Navigon 2100 3.5-Inch Portable GPS
Navigator
Navigon 2120 3.5-Inch Portable Gps Navigator
In the U.S., German-based Navigon may be the biggest name in GPS
youve never heard. Navigon has long been a major provider of navigation
software to automotive manufacturers for in-dash gps navigation devices,
but only recently did they introduce portable navigation devices under their
own name. What they offer up, however, demonstrates immediately that
this is a company that knows navigation inside and out.
The 2100 is the lowest-priced (and smallest) of Navigons line of portable
GPS navigators. While it lacks some of the features of its bigger siblings,
the 7100 and 5100, it packs solid navigation and some unique features
into its diminutive frame.
The Navigon Family of Portable Navigators The 2100 and 5100 have 3.5-
inch screens, while the 7100 has a 4.3-inch widescreen. The big difference
is that the 5100 and 7100 come with free lifetime traffic data, while with
the 2100 you have to buy an activation code separately. The 5100 and
7100 have a feature called Lane Assistant that will suggest which lane you
should be driving in, but thats not such a big deal. Another important
difference is that the 7100 also adds bluetooth-capability for hands-free
mobile phone integration, which is really handy. If you want that feature, do
check out the 7100. This chart may help as well.
Screen Size (diagonally)
Bluetooth
Lifetime Traffic Data Service
Lane Assistant
Reality View
Zagat Ratings
POIs
2100
3.5 inches
Requires Purchase of Activation Code
1.3 million
5100
3.5 inches
Included Free
millions
7100 4.3 inches
Included Free
millions
Intuitive, animated menus offer predictive text input, helping you select
your destination quickly. View larger.
The reality view guides you with photo-realistic 3D images of junctions.
View larger. Navigon decided not to try to add multimedia features like a
photo viewer or MP3 player into its devices, but instead focused on
navigation-based features. The 2100 provides precise turn-by-turn
directions, including spoken road names via text-to-speech
Reality view guides you with photo-realistic 3D images of junctions,
complete with actual sign text and exit ramp guidance. This makes
translating what the navigator is telling you to what you see on the road
instantaneous.
Superior Software and Hardware
The features and functions of the Navigon 2100 are controlled via intuitive,
easy-to-use animated menus that use predictive text input to quickly and
easily select your city, state and address. Maps and menus appear on its
extra-large and elegant, high-contrast 3.5-inch, full-color touch-screen
display. The 5100 includes a powerful Samsung 400 MHz processor, a
fully integrated SiRF Star III GPS chip, 64 MBs of both RAM and ROM built
in, and a rechargeable 1,200 mAh lithium ion battery that is rated for 4.5
hours of continuous use. All this is housed in an ultra-thin, sleek chrome
housing that weighs only 6.3 ounces, and measures just 4.2 x 3.3 x 0.9
inches (W x H x D). The Navigon 5200 even comes pre-loaded with
complete maps of the U.S. and Canada, providing you with superbly
accurate, seamless door-to-door directions wherever your vehicular travels
might take you.
Note that the 2100 runs on the Microsoft Windows CD Net 5.0 operating
system. A PC is required to use additional map data, and in such cases
users require Windows 2000, ME, XP or higher, as well as a CD ROM
drive and a USB port. An SD/MMC card reader is recommended as the
7100 not only uses SD cards, but also comes with a 2 GB SD card in the
package.
Whats in the Box
Navigon 2100 GPS Navigator, SD card preloaded with software and maps
of the continental US, rechargeable 1150 mAH lithium ion battery (rated for
up to 4.5 hours),
car charger, car mount, quickstart guide, limited warranty
Features:
* Ready out-of-the-box. Just turn on and go!
* Superbly accurate, door-to-door directions. Coast to coast maps of the
continental U.S.
* Spoken directions including street names via text-to-speech.
* Reality View¿ makes complex highway junctions easy to navigate.
* Simple-to-use 3.5" touchscreen with predictive and animated menus.
I have the Navigon 2120 device and it is identical to the 2100 model except
that it contains both US and Canadian maps. You can load Canadian
maps into the 2100 model too.
The factory Navigon software wasnt impressive; its route calculation is a
bit slow & dumb, and the user interface has a lot of lag. The price was
good at $80 CAD though.
At this point I wouldve given this product 3 out of 5 stars.
HOW EVER, I loaded Igo8 navigation software into this device and it does
not lag anymore, its routes are faster & smarter, it shows 3D maps and
buildings (if youre into that kind of eye candy). Its actually better than my
dads $500 Garmin. An easy 5 out of 5 stars. Two friends ordered similar
devices (Navigon 2100 MAX widescreen for $85 and free shipping) and
theyre very happy with it. This beast with igo8 software makes Garmin and
TomTom units look like overpriced brand-name units.
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