I first heard of a Goodyear-licensed GPS a year ago at CES, but it wasn't until this year's show that products were actually demonstrated. I didn't have the highest hopes for the Goodyear GY145 ($199.99 list) from navigation newcomer The NCC, ...

Features a 4.3-inch screen at an entry level price. Text-to-speech conversion. Predictive text entry. Simple menus

No multisegment routing. Includes maps for only the 48 contiguous states. Directional prompts are not given at proper intervals. No live traffic updates

This Goodyear-branded, value-priced, entry-level GPS offers a solid navigation experience and a lot of screen for the price, but it lacks many of the creature comforts, like live traffic updates, that you'd get from other more seasoned GPS makers.

Given the current state of the economy, not everyone has the budget to spring for a GPS device. Fortunately, last fall Garmin revamped both its entry-level nüvis in the 200 series as well as its midlevel offerings in the 700 series. I took a look at ...

Includes maps for the U.S. and Canada. Text-to-speech. Lifetime free traffic. ecoRoute feature can save you money on gasoline

No multisegment routing or Lane Assist. Bluetooth interface didn't read contacts/call history

The Garmin nüvi 265T offers a lot of bang for the buck, including free traffic updates and features for smart spenders.

Text-to-speech functionality used to be a high-end feature on GPS devices, but that's been changing. The TomTom One 130-S ($149.95 list) is part of the company's entry-level lineup. Like the $129.99 base-model One 130, the One 130-S features a 3.5 ...

Maps for U.S. and Canada. Easy to use. Text-to-speech. Live traffic updates. Upgradable via "Home" application

Mounting bracket is a bit awkward to use. Low speaker volume. No SD card slot for map expansion

TomTom's new entry-level GPS offers a lot of bang for the buck from navigation leader.

If I asked you about Alpine Electronics, you'd likely automatically think high-end, in-dash car audio or maybe even in-dash GPS, but how about a portable navigation device? Probably not. Alpine's new mid-market PND-K3 ($349.95 street) shares a number ...

Easy to use. Text-to-speech conversion. Excellent Bluetooth phone interface. Six-million-entry POI database. Maps include U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and U.S.V.I

No live traffic updates and no option to add the feature. Doesn't display current speed on map view. Calculated some questionable routes on my tests

Alpine's PND-K3 portable navigation device packs a lot of features for its price, but on our tests, some unexpected routes surprised us.

What a difference a year makes in the GPS market. Early in 2008, Garmin introduced its top-of-the-line nüvi 880. With a list price of $999.99, the 880 was the first portable GPS to feature voice-recognition capabilities for virtually all commands. Now ...

Voice recognition. Text-to-speech conversion. Enhanced MSN Direct services. Lane view and Junction View. Maps for U.S. and Canada. Solid Bluetooth phone support

Expensive. Flight Status function caused the system to crash during testing

Garmin's top-of-the-line nüvi 885T replaces the excellent 880 but adds more features, and comes at a lower price.

It's no secret that people are tightening their purse strings this holiday season. Rather than considering a midrange or top-of-the line GPS model, for example, consumers may opt for a more basic device. The good news is that you can get a lot of bang ...

Good value. Shares many of the features and user interface of more-expensive units. Multisegment routing

Small, 1.3 million-POI database. No text-to-speech

As an entry-level model, the Magellan RoadMate 1200 offers good value, but at $50 (list) more, the RoadMate 1212 is a significantly better deal.

If you've been having trouble finding a large-screen GPS navigation devicesay, for your truck or RVthat is within your budget, don't despair. The solution to your problem might be literally right in front of you: It's your laptop. For less than $100, ...

Text-to-speech. Multisegment routing. Easy-to-use interface. Included Garmin Online Services

Live Internet connection required to access online services. Hotel and fuel pricing available for current location only. Must have satellite fix to get data for nearby hotels and fuel

Garmin Mobile PC leverages your laptop investment to provide you with a Garmin navigation experience for less than $100.

In the gadget universe, one thing is for sure: Any given product is only the top-of-the-line for a short time before new technology steps in and makes it old news. For Magellan, the Maestro 4350 is the new flagship navigator, and it replaces the older ...

User interface is improved from the Maestro 4250. New OneTouch feature lets you access frequently used destinations or searches quickly. Six-million-entry POI database. Can calculate up to three route profiles simultaneously

Voice recognition found in previous models has been removed. Current speed not displayed in map view

The Maestro 4350, the new flagship navigator in Magellan's product line, includes features that make it a worthy upgrade. But bargain hunters may prefer the older yet still solid 4250, which you can pick up online for $200 less.

want a sprawling 4.3-incher. Thanks to major dips in GPS prices across the board, though, you can find a more fully featured device for the price of an entry-level model a year agoif you're willing to take a chance on a product from a little-known ...

Excellent value. Simple menu system. Text-to-speech conversion

Limited routing options. Relatively small (1.6-million-entry) POI database. No vehicle profiles, live traffic, or Bluetooth

The Nextar Q4 offers the features of a midlevel GPS, packing a 4.3-inch screen, solid navigational prowess, and text-to-speech functionalityall at an entry-level price.

In the portable GPS market, most mid-range and premium navigation products have a fairly predictable set of featuresit's rare to see a unit that's truly unique. Amenities like a 4.3-inch screen, live traffic updates, built-in maps, a robust POI ...

Large, 4.8-inch screen. Outstanding graphics in Panorama View 3D. Lifetime traffic subscription included. Text-to-Speech. Multi-segment routing. Fast route calculation times

Expensive. Relatively limited POI search capabilities

The robust Navigon 8100T features a large screen which shows an impressive 3D panorama viewbut the eye candy doesn't come cheap.