GPS Systems > USB GPS Systems > $300 - $500

Advantages: very fast and quiet
Disadvantages: a bit expensive

The Garmin Nüvi 350 is based on the SiRFstarIII GPS chip, which boasts fast satellite-acquisition times and improved GPS-signal reception in areas where the view of the sky may be partially blocked by dense foliage or tall buildings. In addition to voice-guided, turn-by-turn driving directions, the Nüvi offers all the usual features we've come to expect from today's crop of in-car navigation systems, including automatic routing, the ability to save ...
...when you veer off course, and 2D and 3D map views. It also has text-to-speech directions through which the actual street name is spoken, and you can hook up an optional FM traffic receiver to obtain real-time traffic alerts. Unfortunately, the receiver will set you back another $214 for the hardware, and there's a $60-per-year subscription fee. ... Read review

Advantages: Big display, tells you street names, lots of points of interest
Disadvantages: Has trouble finding your location every once in a while

...decided to go with the Garmin Nuvi 650. It was the cheapest one with the most features we wanted. We are both very happy with it! Pros: -Nice big 4.3-inch display -Tells you street names (some other models will not give tell you street names) -Lots of points of interest and you can add more if you wanted to -Very easy to use -You can store pictures -Has an MP3 player Cons: -Sometimes you got to wait a bit for it to find your location even ... Read review

Advantages: VERY PORTABLE, CHEEP, VERY RELIABLE.
Disadvantages: LITTLE COMPLICATED TO USE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

the street pilot c580 is a really handy tool for when you are just popin out to an unfamiliar place. i used it on the way to football because i was playing somewhere 60 miles away and i got there within 30minutes and we pretty much didnt go through any traffic. it also fits on your dashboard sonits not an anoyying piece of kit it is well worth buying. it also works in other countrys so if u you want to go somewhere like france but you dont want ... Read review

Advantages: Small and worth the price
Disadvantages: Routes chosen

A friend of mine has this GPS system. He does like it and I find that it is actually pretty useful. The only thing that I do not like about it is that it does not take you on the same route back that you went in on. This confuses me and worries me that I am being taken in the wrong direction. It does try to take you on the shortest path but sometimes this is not the fastest path. It may take you through the center of town rather than down an interstate ... Read review

Advantages: Big Widescreen, Easy to use Controls, Stylish
Disadvantages: Price

...had been looking at the TomTom One, but his unit has much more to offer. It has a bigger widescreen for easy viewing. This really helps when you are trying to look at maps while driving. I have been to some very far out "off the map" places, and this thing has always updated correctly to show exactly where you are and the best route to reach your destination. This unit is a little higher than the TonTom One, but it is well worth it due to the extra ... Read review