New GPS navigation devices, ratings and methodology

That's right, we not only have tested nine new portable GPS navigation devices, but we have made changes to how the ratings are scored and displayed to better represent the factors that matter most to users. These revised ratings have been applied to all 55 models in our main ratings chart, including these new additions:

• Archos 605 GPS Bundle 
• Garmin Nuvi 205, Nuvi 205W, Nuvi 255, Nuvi 255W, Nuvi 880 
• Magellan RoadMate 1430 
• TomTom XL 330, XL 330 S

So why the change?
Since we accelerated our portable GPS navigation testing program last year, we have seen rapid product evolution. While testing about 100 devices in the past 12 months, we have been monitoring reader feedback in the Cars blog, forums, and through user reviews. We're seeing the desired product features, price points, and expectations are changing along with the products themselves. The insights have helped shape our understanding of what matters most to GPS users, providing guidance for our buying advice and general reporting.

To take this a step further, the Consumer Reports National Research Center surveyed more than 2,000 known GPS users to learn about their experiences—how they use the devices, what features matter most, and what they would want on their next device. (We'll explore the survey results further in a future report.) The survey findings have been used to refine how we weight certain performance attributes, leading to some changes in the rank order and overall presentation.

The most obvious change is that we have broken the ratings list into three sections: basic navigators, navigators with traffic optional, and traffic-ready navigators.

The survey reaffirmed that traffic is a key distinguishing feature. Of all the features listed, real-time traffic garnered the most interest: 49 percent of those users without the feature on their current device reported they would want it in the future. On the other hand, 46 percent of those whose devices had real-time traffic never used the feature.

We encourage shoppers to consider the cost, benefits, and likelihood they would truly use the traffic data before choosing a device. By splitting out the ratings into these three groups, you can readily identify the devices that excel with and without traffic capability.

We have added a traffic-specific rating that factors the traffic interface; type of receiver (external wire, power cord, or internal); how clearly the traffic issue is identified; where the traffic information is presented; traffic information on the events list; visual and verbal traffic alerts; time and distance to incident; estimated time delay; and numerous other performance-based elements. However, this scoring does not take into account accuracy or timeliness of traffic data. There are a finite number of suppliers of traffic information, and we have not see any differences in our testing in the greater New York area.

Behind the scores
A lot of work goes into our traffic ratings, however, we don't prioritize it. We feel real-time traffic information isn't a main reason to buy one navigator over another. We have found that all traffic-enabled devices have limitations, though some units are making notable progress such as the innovative Dash Express and TomTom 730T.

For the ratings, we prioritize in descending order:

• Ease of use – focused on entering destination and searching POIs
• Routing options / info for driver
• Controls 
• Mount design
• Portability, display, routing time, and traffic

We also now score for some convenience features, particularly those that have safety and value benefits, such as Bluetooth connectivity, trip computer, and if an A/C power cable and USB cable are included.

Ultimately, these minor adjustments were made to the ratings protocol based on how the products have evolved and feedback from users just like yourself. In addition, more features are now highlighted on the individual product pages, such as historic traffic data, location help function, and if the battery is removable. Going forward, we will continue to add detail to our ratings and make adjustments as appropriate to reflect new features and user priorities.

Online subscribers now have more information available to make a smart purchase decision. And if your priorities differ from ours, be sure to click the link atop the main GPS chart to customize the ratings, using the slick GPS selector that let's you filter and sort by the factors the matter most to you.

And finally, check out the state-of-the-art Garmin Nuvi 880 in a complete first look report and video.

—Jeff Bartlett

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.