Get More Than Directions

These GPS devices offer sweet extras such as weather reports, traffic information, AAA integration, and even Zagat Guides. ( From PC Magazine )

No road-tripper is without a GPS device these days—I mean who has the time to pull over to read bulky maps or stop for directions after making a wrong turn. In that last year or so, these devices have begun to sport a variety of handy non-navigation features too, including built-in audio and video players. While these functions are pretty cool, most enthusiasts will already have a better, dedicated device for this purpose. But recently, a few companies have really stepped things up, adding more practical features sure to make your drive less stressful and the stops along the way a bit more fun.

One of the challenges on the road is finding something decent to eat. Sure, there are always the familar fast food restaurants to fall back on, but what if you're in the mood for something special? You can check the POI (Points of Interest) database for nearby restaurants, but there's no way of knowing before you pull up whether it's a hole in the wall or a true gem. Navigon has partnered with Zagat to help foodies find the best cuisine along the way. With this feature you can access reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants golf courses, and nightlife and other attractions along your route.


Worried about getting a flat tire or breaking down in a strange area? You probably already have a AAA membership, but the Magellan Maestro 4040 helps you get the most out of it with AAA TourBook and roadside-assistance information built right in to the device. Just tap on the tow truck icon for toll-free numbers for both membership and assistance. Better yet, it takes the pressure off by providing your exact location, including street name, relative position, latitude, and longitude. You can also store your membership number in the device so you don't have to fumble in your wallet or glove compartment for it.

While live traffic is an extra with the 4040, the upgraded 4050 conveniently comes with an integrated traffic receiver (check back soon for our review). The Navigon 7100 offers a decent traffic solution for free. The LG LN740 has a built-in RDS receiver. To start, you get a free 90-day subscription to Navteq traffic information; after that you pay $60/year. You can see incident and construction data for most of the U.S. and you can program the device to route you around traffic jams.

Garmin takes things a step further with its nüvi 680. The capable device offers location-based services not only for traffic but also for weather, gas prices, and even movie information. For each service, available through the company's partnership with MSN Direct, the data displayed is based on your current location. Speaking of the weather, you can view data for other cities for better travel planning.


If staying on land is too limiting for you, the Lowrance iWAY 600C has a completely sealed waterproof case and offers complete marine navigation mapping data. Of course, it helps you navigate across land as well.

All of these devices include a large screen, a text-to-speech engine, and a powerful GPS receiver. Most also include Bluetooth speakerphones for hands-free calls. Check out summaries of the GPS devices mentioned above, and be sure to click through to the full review of each before you hit the road.

Garmin nüvi 680
LG LN740
Lowrance iWAY 600C
Magellan Maestro 4040
Navigon 7100

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Via PcMag.com