Tech Tuesdays: Connected Portable Nav Test -- Internet Search Hits the Highway
You know that portable navigation system you recently bought? The one that tells you where you are, where you want to go and finds every Starbucks along the way? Except for the hundreds that are now closed? Chances are the Points of Interest (POI) database in your portable nav system is months old, which is why new connected portable nav systems make even the latest non-connected systems seem as outdated as those clunky old car phones.
Sure, if you're only want to get from Point A to Point B then almost any old nav system will do. But if you want dynamic, up-to-date POI info -- using Google search, for example -- then you'll want to check out our test of four new connected portable navigation systems from Alpine, Insignia/Best Buy, TeleNav and TomTom.
And they do much more than just help you find a caffeine fix.
Using a cellular connection (or an FM signal as an info carrier in the case of the Alpine unit) these systems can also get real-time traffic info, weather reports, gas prices, movie times, flight info, news, stock quotes and more. And two of the units have a Google search function that can find anything, just as if you were sitting at a PC -- and can then route you to it.
In fact, we found that Google search was a make-or-break factor and feature in our testing. While looking for an Apple Store, for example, the two Google-enabled units -- Insignia and TomTom -- found them without a problem, while the TeleNav unit did not. And while looking for a Trader's Joe's the TomTom unit found it but the Alpine unit didn't.
Beyond Google search, however, each unit had its strengths and weaknesses -- and all represent the next connected era in nav, which some automakers are already offering on a limited basis, as with Ford's Sirius Travel Link
.
But you have to pay for these conveniences: To get the connected services, each unit requires a subscription fee.
- Posted by
- Doug Newcomb May 26, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Automotive Technology, Car Audio and Electronics, Car Tech Tuesdays
- Technorati Tags:
- Alpine, Best Buy, Ford, Google, GPS Navigation, Insignia, Sirius Travel Link, TomTom
Weather reports would be the only function that would appeal to me to buy one of these things. But then, I would buy one and three minutes later, it would be outdated.
Since I don't live in the LA, or any other, metroplex, I don't have a need for it. I use the windows of my car and a sense of adventure to find things.
HAHAHAHA! You did it, Doug! you pulled the "Rex puts every crazy Navi on his windshield" test! That's a great pic!!! I forgot to tell you that you'll need a passenger to operate them all. LOL!
Doug, is mounting the nav unit on the windshield still illegal in CA and MN?
From Garmin's web site:
NOTICE TO DRIVERS IN CALIFORNIA AND MINNESOTA: State law prohibits drivers in California and Minnesota from using suction mounts on their windshields while operating motor vehicles. Other Garmin dashboard or friction mounting options should be used. Garmin does not take any responsibility for any fines, penalties, or damages that may be incurred as a result of disregarding this notice. (See California Vehicle Code Section 26708(a); Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section 169.71)
Why weren't any Garmins in the test?
"if you're only want to get from Point A to Point B then almost any old nav system will do"
Looks like I'll be buying any old nav system.
Traffic would be nice, but I don't want to purchase a cellular contract just for my nav system.
subytrojan: Mounting a nav system on the windshield of a vehicle is now legal in California in most instances: http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/30/windshield-gps-mounting-legalized-again-in-california/
And we decided to test the Alpine unit instead of a Garmin unit; both have MSN Direct. As an interesting side note, I did test the units in a Suzuki SX4 with the built-in Garmin nav, but I still prefer having a Google search function.
trackwrex: You should have heard all four units giving turn-by-turn directions at once!
Thanks, Doug. It looks like there are some stipulations, though.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/28/BA7H137HD1.DTL