The Navigon 7310 seems to be an European spec model of the 7300T. It’s loaded with almost the same features as the Panaroma View 3D, Bluetooth hands free, voice commands, and all the standard high-end PND goodies. The main difference is that it’s loaded with European maps and you can’t get it in the States. Not that you would want to anyway.

Apparently Navigon is abruptly getting out of the hardware GPS game in North America, citing “the difficult economic environment” and “aggressive pricing” from competitors. Navigon CEO Egon Minar told GPS Business News, “We have decided to withdraw from the PND business in North America for the time being. We are however not closing down our Chicago office which will continue to serve our automotive and mobile phone businesses in North America.”

That “for the time being” part is pretty interesting. Either Navigon may re-enter the market at some point or Minar just said that to soften the blow, kind of like how you tell all the underclassmen that you’ll come back and visit them after you graduate. As for Navigon’s Chicago office, a “significant number of people” will be laid off, but some will be left behind to provide service and mapping updates to current owners of Navigon GPS units.

The company has apparently struck a deal with T-Mobile to provide software-based mapping and navigation services in Germany and will persue a similar arrangement in North America.

NAVIGON stops PND business in North America [GPS Business News via Laptop]

Navigon got cozy with Rand McNally a few months ago and now we are seeing the fruits of that relationship with three new GPS units, two packaged with the familiar traveling name.

The 7300T adds, not only the Rand McNally functions, but also Navigon’s Panorama View into one device. The unit comes with somewhat standard high-end GPS features with Bluetooth handsfree, voice-input, 3D Landmark View, but it now will verbally announce when there is a traffic issue rather than simply sending a notification onto the device. Plus, it retains the previous generation’s Zagat ratings and reviews for a selection amount of restaurants.

The big headliner is the Rand McNally feature that loads 250 special routes onto the device which will guide drivers to Weekend Getaways, Scenic Tours and Regional Trips. Might be nice to finally ditch the daily grind and get away for a while with a little help from the ol’ GPS. This guy has a Q2 2009 release slated with a $399.99 MSRP.

The 4300T retains most of the 7300T’s functions but loses the Panorama View Mode and comes packaged in what we hear is a less-sexy bezel. It still has Bluetooth calling, audible traffic alerts and the Zagat ratings now cost $20 instead of being packaged with the unit like in the big brother. However, this still very capable unit will drop with a more respectable $279 MSRP in the second quarter.

The 3300 max loses all the goodies its big brothers. Sorry. It doesn’t have the Rand McNally routes, Bluetooth calling, Zagat ratings, audible traffic alerts, but it still retains the basic functions of a GPS unit including NAVIGON’s great maps. Good, cause sometimes you don’t need that extra functions to get you from A to B. Plus, the 3300 max will come to the market with a $199 MSRP, but will probably be available well under that price if its anything like NAVIGON’s current budget line up.

CHICAGO, MARCH 2, 2009 — NAVIGON, the leading innovator in the navigation market, today announced the next generation of NAVIGON’s highly acclaimed 7000-series platform, the NAVIGON 7300T. The ultra-stylish personal navigation device (PND) showcases an array of innovative features, including a new level of 3D visualization showing surrounding landscapes and important landmarks, Free Real-Time Spoken Traffic Updates and next-generation Voice Control, helping the user to control the device hands-free by speaking a wide variety of commands.

For the first time, NAVIGON combines its highly praised Panorama View 3D and Landmark View 3D features in one device, the NAVIGON 7300T. This gives the user a real 3D experience showing surrounding landscapes as well as important landmarks. Panorama View 3D brings a true 3D experience to the NAVIGON 7300T’s map using NASA terrain height data to provide geographic guidance complete with rolling hills and digital elevations. Landmark View 3D shows hundreds of richly-textured 3D landmarks across the U.S. and Canada such as the Empire State Building and the White House, as well as sports stadiums from coast to coast.

As an industry-first, the NAVIGON 7300T includes the new intelligent NAVIGON MyRoutes™ feature, taking individualized navigation to a new level and introducing a unique way of intelligent and personal route planning. The feature provides up to three route choices with distance and ETA calculated for all entered destinations, factoring in speed limits, construction and traffic as you’re driving. All routes are clearly displayed on a map with ETA and driving time giving the driver a choice. The system continuously saves the driver’s individual driving data in order to provide the best individual route possible and recommends a route based on the user’s driving habits, the day of week and time of travel.

NAVIGON takes its pioneering tradition in real-time traffic a step further by making it even easier to recognize issues ahead and route around traffic. The new NAVIGON 7300T now speaks traffic updates in addition to presenting them on the display. It also displays an alternative route around traffic on a map including the up-to-date ETA and distance. NAVIGON offers spoken real-time traffic updates for free for the life of the device. No subscriptions or additional hardware needed. Covering 95 markets across the U.S. and Canada, the NAVIGON 7300T will audibly alert you of traffic troubles and provide alternate routes.

The NAVIGON 7300T also boasts an all-new Voice Address Entry and Control feature, that not only makes inputting addresses simple, but also allows the user to control the device hands-free by speaking a wide variety of commands. This means that the driver can use the menu, adjust the volume or answer phone calls simply using his or her voice. Additionally, NAVIGON has designed the new voice-based feature to operate using more casual, less specific, language. For instance, the device volume can be increased by saying a variety of commands in much more casual language, such as “increase volume to eight” or “please make it louder.”

NAVIGON’s 7300T device is the first GPS system on the market to feature Rand McNally Scenic Routes content. Based on Rand McNally’s Best of the Road ® series, the NAVIGON 7300T includes over 250 routes such as Weekend Getaways, Scenic Tours and Regional Trips. These routes show the most beautiful vistas and breathtaking landscapes the U.S. and Canada have to offer. Scenic routes are a perfect option for a unique vacation to enjoy with the whole family or as an alternative to normal highway driving.

Building upon NAVIGON’s tradition of developing products that channel the company’s heritage of fine German engineering and design, the NAVIGON 7300T takes style to a new level with an extra-wide, flat-panel touchscreen enclosed in a sleek, frameless piano black housing. NAVIGON’s design focus goes beyond the exterior of the 7300T. When compared with other GPS devices, NAVIGON’s rich maps and menus provide for a more sophisticated, intuitive interface.

“NAVIGON continues its pioneering tradition of driving more useful and innovative features into every new product we introduce,” said Michael Roach, NAVIGON’s president for the Americas. “The 7300T is the pinnacle of NAVIGON’s vision, combining our uncompromised design focus with a set of unmatched, relevant, next-generation features. The 7300T is truly a stand-out, delivering an experience that adds a greater level of peace of mind, productivity, and adventure than anything else on the market today.”

In addition to a number of new features, the NAVIGON 7300T is equipped with features that have become hallmarks of NAVIGON’s premium navigation experience. Reality View™ Pro and Lane Assistant Pro provide that extra direction when you need it most—so you’ll never miss an exit or a turn again. Advanced text-to-speech technology helps you keep your eyes on the road by providing spoken driving directions and street names. Only NAVIGON can show where to wine, dine, and unwind with a built-in, exclusive ZAGAT guide that includes more than 27,000 listings across the U.S. and Canada spanning hotels, nightclubs, attractions and golf courses. With NAVIGON’s exclusive Exit Guide feature, you can take the guesswork out of highway travel by searching upcoming exits for the restaurant, rest area, hotel or gas station of your choice. DirectHelpSM provides instant access to directions and phone numbers to nearby emergency service providers. A new Clickable POIs feature guides you to destinations shown on the map with one click. The latest generation of NAVIGON software makes entering and finding information fast and simple with fewer clicks.

The NAVIGON 7300T sells for $399.99 (MSRP) and will be available at retailers in Q2 2009. It is compatible with NAVIGON’s optional FreshMaps accessory, which provides up to 8 map updates over two years for $79.99 (MSRP). If the user activates FreshMaps within 30 days after purchasing the device, the price is only $39.99.

For more information and images, please visit www.navigon.com.

The NAVIGON 7300T features include:

NAVIGON MyRoutes™
Free Real-Time Spoken Traffic Updates
Voice Address Entry and Control
Panorama View 3D and Landmark View 3D
Rand McNally Scenic Routes
Clickable POIs
Reality View™ Pro
Lane Assistant Pro
Fast Destination Entry
Bluetooth® Hands-Free
Advanced Text-to-speech
Zagat® Ratings and Reviews
Exit Guide
DirectHelpSM
Speed Assistant
Multi-Destination Trip Planning
Automatic Standby Feature
Favorites as POI
Coordinate Input
Automatic Day/Night Mode

CHICAGO, MARCH 2, 2009 — NAVIGON, the leading innovator in the navigation market, today announced two new widescreen GPS devices, the NAVIGON 4300T max and 3300 max. These are the first intelligent GPS devices on the market to deliver personalized route recommendations based on individual driving habits.

NAVIGON MyRoutes™
As an industry-first, the NAVIGON 4300T max and 3300 max both include the new intelligent NAVIGON MyRoutes™ feature that takes individualized navigation to a new level and allows a unique way of personal route planning. The feature provides up to three route choices with distance and ETA calculated for all entered destinations, factoring in speed limits, construction and traffic as you’re driving. All routes are clearly displayed on a map with ETA and driving time giving the driver a choice. The system continuously saves the driver’s individual driving data in order to provide the best individual route possible and recommends a route based on the user’s driving habits, the day of week and time of travel.

“Our new NAVIGON MyRoutes feature proves once again that NAVIGON is truly leading innovation in the GPS category by offering the user an intelligent and individualized route recommendation,” said Michael Roach, NAVIGON’s president for the Americas. “While others continue to compete on price at the expense of the user experience, NAVIGON is dedicated to delivering superior features and superior value across our portfolio. Any device can get you from point A to point B, but the real challenge is delivering an experience that helps our customers overcome the challenges they face every day on the road. Both the NAVIGON 4300T max and the 3300 max meet those challenges.”

The NAVIGON 4300T max and 3300 max represent the next generation of portable navigation and carry forward NAVIGON’s uncompromised tradition of innovative and useful features that clearly showcase unparalleled value relative to anything else in the market. The NAVIGON 4300T max is packed with premium features that assist with any challenge you may face on the road – including traffic, construction, phone calls and poorly marked exits. Additionally, the value-oriented NAVIGON 3300 max delivers an exceptional array of stress-busting features that provide more guidance than comparable products.

The NAVIGON 4300T max
The NAVIGON 4300T max delivers a navigation experience unlike any other, offering a unique combination of style and exclusive, useful features. Boasting a wide 4.3″ touchscreen with a chrome-accented, piano-black housing, the NAVIGON 4300T max helps you overcome anything the road throws at you. Real-Time Spoken Traffic Updates automatically notify you of upcoming traffic congestion and re-route you with the touch of a button. Traffic alerts are not only delivered audibly, but are also free for the life of the product. And for the first time on a GPS device, the NAVIGON 4300T max includes valuable Rand McNally navigation content including Best of the Road®, Weekend Getaways, Scenic Tours and Regional Trips. An all-new Bluetooth® hands-free application lets you manage your phone calls while keeping your hands on the wheel.

The NAVIGON 4300T max also showcases many of the trademark premium features that have placed NAVIGON as the leading innovator in the market, such as Reality View ™, Text-to-Speech, Exit Guide and Lane Assistant Pro. With a combination of superior features and style, the NAVIGON 4300T max is the clear choice for those looking for a complete navigation experience.

The NAVIGON 3300 max
The NAVIGON 3300 max provides more for less. The device is fully loaded with more useful features and better guidance than any other device in its class offering a superior value that goes well beyond the basics.

Featuring a wide 4.3” touchscreen, the sleek and slim NAVIGON 3300 max packs a host of stress-busting features to get you where to want to go with fewer headaches along the way. Innovative features like Reality View™ for Exits and Lane Assistant Pro provide that extra direction when you need it most—so you never miss an exit or a turn again. Keep your eyes on the road with advanced text-to-speech technology that provides spoken driving directions and street names. With NAVIGON’s exclusive Exit Guide feature, you can take the guesswork out of highway travel by searching upcoming exits for the restaurant, rest area, hotel or gas station of your choice. DirectHelpSM provides instant access to directions and phone numbers to nearby emergency service providers. A new Clickable POIs feature guides you to destinations shown on the map with one click. The latest generation of NAVIGON software, along with NAVIGON’s SmartSpeller feature to help guide through the entry process, makes entering and finding information fast and simple with fewer clicks. Basic yet brilliant, the NAVIGON 3300 max delivers useful features at a greater value to help make your everyday travel less stressful.

The NAVIGON 4300T max and 3300 max devices sell for $279.99 and $199.99 (MSRP) respectively and will be available at retailers in Q2 2009. Pre-orders can be placed at the following retailers starting March 9: Amazon.com, CompUSA.com, Crutchfield.com, JR.com and TigerDirect.com.

NAVIGON offers a variety of additional content and upgrades for both devices. NAVIGON’s optional FreshMaps accessory provides up to 8 map updates over two years for $79.99 (MSRP). If the user activates FreshMaps within 30 days after purchasing the device, the price is only $39.99. Zagat® Ratings and Reviews showing where to wine, dine, and unwind are available as an upgrade for $19.99 (MSRP). The NAVIGON 3300 max is also compatible with NAVIGON’s new Real-Time Spoken Traffic Updates and Rand McNally Scenic Routes accessories, with respective prices of $99.99 and $19.99 (MSRP).

For more information and images, please visit www.navigon.com.

The NAVIGON 4300T max features include:

Free Real-Time Spoken Traffic Updates
Rand McNally Scenic Routes
Bluetooth® Hands-Free
Reality View™ Pro

Both the NAVIGON 4300T max and 3300 max devices feature:

NAVIGON MyRoutes™
Clickable POIs
Lane Assistant Pro
Reality View™ for Exits
Fast Destination Entry
Advanced Text-to-speech
Exit Guide
DirectHelpSM
Speed Assistant
Multi-Destination Trip Planning
Automatic Standby Feature
Favorites as POI
Coordinate Input
Automatic Day/Night Mode

Overview

Judging by these NAVIGON units, the company is a budget GPS maker trying its hardest to break into the game with the big boys. These four GPS units show that they are almost there but have a tad bit more work before they can be serious contenders in the overcrowded market. Still, the Navigon Map display is great and is the reason I like most of these GPS units a lot.

2000S

The 2000S is the budget model in the lineup and can be had for less than 100 bones from online retailers. Truth be told, I would buy this model for myself and my mom. It doesn’t have Bluetooth or speak recognition, but the mapping is solid and the matte black bezel is pleasant. The unit is sluggish however, not only in navigating the menus, but also in acquiring satellites. It will sometimes take 4-5 minutes to lock onto your position. Thankfully though, the navigation works well. It gets you from point A to point B without fuss or excuses.

 The 2000S does come loaded a bunch of destinations; not a lot though. Missing from the database is car repair locations which would have came in handy at least once for me. Most locations are present though. After all, this is a $99 GPS unit. 

The best part is the map display though. Said maps are labeled and colored just like real paper maps which is stellar for Eagle Scouts like myself. I hate how some GPS units throw-out decades-old labeling schemes for a cartoonish display. The entire Navigon lineup all sport these great maps and are the saving grace in my mind.

This is budget unit which is clearly present from the time you switch the unit on, but the 2000S is my favorite unit out of the bunch. It’s cheap but it works well.

Highly recommended.

2200T

The 2200T is a step-up from the basic 2000S. Physically, it’s the same size but the 3.5-inch screen and bezel are glossy. I hate it. The glossy finish is a glare magnet and is the exact opposite of what I want on my windshield. But, the upgrade gets you free traffic updates and Zagat restaurant ratings. Everything else is the same as the 2000S but I’m not sold on this model.

I never did get the traffic to work right. Keep in mind this isn’t the Dash-like traffic that updates on the fly using real-time congestion info. It reads traffic warnings from radio waves and informs the user of the situation. It never worked for me.

Maybe the glossy look doesn’t bother you as much as it does me. If that’s the case, this model can be had for $129 online.

Recommendation: Buy the 2000S.

7200T

The 7200T seems to be Navigon’s mainstream model. The screen is a 4.3-inch touchscreen covered with a plastic shield. The casing is a tad thicker, and the speaker a bit clearer. Bluetooth calling has been added, along with voice destination input. But, it seems this big boy runs on the same sluggish CPU and GPS that the budget 2000S does.

The Bluetooth calling works well and it easily lets you add your phone’s contacts to the unit. NAVIGON even has an app, dubbed, Sync, that lets you upload your Outlook Contacts via a PC. I used the Bluetooth calling app a few times but the 7200T doesn’t reliably connect to the phone via Bluetooth so it’s kind of a pain.

This PND is a tad slow. The GPS takes a while to acquire and the menu has lag between user input, but once again, the maps save the day. The widescreen display works great with the 3D map view. The street names are clear and are easy to read. At $249-$299 online, it seems a bit overpriced. That price range can net you a mid-level Garmin or TomTom which are a tad more polished than this unit. Still, the mapping is solid and the unit is reliable.

Highly recommended around $200 but not so much at a higher price.

8100T

This is the mack daddy of the NAVIGON line, but I would spend a dime on it. In fact, I would venture to say that Navigon pushed this unit out of the engineering office a tad too early as it’s filled with flaws.

One: Every NAVIGON PND I tested displayed street names in 3D mode expect for this one. The sad thing is that the 4.8-inch screen has more than enough real estate to display ‘em too. The company claims they couldn’t get the street names to display properly but I call BS. It seems like a gross oversight and I testing this GPS because of this reason.

Two: The display needs constant recalibration. The 8100T seems to reset after the battery dips and some of the settings reset. The display calibration is one of those settings.

Three: Some text isn’t centered within boxes. How did this pass QC?

Four: The mount is huge! I have never seen a GPS mount this large. It’s massive. Fortunately, my Dodge Magnum’s windshield is long enough that it works fine but I worry about a smaller car.

Five: The mount snapped like a cheap Chinese toy, leaving the GPS homeless and useless.

Recommendation: Laugh at the $599.99 MSRP

• 94% of those surveyed get stressed when driving on the highway
• 86% find themselves in traffic congestion during the morning commute
• 67% would give something in the morning to reduce commute times
• 40% would give up breakfast
• 34% would go without a cup of coffee
• 25% would give up morning, umm, relations with their significant other

You know what this survey proves? 25% of those that stuck in morning traffic are not married.
  

NAVIGON survey exposes the growing frustration from traffic and how commuters would rather give up sex than sit in gridlock

CHICAGO, November 20, 2008 – In an effort to better understand drivers’ frustrations on the road, NAVIGON, one of the world’s leading and fastest growing providers of navigation products and solutions, today announced the results of an independent survey conducted by Kelton Research of 1,021 American drivers ages 18 and over. The study provides a comprehensive, in-depth analysis of driving-related anxieties and behaviors, from getting lost to the morning commute.

The Commuter Blues

A staggering 94 percent of American drivers get stressed when driving on the highway, with the most common sources of frustration cited as traffic or congestion (70 percent) and roadwork (65 percent). And even with the turmoil in the commercial airline industry, 67 percent of drivers are more frustrated with delays on the road than delays in air travel.

The survey found that 86 percent of drivers find themselves in traffic congestion during their morning commute and that it adds an average of 18 minutes to the drive each morning. Over the course of one year 18 minutes a day adds up to 78 hours, or more than three full days spent in traffic.

I Give Up!

A clear sign that commuters are at the end of their rope, 67 percent of those who sit in traffic during their morning commute would be willing to give up some part of their cherished morning routine—TV, family time, or even taking a shower—in exchange for a traffic-free commute. Of this group, 40 percent would forgo breakfast, 34 percent would go without a cup of coffee and nearly a quarter would even be willing to give up morning sex!

“Traffic is no longer limited to major cities like New York and Los Angeles, drivers across the country are doing whatever they can to avoid it like the plague,” said Sam Schwartz, aka “Gridlock Sam,” one of the leading transportation engineers in the U.S. “The most important thing for drivers is to be prepared for traffic. Whether that means leaving early to avoid the rush or using alternate routes that are less traveled, drivers should plan ahead to avoid headaches caused by gridlock.”

Can I Get a Loan?

The data also shows that drivers are willing to spend significant sums of money to completely avoid traffic. In fact, 50 percent of the drivers who’d pay money to avoid traffic would spend more than $1,000 each year, while 20 percent would pay upwards of $2,500 a year to avoid congestion!

“Traffic wastes time, energy and money, something we understand not only from a research perspective, but from a personal one as well since we commute too,” said Gareth Schweitzer, president of Kelton Research. “This study reveals that drivers are getting stressed out with the traffic they regularly face on the nation’s roadways, something that has many of them willing to spend thousands of dollars throughout the year just to avoid it.”

Which Way Do I Go?

A whopping 85 percent of American drivers admit they’ve gotten lost while driving, with poor directions and unclear or missing highway signs being named as the top two reasons drivers have lost their way.

An overwhelming 91 percent of drivers admit they’ve missed an exit on the highway, oftentimes resulting in getting lost. Perhaps this is because 44 percent of American drivers—50 percent of women versus just 38 percent of men—find road signs or sudden lane changes on the highway confusing. As if missing the exit wasn’t enough, 62 percent of drivers who have missed an exit say they’ve wasted time and gas trying to find their way back on track.

The tension caused by losing their way on the road isn’t helping drivers’ relationships either. American drivers across the country admit that directions—especially when they’re lost—are the number one thing they’ve fought about while driving with their significant other.

“Let’s face it, the roadways can be frustrating,” said Michael Roach, NAVIGON’s president for the America’s. “From high-end to entry-level price points, we’ve made a commitment to helping drivers stay on track and get to their destination quickly and safely, while routing around traffic whenever possible. We’ve all been stuck on the road during rush hour, but NAVIGON features like Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life will help consumers steer clear of congestion that was once unavoidable.”

Methodological Notes

The Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between August 20th and August 24th, 2008 using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of American drivers ages 18 and over.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results.

In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

Rather than releasing your standard black bezel, commonplace GPS unit, NAVIGON threw everything possible into the flagship 8100T GPS navigator. The real fun begins with a 4.8-inch widescreen touchscreen that serves up a gorgeous navigation experience once your eyes move past the striking brushed-metal exterior.

The 8100T combines the standard 3D and 2D navigation with NASA-provided geographic guidance complete with rolling hills and elevations. The rest of the innards are standard fare with Bluetooth hands-free calling, voice entry, Zagat restaurant ratings, and the ultra road trip buddy, with the Exit Guide that lets you search upcoming exits for restaurants, gas, and so on. 

The 8100 even receives a new windshield mount with a one-click mount and an integrated charger. The new unit drops sometime this month with a respectable MSRP of $599. Sexy.

PRESS RELEASE:

NAVIGON Launches Über-Premium GPS Navigator

 A new dimension in navigation, NAVIGON 8100T revolutionizes map view

with an extra-wide 4.8” display and stunning Panorama View 3D

Chicago, Illinois, EMBARGOED UNTIL NOVEMBER 10, 2008 — NAVIGON, the leading innovator in the navigation market, today announced the launch of its new flagship product, the NAVIGON 8100T.

With a handsome, brushed-metal housing and an expansive 4.8” display, the NAVIGON 8100T is an über-premium GPS navigator offering an unmatched feature set for those looking for the best navigation experience available – a perfect hybrid of style, substance, performance and precision. It is the first GPS navigator on the market with NAVIGON’s revolutionary Panorama View 3D. This new feature brings a true 3D experience to the map using NASA terrain height data to provide geographic guidance complete with rolling hills and digital elevations. The unit’s extra-large 4.8” widescreen serves as the perfect frame for the panoramic 3D views.

The NAVIGON 8100T offers Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life – automatically alerting drivers about traffic issues ahead and rerouting with the touch of a button. Features like Voice Destination Entry, Reality View™ Pro and Bluetooth® Hands-Free make navigating roads easier and less stressful. Employing NAVIGON’s next-generation software, the 8100T is a top performer, requiring very few clicks to enter a destination.

“The NAVIGON 8100T raises the bar on innovation and design in the PND category,” said Michael Roach, NAVIGON’s president for the Americas. “Once again, NAVIGON is at the forefront of market innovation by introducing real 3D environment views to the market with Panorama View 3D.”

The NAVIGON 8100T sells for $599 (MSRP). It hits online retailers in November 2008 and is available with NAVIGON’s breakthrough optional FreshMaps, which provides up to 12 map updates over three years for $79.99 (MSRP).

The NAVIGON 8100T features include:

·       Panorama View 3D. True 3D environment views come to the navigation experience. The road ahead is displayed with surrounding landscapes and digital elevations. This detailed geographic guidance helps drivers see what lies ahead. The impressive views are supported by a built-in graphics accelerator.

·       Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life. Real-time traffic updates allow routing around congestion by including traffic flow, incidents and alternate routes and works for the lifetime of the product right out of the box without any registration processes, fees or additional hardware. Across 95 markets in the U.S. and Canada, the NAVIGON 8100T will alert drivers of traffic troubles and provide alternate routes.

·       Voice Destination Entry. Advanced voice recognition allows drivers to specify their destination by simply speaking the address. NAVIGON’s distinctive iconic interface guides the users through the process.

·       Uncompromising Design. The 8100T takes NAVIGON’s love for design to a new level. The silver brushed-metal housing serves as the ideal frame for an extra-large 4.8” widescreen display. The complementary premium car mount echoes the design of the 8100T, plus it has additional functionality too. The charger is built-in, users simply dock the device on the mount and it automatically stays charged. 

·       Reality View™ Pro. Never miss an exit again with the next generation of Reality View –providing more coverage in more places. Reality View Pro displays photo-realistic 3D views with actual road signs and lane guidance for virtually every highway interchange and exit that drivers will encounter.

·       Lane Assistant Pro. Helps drivers prepare to make an upcoming exit or turn by providing clear visual lane guidance. NAVIGON’s second generation of Lane Assistant provides a lane map complete with arrows and actual road geometry. 

·       Fast Destination Entry. The latest generation of NAVIGON software makes entering and finding information fast and simple with fewer clicks. NAVIGON’s SmartSpeller feature helps guiding through the entry process. 

·       Bluetooth® Hands-Free. The integrated Bluetooth® feature helps keeping both hands on the wheel while still staying connected. The NAVIGON 8100T acts like a Bluetooth speakerphone to hold conversations without all the distractions. As an added feature, Microsoft® Outlook contacts can be imported to the NAVIGON 8100T with NAVIGON Sync. 

·       Advanced Text-to-speech. Spoken Directions with Street Names lets drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with advanced phonetic text-to-speech technology to ensure proper pronunciation of streets.

·       Zagat® Ratings and Reviews. Only NAVIGON can show where to wine, dine, and unwind with a built-in exclusive ZAGAT guide that includes over 27,000 listings across the U.S. and Canada spanning hotels, nightclubs, attractions and golf courses. With millions of standard points-of-interest and branded icons onboard users always have a gas station, restaurant or golf course at their finger tips.

·       Exit Guide. NAVIGON’s Highway Exit Guide enables users to search upcoming exits for one of six POI categories – food, gas, lodging, rest areas, auto service or shopping. And, with one click, the NAVIGON 8100T navigates there.

·       DirectHelp^SM. Help is a click away with this DirectHelp, providing instant driving directions to and contact information for nearby hospitals, police stations, roadside assistance, and pharmacies.

·       Top-Notch Performance. NAVIGON’s new software gets to the right route in less time. NAVIGON’s new software platform delivers our most responsive interface to date and supports incredibly fast route calculation times.

Also with:

·       Speed Assistant

·       Multi-Destination Trip Planning

·       Automatic Standby Feature

·       Favorites as POI

About NAVIGON
NAVIGON INC. is one of the world’s leading providers of navigation products and software solutions. NAVIGON makes its own navigation brand consumer products and creates software solutions for OEM customers operating in personal navigation, wireless, and automotive sectors. Founded in 1991, NAVIGON is present in Europe, North America and Asia. For more information, visit  www.navigon.com.

Radio Shack is gaining another GPS exclusive product with two new NAVIGON units. The 5100 max sports a large 4.3-inch touchscreen, NAVIGON’s Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, and an Advanced Text-to-Speech guidance system. The 2090S is equipped with a smaller 3.5-inch screen but retains most of its big brothers features. Both units come with NAVIGON’s FreshMaps so users will get eight map updates over two years free. The two GPS units retail for $299 and $199 respectively, and are available only at Radio Shack.

NAVIGON Launches NAVIGON 5100 max and NAVIGON 2090S GPS Navigators

 New NAVIGON 5100 max and NAVIGON 2090S Personal Navigation Devices and accessories available exclusively at RadioShack stores and online at RadioShack.com

CHICAGO, November 3, 2008 — NAVIGON, the leading innovator in the navigation market, and RadioShack, one of the nation’s most experienced consumer electronics specialty retailers, today announced that the new NAVIGON 5100 max and NAVIGON 2090S GPS devices will be sold exclusively at RadioShack stores and through RadioShack.com. Both products offer a list of advanced and exclusive features, are based on NAVIGON’s newest generation of fast and easy to use software, and offer regular map updates with NAVIGON FreshMaps.

The elegantly designed NAVIGON 5100 max features an extra-wide 4.3” touchscreen display and Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life. Based on NAVIGON’s newest generation of fast and easy-to-use software, both the NAVIGON 5100 max  and NAVIGON 2090S come with Reality View™ Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Advanced Text-to-Speech guidance announcing directions and street names, and DirectHelp^SM which provides directions to nearby emergency service providers including hospitals, pharmacies and road-side help — all at the touch of a button. Both provide up to eight regular map updates with NAVIGON FreshMaps, over a $50 value if purchased alone.

“NAVIGON’s 5100 max and 2090S units offer the unmatched navigation experience and unique feature set that has come to be associated with NAVIGON products,” said Michael Roach, NAVIGON’s President for the Americas. “We are proud to work with RadioShack on this exclusive partnership and commend RadioShack’s dedication to offering its customers the latest technology and innovation.” 

The NAVIGON 2090S and NAVIGON 5100 max are available exclusively at RadioShack stores and online at www.radioshack.com. The products retail for $199.99 and $299.99, respectively.

The NAVIGON 5100 max features include:

·       Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life. Real-time traffic updates allow routing around congestion by including traffic flow, incidents and alternate routes and works for the lifetime of the product out-of-the-box without any fees or additional hardware.

·       NAVIGON FreshMaps: Keeps your NAVIGON 5100 max as up-to-date as it was on the day you bought it with up to eight quarterly map updates spanning two years.

·       Extra-wide 4.3” touchscreen display with 16:9 aspect ratio

·       Reality View™ Pro. Never miss an exit again with the next generation of Reality View providing more coverage in more places. Reality View Pro displays 3D views with road sign text and lane guidance for virtually every highway interchange and exit.  

·       Lane Assistant Pro. Helps drivers prepare to make an upcoming exit or turn by providing clear visual lane guidance. NAVIGON’s second generation of Lane Assistant provides a lane map complete with arrows and actual road geometry. 

·       Bluetooth® Hands-Free. The integrated Bluetooth® feature helps keep both hands on the wheel while still staying connected. The NAVIGON 5100 max acts like a Bluetooth speakerphone to hold hands-free conversations. Contacts are easily downloaded for one-touch calling.

·       Advanced Text-to-speech. Lets drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with advanced phonetic text-to-speech technology to ensure proper pronunciation of streets.

·       Fast Destination Entry. The latest generation of NAVIGON software makes entering and finding information fast and simple. NAVIGON’s SmartSpeller feature helps guiding through the entry process.

·       Exit Guide. NAVIGON’s Exit Guide enables users to search upcoming exits for one of six POI categories – food, gas, lodging, rest areas, auto service or shopping. And, with one click, the NAVIGON 5100 max navigates there.

·       Top-Notch Performance. NAVIGON’s new software gets to the right route in less time. Our new platform delivers our most responsive interface to date with dramatically improved route calculation times to get directions more quickly.   

The NAVIGON 2090S features include:

·       Reality View™ Pro

·       Advanced Text-to-speech

·       NAVIGON FreshMaps

·       Lane Assistant Pro

·       Fast Destination Entry with latest generation of software

·       DirectHelp^SM

·       3.5” touchscreen display

About NAVIGON
NAVIGON INC. is one of the world’s leading providers of navigation products and software solutions. NAVIGON makes its own navigation brand consumer products and creates software solutions for OEM customers operating in personal navigation, wireless, and automotive sectors. Founded in 1991, NAVIGON is present in Europe, North America and Asia. For more information, visit www.navigon.com or www.experiencenavigon.com.

The J.D. Power and Associates just released the 2008 Portable Navigation Device customer satisfaction rankings with Garmin taking the top seat and TomTom following closely behind. These scores are a composite of six factors that include: ease of use, routing, system appearance, speed of system, voice direction, and navigation display screen. 

Garmin ranks highest among portable navigation device manufacturers, performing particularly well in the display screen, ease of use and appearance factors

TomTom follows Garmin in the ranking, performing well in the routing, speed of system and voice direction factors

Personally, I have never been a big fan of Garmin interfaces; who am I though but a lowly gadget blogger.

JDPower via GPSTracklog

Yesterday we grabbed a GPS deal at $149. Now today, Staples has the Navigon 2100 GPS unit at $119 plus a $20 mail-in rebate, brining the price down to $99.

The 2100 features preloaded maps of the lower 48, 3.5-inch touchscreen, text-to-speech, 3D navigation, and optional traffic information. Not bad at all for under $100.

NAVIGON 2100 Portable GPS [Staples]

NAVIGON’s latest GPS device packs in the firm’s latest software updates into a lower price, and thin, package. Lane Assistant Pro and Reality View Pro both with the 3.5-inch 2000S that’s launch price at $199 should attract buyer’s attention. The whole package reminds me of the 2200S announced last week but seems to lack the free traffic updates., the budget GPS unit features an updated destination entry system and even spell checks your entry. (nice)Throw in a 2GB of flash memory, along with a 375MHz ATLAS III CPU with 64MB of SDRAM and this should be a good Christmas seller.

It’s safe to say that now’s the time to purchase a GPS after Navigon’s announcement today. I can’t attest to Navigon’s UI or ease of use, but I’d be willing to take that gamble. The 2200T is not only economical at $229, but you’re getting real-time traffic updates for free. Besides that nugget of gold, the 2200T features a 3.5-inch screen, text-to-speech (Look ma, no hands!), and Reality View Pro (3D images for highway exits and complex interchanges). Those are the big guns, but it also comes with a speed assistant, multi-destination trip planning, auto standby mode, and auto day/night mode. Oh, and it’s only .75-inches thick.

Full release after the jump.

At $229 (MSRP), NAVIGON’s new 2200T becomes the first genuine entry-level
GPS navigator to feature free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life

CHICAGO, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ — NAVIGON, one of the world’s leading
and fastest growing providers of navigation products and solutions, today
unveiled its feature-rich NAVIGON 2200T GPS Navigator. The NAVIGON 2200T
offers a best-in-class navigation experience characterized by NAVIGON’s
roster of trademark features — including free real-time traffic updates
for the life of the product.

The NAVIGON 2200T — “T” for Traffic — is based on NAVIGON’s next
generation software which makes route calculation fast and entering a
destination easy, requiring fewer clicks than any other GPS product to
enter a destination. With high-end features such as Reality View Pro(TM),
Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life and text-to-speech, the 3.5″
NAVIGON 2200T is the marvel of its price class, selling for $229 (MSRP).

“As competitors try to match the unique features that we first
introduced last year we continue to enhance our offering, maintaining our
position as the lead innovator in the industry,” says Andreas Hecht,
NAVIGON’s president for the America’s. “Our vision for the NAVIGON 2200T
was to take the NAVIGON experience to a new level in a stylish, highly
portable package. This device delivers a navigation experience that exceeds
that of any high-end device on the market today at an attractive price
point.”

Features that Set it Apart

Real-time traffic, good for the life of the product, provides traffic
updates and flow information that guides users around congestion and
shortens the drive time. Reality View Pro(TM), the next generation of
NAVIGON’s exclusive Reality View feature, adds 3D images for highway exits
as well as complex interchanges. Lane Assistant Pro(TM) provides clear lane
guidance to help drivers prepare for upcoming turns.

NAVIGON 2200T features include:

— Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life. Users can easily route
around traffic congestion to reach their destinations faster. NAVIGON
delivers traffic in a unique way — it’s ready to go, for the life of the
product, right out of the box. No subscriptions, trial periods or
additional hardware to buy. Using simple color coding, the NAVIGON 2200T
will show the severity of congestion, what and where the problem is, and
(most importantly) how to get around it. Plus, with coverage in 95 markets
in both U.S. and Canada, users are covered wherever their travels take
them.

— Reality View Pro(TM). NAVIGON takes its trademark feature one-step
further with the second generation of Reality View-Reality View Pro(TM).
Reality View Pro provides 3D images and actual road sign text for virtually
every highway interchange and exit you will encounter — so you’ll never
miss your exit again.

— Lane Assistant Pro(TM). Helps drivers prepare to make an upcoming
exit or turn by providing clear visual lane guidance. NAVIGON’s second
generation of Lane Assistant provides a lane map complete with arrows and
actual road geometry.

— Fast Destination Entry. The latest generation of NAVIGON software
makes entering and finding information fast and simple with, on average,
fewer clicks than any competitor product. NAVIGON’s SmartSpeller feature
helps guiding through the entry process.

— Advanced Text-to-speech. Spoken Directions with Street Names lets
drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with advanced
phonetic text-to-speech technology that ensures proper pronunciation of
streets.

— DirectHelp(TM). Help is a click away with DirectHelp, providing
instant driving directions to and contact information for nearby hospitals,
police stations, roadside assistance, and pharmacies.

— High Performance. NAVIGON’s new software platform delivers our most
responsive interface to date with dramatically improved route calculation
times.

— Instant Fix GPS. With NAVIGON’s new Instant Fix GPS receiver (SIRF
InstantFixII Receiver), the NAVIGON 2200T triangulates global position in a
matter of seconds and is minimally affected by urban canyons and tall
trees.

— Ultra-thin and portable. Less than 3/4″ thick, the NAVIGON 2200T is
compact enough to take users anywhere whether traveling the world or the
local neighborhood.

— Favorites as POI: Shows stored addresses with name on the map marked
with flags.

— NAVIGON FreshMaps: Keep your 2200T as up-to-date in three years as
it was on the day you bought it with NAVIGON’s FreshMaps accessory,
providing up to 12 map updates for three years for $79.99 (MSRP).

Also with:
— Speed Assistant
— Multi-Destination Trip Planning
— Automatic Standby Feature
— Auto Day/Night Mode

About NAVIGON

NAVIGON INC. is one of the world’s leading providers of navigation
products and software solutions. NAVIGON makes its own navigation brand
consumer products and creates software solutions for OEM customers
operating in personal navigation, wireless, and automotive sectors. Founded
in 1991, NAVIGON employs more than 400 people in Europe, North America and
Asia. For more information, visit http://www.navigon.com or
http://www.experiencenavigon.com.

Garmin makes more GPS units than I would care to count, but when the firm update two of their mainstream lineups, I take notice. Both the nüvi 2×5 and the 7×5 models were updated with the former of the two receiving lifetime NAVTEQ Traffic alerts and Bluetooth calling features. Pricing and availability for the 265T, 265WT and 275T should be out soon.  

The higher-end 7×5 series receives familiar tech updates. Something about the new features of Lane Assist and 3D buildings makes me think back a few days to the NAVIGON 7200T announcement. Moving on though, the Garmin units now have lifetime NAVTEQ traffic too, with the 785T receiving MSN Direct treatment. (think gas prices, weather reports, new…stuff like that) These models have already been priced with the 755T clocking in at $499, $599 for the 765T, $799 for the 775T and $699 for the 785T. No word on availability but we’re sure they will be out soon if the pricing is already out.

7X5 PR & 2X5 PR

NAVIGON has just announced the availability of their latest high-end GPS device. The company took the great 7100 model, threw in a Centrality Titan 600 MHz processor, an updated GPS chip, and still managed to pop out an overall smaller unit model.  The 7200T still maintains NAVIGON’s free, real-time traffic and most of the goodies from it’s predecessor, but the UI is getting tweaked for the better. 

This time around, when the Reality-View is enabled, landmarks like the Empire State Building and such show up in 3D. Who knows how many said landmarks are in the database, but we imagine there must be a bunch to make this feature available. Handsfree junkies will appreciate not only the standard Bluetooth calling, but also the new destination entry mode. The 7200t will send you on your mary way by simply speaking the address or landmark. NAVIGON has also refreshed the Lane Assistant mode and added an exit guide to find those Bigby Coffees a bit easier.

At least by comparing the new spec sheet verses the older model, the update looks great. The faster processor, coupled with the new map features should make for an impressive GPS unit. We’ll find out for sure though when the 7200T drops in October, tagged with a $449 MSRP.

Press release after the break.

NAVIGON UNVEILS NEW PREMIUM GPS DEVICE

 At the intersection of design and innovation, there’s the NAVIGON 7200T  

Chicago, Illinois, AUGUST 26, 2008 — NAVIGON, one of the world’s leading and fastest growing providers of navigation products and solutions, today unveiled its new, high-end NAVIGON 7200T.  

A premium portable navigation device for those looking for both style and substance, the NAVIGON 7200T offers features no other GPS system has such as Reality View Pro^TM, Lane Assistant Pro^TM and Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life. It features a host of next generation features such as Voice Destination Entry, allowing drivers to specify their destination by simply speaking the address, and Landmark View 3D, which brings a new dimension to the map with hundreds of richly-textured 3D landmarks across the U.S. and Canada. The NAVIGON 7200T employs NAVIGON’s next generation software, on average requiring fewer clicks than any other GPS product to enter a destination.

And navigation has never looked so good. Reflecting NAVIGON’s award-winning DNA, the new premium GPS is not only slim and portable, but also elegantly and uniquely designed with its gorgeous Flat-Panel Touchscreen creating a sleek, frameless display. In a word, the NAVIGON 7200T is a stunner and sells for $449 (MSRP) in the U.S. and Canada. It hits stores shelves and online retailers in October 2008.

“The NAVIGON 7200T is for discerning users who are looking for next generation navigation features wrapped in a stunning design,” says Andreas Hecht, NAVIGON’s president for the Americas. “It embodies exactly what NAVIGON represents – smart, useful features backed by elegant design.”

Style and Substance

The NAVIGON 7200T elevates the navigation experience with hallmark features that are thoughtful, relevant, and in many instances, exclusive. It is available with NAVIGON’s breakthrough optional FreshMaps, which provides up to 12 map updates for three years for $79.99 (MSRP).

The NAVIGON 7200T features include:

·       Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life. Real-time traffic updates allow routing around congestion by including traffic flow, incidents and alternate routes and works for the lifetime of the product out-of-the-box without any registration processes, fees or additional hardware.

·       Voice Destination Entry. Advanced voice recognition allows drivers to specify their destination by simply speaking the address. NAVIGON’s distinctive iconic interface guides users through the process.

·       Landmark View 3D. The NAVIGON 7200T brings a new dimension to the map with hundreds of richly-textured 3D landmarks across the U.S. and Canada like the Empire State Building and the White House. 

·       Reality View Pro™. Never miss an exit again with the next generation of Reality View providing more coverage in more places. Reality View Pro displays photo-realistic 3D views with actual road signs and lane guidance for virtually every highway interchange and exit drivers will encounter.

·       Lane Assistant Pro™. Helps drivers prepare to make an upcoming exit or turn by providing clear visual lane guidance. NAVIGON’s second generation of Lane Assistant provides a lane map complete with arrows and actual road geometry. 

·       Flat-Panel Design. NAVIGON is not only committed to designing products that are appealing to the eye, but are also designed to make navigating the device simple and effortless. The NAVIGON 7200T sports an innovative, frameless touchscreen. The responsive Flat-Panel Touchscreen adds to the sleek and elegant exterior of the 7200T. 

·       Fewer clicks to get you there. The latest generation of NAVIGON software makes entering and finding information fast and simple with, on average, fewer clicks than any competitor product. NAVIGON’s SmartSpeller feature helps guide users through the entry process. 

·       Go Hands-Free. The integrated Bluetooth® feature helps keep both hands on the wheel while still staying connected. The NAVIGON 7200T acts like a Bluetooth speakerphone to hold conversations without all the distractions, plus your contacts are downloaded automatically for one-touch calling.

·       Advanced Text-to-speech. Spoken Directions with Street Names lets drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with advanced phonetic text-to-speech technology to ensure proper pronunciation of streets.

·       Zagat® Ratings and Reviews. Shows where to wine, dine, and unwind with a built-in ZAGAT guide for restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, attractions and golf courses. With millions of standard points-of-interest and branded icons, onboard users always have a gas station, restaurant or golf course at their finger tips.

·       DirectHelp™. Help is a click away with DirectHelp, providing instant driving directions to and contact information for nearby hospitals, police stations, roadside assistance and pharmacies.

·       Exit Guide. NAVIGON’s Exit Guide enables users to search upcoming exits for one of six POI categories – food, gas, lodging, rest areas, auto service or shopping. And, with one click, the NAVIGON 7200T navigates there.

·       Faster. Faster. Faster. NAVIGON’s new software gets to the right route in less time. Our new platform delivers our most responsive interface to date with dramatically improved route calculation times to get directions more quickly.   

·       Instant Fix GPS. With NAVIGON’s new Instant Fix GPS receiver (SIRF InstantFixII Receiver), the NAVIGON 7200T triangulates global position in a matter of seconds and improves performance in urban canyons and areas with tall trees. 

·       Favorites as POI: Shows stored addresses with name on the map marked with flags.

Also with:

·       Speed Assistant

·       Multi-Destination Trip Planning

·       Automatic Standby Feature

·       Auto Day/Night Mode

About NAVIGON
NAVIGON INC. is one of the world’s leading providers of navigation products and software solutions. NAVIGON makes its own navigation brand consumer products and creates software solutions for OEM customers operating in personal navigation, wireless, and automotive sectors. Founded in 1991, NAVIGON employs more than 400 people in Europe, North America and Asia. For more information, visit www.navigon.com or www.experiencenavigon.com.

# # #

Navigon made waves not long ago by introducing GPS units with free map upgrades for a one-time fee, unique among entry-level GPS units. The 2100 Max is an inexpensive in-car GPS add-on with many high-end features, including text to speech, comprehensive POI database, and upgradable maps.

The Good Stuff

The 2100 Max has a 4.3-inch touchscreen that does the job well enough. It has a sturdy feel to it. The overall unit design is quite nice, it’s minimalistic, with only a couple of input buttons to worry about, notably the power button.

There’s an SD card slot on the right hand side that comes pre-loaded with Navigon’s 1GB map-filled card. It also has an antenna mount on the back for a more robust GPS antenna if that’s your thing, but it worked fine without one.

It’s powered by an internal battery and charged via the USB port on the bottom, we always like USB chargeable devices.

The GPS unit comes with a suction cup-style windshield mount that I must say works perfectly fine. Even when I gave the mount’s arm a vigorous shake it stayed stuck to the window. In other GPS units this can be a problem, but not with the 2100.

The 3D-aspect maps work quite well, and refresh time is close to real time. It’d be hard to get lost with this guy as a guide. That said, the map itself is fairly sparse; if you’re used to Google Maps and its outlines of buildings and parks you may find yourself wanting with the built-in maps. I, though, appreciated the un-cluttered look.

One neat trick the device does is it will track your speed, and it has an optional warning when you go a specified number of miles over the limit where you’re at. If you’re heavy footed like yours truly, this is a blessing.

The re-routing works quite well, though it’s not the fastest I’ve seen. I missed a turn getting onto the West Seattle bridge and it took me a way back around I hadn’t known about and now love.

Not so good

While the interface is simple, it’s not intuitive. When I’m getting directions, I want to be able to just input the address or name of the destination. I guess I’m used to the ease of use of Google Maps, but the Navigon UI wants me to put in my city first, followed by street, then number. I’m not sure why, but that’s how it works. It’s very offputting, but not a deal breaker.

The interface itself is sluggish. It sometimes takes one or two seconds for a screen tap to register and return with data. The unit could benefit from a snappier operating system for sure.

Because of these two problems, you should really allow your passenger to do the work with the GPS, or pull off the road. Doing it while driving is far too distracting, even on an empty roadway.

It took me several minutes of configuration before I could start using the device, and all the hoops seemed redundant. A consumer unit should be ready to go out of the box.

While I did like the feature to string multiple destinations into one trip, the lack of interesting points of interest seemed like a waste. Sure, restaurants and gas stations are listed, but many other things, like my local bowling alley, aren’t.

Now, it should be noted here that there’s an upgrade to the built-in maps, but it requires an activation code that my demo unit didn’t come with. It’s possible that the new maps include more things. I know an update is in order because it thinks there’s still a Burger King on Capitol Hill, even though it’s been gone for three years.

Conclusion

If you’ve never had a GPS unit before, this is a great way to start. The price point is great — generally under $250, sometimes on sale for less than $200 — and they’re very useful to have if you travel a lot. But if you’re looking for a way to upgrade the one you have now, look elsewhere. Though it works just fine, the sluggish interface and lack of destinations will make current GPS owners annoyed at best.

Score: 7/10

There’s also a feature called “DirectHelp” that “pinpoints a user’s location and provides instant links to nearby services such as hospitals, pharmacies, and roadside assistance.” The only difference between the 2100 max and the 2120 max is that the 2120 includes maps of the US and Canada, while the 2100 just has the lower 48.

NAVIGON also announced its “FreshMaps” service, which updates your maps and points-of-interest up to 12 times over three years so you’ll always have up-to-date directions. The 2100 max costs $299 and the 2120 max costs $329. If you’re looking for a great deal, Amazon has the non-max version of the 2100 for $160. It’s got most of what the 2100 max has, except for a smaller 3.5-inch 4:3 screen.

NAVIGON’s New GPS Devices Earn Their Name [NAVIGON Press Release]

The Digital Life trade show won’t hit New York till October, but the boys and girls at Ziff Davis had a small (but very crowded, might I add) preview on Thursday, which I’m just getting around to writing about today.

While it seemed like every other company there was tacking GPS onto its products, Navigon wants to distinguish itself. Its two new portable GPS units, the $499 5100 and the $649 7100, are ready for your “I’m lost, what do I do?” scenarios. The units both offer the same standard GPS features you’d expect to see nowadays like built-in places of interest (though with Zagat-supplied “how good is this place?” information, which is unique to Navigon) and text-to-speech (”turn right onto Main Street in 50 feet” not “turn right at intersection in 50 feet”). But it’s Navigon’s Reality View that merits the most attention.

Much like what Google did to get its Street View up and running, a crack team of hippies went around the U.S. and took pictures of busy intersections. When you approach such an intersection, rather than just showing a bland, nondescript map, the GPS device shows a digitized, Nintendo 64-like 3D render of the area. Above, my awful photography sorta shows this.

Both the 5100 and 7100 will be available online later this month.

Navigon