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.
As the years roll on, the prices for portable GPS units have tumbled. Brand name devices now have list prices that begin from about AU$300, with shop prices regularly doing a limbo under that mark.
TomTom's easy-to-use interface has meant that its products have often been our pick when we get asked the "which GPS should I get for my mum/dad/partner/grandparents/friend/friend of a friend/friend of a friend's mum who's not so great with technology?" question. With the recent release of its fourth-generation One and its widescreen brother, the XL, we can unreservedly recommend TomTom to both technophobes and tech junkies alike.
The Mio DigiWalker C520, our favourite model from the class of 2007, gets another mention in this round-up because of recent price drops, as well as its nice mix of features and pleasing design. And although it's far from flawless, we've given the last spot in this coterie to HP's iPAQ 312 Travel Companion. Yes, its text-to-speech is almost useless but the classy design and the amazing screen keep drawing us back, kinda like that friend who's flaky and bad news but who's just so much damn fun to hang out with.
TomTom One (4th generation) 
Both the One and XL are great GPS units: compact, correctable, good looking and easy to use. At AU$349 we'd pick the narrow screen One every time though.
TomTom XL (2nd generation)
Compact, correctable, good looking and easy to use, the XL is a great portable GPS. But does its wider screen justify the AU$100 difference between it and the otherwise identical One?
Mio DigiWalker C520
Bluetooth, text-to-speech, massive screen and good looks make the C520 a good GPS. Its great price transforms it into a great GPS.
HP iPAQ 312 Travel Companion
It may not be entirely rational buying a GPS for its beautiful screen and multimedia features, but the 312 almost makes the case despite its numerous bugs and flaws.
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AV
28/12/2007 07:25 PM
This article is very contradictory to the cnet review that the Tomtom One v3 received. This article rates the v3 as the best GPS etc. However, the cnet rating for this model is only 4/10. On a personal note, I purchased this unit and am very satisfied for it.
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oinker11
26/03/2008 09:34 PM
Good luck getting any satisfaction out of the so called Navman Marketing team or their Product support. Both rate about 0/10 for my money. I am now looking at an alternative brand.
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AlisterD
22/06/2008 01:27 PM
Very informative
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alisterd
22/06/2008 01:28 PM
Vey good
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canberra_photographer
06/08/2008 07:43 PM
Mio C520, great pick. Large excellent screen, excellent Bluetooth handsfree and very good performance and design. The TomTom One though, expensive, no Bluetooth small screen.
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