5 safe GPS Navigation options for shoppers on a budget

by Stephen_Danos · October 21, 2013

By Phil Hornshaw

Smartphones today are often used as handheld GPS navigation devices, but they’re not exactly the safest option for drivers who need to use GPS to find their way around. Looking down at a smartphone isn’t exactly smart, but traditional GPS devices often come with windshield mounts so you can check them without having to turn your head. You’ll find lots of GPS navigation devices on sale at Overstock.com, in all kinds of price ranges — even if you’re on a budget. Plus, the site offers as much as 5 percent Cash Back, too.

Navigation on the cheap

The budget end of the spectrum for GPS devices is significantly cheaper than upgrading to a new smartphone, especially with sales in play. Buyers trying to keep things on the low side of the cost spectrum can go with the TomTom XL 340 GPS Navigation System, which comes with the “bonus kit” of a carrying bag and cleaning gear, for $84.

Also coming in at the $84 mark is the Garmin nuvi 3.5-inch Portable GPS Navigator. It doesn’t come with the same bonus kit, but does rattle off spoken street names, includes pre-loaded maps, and shows a “junction view” to let you see important intersections before you reach them so you know which lane to be in.

Up the scale

You’ll find GPS units at a number of price points, so finding the right price and the right features is just a matter of shopping around. The TomTom XL 540 S 5-inch Touchscreen, for instance, has a price tag of about $100 and also packs the bonus kit of goodies. It also features advanced lane guidance and turn-by-turn directions.

The Garmin nuvi 50 GPS Navigation System, for instance, comes in at $115 and packs a 5-inch touchscreen, speech navigation and microSD memory card support, as well as the usual car mount and charger kit.

And the Garmin nuvi 2455LMT Automobile Portable GPS Navigator, at $136, has a 4.3-inch screen, includes calculator software, includes microSD card support and comes with lifetime Map and Traffic updates. Whatever your needs are, you’re likely to find it in a GPS unit, and at a decent price.