Garmin Nuvi 2350LMT

Garmin nüvi 2350LMT

In the recent past, portable navigation devices have taken a back seat to cell phones and tablets, thanks to integrated navigation features in those devices, but dedicated GPSes still make plenty of sense for many drivers. Plus, they're better than ever. Case in point: The Garmin nuvi 2350LMT ($229.99 list), which includes lifetime map and traffic updates, a comprehensive POI database; and Garmin's class-leading routing algorithms. It's a solid value, especially since map updates alone used to cost $70 a pop. That, along with other upgrades, makes the nuvi 2350LMT our latest Editors' Choice for budget GPS devices. The Garmin nuvi 2350LMT looks a lot like the company's earlier devices, including the nuvi 265WT (which I had on hand for direct comparisons). It measures 2.9 by 4.8 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighs five ounces, and is made entirely of plastic, with a tapered soft-touch back panel that makes the unit comfortable to hold. The 4.3-inch plastic resistive LCD sports a class-typical 480-by-272-pixel resolution, and is bright enough for use in the daytime. In my tests, it looked slightly brighter and exhibited more vibrant color than the older model.