Selecting A Handheld Car Navigator - What features do you need?

If you are in the market for a handheld car navigator there are now many options available. We have highlighted some of the features of several models and hope these comments are helpful in your search for the right GPS navigator for you.

The features you need in a handheld car navigator are essentially the same as for the above 'True Car Navigators'. However, expect that the route generation and the map redraw speeds in the handheld models to be substantially slower than in the larger units with faster computers and more memory. Also the smaller screen can be more difficult (even impossible) to read accurately at arm's length on the dash. The 'beep' alert tells you to consult the screen for the next turn while all the information about the turn comes from the screen display. We judge these as a little bit less safe to use than the models with larger screens and voice command output.

Some of the handheld units we consider most suitable for automobile navigation include (in no particular order):

Meridian GOLD ($700), Meridian PLATINUM ($800) - These full-featured units offer automatic address-to-address routing within the unit.

They can come standard with a large memory (up to 2GB) in the form of a fixed, CF or SD Memory or with an optional fix. The Meridian series also have fast processors but have smaller screens than some other models listed.

Sportrak Pro ($665) - With Direct Route, these units offer automatic address-to-address routing within the unit. Sportrak units also offer FIXED map memory size in the range of 50megs to 128megs. While they tend to have smaller screens than some other models listed in this article, they are still ergonomically pleasing.

iQue 3600 PDA/GPS ($698) - Based on the Palm Pilot operating system (OS5) the iQue 3600 units offer automatic address-to-address routing within the unit. These units have an expandable memory capacity of up to 512meg with an SD card, which can hold a large quantity of maps. The screen has good brightness and washes out in sunlight less than some other models, but still can be a problem in direct sunlight.

Garmin GPS76CS ($682) - These basic units offer automatic address-to-address routing within the unit. They also come with a FIXED map memory size in the range of 50megs to 128megs.

Garmin GPS-60C ($620) - The GPS-60C appears to us to be the new 'GPS for all'. It comes with a Basemap and POI CD software, which allows upload and download of waypoints, routes and tracks. The unit provides 56 MB of map memory and have a smaller screen than some other models listed in this article.

Vista ($350)/Legend ($465) - The LEGEND and VISTA units offer a wide range of useful features. The VISTA unit has useful and interesting elevation profiling features that will be of great interest and use to hikers, glider and soaring enthusiasts, and private pilots among others. These unit offers automatic address-to-address routing within the unit but has a smaller screen than some other models listed.

VDO Dayton ($3800)(formerly Philips-Carin) and Alpine, Magellan 750Nav ($3,100) - These more expensive units have either a hard drive or CDROM (or DVD) drive for map storage and a fast processor. They also come with the option for external antenna capabilities.