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While ALL electronics can be a little glitchy from time to time I'll take this one any day. Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS NavigatorI received this GPS unit last Xmas and have been using it for the past year. Most of my glitches are/were user error. 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. Once you learn how to actually use it, it's flawless. CHeers and happy driving.
Extra $100 will need to be spent for current map update and for dash mount, as windshield mount doesn't stay attached. Vendor Globazar. It's too long. Mine fell off 3x in first week and broke. 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 This is a good looking unit and a good price but maps and speed limit signs are outdated.
Turn by turn voice alerts worked very good with no problem hearing the commands. My first impression was that the 7100 had a sleek look and slim design. I did that and it didn't seem to help,just my prefrence for an easier touch. I know now that my unit is current.
I hooked the 7100 via USB cable to my PC and found an update on Navigons web site to download. It works like the udate I first downloaded. The menus seem easy to navigate through but it takes somewhat of a heavy finger to operate the touch screen. The screen I noticed is bright and easy to read in day light and in dark conditions. 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.
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. As I did, many of you might not care for the mount. You can calibrate the touch screen through the settings menu. I have my volume set about in the middle of the adjusment bar.
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. After days of researching other GPS units, I finally pruchased the 7100 from Navigon.I compared this unit to Garmin,Nextar,Mio,and Magellin. 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.
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. Overall I am very pleased with the 7100.
First boot of the 7100 found a signal within a few seconds. This unit is very accurate in getting you where you want to go. I know other GPS'S you can change the dialect of the voice but you cannot on this unit.
No big deal though, I use a pointer from my wife's old Palm Pilot to make entries. It too is a very large download, that had an update for the summer of 2008. Like me you won't be sorry buying a Navigon 7100.
This unit is more navigation-feature-rich than my aged TomTom 510, but not has fewer user-configurable settings. Spoken instructions are clear, although the female voice is a somewhat strong New York accent. Map updates are pretty cheap too. The Navigon 7100 is a slightly older model, but now on sale due to Navigon's recent updating of this line.
view of an upcoming intersection. 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. I could have purchased another TomTom but they are all quite expensive compared to this unit. You can't choose voices or screen themes for example, and there is no computer interface at all. The point Others here have detailed the user interface features of the 7100.
The "photo-realistic" view is a canned city skyline with a cleverly rendered synthetic (not photographic). That makes the 7100 package a no-brainer if price is a factor. The screen, however, is stunning and bright -- brighter and sharper than the TomToms, which I've seen side by side at Frys. It works reliably, a feat my TomTom never achieved, but it's bulky and seriously ugly.
I owned a TomTom 510 that died. 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. However, it's static, not moving. 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. Someone asked me "what is that thing in your windshield. The advantage is that you get the Zagat Ratings, large brand-badged POI database, and lifetime traffic reporting.
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. It's not as colorful, choosing pastel tones over the TomTom's bright urban-yellow landscapes, but I think I prefer the subdued imagery. The Navigon is also easier to route around obstructions, but I gather TomTom has improved its interface in that regard. The view eventually reverts to the motion display, but for a minute or two you lose situational awareness.The windshield mount is interesting. I can finally do it, but it's not something I'd attempt while driving.Overall, for the money, a fantastic deal.
The pronunciations are a bit funky at times. 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. Does it remove the uncertainly and fear some people have of driving in strange places. 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). Who needs battery power. It gives you ample notification and portrays nicely on the screen what you should do. IMO, this is the strong point to this unit.
Will you get there as fast as the locals. Certainly not. If you need help just to drive around your local area, my advice is not to buy any GPS. One word: velcro. The battery life is nowhere near as long as they claim. However, I must point out that they give you a car charger, a USB charger and a regular home charger. 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. In Philly they were pretty darn accurate, in New Orleans they tended to lag somewhat.
However, when you are in a strange place you want to know one thing: when and where do I turn. 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. 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. The traffic reports aren't as dynamic as you'd like, but I found that tends to vary from city to city.
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