Choosing the best GPS navigator for Father's Day 2010

Jun 14, 2010 5:29 PM

All your life, Dad provided sage advice, shaping you into the person you are today. With Father's Day, there is an official holiday fast approaching to honor the man, and what better way to do so than by than telling him where to go? Or rather, treat him to a device that can provide him with route guidance and travel information, indulging his love of gadgets and the open road.

Choosing the best GPS navigator can be challenge, given the myriad models and features to select from. Buying one for someone else can be even tougher. Just as Dad would, we'll provide you with some basic advice for choosing one for Father's Day gift. Should you want to dig deeper, we have an extensive GPS buying advice section with specific ratings for dashtop car navigators, handheld hiking devices, and iPhone navigation apps.

Getting started
To narrow the field, consider your budget and how your father would likely use the device.

There are some good, previous-generation units available for $80 to $100. A more contemporary, modestly featured device will be in the $150-$175 range. And the latest navigators with all the bells and whistles sell for about $175-$250.

Is Dad likely to just use the GPS on rare occasions? For commuting in a major metropolitan area? Or for travel? Each answer will lead toward a different category and price.

If the GPS is just for emergencies, a small basic unit would be best. Even a simple unit like the recent TomTom Ease can help you get from Point A to Point B. Plus, a small device with a 3.5-inch screen and a compact mount would store easily in a center console or glove box.

Power commuters would welcome the added assistance of traffic information. Considering this is a gift, it would be appreciated if you could find a device like a Garmin Nuvi 265WT or the Nuvi 1350T that has free traffic information, rather than stick Dad with a device that requires a subscription for traffic. Check our ratings for routing options, info for driver, and traffic interface - the higher-rated devices can reduce stress when negotiating a new route through congestion. A common and recommended feature, text to speech can further help with clear instructions that include the full street names, rather than just "left" or "right" instructions.

When traveling, the added assistance of speed limit warnings, lane assist, and reality view can be much appreciated. These features direct dad to the proper lane for upcoming turns or exits on major roadways, and the graphics represent the real signs, making it easier to interpret the directions while driving. Even if traffic data isn't needed, historic traffic information can be a real help. This factors past traffic patterns into route guidance and estimated arrival times. When traveling through an unfamiliar area, this supplies a bit of local intelligence.

We find wide screens are easier to read. They provide more onscreen information than the 3.5-inch devices, and often the controls are large, making address entry easier.

Latest GPS Ratings
Our most-recent ratings update added:

Cydle T43H
GPS Navigation for Dummies FD-220
GPS Navigation for Dummies FD-420
Magellan SE4
Maylong ML-500
Motorola Motonav TN555
Motorola Motonav TN565t
Motorola Motonav TN765t
Rightway GPS Navigator Dale Jr.
TomTom EASE
TomTom XXL 540 S

Our testers are evaluating several new units from Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan.The tests won't be complete for this coming holiday, but should you need a new navigator for summer travel, be sure to check back.

In addition, we are posting iPhone navigation app ratings for the first time this week. We have found that there are several good app choices. If your father is an iPhone user, perhaps an iTunes store gift card and an app recommendation would be a good option. (See our iPhone nav app buying advice.)

If you do buy a unit for Father's Day, take the time to set it up with your Dad's home address, favorite points of interest, and family photos—if capable. After all, he likely assembled many toys for you through the years.

—Jeff Bartlett