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Many of today's new cars offer in-dash GPS as an option, and some offer it as standard equipment. The earliest models were CD-ROM based and required multiple discs to cover the entire United States. Nowadays, any in-dash system worth its salt is DVD-ROM based, so maps for the entire country will usually fit on a single disc, two at the most. In-dash systems are usually more expensive than their portable counterparts, but they usually feature larger screens and integrate better with other vehicle electronics.

BMW and Acura were among the first to offer GPS navigation systems in select vehicles nearly 10 years ago, and now this technology is available on hundreds of models worldwide. BMW continues to offer on-board navigation with voice recognition and voice guidance on most of their new vehicles, with prices ranging from $1,800 and higher. Several car manufacturers have taken it a step further by taking real-time traffic and weather satellite updates and overlaying them on navigation maps, flagging trouble spots and providing constant updates of road closures, accidents, and delays.

Even if you don't order your new car with a GPS option, after market in-dash models are available, but they usually require professional installation and can be just as expensive as the factory models. The JVC KW-NX700 goes for about $1,000, but this is a multifeatured system that not only has a 7-inch touch screen, but it also plays DVD movies, audio CDs, and has an AM/FM tuner.

The beauty of an in-dash system is how it integrates with the rest of your car's interior. There are no wires or 12-volt power adapters to contend with; no beanbag, suction cup, or adhesive mounts cluttering up the dashboard. Installation is clean and professional looking. However, they are still susceptible to theft, regardless of how well they are installed, and you can't take them with you to use in other vehicles.

Portable automotive GPS may not look as sharp as some of the pricier in-dash models, but they allow you to easily move them from car to car. High-end models such as the Garmin Nuvi 880 and the Magellan Maestro 4370 provide nationwide coverage (and sometimes more) with maps stored on a hard drive, offer an easy-to-use interface, and are ready to use right out of the box with no need to download or unlock maps. Both models feature bright, colorful touch-screen displays and are easy to install and remove using a suction cup mounting mechanism. Plus, they provide text-to-speech voice-guided driving directions.

There are smaller and less-expensive models, such as the Garmin Nuvi 200 and, Magellan RoadMate 1200 that are icon driven and very easy to use. To find a destination, simply touch an onscreen button (for example, "Where to?"), select an icon, such as fuel, lodging, restaurants, or another point of interest category, and press Go to receive directions.

These systems are generally half the price of their more advanced, feature-rich siblings, but there are trade-offs. For example, the screen size may be smaller and you'll lose some of the more advanced features like integrated Bluetooth for hands-free calling or advanced lane guidance. Still, these systems are an affordable way to bring accurate GPS navigation with voice-prompted driving directions to any number of vehicles.

If you don't want to spring for a dedicated GPS system for your car, there are other options. The Garmin Nuvi series started a trend toward pocket-sized navigation devices. The entire series offers many of the features that you'll find in most of today's in-car navigators, including voice prompted turn-by-turn directions, detailed street maps, and an extensive points of interest database. However, they can also be used as a pedestrian navigator and is particularly helpful when visiting new towns or cities. They have built-in MP3 players with audio book support, a JPEG viewer, currency and measurement converters, and a calculator. You can even download European maps and a language guide if you'll be traveling abroad.

Another alternative that will be more useful in everyday life is a PDA with an integrated GPS receiver. Models, such as the Pharos Traveler GPS 525 and HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion, come with built-in antennas and mapping software, and also feature productivity and connectivity tools, so you can stay on track in your life and on the road. If you already happen to have a PDA, you can turn it into a powerful handheld GPS system using one of the many Belkin Bluetooth GPS compact receiver, which utilizes Bluetooth technology to connect your PDA and GPS receiver without the need for wires. It comes with mapping software, a vehicle mounting cradle for your PDA, 12-volt adapters, and of course a 12-channel GPS receiver.

Finally, there's been an increasing trend to integrate GPS receivers into cell phones and smartphones. Some recent examples include the Nokia N95. With the addition of a location-based service or mapping software, you can get similar features of an in-car GPS, including voice-guided directions and points of interest, right on your phone. While the functionality is great, a handset's smaller screen size makes it less than ideal for in-car use. Still, if you're in a pinch, a GPS-equipped smartphone or cell phone could come in quite handy.

Alternatively, GPS manufacturers are starting to explore integrating cellular technology (or Wi-Fi) into their devices to provide Internet connectivity right on the GPS. The benefit of having this always-on connection is that you get the most up-to-date maps, traffic information, business searches, and more. It's a new technology that's only been seen in a couple of portable navigation devices, including the Dash Express and TeleNav Shotgun, but we suspect it's a trend that will continue and will bring more power to the driver.

Select a GPS model with a good color screen that can be read in all lighting conditions. The larger the screen, the more expensive the unit will be, but even big screens can be difficult to read in direct sunlight. Also, check the viewing performance of the display to make sure you can read it from any angle.

Choose a GPS unit to fit your traveling habits. If you do a lot of long distance driving, consider a model with a dedicated hard drive that stores maps of the entire country. Otherwise, a model that uses an SD card to store maps is a good bet, and you can buy additional cards to load more maps when necessary.

If you want to share one unit between many vehicles, look for a model that is lightweight and is easy to install and remove from your vehicle. Stay away from permanent mounting devices unless you plan to use the unit in just one vehicle.

If you decide on an in-dash model, pay the extra money to have it professionally installed. Unlike car stereo systems, which can be fairly easy to install, a GPS system requires careful placement of the antenna, and some systems require a special cable hookup to your vehicle's speedometer mechanism.

Most in-car navigation systems are ready to use right out of the box and come with everything you need to get up and running in a matter of minutes. Still, there are accessories available that will help you get the most out of your investment, including auxiliary antennas that can be mounted at the base of your windshield to improve signal reception, and carry cases to protect your GPS unit when not in use. You can also pick up various mounting devices, including motorcycle mounting kits and low profile external antenna mounts that adhere to the trunk of your car. You can also purchase additional maps on CD media or flash memory cards, as well as AC adapters that let you use your GPS unit at home.