I keep seing more and more GPS systems for sale everywhere and now even target is carrying them! They run about $500 to $1000 but are they really as good as the commercials make them seem? Are they really going to be able to accurately tell you what turn to make and when and not get you lost?

Sorry but I am always skeptical of new things

I couldn't get around without my Garmin C330, but there are many different models to choose from. I've seen the C330 advertised recently for around $300. Only real complaint is the screen washes out a bit in direct sunlight.

It's the perfect size for traveling and using in a rent car. You can program in the addresses before you leave.

IME, it's been very accurate, taking me to some out-of-the-way places. Also very useful is the points-of-interest database that can find you millions of restaurants, gas stations, stores, parks, beaches, etc.

I have a GPS system built into my car, and I bought a portable one to take on trips when I am going to rent a car. I love them. I used to spend a lot of time lost in strange cities. Now I can get where I'm going easily and I feel free to drive around and explore if I have free time. Last summer I rented a car and drove around Maine. I just followed interesting roads and when I was ready to get back to my hotel (or wherever) I just input the address and had the GPS give me directions to wherever I had to be. Having a GPS system has made life much easier for me. I haven't had any problems with either of the systems I own and I feel much safer driving now than I ever did before.

I have a Garmin eTrex C, which I plug into my laptop sitting on passenger seat or passenger lap (the then newly designated co-pilot).

This way, I can preplan and layout my route at home from say the airport to hotel to whatever....after that, it's keep the "arrow" on the line and no problem.

Honestly, it makes travel/driving so much easier, especially areas you're unfamiliar with and of course overseas.

The fact that many will also point out gas stations, food, rest areas and more is another bonus.

I have a portable one I take wtih me when I travel and I couldn't picture traveling without it. Even if I planned out every turn on paper or something an accident construction whatever could cause me to change my route and the GPS handles it all.

Need to pick up a co-worker for dinner? Tap in their address and off you go.

Yes they are that good, they will say bear left in 1 mile, things like that.

I love the Garmin line, many good things to say about them but if you search for GPS here you will hear some good things about some other brands people own.

You can certainly get a portable one with maps for less then the prices you quoted.

So some of the advertised GPS navigators/handhelds say they come pre-loaded with US maps. What happens when you want to use it in nother country? Does the GPS automatically download the right maps when you switch it on and it realizes you're in Italy (for eg)? Or do you need to download the maps yourself? Is there an additional cost for the extra maps? is there a monthly/annual service plan you need to sign up for over and above the purchase of the unit?

You'd need to buy any additional maps and either download them from a DVD to the internal memory in the GPS, or some manufacturers offer some of their maps on external storage cards you can simply plug in to the GPS. For example, the list price for Garmin's Europe maps ranges from $174.98 to $299.99, depending on the version.

Garmin (and I'm sure Magellan and others as well) offers periodic updates of its maps, I've updated my Garmin twice in the last 18 months. First update is usually free, then $75.

If you've already got a Bluetooth, SDIO or CF enabled PDA, you may want to consider a Bluetooth GPS "puck" and software such as iGuidance. Turn-by-turn directions, POI (points of interest such as restaurants, gas stations, museums, parking, etc), storable "favorites," and pretty much every feature available in the dedicated units.

Bundles with the receiver and software are well under $200 . . . the Bluetooth receivers are about the size of a "C" cell battery.

I use iGuidance 3 on my Dell Axim X51v along with a GlobalSat BT338. Satellite acquisition is in the 15-30 second range, route calculations are reasonably fast, and the POI database is quite good. You can also customize the map sets loaded onto the PDA to conserve memory (I bought a 4GB CF card for my PDA an loaded everything on it, though).

I have a Garmin iQue 3600 -- which is a palm device with a built in GPS. The screen is smaller than post car based systems, but at 3.8" diagonal is larger than the typical handheld and works fine for me. I have a car mount at home (which sometimes I take on trips). It also plays MP3 and you can read eBooks on it so it is a multi-purpose device. Sadly discontinued by Garmin

That being said, when "Betty" finally goes to the great recycle bin in the sky, I'd be inclined to get another PDA with a bluetooth GPS as PorkRind has.

I have a Garmin (Can't recall the model number) and paid $900.00 for it. It's really great. It routes you around any accident or traffic tie up. We used one in Ireland and never got lost once. When we got home we immediately went out and bought one.

A much cheaper solution is a GPS receiver that plugs into your laptop + mapping software for the laptop. It works great, but it is really awkward in practice since you have to have the laptop sitting on the seat next to you. Go with a dedicated unit. My wife loves our Garmin Streetpilot.

Mio 330x has been showing up at places like CC and Staples for appx $200.

Also plays MP3's out of the box.

The software is "overlaid" on top of a Windows CE operating system. You can hack the unit, load an SD card with whatever software you want in addition to the GPS mapping program (ie spreadsheet, notepad, calculator, Doom, etc) and you are off to the races. An SD card can also hold additional maps (Canada, Europe etc).

Native maps are 3-4 yrs old but an update should be coming soon. Also, the supplied package might not be the best if you are doing lots of offroad/tertiary road travelling. For the 98% of us that stick to paved roads, the software should be fine.

The GPS comes with a USB cable for connection to your PC/laptop. There should also be a way to download the NMEA string generated by the GPS so that you can use the GPS with your own PC map package (ie Fugawi for offshore and aviation sectionals or one of the MS/DeLorme programs for more detailed mapping)

Got mine last week and I am still on the learning curve. So far, so good.

I use the VZNavigator software on my Verizon LG8300 phone.

Despite the very small screen, this is an amazing piece of very useful software.

Used it earlier this week finding locations in San Francisco. The small screen wasn't an issue becuase the voice output for turns was loud, clear, and easy to follow.

So...yes, these portable GPS car navigation systems are great.

After debating for several months I ordered a TomTom One for myself for Christmas. I had mixed reviews from people on here, but lots of people did like it. It is also small enough to drop in your shirt pocket whan you get out of the car.

I ordered it from Abe's of Maine for $429 with a $100 mail in rebate, $329 seemed like a good deal to me. On TomTom's website they have a map update available for free until the end of March so it should be pretty current.

After much input from everyone here, I purchased the TomTom GO910 for my partner for Christmas.

I tell you... he loves it. It has US, Canada and Europe maps all loaded. It does not use memory cards... has 20 meg of memory... and the maps and software use about 4 of that. He has also downloaded all his IPOD music onto it... and uses his cellphone via bluetooth with it.

One great feature is that it tells you the name of the street you should turn on... not just "TURN LEFT" or "TURN RIGHT".

I highly recommend this one... I also bought it from Abe's with a $100 rebate.

William