LG jumps on GPS bandwagon with three portable nav systems
LG LN730
(Credit: LG)You can now add LG Electronics to the growing list of consumer electronic companies entering the U.S. GPS market. First previewed at CES 2007, three portable navigation systems from LG are making their U.S. debut: the LG LN730, the LG LN735, and the LG LN740. Here's a quick breakdown of each device; they're all available now for purchase.
LG LN730: An entry-level system with North American maps and 1.7 million points of interest preloaded on the device. The unit is equipped with a SiRFstarIII GPS receiver and offers voice-guided directions, MP3 playback, and a photo viewer--all for an affordable $299.95.
LG LN735: Very similar to the LN730 but adds text-to-speech functionality so it will actually speak street names when giving voice directions. The LN735, which costs $349.95, also has a 3.5-inch, 260,000-color touch screen and up to four hours of battery life.
LG LN740
(Credit: LG)LG LN740: Finally, the flagship LN740 ($449.95) features a 4-inch touch screen and is traffic-ready (comes with 90-day free trial to Navteq's traffic service). You get all the other goodies too, including text-to-speech capabilities, 2D and 3D maps, multimedia functionality, and up to six hours of battery life.
So what makes them any different from the other in-car GPS units out there? Not much, although we have to say the price points are pretty darn attractive. We're due to receive some review units next week, so we'll let you know if they're worth the money.
Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie. 
1] Since the LG does not appear to have address ranging, does it have the ability to announce the final destination position and which side of the street is in on like the Magellan or Garmin, or is it more like the TomTom or Mio that just say you have arrived? How close are they getting to the physical front door of the destination and how does it do in business centers or shopping malls when private roadways may or may not be covered under the NavTeq map software?
2] It appears it does not have BT hands free option which will be very important here in California since there will be a law next year that all drivers must have hands free phone if they wish to use a cell phone. you covered this point I just wish to reinforce it.
3] How is the TTS sound compare to the TomTom, Garmin and Magellan, robotic or closer to human voice? Does it have male female voice option and when you select Spanish, does it pronounce the street name with a Spanish accent since many names in California, Texas etc originated from the Spanish language.
4] I did not notice a pedestrian mode for this unit, so is it possible to enter address and walk with this unit? Any lat / lon input for weekend geocachers? Pedestrian navigation will be the next thing to look for, not just to the parking lot but to the store front!
5] It has multiple route input but you did not mention if it has the ability to optimize like the Magellan units or Garmin SP 27xx / 28xx etc? or is it just multiple route planing?
6] Did LG say anything to you that they may have plans to expend the nav system with EU or Asia software using SD card expansion much like the Garmin units?
Thank you
GPS4ME