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 VZ Navigator Price: $9.99 per month, $2.99 for 24-hour use (available for six handsets)
by Steve Smith 
Verizon's VZ Navigator has much of the functionality of Garmin Mobile, but it sports a slicker interface. The clean menu system lets you enter addresses for directions, access a local search for services, and drill into a general mapping service. It lacks the weather and traffic reports Garmin provides, however.
We were impressed with VZ Navigator's local directory, which is powered by Verizon's own excellent SuperPages, so there were comprehensive listings of local services. Beyond the typical points of interest (ethnic cuisine and gas stations), you also can find ATMs and local attractions, auto shops, and government offices with specialized searches. One of the things we like most about VZ Navigator is its price flexibility. Seasoned travelers may find the $9.99 monthly fee worthwhile but others may prefer to pay $2.99 for 24-hour use, which is perfect for single trips. Address entry is simple, and VZ Navigator has an excellent memory. The service keeps a record of your most recently accessed addresses both in the navigator and in its search engine. You can store your favorites and even enter airport abbreviations or intersections. We especially like how this service makes it easy to preview a trip, leg by leg, in advance. The directions themselves were a bit spotty, because we weren't always in agreement with the routes VZ picked. The system lets you set some basic criteria for trip plotting, like simplicity of route, avoiding HOV lanes, etc. The voice navigation was quite good: loud, human-sounding, and with good advance warning of the next turn. The VZ Navigator delivered excellent accuracy. While driving, the screen on our LG V showed us an oversized turn arrow but required an extra click to reveal our position on the map, which we found unnecessary. The maps are more detailed than Garmin's but not labeled as clearly and simply. In all, VZ Navigator is a clean and comprehensive navigational system that is especially good for travelers who want access to maps and nearby services. Its flexible pricing gives it the edge over Garmin Mobile. Featured Site Sponsors
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