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MauritiusToday.com - Shopping Mall - Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
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List Price: $649.00
Our Price: Too low to display
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Navigon
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Binding: Electronics
Brand: Navigon
Color: Piano Black
Display Size: 4.3
EAN: 0898110001051
Feature: Precise turn-by-turn directions, including spoken road names via text-to-speech
Includes Mp3 Player: 1
Is Memorabilia: 0
Label: Navigon
Manufacturer: Navigon
Model: 10000140
Native Resolution: 480 x 272
Publisher: Navigon
Studio: Navigon
Variation Description: Piano Black
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Features
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Precise turn-by-turn directions, including spoken road names via text-to-speech
Lane assistant recommends the best lane for you to be in relative to the proposed route
Photo-realistic 3D images of junctions, complete with actual sign text and exit ramp guidance
Free real-time traffic information via the integrated traffic receiver
High-contrast, wide-format 4.3-inch, full-color touch-screen display; unit measures 5.1 x 3.5 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D)
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Editorial Reviews:
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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.
Navigon...James Navigon
The first thing you notice about the Navigon 7100 GPS Navigator is, well, the Navigon 7100 GPS Navigator. It's beautiful. It's the kind of device you'd expect an international spy to have in their rocket car. It's less than an inch thick, and its shiny black casing will go well with just about any car interior. Paying the same attention to every detail, Navigon's included car mount raises the bar even higher, with a design that is not only easy to use, but echoes the 7100's in a way that makes device and accessory become one, adding a touch of style and elegance to any vehicle's interior.
The Navigon 7100 offers a premium navigation experience in a sleek package. View larger. | 
Intuitive, animated menus offer predictive text input, helping you select your destination quickly. View larger. | 
The lane assistant provides guidance to the optimal lane for your route. View larger. | 
The reality view guides you with photo-realistic 3D images of junctions. View larger. |
Packed with Features
When you stop ogling the outside and really start using the 7100, what you notice is that Navigon has decided to avoid media support and instead has focused on navigation-based features. This means the 7100 is packed, offering an array of features that are, at the time of this writing, unmatched at this price point. It provides you with turn-by-turn directions, including actual road names via text-to-speech. It includes built-in Bluetooth technology that enables hands-free mobile phone integration, which not only increases driver safety, but is fast becoming a necessity as states pass laws against talking on a cell phone hand set while driving. It warns you when you are exceeding the speed limit. It offers 2D and 3D map views with incredibly precise road visualizations (more on that below). Its Navteq data contains millions Points of Interest (POIs) such as restaurants, hotels, golf courses, gas stations, banks, etc.
Reality View and Lane Assistant
The 7100 has two features that are a great help in negotiating unfamiliar or complicated road systems. Lane Assistant recommends the best lane for you to be in relative to the proposed route, so you won't find yourself trying to move over three lanes when the freeway splits.
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. Free Traffic for Life
This is a biggie. The Navigon 7100 comes is the first GPS device to offer subscription-free, real-time traffic information via the integrated traffic receiver with no additional fees or setup for the life of the product. Be advised on traffic flow and incidents, as well as the best alternate routes. The traffic info starts working as soon as you get the 7100 out of the box.
Zagat Ratings and Branded Icons for POIs
All of Navigon's gps navigators offer Zagat ratings and reviews for their POIs, so while this device may not get you a beer, it can tell you where to find the best one. Branded icons displayed on your map make it easier to navigate to a familiar location of your choice. Superior Software and Hardware
The features and functions of the Navigon 7100 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 4.3-inch, full-color touch-screen display with an easy-to-read 16:9 aspect ratio for an exceptional view of the road. The Navigon 7100 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 piano black housing that weighs only seven ounces, and measures just 5.1 x 3.5 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D). The Navigon 7100 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 7100 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
The Navigon 7100 preloaded with North American maps, 2 GB SD card, car charger, wall charger, car mount, USB cable, CD and user manual on DVD, quick installation guide, and warranty information.
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.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Best on the market!
Comment: Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
I received this GPS unit last Xmas and have been using it for the past year. I've used other GPS units and I have to say this one exceeded all my expectations by far. It's beautiful to look at and takes functionality to the next level. While ALL electronics can be a little glitchy from time to time I'll take this one any day. Most of my glitches are/were user error. Once you learn how to actually use it, it's flawless. CHeers and happy driving!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good price But you will need to spend extra $100
Comment: Extra $100 will need to be spent for current map update and for dash mount, as windshield mount doesn't stay attached. It's too long. Mine fell off 3x in first week and broke. Vendor Globazar? said it was a wear and tear issue and suggested I contact Navigon as they are aware of the problem.
This is a good looking unit and a good price but maps and speed limit signs are outdated.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Navigon 7100 Gets you there!
Comment: After days of researching other GPS units, I finally pruchased the 7100 from Navigon.I compared this unit to Garmin,Nextar,Mio,and Magellin. All the units have qualities alike for the most part all with pros and cons but, the 7100 came ahead of the other GPS's for it's dollar value and the features you get. My first impression was that the 7100 had a sleek look and slim design. First boot of the 7100 found a signal within a few seconds. The screen I noticed is bright and easy to read in day light and in dark conditions. The menus seem easy to navigate through but it takes somewhat of a heavy finger to operate the touch screen . You can calibrate the touch screen through the settings menu. I did that and it didn't seem to help,just my prefrence for an easier touch. Turn by turn voice alerts worked very good with no problem hearing the commands. I have my volume set about in the middle of the adjusment bar. I know other GPS'S you can change the dialect of the voice but you cannot on this unit. Setting up and saving your POI'S seemed easy enough, but the text and number pads were small causing you too enter the wrong letter or number. No big deal though, I use a pointer from my wife's old Palm Pilot to make entries. As I did, many of you might not care for the mount. It is slim in design but I could only place it just below my rear view mirror because it is too long. I tried to place it in other locations on my windsheild (2003 GMC Sierra Pick-up) but it was too close for me to read clearly and obstructed my view. There are a couple universal mounts available if you so desire. I have not yet tried the Bluetooth feature so I can't advise you on that. I hooked the 7100 via USB cable to my PC and found an update on Navigons web site to download. It is almost a 2 gig download so be patient when doing this, I have high speed broadband and it still took 30 minutes or so. I also purchased Freshmaps (map updates) to update new roads being built through out the country, and POI's. It works like the udate I first downloaded. It too is a very large download, that had an update for the summer of 2008. I know now that my unit is current. Overall I am very pleased with the 7100. This unit is very accurate in getting you where you want to go. Like me you won't be sorry buying a Navigon 7100!!!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A giant leap forward for low-end driving GPS
Comment: I owned a TomTom 510 that died. I could have purchased another TomTom but they are all quite expensive compared to this unit. The Navigon 7100 is a slightly older model, but now on sale due to Navigon's recent updating of this line. The advantage is that you get the Zagat Ratings, large brand-badged POI database, and lifetime traffic reporting. Map updates are pretty cheap too. That makes the 7100 package a no-brainer if price is a factor.
This unit is more navigation-feature-rich than my aged TomTom 510, but not has fewer user-configurable settings. You can't choose voices or screen themes for example, and there is no computer interface at all. The screen, however, is stunning and bright -- brighter and sharper than the TomToms, which I've seen side by side at Frys. It's not as colorful, choosing pastel tones over the TomTom's bright urban-yellow landscapes, but I think I prefer the subdued imagery.
After a month of use, Navigon's routing and traffic reporting has proved more reliable than that of my older TomTom -- not surprising, since Navigon makes the maps for everybody's GPS units. The Navigon is also easier to route around obstructions, but I gather TomTom has improved its interface in that regard. Spoken instructions are clear, although the female voice is a somewhat strong New York accent. The point
Others here have detailed the user interface features of the 7100. So I'll discuss just one that is particularly helpful but somewhat maddening: the highly-touted Reality View. This works, but not the way I expected. The "photo-realistic" view is a canned city skyline with a cleverly rendered synthetic (not photographic!) view of an upcoming intersection. However, it's static, not moving. The signage is accurate, but the frozen view can be a little unnerving as twelve lanes of traffic swirl around a complex LA freeware confluence. The view eventually reverts to the motion display, but for a minute or two you lose situational awareness.
The windshield mount is interesting. It works reliably, a feat my TomTom never achieved, but it's bulky and seriously ugly. Someone asked me "what is that thing in your windshield? A prosthetic arm?" Attaching and detaching can be a trick, as you have to align the arm's notched ring in a groove on the back of the GPS. I can finally do it, but it's not something I'd attempt while driving.
Overall, for the money, a fantastic deal.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not a bad little unit
Comment: If you need help just to drive around your local area, my advice is not to buy any GPS. Simply put, every GPS I have ever seen will route you to the state or county road before they put you on some backwoods road that all the locals know can save them 5 minutes.
On the other hand, if you're driving in a place that you are totally unfamiliar with and are uncomfortable driving in strange areas, then IMO there are few GPS units out there that will hold your hand like this one.
There are a few little quirks, for example I'd prefer if the unit told me to "bear" left as opposed to "turn" left. However, when you are in a strange place you want to know one thing: when and where do I turn? IMO, this is the strong point to this unit. It gives you ample notification and portrays nicely on the screen what you should do. Will you get there as fast as the locals? Certainly not. Does it remove the uncertainly and fear some people have of driving in strange places? Yes, I'd say it does a good job of that.
I've seen some postings about a few negatives concerning this unit. For example, there a lot of complaints regard the the mounting unit, which I agree is just waiting to break. One word: velcro.
The battery life is nowhere near as long as they claim. I haven't met a manufacturer of ANY battery powered that's told the truth about battery life (I'm talking to you, Dell and HP). However, I must point out that they give you a car charger, a USB charger and a regular home charger. Who needs battery power?
The pronunciations are a bit funky at times. I was in Louisiana recently and "Nancy" (I agree with the one poster who said it is impossible to give the unit a name)was really wrestling with some of the pronunciations there.
The traffic reports aren't as dynamic as you'd like, but I found that tends to vary from city to city. In Philly they were pretty darn accurate, in New Orleans they tended to lag somewhat.
So here's my bottom line on this unit: it's not going to find a way to save you 30 seconds on the drive to your local supermarket, but it will give you a LOT more confidence if you don't like driving in strange areas.
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