Last year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, sales of G.P.S. units topped $800 million.

LG Electronics is entering the consumer market for navigation devices in the United States with the LN740, LN735 and LN730. The LN740, available for about $450, comes with a 90-day free trial of live traffic information through Traffic.com, as well as a four-inch screen; the 735 ($350), and the 730 ($300) have 3.5-inch displays.

LG packs in just about all the accessories needed, including a car charger, an AC adapter, a car mount and an antenna for those places where satellite reception is poor. All units come loaded with mapping software from Navteq.

The devices play MP3 files and display photos loaded via an SD memory card slot.

While the units are primarily for car navigation, you can get the major tourist destination in a pedestrian setting.

Source: The New York Times