Hertz NeverLost GPS (photos)

The fifth generation of Hertz's NeverLost system has been substantially upgraded, but still sports an old-school aesthetic.

Below the device's 4-inch screen is a bank of six rubber buttons and a directional pad.

The main menu is mostly populated with options for selecting a destination.

A feature called OTP Destinations allows users to import points of interest and trips planned on Hertz's NeverLost Web site.

Destinations can be stored on a USB drive and uploaded using this full-size USB port.

The unit also features a wireless data connection that allows users to download their destinations using a download code provided on the Web site.

While on the road, users can call Hertz's customer support and get assistance with choosing a destination and have the operator send the point of interest to your unit.

The NeverLost unit also takes advantage of its wireless data connection to present local weather conditions and forecasts.

Users can also access flight information, a very useful feature for users who will often be using rental cars on trips that begin and end at airports.

The NeverLost also features a dedicated button for locating the nearest Hertz return location.

The Current Location screen, accessible from the Info menu, gives latitude/longitude data as well as street intersection data for the unit's current location.

The interface of the NeverLost mostly seems very utilitarian and unpolished, but it's--at the very least--functional.

In addition to downloadable points of interest, the NeverLost is also preloaded with Yellow Pages points of interest. Focus is placed on destinations to eat or sleep, but there are also listings for department stores and tourist attractions as well.

The onscreen keyboard blanks out invalid letters as the user inputs the name of a street or point of interest, which speeds up the process of entering destinations.

Once a destination has been selected, the NeverLost system gives users the choice of routes. Some may see this as an unnecessary extra step, but we like how the flexibility in routing is placed at the forefront.