navigation

Let's get one thing straight: this is not a dictatorship. You may have noticed that just below every bright red CNET editors' rating is a cool blue user rating. And just below every review is a place where you, dear user, can make yourself heard by writing a short, sweet user review! Sometimes the editors and the users agree, sometimes we butt heads, but both views are important to the big picture.

Nowhere are user reviews more important than in the GPS category. The core function of the device and the accuracy of its map data relies heavily on the geography and topography of the area where it's operated. A GPS navigator that performs perfectly near the CNET offices in San Francisco may not be as accurate in another city with more tall buildings blocking the sky. On the other hand, maps that aren't 100 percent accurate for our testing area may be perfect near you. That's why it's so important that we hear from our readers.

With that in mind, I've rounded up a selection of the portable navigation devices with the highest average user ratings. If you've got a favorite GPS navigator, pop over to our GPS reviews list and leave a rating! … Read more

The great, free car navigation app Waze (see Rafe Recommends) is getting an update today that gives it a limited hands-free, voice-controlled interface.

Waze is now perhaps the only app to use the phone's promixity sensor to turn on the input interface, since Google removed that feature from its iPhone Search app. A wave of the hand over the iPhone brings up the voice control prompt.

Waze only accepts a limited set of voice commands. You can navigate to two pre-sets ("Drive to home," and "drive to work"), and you can create traffic alerts, to … Read more

Getting from points alpha to bravo is cool. Getting there without going through a mind-numbing traffic jam is just the cat's pajamas!

These days, any old portable navigation device can accomplish the former, but the best differentiate themselves with their almost omniscient awareness of the roads between where you are and where you're going. A good traffic monitoring system can not only save you time, but can also help save you money at the pump and reduce your environmental impact by reducing the amount of fuel wasted idling.

With that in mind, I've rounded up a selection of the portable navigation devices with the best implementation of traffic data and avoidance technology, and even a few quirkier implementations of the tech below for your perusal. … Read more

If you own a TomTom GPS and you're a "Simpsons" fan, you're in for a treat.

For the past couples years, you had the option of putting the voice of Homer Simpson into your nav system. Now, TomTom has landed two more "Simpsons" cast members: Julie Kavner and Harry Shearer, who lend their considerable vocal talents to Marge Simpson and Mr. Burns, respectively.

Excellent.

These "Voice Skins," which sell for $12.95 apiece, take the place of the stock voices contained in your TomTom. (Actually, you can switch back and forth between … Read more

Remember MapQuest? You know, it was everyone's Google Maps before Google had ever invented Google Maps?

Well, now's your chance to get reacquainted, as MapQuest has recently launched a brand-new HTML5 mobile browser experience for iPhones and Android devices. With its more intuitive navigation and new features, the updated mobile site might just push MapQuest back into the realm of relevance.

So why would you want to use this revamped MapQuest rather than Google Maps? For one, when you get directions using MapQuest, the site gives you landmarks in addition to street names and numbers. For instance, it'… Read more

Waze, one of my favorite free GPS applications on the Android platform, is just a bit older and just a bit better with the version 3.0 update that hit the Android Market today.

New in this version is a complete interface overhaul with a less cluttered design that makes it both easier to look at and easier to use. Also new is an increased emphasis on social network integration, including Yelp and Foursquare search and the ability to check into Foursquare locales from within the app.

But seeing is believing, so check out our Waze 3.0 new feature … Read more

Stand back, folks, I think we've got ourselves a record-breaker here.

While supplies last, TigerDirect has the refurbished Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM 5-inch GPS for $69.97 shipped. That's after applying coupon code AXX51184 at checkout.

That's not only the lowest price I can recall for a 5-inch GPS, it's definitely the best deal I've seen on a 5-inch GPS with lifetime maps and traffic.

It's true: in addition to a nav system with a nice, roomy screen, you get a forever subscription to realtime traffic conditions and the latest North American maps. All for … Read more

I know what you're thinking, "Haven't GPS-enabled smartphones rendered the portable navigation device obsolete?"

True, an Android, Windows Phone, or iOS device running a navigation app such as Google Maps, Bing Navigation, GPS by Telenav, or Waze will handle the turn-by-turn needs of your average smartphone-toting techie. However, there are plenty of circumstances under which a standalone navigator still has its advantages and may be the best device for the job.… Read more

Google has blessed Android users with a free, turn-by-turn driving navigation app, but has withheld this function from Google Maps on the iPhone.

Developers, naturally, have seen this as opportunity, and there are several pay-for-play nav apps now in the App Store.

Nuts to that. The app I keep turning to for driving directions is Waze. It's free.

Waze is a traffic-aware nav app. Give it the same start and destination every day of the workweek and you might end up with five different routes, based on traffic. Waze gets most of its traffic data by using other "… Read more