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Another Alternative
I've seen on sale at many software retailers is a package of MS Streets and Trips (one of my favorite digital mapping services) combined with a USB GPS card. While I don't think this gives you voice commands to turn left in 200 yards, it does allow you to find out where you are so you can better plot your next course of action. I know some people who have used this and they love it, and my next vehicle will definately have a mount for a laptop up front for such a thing.
The thing I have found with some GPS units is that they are less about finding where you are and where you should go next, and more for "here is your route, now, I'll help you stick to it." The GPS unit favors 'larger' roadways, and will always navigate you to arterials, then to highways. With paper maps or Streets and Trips, you have the ability to locate a smaller, but more scenic drive. On top of that, I personally feel it is sort of a crutch to use to expect the navigation system to notify you of when you need to change course.
Paper maps or digital maps with GPS offer more flexibility. What I fear may soon happen with the sudden surge in after-market nav systems, is what happened in the realm of the internet after AOL: just as some people believe they can't access the internet without AOL, some will rely solely on their nav system for going anywhere.
We may sound archaic talking about paper maps, but there is a reason behind it.
-Brad
