Here's a bit of cheer amid the economic blues. If you're in the market for a GPS navigator, it's actually a great time to buy one. More features are being offered, and prices on many have come down. Consumer Reports National Research Center just surveyed owners and tested almost 50 to help you find a good one.
All of them plot routes to a desired destination, track your location on an onscreen map, and provide visual and spoken turn-by-turn directions. Though some make entering destinations easier than others.
Real-time traffic information is becoming more widely available. Traffic flow can be displayed as color-coded lines. The GPS survey showed high interest in traffic services. But among those who already had the service, only half said that they actually used it. And while traffic information can come in handy, it can cost you. Typically, you have to buy a subscription for traffic services costing about $60 a year. If the unit doesn't have a built-in receiver, an external one can be about $200.
If traffic isn't a priority,
Consumer Reports recommends the Garmin Nuvi 200 for $150.
Consumer Reports also tested the Dash Express GPS, which provides real-time traffic information unit-to-unit. For example, if someone ahead of you on the road runs into traffic, you'll know about it.
Consumer Reports says the Dash works well when there are a lot of Dash users on the road. But where there are few, the info is going to be limited.
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