Check out the Dell Store on CNETNavigon 7200T GPS going for style and substance
Navigon 7200T
(Credit: Navigon)Having to compete with the likes of Garmin and TomTom is no easy task, but Navigon is hoping to woo some new customers with its latest portable navigation system. Today, the GPS manufacturer announced its new Navigon 7200T, a high-end in-car GPS that's out to win you with style and substance.
The Navigon 7200T is certainly a stunner as far as design. It largely keeps in line with the company's previous models, such as the Navigon 2100 Max, with its slim profile and black lacquered chassis. On the front, there's now a 4.3-inch, flat-panel touch screen and in addition to the standard 2D and 3D map views, you get 3D landmark views. The feature is similar to the 3D building renderings found on the HP iPaq 310 Travel Companion, but brings them to landmarks, such as the Empire State Building and Golden Gate Bridge. You also get the Reality View Pro and Lane Assistant Pro capabilities that provide a "photorealistic" 3D view of complicated intersections that show you which lane you should be in and what direction you will be turning.
Moving beyond appearances, the Navigon 7200T comes preloaded with maps of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and offers Zagat ratings and reviews of various points of interest. You get a number of advanced features, including text-to-speech functionality, a voice recognition system for address entry and more, free lifetime traffic alerts, and integrated Bluetooth.
Now, while the Navigon 7200T certainly looks good on paper, we're a little reluctant to get our hopes up since we haven't had the best real-world experiences with the company's GPS. The user interface isn't the most intuitive and there's been problems with sluggish performance. However, the 7200T is sporting a faster processor and new software, so perhaps this time will be different? Fingers crossed. The Navigon 7200t is expected to hit store shelves in October with a price tag of $499. We'll, of course, publish a hands-on review as soon as we can get a unit, so stay tuned.
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Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie.
We were promised accessories such as their proprietary mounts (which many users report break in the first few months) and car chargers (which have a USB which is wired in a proprietary way) in November 07, then in March, then in May. Look on Navigon's site today. Their accessories are screen protectors, but not things you may NEED. Can you even buy a mount for a 7100? NO. European users can but for US users the only way is to pay $30 AND $100 shipping from Germany.
This company decided to enter the US market on the cheap. No optimizing of their software for US road system, hence the idiotic routing; no needed parts for US customers -- after almost a full year.
Stay away.
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by Texan62
November 2, 2008 2:14 PM PST
- I have had the Navigon 21 for going on one year now. My wife and I drive a truck all over the U.S. This GPS works very well for our traveling. HOWEVER, what I have had a problem with is with the Navigon customer service. I had received an e-mail from Navigon with a 50% off on line order coupon on their lifetime traffic. I submitted the order with the 50% off code. My credit card was charged the entire amount. I called them about it and was told that since it was their first day of doing the half off sale, that there had been a glitch in their system. I would be refunded the other $50.00 within 2 to 3 business days. That was on Sep. 19, 2008. Since then I have called the Navigon service center MANY times and have been promised reimbursement withing 2 to 3 business days. Today is Nov. 2, 2008 and I still don't have my $50.00. I would recommed the Navigon 2100 for it's features. But I WOULD NOT recommend trying to get any kind of service after the purchase from Navigon.
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(5 Comments)G.G.W. in America