Wireless is suddenly the killer app of the GPS market. With the arrival of the Dash Express, a device that uses live cellular and Wi-Fi connections to bring fresh information to your car, including live traffic, Internet searches, and software updates, the GPS navigator market has been shaken up. But how much of a future do standalone devices have? Cell phone GPS apps are taking off in popularity, since they’re conveniently close at hand and users can buy daily service for occasional use. Verizon just released VZ Navigator 4, the latest version of the top cell phone navigator, now with 3D maps.

To find out which type of navigator does the best job of getting you where you want to go, we pit the Dash Express against VZ Navigator 4. The Dash Express sells for $399 and requires monthly service (as low as $9.99 per month with a two-year commitment) for always-on connectivity. Verizon’s VZ Navigator 4 works on many Verizon phones (we tested it on the LG Voyager) and costs $9.99 per month or $2.99 per day. Who will emerge as the GPS champion?