Navigon 7100

Manufacturer: NAVIGON, Inc. Part number: 10000140

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$249.95 - $499.99 at 7 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.0 stars Good
Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 44 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; Product brief; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: Though the Navigon 7100 offers some handy navigation tools and integrated Bluetooth, the confusing interface and sluggish performance prevents us from giving it higher marks.

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CNET editors' review

Navigon 7100

price range: $249.95 - $499.99

Though the Navigon 7100 offers some handy navigation tools and integrated Bluetooth, the confusing interface and sluggish performance prevents us from giving it higher marks.

The good: The Navigon 7100 GPS device offers a number of advanced navigation features, including text-to-speech functionality, an integrated traffic receiver with subscription-free traffic service, and a lane assistant function for optimal routing.

The bad: The 7100 is a bit sluggish and the interface isn't as user-friendly as the competition. You can't sync your cell phone's contact list with the device.

The bottom line: Though the Navigon 7100 offers some handy navigation tools and integrated Bluetooth, the confusing interface and sluggish performance prevents us from giving it higher marks.

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Editor's Note: Portions of this review were taken from our evaluation of the Navigon 5100, as the two systems share similar features.

Just recently, we reviewed the Navigon 5100 and were pretty impressed by this newcomer for its useful set of navigation features, including the integrated traffic receiver, lane assistant function, and 3D "photorealistic" view for complicated intersections. Now we're turning our eyes to the step-up model, the Navigon 7100 ($649), which adds integrated Bluetooth and a larger 4.3-inch touch screen. Unfortunately, we're not as pleased with our experience with the 7100. General performance was slightly sluggish and the system's interface can be confusing--definitely not as user-friendly as competing products. Plus, the Bluetooth capabilities are limited since you can't transfer your phone's contact or call-history list to the portable navigation system. Given all these factors, we'd rather give up some features and get better performance from the TomTom GO 720 or Mio C520.

Design
The Navigon 7100 very much resembles the Navigon 5100 with its attractive, curved body and sleek black finish. However, it's bigger at 3.5 inches tall by 5.1 inches wide by 0.9 inch deep and 7 ounces, and, thus, allows for a more spacious 4.3-inch touch screen. It displayed sharp maps and bright colors, and the screen was also readable in various lighting conditions, including bright sunlight. We must say that the onscreen keyboard is a bit cramped, so you can't easily input addresses with your fingers. Fortunately, the Navigon 7100 comes with a stylus for more accurate text entry.

The user interface is the same as that found on the Navigon 5100 and Fujitsu Siemens Pocket Loox N100. The main menu page is user-friendly, with four large and intuitive icons for New Destination, My Destinations, Take Me Home, and Voice Command. We wish there was a Map icon to go directly to the map screen, but as is, you have to tap Options first and then Show Map. Also, once you dive deeper into the applications, things can get a bit confusing and laborious. The function of all the icons on the map screen isn't clearly identified, so we'd recommend giving the user manual a quick read or familiarizing yourself with all the unit's functions before heading off on your first trip.

The power button is located on the right spine. On top of the unit, you'll find an SD expansion slot, while there's a reset hole, a mini USB port, and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack on the bottom. Finally, the speaker, external antenna jack, and stylus holder are on the back.

The Navigon 7100 comes packaged with an SD card preloaded with maps, a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), a car charger, a USB cable, a soft carrying pouch, and reference material. The car mount's design is the same one included in the Navigon 5100, which we found quite interesting. It's quite modern looking, and I didn't even know what it was when I first took it out of the box. To me, it looked like a landline phone receiver, while a fellow CNET editor said it looked like a shower head. I think it's the long, slender arm that throws you off.

Features
The Navigon 7100 is equipped with a SiRFstarIII GPS chip and all maps of the United States and Canada are preloaded on the included SD card. As with most GPS devices, you can enter a location by specific address, point of interest, recent destination, user-defined home, and so forth. The 7100 can calculate routes in one of four ways--fast, optimum, short, or scenic--and gives you the option to allow or avoid highways and toll roads. There are also pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle route options, and our favorite, slow-car mode. Other standard navigation features include automatic route recalculation, multistop trips, simulated demos, speed alerts, and, of course, text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, including text-to-speech functionality for specific street names.

You can view maps in 2D or 3D mode, and with day or night colors. The map screen shows you plenty of data, such as the name of the street you're on, distance to next turn, estimated time of arrival, remaining distance, a compass, signal strength, and more. You can always choose to hide some of these elements via the Settings menu, since the screen can get pretty overwhelming with all the data and points of interest.

Speaking of which, like other Navigon products, such as the Fujitsu Siemens Pocket LOOX N100, the Navigon 7100 has a comprehensive POI database that includes branded icons for major corporations (e.g., McDonald's, Chevron, Shell). In addition, you can now search for POI by Zagat Survey ratings and reviews. It's available for hotels, night life, attractions, golf courses, and restaurants, and once you've selected your category, you can refine your search even more by top service, best buy, and so forth. Tapping the information icon on a business listing will then bring up specific ratings and reviews. The Zagat Survey data is particularly useful when you're in a new town and need recommendations of where to eat or go out. Overall, we found the database to be fairly up-to-date, though not perfect.

The Navigon 7100 also includes several other helpful and beneficial navigation features. First, it has an integrated traffic receiver so you get subscription-free traffic updates. You'll see a little exclamation point on your map screen and by tapping it, it will bring up a list of congested areas. You can select a specific incident and get more details on the problem. The system has the ability to plot an alternate course, as well. To make for the smoothest ride possible, there's also a lane assistant function that will recommend the optimal lane for your route. Last but not least, in complicated intersections, such as major highway exchanges, the Navigon 5100 will present you with a 3D image of the road. For example, you will get a semirealistic view of what the road looks like ahead of you, including road signs, so you're not completely confused as to what exit to take.

One additional feature the 7100 has over the Navigon 5100 is integrated Bluetooth, so you can pair with a compatible Bluetooth-enabled cell phone and use it as a hands-free speaker system. Once paired with your handset, you can make calls using the system's onscreen dial pad or if there's a number associated with a POI, you can dial out directly. Unfortunately, however, you can't transfer your phone's contact list or call history.

Performance
Before we talk about the road test, a general word about the Navigon 7100's performance: We found the unit to be a bit sluggish. There were numerous occasions when there was a couple-second delay between the time we tapped an item and the time it actually came up onscreen. Though slight, we found this to be annoying after a while.

For the driving portion, we tested the Navigon 7100 in San Francisco, and from a cold start, it took the unit about 2 minutes under cloudy skies to gather the necessary satellites and get a fix on our position. The receiver did a good job of keeping its lock and accurately tracked our location as we ran everyday errands around the city. The unit did lose a signal as we drove the Broadway Tunnel, but immediately picked it back up once we exited the tunnel. For a planned route, we entered our standard trip from the Marina district to CNET's downtown headquarters, and the Navigon 7100 calculated directions fairly quickly. The itinerary was accurate as we glanced at the list of turn-by-turn text directions. The voice prompts were loud but we found the text-to-speech directions to be a bit robotic and there's only one voice option. To test the route recalculation rate, we missed several turns and the 7100 was able to get us back on track in a timely manner.

We were able to successfully pair the portable navigation system with both the Motorola Razr2 V8 and the Palm Centro. Though we wish there was an easy way to transfer our phone's contact list to the 7100, we had no problems making calls and the speaker system had good volume and clear sound.

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Product brief

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 44 reviews

Showing opinion 1 to 10 out of 44

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3 stars

Fine product - Falsely Advertised

by geemboomba on September 9, 2007

Pros: Reality view, lane assistance are some excellent features.

Cons: Datasheet from Navigon US website says a 4gb sd card is included but they ship units with 2gb cards!!

Summary: Let me explain the poor rating I have given the 7100. The device as such looks sharp. The screen is very clear and sharp even in sunlight. In Michigan, around ...

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Summary: Let me explain the poor rating I have given the 7100. The device as such looks sharp. The screen is very clear and sharp even in sunlight. In Michigan, around Detroit routing has been top notch. I found reality view to be very helpful. Voice guidance is very accurate. When it says turn now I have always found myself just a few feet away from the actual turn. Connection to my bluetooth phone works great. Have not had a single connection problem. People have been unable to guess that I am speaking through navigon.
Well, here comes the part I did not like. Imagine ordering a laptop with 2Gb of ram and you find that they shipped you with 512Mb. This is what Navigon did. On their US website their datasheet for 7100 specifies a 4GB card but they have been shipping 2GB sd cards. The 2GB cards have just 19mb of free space left.

I contacted support through email (from the US Navigon website) - it gets routed to european support and they claim it is not their problem!! (How about routing it to US support??!!)

One of the first things I tried to do was to register my device with Navigon. But to my surprise there was no way to register the 7100. They have a online form for registering their previous model the Pocket LOOX but not the 7100. When I called the US phone tech support - this was news to them!!

In my opinion stay away from this product till they get their support infrastructure straightened out.

(And also I found that text-to-speech does not seem to work for some side streets)

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15 out of 25 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

An easy to use, intutive device with a fantastic interface

by jaglasscoe on September 27, 2007

Pros: Really accurate, great features and simple operation

Cons: Doesn't always pick the best route - but seems to adjust pretty well

Summary: I'm not a techie gal at all, so I'm not an expert on GPS devices, but I've been very happy with this product. I got it in ...

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Summary: I'm not a techie gal at all, so I'm not an expert on GPS devices, but I've been very happy with this product. I got it in the mail last week, and found it really easy to set up - very intuitive and a good user interface. Some of the buttons are a little confusing, but after playing with it and reading the simple instructions, it was pretty clear.

I've had a great time testing this out, and I've been amazed how accurate it is, as far as accuracy of distances, and the features showing how far away you are from your destination, and warning you when you're speeding, or getting to close to another car ("warning"!)... I didn't anticipate these little features, so they've been a pleasant surprise!

I would definitely recommend this to someone looking for an easy to use GPS system with great usability - I've had a great time learning to use it and have been impressed with all the fun and cool features.

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8 out of 12 users found this user opinion helpful.
2 stars

Product Has Growing Pains and Poor Support

by GPSisMyFriend on September 10, 2007

Pros: Most features for GPS functionality

Cons: U.S. routing and POI's poor, smaller SD card delivered, non-responsive support

Summary: On paper, this is a terrific product, if what you want is pure GPS functionality. Sharp, bright display; lifetime traffic information included; Zagat data and ratings included in addition to ...

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Summary: On paper, this is a terrific product, if what you want is pure GPS functionality. Sharp, bright display; lifetime traffic information included; Zagat data and ratings included in addition to POI's; many configuration options.

I returned the product, however, after ordering it because users (google the web) are experiencing illogical routing, trouble with POI's, a 2GB SD card is included instead of the 4GB advertised, and customer service (dedicated to the European product) doesn't seem to care. Some users are happy because they're able to hack into the configuartion files, not via software menus, and change programmed settings to values that work better. This is not my idea of a good product (though I do like to tweak settings occasionally for minor improvements and customizations).

This product may work well someday, as it seems to in Europe, if Navigon starts to take the U.S. market seriously. I'll wait and see if I want the product after it's fixed, but there is new competition coming, so I won't wait too long.

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8 out of 12 users found this user opinion helpful.
4 stars

Such a beautiful letdown.

by tstack77 on September 11, 2007

Pros: Stunning display, easy menu navigation, solid bluetooth functionality.

Cons: Screwy routing, lack of POI's, suspect customer service.

Summary: The previous reviewers were spot-on and I could regurgitate their exact same views.

The one thing that needs to be addressed by Navigon US immediately, before anyone else purchases this

...

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Summary: The previous reviewers were spot-on and I could regurgitate their exact same views.

The one thing that needs to be addressed by Navigon US immediately, before anyone else purchases this product, are the ridiculous routing algorithms.

On either of the 3 settings (Fast, Optimal, Short) it will find the most illogical path, guaranteed. I really think that Navigon forgot to calculate the fact that we measure distance over the pond here in miles, due to the fact that the eta's are almost near double your actual arrival time. I believe that it is somehow miscalculating kilometers for miles.

Bottom line, wait until Navigon sorts out these kinks with a much needed update. This is their first product introduced into our market and I'm sure from all the bad responses that you shouldn't wait long.

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5 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
2 stars

Form over function. Support is a black hole once you own

by roadlife on September 12, 2007

Pros: Pretty, lots of money spent on hype

Cons: Insane routing. False advertising on features

Summary: The 7100 came out with several novel, unfortuewnaly it totally ailes in the basics of GPS.

1) Main problem -- not for the US: The unit was developed for Europe

...

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Summary: The 7100 came out with several novel, unfortuewnaly it totally ailes in the basics of GPS.

1) Main problem -- not for the US: The unit was developed for Europe and it doesn't look like they spent a red nickel to do anything to set it up for the US market other than add the maps and hype the product here.
a) Routing:It has completely insane routing. I don't mean foibles, I mean extremely bad.
b) Interest points (POI): Hey navigon 7100, thanks for letting me know wither the 5 star Spa which that pays Zagat to advertise is, but I can;t find my Best Buy, Circuit City, McDonalds, Duncan Donuts, or a 7-11! It doesn't use where you are according to the GPS to find these nearby. You have to have to tell the 7100 where it is. I can do this on my Treo, the 7100 is a GPS and supposed to know where I am.
c) Text to Speech: Falsely advertised plain and simple. It won't speak the names of the normal to small streets, which are what Text to Speech is for. I can see the big interstate sign! it is the small or nonexistant street signs one cant see at night that created the reason for TTS!

2) The worst support bar none!
If you call US suppott number before you buy they are very nice. They will tell you where you can buy it etc. Call after you own it and they refer you to the email support. Email support is handled through the German headquarters and translated. They tell you you need support from the US "company." The German company 100% owns the US company.

3) Outright fraud and false advertising:
When I went to load additional POI material I was suprised to find I had been provided with a 2GB card instead of the 4GB card that was in all the advertsing, promotional material and officials psecs of Navigon fo rthe US model of the 7100. I also reread reviews and revwiers had been given 7100's with the lager and more advacned 4GB cards.
I called to find out what happened. First they said it was a mix up and that a few units with 2GB had been shipped. Then they told me it was no mix up and to email a request. The emails go to Germany which said the Germany they would look into it. Then Navigon (today) sen tme an email saying I was wrong in my reading of the Specification sheet and it said 2GB. They thought they could pull a fast one. I HAVE the Specification advertising sheet. They modigied the PDF to remove the proimised included "4GB SDHC" card and then were syaing I was imagining it.

That is fraud. The car has an intrinsic value. When I put the 4GB SDHC card from camera and us it instead it improves the already very slow 7100 speeds for start up and recalculation.

There was a rumor they would be replacing the cards. I got my "drop dead" email today, Sept 12.

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6 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 stars

Avoid if there are no major software fixes soon. Difficult to use. Horrid Battery

by gizmoguy2 on September 27, 2007

Pros: "cute", good feature set ... in theory

Cons: very bad support, POI useless. software bugs. memory problems

Summary: Not for anyone new to GPS or unfamiliar with "xml" programming. You need to get into software and edit complex settings in xml to get routing that works properly.

The "

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Summary: Not for anyone new to GPS or unfamiliar with "xml" programming. You need to get into software and edit complex settings in xml to get routing that works properly.

The "Points of Interest" is the worst on the market. According to the navigon there are no Posts Offices in my town or any town near me. The Points of Interest are cluttered with Zagat advertisers yet lack certain basics. Almost everymajor chain business is excluded as are common travel business needs (no UPS in Boston!?).

I think a lot of things were left off of the software due to the memory card being full. This hampers usability especially for new users.

The routing system is also a problem. It comes up with very strange routes.

I cannot understand the battery life. It is rated at 4.5 hours like the same size Garmin's and "Tom Tom" units. Garmin users report real usable time of 3.5 hours. 7100 users are getting 1.25 to 1.5 hours. This makes the 7100 useless for walking tours which are the only reason to pay the premium for a "pocketable unit".

Worst of all is the support. It is non responsive.

The 7100 has lots of promise. But its innovative features are usless gimmicks until it gets the basics right with software fixes.

Also be prepared to buy a new mount. The one that comes with it will become loose and shake very badly in a month. The mount looks sleak but is not well made.

None of these problems would be so bad if their support was not so bad. One has no confidence they will fix the issues noted by customers and mentioned all over various GPS forums. Maybe they will reverse that polciy, maybe not. Wait to buy until they do.

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5 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 stars

Great Features out of the box!

by seenetreviewer on November 20, 2007

Pros: Great map view, better than most

Cons: battery life

Summary: I really like the Navigon user interface. The map view is very clear, and I've had no difficulty with it.

In contrast with some comments I've seen, I

...

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Summary: I really like the Navigon user interface. The map view is very clear, and I've had no difficulty with it.

In contrast with some comments I've seen, I actually like the Reality View if I've never used a complicated intersection, as it tells me which lane to get in in a very clear way, and exactly what the signs will say. It's the user's option whether the feature is enabled.

The free traffic reports and configurable screen are nice, and all the maps I need were included on the card without having to configure anything. The bluetooth connectivity works fine with my motorola phone.

Overall, a good system right out of the box.

My previous gps was a Garmin 320, which left much to be desired. Though only a year old, I found it unusable at times. The last straw was when it froze recently mid-trip, forcing me to stop and buy a map! The Navigon was more expensive, but is significantly more useful.
Updated
Battery life seems to be a bit over 2 hours, which seems a bit short to me, but typical for these types of units.

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4 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

An excellent navigation device

by dflebak on October 18, 2007

Pros: Static Reality View, Excellent Bracket,

Cons: Touch Screen a little "touchy"

Summary: I've used many nav devices in the past and find this one of the most useful. The reality view is irreplaceable...once you have it, you can't live ...

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Summary: I've used many nav devices in the past and find this one of the most useful. The reality view is irreplaceable...once you have it, you can't live without it. The best nav I used prior to this one, was factory installed in my 2001 Acura MDX. The screen was about 7 inches and this made it easy to see the proper road in complex intersections. This has been my complaint with all of the portable units I tried prior to this one. At 4.3 and 3.5 inches, the screens are too small to consistently see what road to take in complex intersections, and on occasion, I took the wrong turn. Reality view should be mandatory on units 5 inches and smaller.
I have tried the Nuvi 660 for about a month and returned same because it was way too much money and has an inferior looking map...much too cartoonish and way out of scale in 3D view. Plus, I DO NOT want the ability to play mp3s, audiobooks, etc. I want the best, most useful portable NAVIGATION system.
Is this 7100 perfect? No...
The touch screen can be finicky. 10% of the time when you press a button on the screen, it doesn't respond. Also, the screen requires more pressure then other units I've used.
The unit is very customizable, as such, some would describe it as requiring more of a learning curve. Once set, the unit shines like no other.
Here's the best advice if you are as obsessed as me: COMPARE THIS AGAINST the best reviewed. Yes, you may have to pay a 15% restocking fee on the unit you return...but you'll know what you are keeping is best for you. Use each one for a week. 90% of you will be keeping the Navigon and returning the other.
BTW, I paid $409. from Buy.com and as many of you know, this unit comes with a lifetime subscription for traffic.

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4 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
2 stars

Navigon, and the World is Lost!

by KENNL on September 17, 2007

Pros: Sure is pretty

Cons: Just keep reading...

Summary: I owned this device for almost a week before returning it. On paper, this was SUPPOSED to be the premier GPS device. Well, not so much. I think, among folks ...

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Summary: I owned this device for almost a week before returning it. On paper, this was SUPPOSED to be the premier GPS device. Well, not so much. I think, among folks that followed new GPS introductions, the Navigon 7100 was eagerly awaited here in the States. Most folks were banking on the success Navigon has had in Europe with Mobile Navigator. The software is rated very high in Europe. What I found with the Navigon is poor Customer Support, scaled down software versus what was promised (Text to speech only pronounces major streets, not local streets, and missing POI's), hardware misleadings (2gb vs ADVERTISED 4gb cards in device), and other issues like serious software bugs in the routing algorithm. Garmin provided a great product early on with a few minor bugs that they worked out QUICKLY, and therefore, solidified their early adopter customer base. Tom Tom did the same when they launched the Go here in the States. It seems Navigon didn't look at the US market with the same vigor as Garmin and Tom Tom did.
Updated
Plain and simple. Buyer beware. There are many reviews to consider from people who actually own(ed) this device. Read carefully. Until Navigon begins to correct glaring issues with this device I would not recommend ANYONE purchase this device. I am attempting to save you some buyer's remorse. (We've already had it). If you really think we are not being honest, go to Gpspassion.com and search Navigon 7100.

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4 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.

Navigon 7100

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