Navigon 2100 Max

Last November, we took a look at the Navigon 2100 portable navigation device, and while we were impressed by the feature set and affordable price tag, its sluggish performance ultimately left a bad taste in our mouths. However, we wiped the slate clean as we tested the Navigon 2100 Max, a slightly revamped and beefed up version of the 2100. In short, we liked the enhanced features, including the larger 4.3-inch touch and advanced lane guidance. Plus, the in-car GPS is a good value at $299. However, it still suffers from slightly sluggish performance and a kludgey user interface that can't quite compete with the likes of Garmin and TomTom.

Design
Like the company's other GPS devices, the Navigon 2100 Max is a sleek-looking, portable navigation device that features a lacquered black casing and slim profile. It measures just 4.8-inches wide by 3-inches tall by 0.7-inch deep and weighs 6.3 ounces for easy portability.

The Max in the product name refers to the larger 4.3-inch touch screen--a nice little bump up from the Navigon 2100's 3.5-inch display. The extra screen real estate makes it better for viewing maps and other details, such as points of interest. It also helps for entering addresses, as the onscreen keyboard is roomier than on the previous version. The user interface is almost the same as the 2100's, which isn't necessarily a good thing. Navigon's software isn't the most intuitive or efficient, especially compared to a Garmin or TomTom GPS, so it takes a little more work and time to enter addresses, search for POI, and so forth. Plus, there's still a bit of that sluggishness that plagued the Navigon 2100, so the system tests your patience (see Performance section for more).

The rest of the Navigon 2100 Max's controls are pretty simple. The top of the unit holds an external antenna jack and a power button, while there's a reset hole and mini USB port on the bottom. On the right side, you will find an SD expansion slot and the speaker is located on the back.

The Navigon 2100 Max comes packaged with an SD card preloaded with maps, a car charger, a USB cable, a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), and reference material. The car cradle requires a little assembly but nothing too difficult, and it securely held the unit in place during our test drive.

Features
Overall, the Navigon 2100 Max has many of the same features as the Navigon 2100, but there are a couple of new additions, which we'll highlight in this section. First, to supplement the Reality View, which provides a "photorealistic" 3D view of complicated intersections, there is now a lane assistant tool to help keep you on track. It works by overlaying arrows on the street to show you which lane you should want and in which direction you will be turning.