GPS

In a mature market such as that for personal navigation devices, it's difficult to come up with unique features that differentiate a new product from the competition. But Magellan has done just that with the Magellan RoadMate 3065 ($150, price as of December 22, 2010). The RoadMate 3065 is designed specifically for business travelers and commuters.

The TomTom XL 350-TM ($170, price as of 1/5/2011) should appeal to both existing fans of TomTom navigators and newcomers alike. Like other models in the XL 350 series, this unit boasts a 4.3-inch touchscreen.

If you're shopping for a bargain-priced GPS, searching for the previous year's models is often a good place to start. One of the current best finds is the Garmin Nuvi 265WT. While it still carries a hefty list price of $220 on the Garmin Website (as of 1/21/2011), you can generally find it online for $100 less.

Each of the GPS manufacturers offers an almost dizzying array of products--each with just slightly different features. The key challenge in buying a GPS navigation device is to determine which features are must-haves and which ones would just be nice to have. Once you make that determination, buying the perfect GPS becomes simpler. Over the past several years, larger screens have been the trend for dashboard GPS devices. Devices with a 4.3-inch screen have almost completely replaced devices with 3.5-inch screens. Still, some people might prefer a smaller screen device. And, often, but not always, the smaller screens could mean a cheaper price. Such is the case with the Garmin Nuvi 1260T.

The world of iOS-based GPS navigation apps has matured since we last reviewed this category, and the situation has improved. These apps are designed to mimic standalone navigation hardware, those dash-mounted or in-dash devices that guide you to a destination, navigating with the aid of visual cues and maps and often complemented with spoken directions and street names. Both standalone devices and iOS apps can integrate live traffic information for alerts and active rerouting, too.

If you're looking for a portable GPS navigation device with a mammoth screen, Magellan's new RoadMate 1700 could be just the thing.

Competition in the connected GPS market is starting to heat up. Earlier this year, TomTom introduced its $370 Go 740 Live GPS device, staking a claim to the market for navigation devices with a built-in cellular radio (for real-time services such as traffic, weather, and Google Live Search). Now, Garmin counters with its $500 Nuvi 1690.

Getting around town isn’t as easy as it once was. Whether you’re walking or driving, you’ll need a tool to help you find your way. The four GPS devices reviewed here will get you headed in the right direction. But which is the best of the bunch?

Powered by TeleNav, which also produces AT&T Navigator, Sprint Navigation gives verbal, turn-by-turn directions with live traffic alerts offering detour suggestions.

Traveling a lot, and feeling lost? You don't have to remain directionless--and you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a dedicated GPS navigation device, either. AT&T Wireless, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless all have their own navigation applications for their GPS-enabled phones.