SMACKDOWN

Which Garmin GPS Unit Is Best?

You ranked Garmin as the best GPS brand in our inaugural Readers' Choice poll. So we decided to create a little friendly competition between three of its devices, awarding top honors based on performance, cool features, value, and looks.

By Andrea Minarcek, Thursday, Sep 30, 2010, 2:08 PM  |  Subscribe to the magazine

Cool add-on features: You can wirelessly link your Bluetooth-compatible cell phone to the 3790T, and whenever you receive a call, an icon appears on the GPS screen to alert you. If you choose to accept the call (you can either press the icon or say "Answer call"), the GPS acts as a speakerphone. During your call, the audio directions are silenced—so it won't interrupt you. The result: hands-free navigation and communication, a revelation for people who log a lot of time talking on the phone in the car. It also has 3-D maps; major landmarks, like the Empire State Building, are shown in especially lifelike detail.

Verdict: I am a fast-talker, and I felt frustrated by how often this unit had trouble recognizing my spoken commands. More often than not, I found myself giving in and typing in my destinations, so I'd rather stick with a cheaper unit. However, if you like to talk on the phone a lot while you drive, then this one may be worth the extra money.

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Note:This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
 

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