Best portable GPS navigators

By Derek Fung on 06 November 2009

All brand name portable GPS units will get you safely from A to B, but some do it better than others. We nominate a clutch of navigators we'd happily junk our Gregory's or Melway for.

These might not be the cheapest GPS units out there, but their mix of features, value and performance make them our picks.

With the XL 340's faster processor, 4.3-inch screen, map correction ability, easy-to-use interface and comprehensive lane guidance, TomTom remains our first pick when we're presented with the inevitable "which GPS should I get myself/my better half/my parents?"

The XL 340 does miss out on Bluetooth hands-free and if this is a must, the friendly Garmin Nuvi 1390 should be a good companion. It too features comprehensive lane guidance and a 4.3-inch screen. The Navman MY50T may not have Bluetooth hands-free, nor lane guidance that's as comprehensive as the TomTom or Garmin, but it does come with a larger than normal 4.7-inch touchscreen and traffic messaging.

TomTom XL 340

Bedecked in black and furnished with IQ Routes, a new faster, snazzier interface and lane guidance, the XL 340 is identical to the One 140 except, you guessed it, it has a wider 4.3-inch screen.

User rating:9
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Topics: gps, navigation, satellite navigation, personal navigation device, pnd, portable, in-car, lane, guidance, 4.3-inch

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Comments (17)

  • Karl commented on 12/11/2009 19:07 Report abuse

    I don't really like how the Garmin navigates me around. A trip from Eltham, VIC to Sugarloaf Reservoir (VIC) ended up bringing me on Gravel Roads (even when the Unpaved Road Avoidance setting was on). I had the Garmin, TomTom and Navman on my windscreen, and only the TomTom brought me on a main road (and the safest option).

  • Car GPS reviews commented on 12/11/2009 18:10 Report abuse

    If you spend much time driving in unknown territory, i.e if you rent cars in big cities, a good portable GPS makes an awesome difference.Car GPS reviews are the most reliable source of information that provides all the latest info about different car GPS systems. I did some research and finally decided to buy this unit, and after using it for a couple of weeks, I am really happy with it.

  • dandybat commented on 12/11/2009 10:58 Report abuse

    I have unfortunate unpleasure to own Navman S90i for almost two years and agree with previous comments and would never buy anyhing related to Navman.Period.

  • Romz commented on 12/11/2009 01:51 Report abuse

    Navman touchscreen was rediculous. I couldn't get over how bad it was to use, and i brought it back to the goodguys straight away with that exact complaint. That, and it would warn me about school zones when it was clearly not during school hours, ie on weekends. Luckily myer were having a promo on the tomtoms and were selling it cheap, so the goodguys not only matched it, but beat it by 10%. The tomtom is a hell of alot better, the menus are easier to read, they use big icons instead of a scroll through menu which makes it alot easier when you're driving. (I know, you shouldn't operate your GPS while driving). Both GPS's didn't work too well in Sydney's CBD, which is probably where you need it most. I doubt there is a GPS unit out there that works well down King st Sydney.

  • GPS TRAUMA commented on 06/08/2009 09:29 Report abuse

    I agree with all psots in regards to the NAVMAN products. I have two (2) S80 models for different vehicles. Not only do Navman commit highway robbery on the mapping prices for updates, when I purchased a discounted update for 2008 maps, it wouldn't load on to both units and when trying to install them on my second unit it siped everything and didn;t install. I have contacted Navman (and I use this term more than LOOSELY) Customer Support twice and have still gained no response to my queries. Navman are non exsistent when it comes to Customer Service and Support. They are too busy trying to make billions of dollars and don;t care about the consumer once the product is purcahsed. They are only interested in sales and making money. Very disgruntled with Navman as a whole and would NEVER RECOMMEND ANYONE TO PURCHASE OR USE THEIR PRODUCTS.
    *** To NAVMAN - why don;t you pull your heads out of your bank accounts and actually take note of all the unhappy customers you are making and rectify the issues ASAP. you are a disgrace.

  • BrianJ commented on 06/07/2009 21:19 Report abuse

    I have a Mio 360, it is an excellent GPS with the Bluetooth handsfree, and the interface details. It had the latest 2008 Mapping, but i question the mapping data as some of it is so out of date in my local area, it is just a joke, major roads that have been there for 5years, and it wants to follow the horse and cart route. There seems to be a break down between Mapping Providers and Govt Agencies, as all data is out there. We pay good money for these devices, we deserve accurate maps 12mthly
    across Australia, not just the cities.

  • Anaclato commented on 18/06/2009 15:42 Report abuse

    I bought a Navman N40i several years ago and it worked very well,even navigated it,s way back to a stored photo of my house. Recently it told me where I was travelling 10 k,s ago so sent it away under warranty and now have it back. It now tells me where I was 15 k,s ago Farewell forever Navman.

  • No GPS guru commented on 30/05/2009 17:36 Report abuse

    Righto, so you are spruiking the Laser unit and don't see a use for a bigger screen? Mmmmm. Bigger screen equals easier viewing and TOMTOM XL lets me know my exact speed without eating into the map area.
    Plus Map is easier to see.

  • The-GPS-Guru commented on 19/05/2009 18:55 Report abuse

    I never cease to be amazed by the people who insist that you MUST have a wide-screen GPS device ... ABSOLUTE RUBBISH, and here is why. The principal reason for an in-car GPS is to be given driving instructions to get from Point A to Point B and be alerted about speed zones, exceeding teh speed limit and immenent known, fixed Red Light and Speed cameras ... all that can be given on a standard 4:3 non-wide-screen. PLUS ... you should be listening to the driving instructions NOT browsing through the wide-screen details of street names of streets you are not even driving on, but happen to be parallel to eth street you ARE driving on and other junk, WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING ... PLUS ... the bigger the screen, the MORE likely that it will obscure your vision through your windscreen AND IN SOME STATES THAT WILL COP YOU A FINE!!! ... so ... the SMALLER the screen, the better ... as long as the unit has excellent spoken driving directions that state the street name, such as "in 400 metres turn left into Smith Street".

  • Slugger commented on 14/05/2009 12:22 Report abuse

    Well I own 2 Navman GPS
    My firs GP is a iCN 520 and I have a Navman S45. Both have locked up and caused me trouble. The S45 is a big improvement on the older one but it still has bugs.
    I also have a Etrex HC garmin and fid it works very well.
    My next Incar Navagation GPS will be Tom Tom or Garmim.
    Navman was the best a few years ago but stay away from them.
    There is no support and no updates.

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