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Drivers are ditching traditional maps and taking a new direction with GPS navigation devices

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The Garmin Nuvi 200 GPS device sells for $349.95.

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FORT WORTH, Texas — The “other woman” rides up front with my wife and is in charge of giving directions.
No, there’s nothing kinky going on. The other woman is my GPS navigation system.
The system is voice-enabled, and the voice is female, so at least for me technology is imitating life — or at least my life before GPS.
GPS navigation systems may be the hottest innovation in the auto industry. Forget about remote car starters, or cars that parallel park themselves — a global-positioning-system device is practical, and it provides a definitive answer to the age-old question “Are we there yet?”
Well, according to my Magellan Maestro, not for another 112.7 miles.
Hand-held GPS devices have been popular with hikers and hunters, and some cost well over $400. Cyclists use them, and joggers can buy a GPS-integrated sports watch for as little as $150. So, a navigation system for a car must cost a small fortune, right?
That depends. If you buy a new car with an integrated navigation system, it will increase the purchase price by a couple of thousand dollars or more. If you buy a portable navigation system, you can spend about $200 or so for an entry-level model, and more than $1,500 for one with all the bells and whistles.
The biggest advantage of a portable system is that you can transfer it from one car to another. Systems are mounted on the windshield or dashboard. If you are traveling on vacation or business, you can take your navigation system to use if you rent a car at your destination. That saves the expense of paying the car-rental company for that option.
Garmin and Magellan are perhaps the two best-known brands, but TomTom, and Mio are other leaders in the field.
AAA, formerly the American Automobile Association, and Rand McNally have gone high-tech too, which makes sense given that navigation systems are making road maps obsolete. (Even if you can read one of those maps, have you ever tried folding it afterward?)
Thus, for those of us who are directionally challenged, a navigation system is a godsend.
It might be the greatest invention since the North Star.
People have become so enamored of them, they give them names — like they do pleasure boats.
My colleague’s husband named his navigation system “Sally,” and he doesn’t drive a Mustang.
But men, be forewarned. Even innocently picking a name out of a hat will prompt a spousal inquisition.
“And who is she? Some old girlfriend?”
Still, what a small price to pay for never getting lost again.
Besides, navigation systems do more than just tell you how to get there from here.
You can plot a trip with multiple stops along the way. You can choose from among different routes — faster time, shorter distance, avoid highways — and you can map points of interest (known as POI in the trade), which include hotels, restaurants, service stations and even ATMs.
There are caveats. Maps on lower-priced navigation systems may not be pre-loaded. They may not be “spell proof,” either, which means you cannot afford to leave out letters in a street name. A repairman recently had trouble locating our house because he misspelled the street name.
Newer models, however, are advertised as “spell proof.”
Many navigation systems also have to be updated with computer software provided by the manufacturer that will reflect changes in the road and highway system across the country. The United States, as we know, remains a work in progress.
There are high-end systems, though, that function in real time and alert you to road construction, closures and accidents, with alternative routes. There are also systems that are satellite-radio- and MP3-player-compatible. All of them are fairly easy to use with a keypad or touch-screen technology.
A word of caution — enter your destination into the system before backing out of the driveway. Typing while driving is an accident waiting to happen.
Because navigation systems have a map display, you have the option to mute “the other woman,” which of course you can’t do with … (finish this sentence at your own risk).
But why would you want to silence your voice-enabled system, anyway?
She is your beacon in the night, alerting you well in advance of upcoming turns and exits.
Her prompts become more frequent as you get closer.
“Make a left turn in 50 feet.”
“Make a left turn now.”
In fact, many newer models have voice-to-text, which not only tells you to turn but also names the street or highway so that you don’t have to look at the screen.
It’s like flying on instruments.
And if by chance you still miss that turn or exit — or stray off course because you spot a Starbucks sign — the other woman doesn’t rant or rave or throw a hissy fit. Or remind you of how you’ve done that before and maybe need to pay more attention.
In a calm, reassuring voice she says — “Recalculating” — and in a matter of seconds your navigation system will steer you in the right direction. And your former navigator will be happy, too, catching up on her sleep.
WANT A GPS? A BUYER’S GUIDE
BEFORE YOU BUY

Here’s some direction before you go to the store for a GPS device:

Pricey

Streetpilot 7500 by Garmin

$1,099.00; www.garmin.com

Features: With a 7-inch color touch screen, this model is designed for the recreational-vehicle crowd. Truckers use it, too. Automatic photo sensor adjusts to lighting conditions. Garmin Mapsource City Navigator database is pre-loaded and includes mapping for all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Text-to-voice technology (announces upcoming turns with street names). Can enter 25 addresses for one excursion. Optional GXM-30 antenna provides real-time weather forecasts, with maps and displays of weather conditions along the route. Optional antenna also provides real-time traffic reports with weather conditions on screen display through XM Radio. Subscription is required.

Best for: Whether driving cross-country on vacation or following your alma mater during the college football season, RV owners will find this navigation system a worthwhile investment.

A bargain

DigiWalker C220 by Mio

$199.95; www.mio-tech.com

Features: A 3.5-inch color touch screen; in-car charger; mounting holder; pre-loaded maps of all 50 states, including 3.5 million points of interest. Voice-enabled.

Best for: An affordable entry-level model that focuses primarily on navigation. A good choice for your son or daughter driving off to college.

Middle of the road

Go 910 by TomTom

$499.95; www.tomtom.com

Features: A 4-inch color touch screen; remote control so anyone in the car can operate; built-in MP3 player connection. Bluetooth technology for hands-free cell-phone calls; text-to-voice technology in eight languages. Pre-loaded U.S., Canadian and European maps. Connect to car stereo speakers with audio cable for enhanced sound. Built-in microphone notes the noise level in the car and adjusts the volume of voice instructions accordingly.

Best for: Those who want a fun, multifunctional gadget. You might just decide to spend time in your car even if you’re not going anywhere.

Nuvi 200 by Garmin

$349.95; www.garmin.com

Features: A 3.5-inch color touch screen; pre-loaded maps for the lower 48 states, Puerto Rico and Hawaii; built-in speaker for voice-enabled directions; more than 5 million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, ATMs, service stations. Built-in support for the travel kit that includes a JPG picture viewer, world clock, currency converter, measurement convert and a calculator. Will accept the optional Garmin Travel Guide and Garmin Language guide downloaded through an on-board SD memory card expansion slot.

Best for: Those who aspire to Garmin technology but want something more affordable.

RoadMate/ Crossover by Magellan

$379.95; www.magellangps.com

Features: A 3.5-inch color touch screen; pre-loaded maps of continental U.S., with almost 2 million points of interest. SmartDetour technology routes you around slow freeway traffic. Text-to-voice technology. Because of sleek, waterproof design, it can be used for hiking by switching to “Outdoor” mode.

Best for: Dual functionality and affordable price make it attractive for those who aren’t interested in all the bells and whistles. A good choice for the outdoorsman.

Maestro 4040 by Magellan

$499.50; www.magellangps.com

Features: A 4.3-inch color touch screen; Bluetooth technology for hands-free cell-phone calls; text-to-voice technology. Mapping for the entire U.S. and Canada, including 4.5 million points of interest. QuickSpell technology eliminates letter choices for street names or points of interest. Has built-in AAA travel information with access to lodgings and restaurants, AAA roadside assistance and discounts available through the AAA.

Best for: This is a more sophisticated navigation system for people who do a lot of traveling.

Maestro 4050 by Magellan

$699.95; www.magellangps.com

Features: A 4.3-inch color touch screen; pre-loaded U.S. and Canadian maps, with 4.5 million points of interest. Also has QuickSpell, Bluetooth and text-to-voice technology that is standard for Magellan in the higher-end price range. Voice command and control feature allows you to ask where the nearest service station, hotel, etc. is and get an answer.

Best for: Those who want a navigation system riding shotgun that you can converse with. And it never has to use a restroom.

Nuvi 680 by Garmin

$899.95; www.garmin.com

Features: A 4.3-inch color touch screen; features real-time gas prices, traffic alerts and weather through MSN Direct, a subscription service (first year free); Bluetooth and text-to-voice technology; pre-loaded maps of United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. City Navigator NT software provides almost 6 million points of interest. Has 700 megabytes of storage space for other programs as well as memory card slot for optional international maps and the addition of an MP3 player and audio books.

Best for: Technology freaks who must be on the cutting edge of every new electronic gizmo made. And who have money to burn.
Prices vary; systems may cost more or be discounted depending on the vendor

Sources: Magellangps.com; garmin.com; consumerreports.org; thegpsstore.com; tomtom.com; www.mio-tech.com

GPS devices are a hot ticket among consumers. There are hundreds of choices, a multitude of manufacturers and a wide range of prices. Consumer Reports suggests these basics to consider before making a purchase:
• Don’t forget that job one is navigation. Is the mapping detailed and accurate? Are maps pre-loaded? Other features should be secondary.
• Shop for a unit with a built-in battery that will operate for several hours on a charge. While all systems plug into your car’s 12-volt outlet, you may need the outlet to charge your cell phone. A built-in battery for your navigation system will enable you to have the best of both worlds. Some systems have an AC plug for charging at home.
• A voice-enabled system that speaks street names rather than says simply “turn left” can help you negotiate an unfamiliar area and is especially useful in downtown city driving where streets are clustered.
• A traffic-reporting function can be helpful to avoid lengthy delays because of road construction or a major accident.
• Look for a model that mounts to the windshield using a suction cup attached to either a ball-in-socket, rigid or gooseneck-type arm. If your destination is California or Minnesota, windshield mounting is illegal in those states.
• Consider the size of the unit. Smaller ones (no bigger than a wallet and weighing less than 8 ounces) are more portable and easier to pack in a suitcase but might be harder to read. Some models are the size of a paperback book and thus have a larger screen, especially helpful for older drivers.