CONSUMER REPORTS: Cell phone GPS

DENVER - Many new cell phones, including the Samsung Instinct and the iPhone, are GPS-enabled. Most major carriers are offering that feature.

Consumer Reports tested cell-phone GPS navigation to see how it stacks up against portable GPS units. With cell phones, you usually need to subscribe to a service plan to get navigation information. That can cost about $3 a day or $10 a month. Testing showed cell-phone GPS is comparable to that of portable GPS devices. Many carriers offer traffic information, too - a feature people like.

Most cell-phone screens and controls are small compared to a portable device. But like portable units, many GPS-enabled cell phones give spoken turn-by-turn directions, so you don't need to look at the screen. However, a couple of the most popular cell phones - the Google and the iPhone - don't offer spoken directions.

Consumer Reports says if you're an occasional GPS user, using it for business purposes or on vacation, cell phone-based GPS can be a good alternative. You want to look for a phone with a large screen and an easy-to-use keyboard, such as the ones on the Samsung Instinct or the Glyde.

But paying for a monthly GPS subscription for your cell phone can cost as much as buying a dedicated GPS device. If you're a heavy GPS user, Consumer Reports says you're better off getting a low-cost portable unit. Consumer Reports says a good basic GPS unit is the Garmin Nuvi 200. It's easy to use and costs about $150.

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