With all of the other devices capable of displaying photos these days, cell phones even, I don't think we really need one more. Calculators? Well, okay. I can see how that would be useful. But games? Audiobooks?

I was unfortunately unable to test the traffic features of either device. Garmin did not include it with their unit, but Delphi did. It really didn't matter though, as there wasn't a traffic signal in any of the areas I was testing.

While the Delphi lacks the majority of the other travel-related features of the Garmin, such as the phrase translator, travel guide, etc., they are additional purchase items on the Garmin anyway. And when the base unit costs $535.00 to begin with, they just aren't worth it.

The fact that Delphi's maps were on an external card really bothered me. I think it's just a bit reckless and irresponsible on their part to put the most important thing the device offers on a removable card. The maps should be stored in the device's onboard memory; period. What if the card gets lost? Sure, you have a backup on the computer at home, but what if you're in an unfamiliar area, one where you need those maps, and you lose the card? You're screwed.

Conclusion
I've been told that GPS devices are kind of like idiot savants; good at one thing, but not much else. From this experience, I can say they're pretty good at telling you where you are, but they aren't very good at telling you how to get anywhere with any degree of common sense. And even this isn't entirely true. The GPS device owned by ZATZ Editor-in-Chief David Gewirtz is firmly convinced the neighborhood he lives in doesn't exist.

In all truth and honesty, I was quite disappointed in both the Delphi and the Garmin devices. Had I purchased either one, it would have gone back to the store for a refund toot-sweet. Aside from the less than accurate points of interest on the Garmin, and the inability of either unit to plot a direct route, the battery life of both units was only in the neighborhood of two hours.

Although the Garmin device boasted no claims as anything other than an automotive device, the Delphi does. It contains profiles for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as for motored traffic. But with a battery life of only two hours, it's virtually worthless in that capacity. As a cyclist or pedestrian, it's extremely unlikely a navigation device would be needed for only two hours of activity.

I don't normally like to come down on a product, or "trash" it, but I think in this instance it is important to let customers know what to expect with these devices. They will get you where you want to go, just don't expect it to be the shortest, fastest, or most direct route. And don't rely on the points of interest as carved-in-stone accurate. Due to all of the shortcomings, and so few positives, I'm afraid I can't recommend either the Delphi Nav200, or the Garmin Nuvi 350 for purchase, and rate both devices at 2 out of 5.

OUR RATING: 2 of 5

David Gewirtz is the author of How To Save Jobs and Where Have All The Emails Gone? For more than 20 years, he has analyzed current, historical, and emerging issues relating to technology, competitiveness, and policy. David is the Editor-in-Chief of the ZATZ magazines, is the Cyberterrorism Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, and is a member of the instructional faculty at the University of California, Berkeley extension. He can be reached at david@zatz.com and you can follow him at http://www.twitter.com/DavidGewirtz.