Portable GPS Reviews

At last check, there’s something like a billion different GPS models on the market right now. It’s a hot market. The price on the technology has dropped in the last decade or so, so the demand has skyrocketed.

Unfortunately, it can get pretty overwhelming sorting through hundreds of units before settling on one you like. Here are some of the best reviewed GPS trackers…

Cobra NavOne 4500

A very accurate GPS. One minor complain is that route calculations can be a tad on the slow side, but the routes are accurate, and, when possible, the Cobra NavOne will give you multiple route options to choose from. The directions are voice guided, which make for nice hands-free control while driving, and the real time traffic feature is top notch, delivering reports on accidents, traffic jams, and harsh weather well in advance. You can usually expect to find the unit in the $700 range, so it’s really only for the full-time traveller.

Alpine PMD-B200 Blackbird

The Alpine Blackbird portable navigation system has an excellent, high resolution four inch screen, offers Bluetooth connectivity, has an SD memory card slot, a built in FM RDS traffic receiver, 3D map views and MP3 and WMA playback. It features a touchscreen and voice guided direction, as well. One downside is that route recalculations don’t always provide you with the most efficient routes. You won’t get lost, but the routes aren’t always as nicely laid out as with the Cobra NavOne. The unit usually goes for $500, which many feel is a little steep. If you can get a like-new used unit, or catch it on sale, though, it’s not a bad little GPS.

Harman Kardon GPS-810

The Harman Kardon GPS-810 is a nice, solid, evenly priced GPS unit (usually goes for about $350). Just the stats: Touchscreen, widescreen, WQVGA, 480×272 4.3 inch screen, pre-installed maps, Bluetooth hands free, traffic reports and FM transmitter, plays back music and video and can store photos on an SD card. Features 2D or 3D display, and offers text to speech directions (something oddly lacking in the Blackbird). All in all, it’s just a nice, solid GPS for general use Very well priced (it originally went for closer to $600, but the price has gone down a bit since). If there’s one downside, four hours of battery life isn’t exactly ideal for long trips. Of course, that’s what car adapters are for.