich. Couple of follow-up questions:
On the 37xx, if you type in ‘near’ for POI, will it show these spots along w/ route, so you can get to closest?
Does 8xx have the now almost obsolete MSN traffic?
I think all nuvis have the same Near options. Checking a 1xxx series unit, if you tap Where To? and then Near, you see options for Where I am now, My destination, A different city, A recent destination, A favorite destination, and My current route.
You are correct about the 8xx.
You’ve cleared up a lot for me. Much appreciated!!
thanks Rich after all pro’s & con’s do you thing its worth to change the 350 to 2350
I think it is definitely worth upgrading. The only question is, to which model?
Is there a GPS model which can accept my routes from either bing maps and/or google maps? I would like to make my custom routes and load into GPS – Is there any such model which accepts such input?
It is easy to send waypoints from Google Maps to many brands of GPS. I’d suggest doing that, because the GPS is going to use its own routing algorithm anyway.
Sending routes is harder, and again, the GPS may not follow the specific route anyway, though it should take you by each selected waypoint in the route. I believe you can now use Tyre with Garmin devices, but I’m not sure which TomToms it currently works with…
http://www.janboersma.nl/gett/index.php
Hi Rich, love all your content, it has really helped. I am in Australia and wonder if you can help with a question re buying a GPS (have chosen the 2350) from the US. Is it easy to load/replace Australian maps on the unit? What comes installed as standard, and how can manage maps (for both on-road & off-road content)? Or should I just pay the extra bucks and get one locally? thanks in advance …
nuvi 2350 – $205.00AU
http://www.ja-gps.com.au/Garmin/nuvi-2350-gps/
I don’t know Garmins approach on an end user requesting a map “swap’ from US to AU on a new unit but I’d imagine to protect their dealers from just this sort of thing their answer would be no.
The link above is a good price for an AU localized 2350 considering almost a dollar for dollar exchange rate between AUD and USD. Factor in an exorbitant shipping charge from US to AU and I’ll bet the $205AU looks great. Plus the 2350 will arrive with AU and NZ maps loaded so no hassles attempting to swap maps.
Not to mention a “local’ person to contact should things need answered or service need done to the unit.
Sounds like good advice.
I sure appreciate your advice on so many subjects but haven’t found any comments on the ability of a GPS to find a lost car in a parking lot. Will any auto units do this or is there some hand held units that would be more appropriate? Also would like something we could bike or hike with and not get lost. And any feedback yet on whether the bluetooth on the nuvi 2360 can equal the quality you found on the 2460?
Specific Garmin units provide “Garmin Locate” , which can be used to return you to your parked car.
Go to:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134
and select the option on the left “Finds parked car”. Both the 2360 and 2460 have this feature.
Sorry. Can’t comment on the BT question you asked.
Thanks Rick. Good answer.
@Stan – Unfortunately I haven’t tested a 2360 model, so I can’t answer the BT question either. Feel free to post a question on the 2360LT and/or 2360LMT pages about it though. Hopefully there are some owners following those comment threads. You might also bring up the Amazon review pages and do a Find search (Ctrl-F) for Bluetooth.
Did anyone else get the email about a big Garmin announcement on 08/24/11…… maybe a new unit coming?
Not me, but I’m seeing other reports of it. Here’s the link…
http://t.co/j2PDz3V
Great Site Rich,
I am buying my first GPS and expect to use it for walking cities as well as traveling. I am looking at the 2460LMT and the 3790T. Would the 3790 screen be harder to see when walking around and is it worth the extra cost. It appears the screen size and resolutions and the main differences.
Thanks
The 3790 series has a much brighter screen than the 24xx series, IMHO. Be aware that the 3790T doesn’t include lifetime map updates, which the 2460LMT does. The 3790LMT has them, but will cost more.
Hi Rich,
Thanks for gettong back so quickly. I have read a couple of reviews that mentioned the screnn cracking on the 3790. Have you had any reports of this problem.
Hank
I haven’t heard of any that I can recall, but it is a glass capacitive touch screen and is probably more fragile. I’d get a screen protector for it.
Hi, I’m currently looking to buy a GPS because of the long highway drives I will need for work. I’ve gone through a number of different websites, and I guess I’ve gotten to the point of information overload. While I know the 3790 is the best right now, I can’t justify spending big bucks on something that will likely go out of date soon.
Right now, I am deciding between three:
1) Garmin nuvi 1390lmt
2) Garmin nuvi 1450lmt
3) Garmin nuvi 2350lmt
I think the 2 biggest characteristics I am looking for are: can it get to my destination effectively and efficiently and the quickness of the GPS in general in terms of tracking and giving me directions.
Any suggestions that you may give me or any other models you can suggest that is affordable (~$200) would be appreciated. Thanks!
I like the 2350LMT better, but the truth is, any of the Garmins will do a pretty good job of getting you from point A to point B. If you go up to a higher level model, you’re pretty much paying for bells and whistles.
Hi Rich,
Very impressed with all your comments. I am going to start doing a lot of business traveling but I also like to hike and geocache. Is there any one super GPS that can do it all. I will be traveling all over the US.
Thanks for the advice.
Great Site
Dan
http://gpstracklog.com/2009/04/dual-use-gps-for-road-and-trail.html
The Montana series is the ideal, but it won’t have all the features or ease of use of one of the nicer nuvis…
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/08/garmin-montana-600-review.html
Nice detailed column Rich. It helped me a lot in deciding on a Tom Tom. Thank you
Hi Rich,
I need your advice on purchasing a gps. I am going out of state, have never used or owned a gps, so I definitely need one that is user friendly and easy to set up. I want something that is reliable and accurate. My musts are lifetime maps and traffic, multi-point routing, speaks street names, and lane assist. I would really like (but not a must have) voice command, speed limit display, powered mount, and FM transmitter, but it seems you have to pay a lot more because most models with those features also include bluetooth, which I don’t need. I also don’t care about MP3 player. Please advise, with giving me the pros and cons of your recommendations. Thank you. You have the best site for gps information, but I am still confused. Can you also include what the customization options are for whatever you will be recommending. Money IS an object.
I really like the newest nuvis, the 2xx5 series. The 2455LMT would be the low end unit in terms of your must haves…
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/10/garmin-nuvi-2455lmt-review.html
The 2555LMT would mean getting a 5″ screen instead of a 4.3″.
The 2495LMT or 2595LMT would add voice command. Details are in my reviews.
I’ve got a Garmin 2610 (that I love), but it’s very long in the tooth. The new models look very different to me, and I can’t really get a feel for any of them by poking in a store.
The dash is a long way away, and I love the 2610 remote. Does anything have remotes any more, or does voice control work on these things? Where would I start looking if I really wanted that on a model today? Preferably with a 5″ screen and lifetime maps?
Thanks!
YMMV but I’ve found voice command to work very well, especially on the new 2×95 series. Sounds like the 2595LMT could be the one for you…
http://gpstracklog.com/2011/10/garmin-nuvi-2595lmt-review.html
Oh, and no, I don’t know of any current units that offer a remote.
Excellent. Thank you!
One more question. I see CU has rated the 2460LMT highly. Looking at the feature lists, I can’t tell the difference between these units. I’m sure I’m overlooking something. What’s the difference between them?
The 2460LMT is an older version. The 2495LMT offers a lot of new customization options, exit services, improved routing, Bluetooth and voice commands.
New map update – 2012.30
If you haven’t yet received the email from Garmin, check in my.garmin.com or MapUpdater
Hi there Rich,
Wow what a great site!
I have a Navigon 2100MAX and I can no longer get fresh maps to upgrade it so I am looking into a Garmin 3490LMT. I was wondering if this model has verbal warnings to go with the speed limits? How would you compare the 3490LMT to the Navigon? I Love my Navigon!
I don’t think so; you just get the speed limit field turning red.
Some TomTom models offer this. For example, the GO LIVE 1535M I’m currently testing has two options:
- Warn when driving faster than allowed
- Warn when driving fast than a set speed
Note that there is no option for a set number above the limit, like +10MPH.
Once you enable one of these options there are various chimes, etc. to choose from.
Hi Rich, thank you for the reply,
Well that is disapointing, I will have to rethink the TomTom.
Kurt, the Tom Toms are the way to go for former Navigon lovers. I have the 7200T and last year got a 540TM. It is much more programmable than any Garmin and the directions seem better (I tested a friend’s Garmin).
The traffic on mine gives VERBAL notice that there is a (ex:) 20 minute warning of traffic ahead and there is a better route (“would you like to take it?) OR your route is still the quickest. It can also be set to just automatically reroute. The choice of chimes, honks, etc allow you to know when you are over the speed limit OR any other thing, such as School Zone ahead, known Police radar stop ahead (which can be download free from an independent site). You could also wait to see if Garmin incorporates Navigon features into its units now that it bought Navigon.
Which is the best Garmin Nuvi GPS of 2011, which will not distract the driver from their advertisements? Few of the comments and reviews of the Garmin Nuvi latest models I see are “ads are back when you stop” as the vehicle takes a halt at a red light or a stop sign.
If I hate advertisements on the television, why should I love them on my GPS?
Which Garmin Nuvi comes close to fulfilling the maps of USA, Canada, Europe?
I forgot in my review of Tom Tom that their traffic has NO ads at any time !!
will the IPhone 4S work with the Nuvi 2460 LMT bluetooth Thanks
will the nuvi 2460 LMT bluetooth work with the I-Phone 4S
No idea. I asked on Twitter, but got no response.
I just wanted to let everybody know that when I updated my
2460LMT it changed the Lane Assist to the NEW kind type in the new series.
I can not afford to upgrade mine the new 2595 but its nice to know
that Garmin at least upgraded the software as well as the maps to
the split screen style! It has ALREADY proved VERY useful!
This is really a great site! Hope you can help me………….
I’m about to spring for a Garmin 3790LMT to replace my tired 360 Nuvi. That said, I hope that I can use the Bluetooth feature to tie the 3790 to my car radio. Any thoughts on that? My 360 would connect to my Blackberry but would not connect to my car’s BT system.
Also, have they changed Google maps lately? I don’t see a way to send waypoints to a Garmin GPS any longer. Am I missing something?
Only the ones with A2DP Bluetooth do this, which Garmin has given up on for car units. It was found on the 765T, 775T, and 785T.
Huh, looks like Google has dropped this. I may try to investigate more once we get through the holiday weekend. Thanks for the tip.
re: Google Maps and send to GPS
Upper right hand corner. The little envelope icon, directly across from where you enter addresses/coordinates. Under the “Sign In” button.
I use FireFox 8.0 here so may be different on your browser
Clicking on it gives you multiple “Send’ options, including GPS
I’m not seeing it in Chrome or Firefox anymore.
Odd that you don’t see it. Directly above the map overlays “NEIGHBORHOODS” “LIVE TRAFFIC” and “MAP | SATELLITE” on the upper right hand corner of the displayed map??
I just tried it(sans GPS connected) and it fired right up in a pop-up and correctly informed me I didn’t have a device connected by stating “Please connect your device, turn it on and try again.”
When I did it before, all I got was an email option. Now I see the full range. Just a glitch I guess.
Hi, I had a question about the live trffic technology and wanted to find out which is more reliable and faster… the digital 3d traffic (which updates over the hd radio system) or is it the 3D Live traffic thats carried over the cellular network. If the latter why is it available on only 2 models and that too not the most recent ones and shouldn’t it be the standard over all the recent models. Thanks.
My impression is that there is more data flow over HD radio than 3G, where carriers limit the amount of data flowing over their network. But coverage is likely to be better in fringe reception areas with 3G than it is with HD. But I’m no expert on the traffic side of things, partly because I’m in an area without coverage, so you may want to ask at http://forums.gpsreview.net/viewforum.php?f=2
thanks very much for your prompt reply