Navigon 2100 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

In the U.S., German-based Navigon may be the biggest name in GPS you've 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 Navigon's line of portable GPS navigators. While it lacks some of the features of it's 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 that's 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.

What's 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

About Navigon
NAVIGON has been a leader of GPS navigation since 1991, and has a long history of industry innovations. NAVIGON created the world's first dynamic personal GPS product in 1996, launched the industry's first navigation software for the Pocket PC in 2000, and unveiled the first Traffic Message Channel-based (TMC) avoidance feature on mobile navigation product in 2002.

NAVIGON has helped revolutionize how consumers get from place to place with software products for practically any navigation-ready hardware. Personal navigation devices (PND), smartphones, and in-dash navigation systems directed by NAVIGON's award-winning MobileNavigator (MN) software delivers reliable information on millions of destinations in an intuitive, easy to use format. NAVIGON is a valued partner to the automotive industry, and in 2006 strengthened its category competency by acquiring NAVTEQ's navigation software business.

NAVIGON is a privately-held software company based in Hamburg, Germany, with NAVIGON USA headquarters in Chicago, IL.

Customer Review: works great no problem so far
works great no problem, although if are familiar with an area there are shorter routes
Customer Review: biggest complaint is many poor direction choices
Overall I like it and it has been very helpful in traveling. The biggest flaw it has is that it very often gives very bad directions. I find that I need to use google maps to confirm whether or not the directions are terrible. Often I will just ignore the bad directions and let it reroute itself to good ones, but that requires extra time to figure out online. You can also add multiple stops to get it to route correctly, but again that is time consuming and is a hack job that you shouldn't have to do.

On part 1 of this series of 10 articles I wrote about the two main types of GPS Systems employed commercially to provide Location Based Services to businesses and consumers: Navigators and Trackers. I described each one of them and their applications. On Part 2 I will start focusing on the GPS TRACKING SYSTEMS and we will leave the GPS Navigators Systems for other articles.
A GPS Tracking System is built by 3 main components:

-A GPS device or GPS Tracker, which receives the location information and then delivers it to a software application.

-A data transmission system, which takes the information provided by the GPS Tracker, and delivers it to the software application.

-A Software Application, which presents to its users the data recollected by the GPS Tracker in several formats including maps and reports.

This article will present the main components of a GPS Tracking Solution, and will start expanding on the first component: GPS Trackers. It will take me this article and the next one to go in detail over GPS devices.

GPS Devices

In this section I will define what a GPS Device, and how they work; then I will introduce the types of trackers, what features bring different types of trackers and my opinion in regards to each type.
At its simplest definition, the GPS device, or better the GPS tracker, is the component in charge of receiving the information about the location of the vehicle, and providing this data to the GPS Tracking Application through the Data Transmission System (which will be explained in coming articles).
GPS Trackers are usually small boxes (metal or plastic) that can be the size of a mans wallet, or a little bigger. All of them need at least one antenna (GPS antenna), and most of them need an additional antenna to enable the data transmission module. So this leads to a first classification of GPS Trackers:

-Full satellite trackers. This type of trackers will use satellites to receive and transmit data.

-Hybrid trackers. This type of trackers will use satellites to acquire location (we will see some variations here later in this article), and another method to transmit the data (a data modem, a data port to download the data, etc).

On the next article I will expand on these concepts.

So, the main task of a GPS Tracker is to provide information of the location of a vehicle or an asset, or a person. The location of the units is usually acquired from the GPS satellites, but there is another method based on triangulation with cell towers to calculate locations. Getting the location from satellites is the most accurate mechanism, providing a minimal margin of error most of the times (from 2 up to 50 feet). GPS location can be acquired anywhere in the world. The only down side for this location technology is that the GPS antenna has to have a view to the sky. For example, if the vehicle gets into a garage, most probably there will not be GPS locations available.

Getting the location based on a triangulation with the cell towers (those that are also used by our cell phones to transmit voice and data) has a bigger margin of error (up to a few hundred feet), making it a not very accurate location mechanism. This type of location also requires the presence of the named cell towers to work. The upside of this mechanism is that it will perfectly work within buildings, which is not the case for GPS satellite location. Some GPS Trackers are designed to work with both location mechanisms, creating a new concept called Assisted GPS (AGPS).

There are mainly three types of GPS Trackers: Passive Trackers, PING Trackers, and Live Trackers. Also, some devices have more capabilities than just getting the location of the vehicle.

In this article I have dissected a GPS Tracking solution into three main components: a GPS Tracker, a data transmission system, and a GPS Tracking application. I have also started exposing the details of GPS Trackers, specifically the two main ways to locate a vehicle. Finally, I introduced two more elements to consider in GPS Trackers: types of trackers and advanced features of a GPS device.

Mr. Juan Olano, with over 10 year in GPS Tracking Industry, deep knowledge of wireless communications, tracking devices, map engines, and contact with over 2,000 companies that adopted GPS, earned him a position as expert of GPS Tracking Technologies. Find more about Mr. Olano at http://www.trackingsolutionsonline.com

Magellan Maestro 4000 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

With built-in AAA TourBook® travel information and member roadside assistance details, the Magellan Maestro 4000 Portable Auto GPS System is the ultimate travel companion. Re-engineered for easy use, its fresh graphics and intelligent touch-screen buttons offer a superior, precise navigational experience. And with its error free QuickSpell⢠software you only need to enter a few letters to find your destination. The Magellan Maestro 4000 makes driving more pleasurable and less stressful.

With fresh graphics and an intelligent touch screen, the Magellan Maestro 4000 is the ultimate travel companion. View larger - Side view

Easy to use navigation features SmartDetour and auto re-route. View larger.

Access built-in AAA information from your GPS touch screen. View larger.

AAA-enabled
The Maestro 4000 includes built-in AAA TourBook® guide travel information, giving you instant access to service details and Diamond ratings from the world's leading travel expert. Quickly find AAA approved lodgings and restaurants, AAA member roadside assistance details, and discounts available through the AAA Show Your Card & Save® program. Touch the tow truck icon and quickly access details for directing AAA member roadside assistance to your location.

Note: AAA member roadside assistance requires AAA membership.

Easy-to-Use Navigation
If you don't like reading directions, you'll love the Magellan Maestro 4000. It's simple to use and ready to guide you to virtually any destination in the 48 continental United States right out of the box -- just turn it on and go. Its thin, sophisticated design and attractive, intuitive touch-screen graphics make driving a pleasure. Enter an address or select from 1.5 million preprogrammed points of interest (POIs), such as ATMs, gas stations, and restaurants with just a few screen touches. SiRFstarIII⢠gives you the fastest GPS position accuracy in the industry, which you can use to route on the 2D or 3D map. Finally, let Maestro's friendly voice guide you turn-by-turn while you enjoy the drive.

Additional Product Features

• Turn-by-turn voice and visual guidance: Enter virtually any address or POI and get there quickly and safely
• Graphical interactive maps: Built-in maps and destinations for the continental U.S. mean you'll always know where you are and where you're going
• Bird's-eye 3D view: Clearly see your surroundings in 2D or 3D; also choose between Map View, TrueView⢠3D split screen, and Maneuver List
• Rechargeable battery: Navigate even when you don't have access to power
• Multi-destination routing: Select up to 20 destinations and choose the order that best fits your needs
• SmartDetourâ¢: Automatically prompts you to route around slow freeway traffic
• Auto re-route: Never miss a turn and quickly get back on track whenever you make a detour
• Auto night view: Adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing
• Complete mobility: Transfer your Maestro 4000 to any vehicle, with no installation
• 1.5 million points of interest (POI): Optimized database to easily find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, and more. And with smart location you can search by name, category, and region. There's even a Coffee category so you can quickly find caffeine whenever you need it.
• Interactive POI icons: Touch an onscreen icon for a nearby destination, see name and address, and get an instant route
• Customizable route methods: Fastest time, shortest distance, least or most use of freeways, avoid toll roads
• Route exclusion: Select streets and freeways to avoid so you can get there your way
• Address Book: Create and store POIs for easy reoccurring trips
• Instant locate: One touch shows your location; quickly advise roadside assistance or emergency services

What's in the Box
Magellan Maestro 4000 Portable Auto GPS System, windshield mount and cradle, adhesive dash mount disk, cigarette lighter power adapter (12-24 watts), AC wall power supply/charger, quick reference guide, reference manual CD, and USB cable.
Customer Review: Customer Service less than acceptable
This item was ordered from Ritz Camera, I was advised that the order was canceled so ordered from another vendor. After receiving the order I placed with the other vendor, I got an e-mail advising that Ritz had shipped the original order. I was advised on March 14, 2008 that a return authorization had been requested so that I could return the unopened canceled order. I followed up three times since and as of April 24, still have no return authorization. I do not understand how in the day of computer communication how I could have been told both over the phone and via e-mail that the order was canceled and then still have it shipped, even more disturbing is that it would take over 30 days for them to supply a return authorization
Customer Review: Better than expected.
I just bought it for fun. I was impressed how fast it find the way. I made wrong turns to test this unit, it re calculate very fast. I was going to buy one with text to voice(like make left turn on 1st street, not like left turn on 0.5 mile) but with is unit I don't need that expensive option. It give ding dong signal about 30 ft before I need to make turn, this is very important when you drive. Last Sunday I test this unit to find the way to my church, it find faster way that I didn't know before. I save 5 min. drive bec. of that. Size is big. people who intrested buy 7 in screen, forget it this is big enough and doesn't cover you sight to the road. It comes with case for this unit, ac power cord, and suction cup and the mounting adapter. I am very happy with it. I wish I could add business time on POI and my favorite locations. I bought it for $159.99.

Sure, brands like Garmin, Magellan, and even Tom-Tom are some of the world's most popular GPS navigation brands. But sometimes, looking in these brands for the best portable GPS navigation may leave you disappointed with an average product.

Display

Look instead, for example, into brands like Harman Kardon who recently released the feature-packed and stylish GPS-810. The first thing you may notice about this particular unit is its style. The entire portable GPS unit is no thicker than " thick and houses a large 4.3" LCD touchscreen display. It's incredibly clear, bright, and easy to read even in direct sunlight. The display supports images as large as 4906 x 3072 pixels, and could downscale them into the appropriate size in order for it to be displayed appropriately on the widescreen.

Navigation

There are several additional amazing features on the GPS-810. First, it features quick refresh rates, calculations, and response time thanks to its built-in memory storage and its internal 532 MHz processor. You will never experience lag or slow calculations. Instead, you will find that finding a place to go is as quick as you need it. Choose from a list of 12 million points of interest and go to your favorite local restaurant. Yes, you read that correctly, 12 MILLION points! Compare that to the average 1-6 million points of interests that are featured in lesser but more common GPS units, and you will find that the unit has more addresses than any other portable navigation device. The GPS receiver could even receive traffic alert messages and would then display the information on the screen. It also receives up to 16 different GPS satellites to ensure optimal GPS coverage.

Media Player

The GPS-810 could also be used as an audio and video media player. It is compatible with AAC, MP3, WMA, WMV, and WMA with DRM (Digital Rights Management) file formats. It puts out audio through its built-in headphone jack, or its internal FM modulator. This means that you could potentially give your car's audio system AAC, MP3, and WMA playback capability with the addition of the GPS-810. Not only that, but with its SD Card input, you could also add SD Card support and play its contents with your existing car stereo system.

Bluetooth

The Harman Kardon GPS-810 could also receive and make wireless phone calls through its built-in Bluetooth connectivity. It will allow any cell phone with Bluetooth technology to be synched to the unit and have its phonebook be displayed on the 4.3" LCD display. It will display caller ID as well as call status when it is activated. You can now drive, navigate, and speak on the telephone safely and conveniently, all thanks to the GPS-810.

Wireless

Okay, so at this point, you should be amazed at the abilities of the GPS-810. If you're not, please note one more additional feature: a wireless remote. The GPS-810 includes a wireless rotary-touch remote that could be mounted virtually anywhere. You wouldn't have to reach forward to the GPS navigation mount, but instead use the wireless remote that behaves naturally as a guide and a remote. It is not difficult to use, and has a similar concept as the Apple iPod touch controls.

The Harman Kardon GPS-810 is definitely one of the best portable GPS devices to have ever been made. It has unsurpassed top-quality construction by a top-tier brand like Harman Kardon and is packed with rare but extremely convenient features. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, the Harman Kardon GPS-810 is your dream come true!

Visit these resources to get more information about Harman Kardon GPS Systems and GPS Navigation System reviews