New innovations in GPS navigation

Whew! The GPS manufacturers are so spread out at CES that I could use, well, a navigation system to track them down.

In our testing, we've found that portable GPS nav systems have gotten much better in recent years, but they still can't match the the best built-in factory systems for overall navigation functionality. Based on my travels at CES, however, it's clear that the aftermarket systems are now setting the pace in terms of innovation, integration, and features. For instance, while few factory systems offer real-time traffic reports, it's quickly becoming a price-of-entry feature for aftermarket systems.

Here's a brief rundown of some of the major innovations:

Real-time local information. Garmin announced that its nuvi 680 (pictured above) will be able to link to MSN Direct to provide — in addition to traffic and weather — such local information as fuel prices in nearby gas stations and movie times in local theaters. The nuvi 680 is priced at $999 and the MSN Direct service will be free for the first year and about $50 per year thereafter (or $140 for a lifetime subscription). Garmin's StreetPilot C580, available in February or March, will also have this capability.

Dual-function capabilities. Magellan's new CrossoverGPS performs the functions of both a driver nav system and a wilderness/marine GPS unit. It provides both road maps and topo-map coverage for the lower US 48 states and Canada. A limitation on its wilderness use, however, could be its 8-hour battery life. The unit began shipping this week and is priced at $549. Magellan's $499 RoadMate 2200T can also be upgraded to display topo maps for $50.

Internet searches and automatic map updates. A spokesman from Dash Navigation said that its upcoming GPS nav system will augment its internal points-of-interest database with Internet searches through Yahoo local search to be able to provide more detailed POI results (he used the example of being able to find "dim sum" instead of just a "Chinese restaurant." The Dash unit will also be able to receive automatic map and software updates either by WiFi or a cellular modem.

Car-to-car communication. The Dash system will also address traffic in two ways. It will come with a preloaded database of historical traffic-flow information for all major roads, which it will use in combination with real-time reports to provide the fastest route. It will also be able to relay traffic speed data wirelessly to other Dash units to provide additional real-time information. This latter feature is, of course, a minor advantage for now — given there will be relatively few Dash units on the road in the near future — but it's a sign of things to come on a larger scale.

Satellite radio integration. Direct Electronics is showing its $699 Scout 420 (pictured, right), which, by replacing its in-car cradle with a $99 option, can receive Sirius satellite radio signals and transmit them through a car's audio system through a FM modulator. It will be available by March.

New packaging. Pharos is integrating its GPS system into a new smart phone called the GPS Phone 600 (left). It's basically a Pocket PC PDA/quad-band phone with the navigation database built in. Available this spring, it will be priced at $600.

Roadmax is integrating its GPS system into a back-up warning system and into a rear-view mirror (right) that can be clipped onto a car's existing mirror.

And as I said in earlier, Eclipse's new AVN2210p in-dash head unit includes a detachable TomTom GPS nav system.

—Rik Paul, Automotive Editor

—Rik Paul