The Map in the Machine

If you frequently drive in unfamiliar territory or simply hate straining to see street signs, then a navigation system might be a worthwhile investment.

These devices — formally called global positioning satellite (GPS) navigation systems — allow you to enter an address and get turn-by-turn directions to your destination. The directions are provided both visually and audibly.

The main question is whether to order one that is pre-installed on your new vehicle and integrated into the dashboard (we’ll call these “in-dash” systems), or to buy one of the many portable navigation devices that do virtually everything the built-in ones do, at a lower price.

There are pluses and minuses to both, and which one is right for you depends on your budget and where you drive.

The Low Price of Portability

Nearly 14 million portable GPS navigation systems were sold in 2006, compared to about 4 million in-dash units. The overwhelming popularity of portable navigation devices is due primarily to the fact that they’re significantly less expensive than the integrated variety, says Rob Sanderson, an analyst at American Technology research.

The GPS systems that car manufacturers install at the factory typically start at around $1,500 to $2,000 and increasingly come bundled with other expensive options like back-up cameras and radar-based cruise control that can send prices skyrocketing. By comparison, portable navigation devices have dropped 25 to 30 percent in price over the last two years, from the thousands of dollars into the hundreds. Some basic gadgets cost less than $300. “New portables are much cooler; the user interface is really good, they’re easier to use, there are better, brighter displays and other features, like carrying music,” Sanderson says.

Still, the abundance of choices can be daunting and the quality can vary. Check out our slideshow for an overview of several popular portable units.

Bear in mind that not all cars offer in-dash navigation systems, so in those cases a portable would be the only option.

Freelance photographer Ken Goldfield says he loves the Garmin Nuvi 350 portable navigation device he bought two years ago. "I have not looked at a map since I got this little piece of electronic wizardry," he says. "I would be lost without it. This has become one of the most valued pieces of equipment next to my cameras and computer that I rely on to get my work done."

The latest generation of portable navigation devices takes full advantage of voice recognition, and higher-end units, like Garmin’s Nuvi 680 ($850), add features such as Microsoft's MSN Direct network to call up local gas prices and movie times.

But the portables are not without faults. Sometimes the terrain — such as the tunnels and concrete canyons of New York City — interrupts the satellite signal and prevents them from functioning continuously. This is where the pricier systems that auto manufacturers install at the factory may have an advantage: Because they incorporate sensors in the car’s steering system, throttle, and wheels, the more sophisticated in-dash versions can project the path of the vehicle on the route map, even when the satellite signal that serves as the guide for all navigation systems gets interrupted. But even they are not completely foolproof.

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