More GPS units offer free traffic info

Free real-time traffic information is a budding trend among portable GPS navigators. While traffic info usually requires a $60 annual subscription fee for compatible GPS models, new Garmin and Navigon devices provide it free of charge.

Navigon was the first to offer free traffic information, but its previous models were mediocre performers that ranked low in our Ratings (available to subscribers). Its new models are considerably improved. Garmin, the largest GPS manufacturer in the U.S., has adopted the free approach with some of its latest models. But it has also added onscreen advertising, an industry first that has the potential to be annoying and distracting.

We tested a representative model from each company: the Garmin Nuvi 265WT ($350) and the Navigon 7200T ($400). They have similar features, including a 4.4-inch-wide screen, Bluetooth capability for hands-free phone calls, spoken street names, and a built-in traffic receiver.

Pop-up ads for local businesses

The Nuvi 265WT is basically an upgraded version of the Nuvi 255W, one of our top-rated units and a CR Best Buy. In our testing, the 265WT sometimes displayed small, one-line banner ads at the top or bottom of the screen. They often appeared when we powered up the unit; when the car was stopped, such as at a red light; or when we pressed the screen's traffic icon.

Touching the ad opens a list of the advertiser's nearby locations. And if you touch one of those, the unit will calculate a route to the location and give you turn-by-turn directions. While we were testing in the New York area, we saw ads for BP gas stations, Walgreens drugstores, and Wells Fargo banks. One BP ad offered a chance for free gas if we sent a text message from a cell phone. These ads are relatively unobtrusive and easy to ignore, and they usually go away after a short time. But we hope they don't become more distracting.

The 7200T is an improvement over previous Navigon models. It has faster calculation times, a better mount, and an easier method for entering addresses. It also has an adequate voice-recognition system and a nice lane-assist feature, which displays upcoming highway interchanges with realistic overhead signs and guides you with arrows to the proper lane.

Overall, the traffic info from both units is similar to what we've seen with other traffic-capable models. The info can be handy in helping you avoid congestion. But as with radio traffic reports, the quality of the data varies from city to city, and we've found that it can be limited, inconsistent, and inaccurate at times.

Bottom line

If traffic information is important to you, it makes sense to consider one of these new models and save the subscription fee. Both are high-scoring devices, with the Garmin rated higher because of its friendlier interface and overall ease of use. But if you don't mind compromising a bit on usability, the Navigon gives you free traffic info without ads.