Gadgetell Quick Review: Navigon 2200T

Cool:

• Low Price(about 200 bucks)
• Good mounting hardware
• Reality view and Lane Assistant Pro feature is really helpful
• Speed warning
• Small size
• Lifetime traffic service

Uncool:

• Sometimes difficult to navigate the screens
• Traffic alerts not factored into initial route plans, but instead notifies you there is a problem and gives rerouting options
• Limited voice selections

The Crux:

Overall, if you can get past some quirks, the 2200T is a very good GPS and the lifetime traffic service makes it a stand out device for the low price.

This is a guest review by Robert Borgesi. Rob co-hosts the website review program, “ChannelFlip Web” with Iyaz Akhtar on ChannelFlip.com. Additionally, Rob is a tech enthusiast with years of computer building experience.

Keep reading for the full, in-depth review.

The helpful folks at TeleNav shot me out their new Shotgun and here are my first impressions. If you are planning on buying a GPS device this holiday season, this is one to watch carefully. I’ve had the device in my hands now for about 30 minutes and already am very excited about it for 3 main reasons.

Excitement reason #1: POIs

TeleNav says it has 11 million POIs. The local Ikea, for some reason, shows up on no GPS devices that I have tested except my TeleNav phone GPS. No surprise that the Shotgun finds it easily as well. So far, the TeleNav’s connected search has always been able to find every location I’ve searched for. I cannot say the same for Garmin, Navigon and Dash. Keep reading about what other points make the Shotgun a damn good GPS.

Navigon keeps pumping out better and move advanced GPSs every time they announce a new one. This one, the 8100T, is no exception as one of its main features is Navigon’s patented Panorama View 3D technology – more on that in a moment.

First, let’s begin with some other specs of the 8100T. It comes with a nice sized 4.8-inch touch screen, free real-time traffic updates, voice destination entry, Reality View Pro, and Bluetooth connectivity. It also comes with new and more advanced software, which allows the driver to choose their destination in a few easy steps.

Other main features include Lane Assistant Pro, Fast Destination Entry, Advanced Text-to-Speech, Exit Guide (tells the driver when exits are coming up with POIs they specify such as restaurants, DirectHelp, Speed Assistant, Multi-Destination planning, and Zagat Ratings and Reviews). This GPS shows you restaurants in the area and provides the Zagat rating and reviews of nearly 27,000 locations including restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, attractions, and other POIs.

Continued after the break.

Today, Navigon has announced that two of their newest GPSs, the 5100 max and the 2090S, will be available exclusively through RadioShack. Let’s take a look at what kind of GPSs these are and what features they include.

First off, let’s begin with the Navigon 5100 max. One of the main features in this GPS is that it comes with Navigon’s FreshMaps service. This service provides regular map updates over the course of two years.

Continued after the break.

One problem many drivers face is rising gas prices. TomTom realizes this is a big problem for many consumers and they have recently announced their plan to help you save a little bit at the pump whenever you go for a drive and use your TomTom GPS. Many GPSs can tell you where the nearest gas station is, however, TomTom is taking that one step further by displaying the nearest and cheapest gas station around the neighborhood.

Find out more about this after the break.

Microsoft, apparently taking a break from the comedic stylings of Gates and Seinfeld, introduced the latest edition of Microsoft Streets & Trips. As you have probably seen on the nightly news, the release had eager buyers in line early and even camping out to purchase their very own copy of Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009.

Alright, that second part didn’t happen, but Microsoft did refresh the software. Microsoft is positioning the software a something for the budget conscious pointing out Streets & Trips helps your wallet. In some respects this is true; the software will cost $39.95 and $74.95 if you want that software with a GPS device. If you already own a laptop, this is definitely a cheaper option than picking up most good stand-alone GPS devices.

Navigon has added yet another GPS model to their current lineup, and this time its certainly one for everyone to consider. The new model is the Navigon 2200T and it not only comes in at an affordable $229, but its also packed full of features. I have been a fan of Navigon since I got the chance to review the 2100 Max this past June, and the 2200T with its nice price and good feature set may be the model I begin to recommend.

Moving on, the 2200T features a 3.5-inch display and is “ultra-thin and portable” measuring in at less then 3/4 of an inch thick. The 2200T comes with free real-time traffic updates for life, Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, DirectHelp, text to speech as well as a fast destination entry thanks to Navigon’s SmartSpeller feature.

In addition users can also opt to get the FreshMaps updates which offers up to 12 maps over a three year period for $79.99. Currently, the Navigon 2200T availability date has not yet been announced. Keep reading for the full release;