NAVIGON is working to build a reputation for affordable yet, top feature packed GPS navigators. It’s rapid grab of market share and quick population of bestseller lists since its entry into the personal navigation market nine months ago are evidence that consumers agree with it’s focus. In March, NPD Group reported that their Retail Tracking Service was showing that NAVIGON had achieved an 11.5 percent (unit volume share) and fourth position in the personal navigation category. Picking up awards at the recent 2008 International CES for the NAVIGON 5100, NAVIGON 2100 and NAVIGON 7100 has certainly helped boost of NAVIGON’s range.

The NAVIGON 2100 max and 2120 max have a slim, stylish piano black casings and a wide, 4.3 inch, anti-glare, color, touchscreen display (WQVGA, 480×272 pixels). NAVIGON have used a Nemerix NX3 GPS receiver in their NAVIGON 2100 max models. Either a USB 1.1 drive or an SD memory card can be used to load data. The LiPo/LiIon battery will power operation for up to 3 hours depending on what features are being used. The only difference in specification between the NAVIGON 2100 max and 2120 max models is the maps they are boxed with. The 2100 max comes with maps of the continental U.S. while the NAVIGON 2120 max has the continental U.S. and Canada.
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GPS Technology Reviews reported on the testing of this new GPS navigator during its extensive testing phase in May 2007. The Dash Express is the first of an evolutionary change in GPS navigation devices to encompass Internet connectivity and add location based search functionality and capture and communicate traffic information. Dash Navigation like to refer to the concept as a social network on the move. Internet connectivity allows drivers to search for and download information about their destinations in the car.

Dash Navigation have emphasized that they have put their initial focus with this new product on providing better traffic reporting/information and better search/destination information. From looking at the Dash Express’s capabilities, user testing and customer reviews it is apparent that the Dash Express is the GPS device to buy if you are seeking traffic and POI search strengths in a GPS. A typical satisfied purchaser would be using the Dash Express to make quicker trips using current, accurate traffic information, get accurate time to destination estimates, score the lowest fuel prices and find up to date information of services in areas local to them. You also won’t find some common GPS features on the Dash Express (see below) including any multimedia functionalities, like a MP3 player. A unique theft-deterrent feature available is the ability to wirelessly disable your Dash Express.
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TomTom’s new look flagship GO X30 series includes the TomTom GO 930 and GO 730. The specifications for the two models are identical apart from the GO 930 including;

• a larger 4 GB of internal flash memory compared to 2 GB for the GO 730,
• Enhanced Positioning Technology which uses a combination of movement and gravity sensors to determine position when a GPS signals are not available such as in tunnels or driving in an urban canyon between buildings
• maps of Europe as well as the maps of the United States and Canada on the GO 730

All the GO X30 models have 4.3 inch, WQVGA (480 x 272 pixels) LCD widescreens. GPS navigation is powered by a high sensitivity GPS receiver making for better GPS signal reception in low signal strength areas such as in urban canyons. There is an SD slot for loading digital data such as maps or music. The units are light enough (7.7 ounces) and of small enough form factor of 4.6 x 3.2 x 1 inches (118 x 83 x 24 mm) to be considered portable. The estimated 5 hours of operation from the lithium-polymer battery is a useful time period.
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The TomTom ONE 130 and TomTom ONE 130S are TomTom’s new entry level portable GPS navigators to replace the TomTom ONE. The compact size of the previous model has been retained despite a new windshield mount which can be left on the device and a new, larger, more powerful speaker. The LCD touchscreen remains at 3.5 inches.

As mentioned, the new EasyPort mount can be folded flat on the 130 or 130S for easy transport or moving between cars. It will fit in a shirt pocket. Attaching the EasyPort mount to the windscreen (dashboard mounting disc also included) is a simple sequence of pushing it against the windscreen, sliding it to the right position (if necessary) and twisting the lock nut. An opposite twist removes it. As well as being convenient, the built-in mount ensures you keep the mount and display together for their next use. The video below shows how simple mounting the unit with the mechanical locking system is.
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The only difference between the NAVIGON 2120 and recently reviewed NAVIGON 2100 is the preloaded maps. The Navigon 2100 GPS Navigator was recently honored by a 2008 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award in the In-Vehicle Accessories category. Quoting the CES Awards Announcement in regard to the Navigon 2100: Slim, easy-to-use and affordable, the NAVIGON 2100 surpasses the basics to deliver an intelligent, premium navigation experience in an innovative package.

The NAVIGON 2100 comes with maps of continental U.S., while the NAVIGON 2120 is preloaded with maps of all the U. S. and Canada, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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The Garmin nuvi 860 has exactly the same specification as the recently reviewed Garmin nuvi 880 except for the preloaded City Navigator NT maps which are for Europe (full coverage) rather than the US. The premium feature of both the Garmin nuvi 860 and 880 is speech recognition.

The Garmin nuvi 860 comes with a FM traffic receiver and vehicle power cable. Below are the details of the traffic services available in Europe.
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The Garmin Nuvi 660 shares all the features and performance of the Garmin Nuvi 680 Car Navigator apart from not having MSN Direct compatibility. The nuvi 660 also comes preloaded with City Navigator NT maps for North America or Europe (full coverage) or other country as opposed to the nuvi 680 which comes preloaded with City Navigator NT for North America (full coverage).

For full coverage of all features of the Garmin Nuvi 660, read our detailed review of the Garmin Nuvi 680.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

The Garmin Nuvi has been at the top of Amazon’s GPS bestseller list for a long time and has an excellent customer rating and lots of user reviews to consider.

Garmin nüvi 660 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

GPS, NUVI 660, BILINGUAL, CITY NAV

Nuvi 660 GPS (City/Vehicle, 4.3 LCD)

Resources

If you want to get an idea of the interface for the nuvi 660 have a look at Garmin’s Flash demonstration of it’s features.

Garmin provide an extensive FAQ database for their GPS products.

Garmin’s owners manual for the Garmin nuvi 660

You can compare the Garmin nuvi 660 with other models using Garmin’s comparison database which gives you side by side comparisons with differences highlighted.

HP have offered innovations in the iPAQ 310 GPS Navigator and Travel Companion that are not available from competitors yet. The iPAQ 310 is the first chance for consumers to experience the performance boost offered to navigation devices by SiRF’s latest SiRFtitan Multifunction Platform Navigation Processor. The SiRFtitan is navigation processor includes built-in processing capability for other related tasks such as video graphics which providing GPS navigation device manufacturers with a simpler “all-in-one” hardware solution combined with a wider functionality suite.

The first noticeable “wow” factor for the iPAQ 310 is the high-resolution 4.3-inch screen which displays some very sophisticated 3D navigation images made possible by the SiRFtitan’s graphics processing boost. The display is 800 by 480 pixels resolution which is nearly three times higher than that of any GPS display on the market. Resolution is a significant contributing factor to image quality.
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The new TomTom ONE XL.S has the same specification as the popular 4.3 inch wide screen TomTom ONE XL with the addition of text-to-speech technology allowing street names to be announced as part of turn-by-turn navigation directions. A large screen provides a larger, easier to see navigation interface for drivers. The navigator itself is slim and lightweight for easy transfer between cars. The Lithium-Ion battery will only last a couple of hours but, this shouldn’t be a problem as it is not intended as a portable device.

Both the TomTom ONE XL.S and XL have a built-in Bluetooth connection for optional real-time traffic, weather updates, voice downloads and other services. There is an SD Card Slot for extra maps and storage and a mini-USB connection for linking up to a PC. The TomTom XL models are navigation devices only and do not come with multimedia features like a photo player or mp3 player.
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