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Standalone GPS devices still make sense for some users. They can spare your smartphone battery power and make it easier to make calls. Here are four "no regrets" choices:
The Garmin Nuvi 3597 provides local speed limits, traffic information for secondary and tertiary roads, and advanced lane guidance to help you get in the correct one for an exit. And the magnetic dock for the windshield mount that's included is easy to use.
The Garmin NuviCam LMTHD is pricey but useful. It alerts you if you're drifting from your lane, facilitates hands-free calls from a phone, and has a dash camcorder that will automatically retain video and still images in the event of a collision.
The Garmin Nuvi 57LMT points out landmarks, traffic lights, highway exits, and other points of interest, and includes free lifetime map updates and traffic alerts. The onscreen speedometer glows when you exceed local speed limits. It can be paired with a BC 30 wireless backup camera (sold separately) to show obstacles when you drive in reverse.
The Magellan SmartGPS 5390 includes Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling from your phone. Multidestination routing makes it easy to add stops along a route. And the unit shows you with clear visual cues where to change lanes before an exit.
Check out "Hidden Helpers in Your Phone," for more smartphone functionality.
This article also appeared in the October 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
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