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Best GPS devices of 2009

Despite GPS devices reaching the point of ubiquity this year, we wade through the morass to pick our devices of the year.

TomTom Go 950

Top of the range it may be, but features-wise it's a mixed bag — props for the excellent windshield mount, boo for the deleted FM transmitter and MP3 playback, and missing traffic capability. Indeed, with its collection of Australia, NZ, European and North American maps, it's best for frequent flyers.

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Reviews

  • TomTom Start

    Featuring a simplified menu structure and detachable (extra cost) covers, the Start features a 3.5-inch touchscreen, text-to-speech and map correction.

  • TomTom XXL 540

    The extra X in the XXL 540 is there to denote the unit's large 5-inch touchscreen. It also features map correction, and junction view and lane guidance.

  • TomTom Go 750

    The TomTom Go 750 features a 4.3-inch screen, a decent windshield mount, Bluetooth hands-free, voice commands, map correction, lane guidance and junction views, but misses out on the FM transmitter from last year's Go 730.

  • TomTom iPhone car kit

    Featuring a built-in GPS receiver, microphone, speaker and charger, TomTom's iPhone car kit has certainly been a long time coming, but it's finally here.

  • Cygnett GrooveTransmit

    It mightn't offer the best fidelity, but the GrooveTransmit is a handy, non-invasive way of getting your MP3 collection to play through the car stereo.

  • Navman MY500XT

    Improved, but still deeply flawed. We'd suggest checking out the lesser fruit from the Navman tree first.

  • Nokia E52

    At first sight the Nokia E52 won't set your heart racing, but its excellent battery life and ease of use make it a smartphone worthy of consideration.

  • Pioneer AVIC-F10BT

    Pioneer's top-of-the-range in-dash navigation unit, the F10BT features a 7-inch touchscreen, movie playback including DivX, Bluetooth hands-free, USB connectivity and iPod support, as well as sat nav with text-to-speech, 3D view and traffic messaging.

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Features

  • Best large-screen GPS navigators

    For the last several years, GPS units have come in two sizes: 3.5-inch and 4.3-inch. Fast forward to 2009 and larger sizes are now not only common, but affordable too.

  • Best FM transmitters for the car

    Not all iPod FM transmitters are created equal — some have dodgy cradles that fling your iPod around the cabin, others roll over at the first sign of interference. We pick three of the best, so you have your tunes everywhere you drive.

  • Best budget GPS navigators

    With the words crisis and meltdown being a regular feature in newspaper headlines, we investigate some of the cheaper GPS options out there.

  • Best portable GPS navigators

    All brand name 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 junk our Gregory's or Melway for.

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  • GPS deals for Christmas

    It's Christmas and the season for giving, whether it be to loved ones or oneself. We check out what deals GPS makers are willing to make to separate us from our cash.

  • TomTom iPhone car kit now in US, UK, EU

    TomTom's car mounting cradle for iPhone has been quietly snuck into the Apple Store. Unfortunately for us antipodeans, though, that's overseas Apple Stores, not the local version.

  • Better Place's software tells you where you can go

    Better Place founder Shai Agassi is ready to show off his software industry experience to improve electric vehicles. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, the electric car service company will show off in-car software designed to ensure that electric car drivers have enough charge to keep driving.

  • Father's Day gift guide

    Let someone else buy the ties and tool kits for dad. If you really want to win him over, get him one of these tech presents.

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DIYs and How-to

  • GPS buyer's guide

    Prices for GPS devices and apps have come down in the last year and many of us are looking at jumping on the bandwagon. We take a look at how it works, why you should (or shouldn't) buy a GPS, as well as key features to look out for.

  • Top GPS features

    So you've decided you're going to get a portable GPS device, but what features should you look out for and which brand is best at what?

  • Geotagging your digital photos

    Struggling to keep control of your growing collection of digital photos? Breathe easy — you're not alone.

  • Geotagging links photos to locales

    Attaching location data to images enables new ways to search photos, give slide shows or be a virtual tourist. For now, early adopters only need apply.

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Downloads

  • MacGPS Pro

    Connect a GPS to a map display on your Mac.

  • Pictomio

    Manage and geotag your photo and video collection and locate them on maps.

  • Google Maps with GPS Tracker

    View your real-time physical position on moving Google Map.

  • ShowGPS

    Bring a GPS/POI/Map/Tracking tool to your PC.

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The Explain Series

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