0ur opinion:

-- November 11, 2007:
ln the U.S., German-based Navigon may be the biggest name in GPS you've never heard. Navigon has long been a major provider of navigation software to automotive manufacturers for in-dash gps navigation devices, but only recently did they introduce portable navigation devices under their own name. What they offer up, however, demonstrates immediately that this is a company that knows navigation inside and out.

The 2100 is the lowest-priced (and smallest) of Navigon's line of portable GPS navigators. While it lacks some of the features of it's bigger siblings, the 7100 and 5100, it packs solid navigation and some unique features  into its diminutive frame.

The Navigon Family of Portable Navigators
The 2100 and 5100 have 3.5-inch screens, while the 7100 has a 4.3-inch widescreen. The big difference is that the 5100 and 7100 come with free lifetime traffic data,  while with the 2100 you have to buy an activation code separately. The 5100 and 7100 have a feature called 'Lane Assistant' that will suggest which lane you should be driving in, but that's not such a big deal. Another important difference is that the 7100 also adds bluetooth-capability for hands-free mobile phone integration, which is really handy. lf you want that feature, do check out the 7100. This chart may help as well.

	Screen Size (diagonally)	Bluetooth	Lifetime Traffic Data Service	Lane Assistant	Reality View	Zagat Ratings	P0ls
2100	3.5 inches		Requires Purchase of Activation Code				1.3 million
5100	3.5 inches		lncluded Free				millions
7100	4.3 inches		lncluded Free				millions

lntuitive, animated menus offer predictive text input, helping you select your destination quickly. View larger.

The reality view guides you with photo-realistic 3D images of junctions. View larger.

Navigon decided not to try to add multimedia features like a photo viewer or MP3 player into its devices, but instead focused on navigation-based features. The 2100 provides precise turn-by-turn directions, including spoken road names via text-to-speech

Reality view guides you with photo-realistic 3D images of junctions, complete with actual sign text and exit ramp guidance. This makes translating what the navigator is telling you to what you see on the road instantaneous.



Superior Software and Hardware
The features and functions of the Navigon 2100 are controlled via intuitive, easy-to-use animated menus that use predictive text input to quickly and easily select your city, state and address. Maps and menus appear on its extra-large and elegant, high-contrast 3.5-inch, full-color touch-screen display. The 5100 includes a powerful Samsung 400 MHz processor, a fully integrated SiRF Star lll GPS chip, 64 MBs of both RAM and R0M built in, and a rechargeable 1,200 mAh lithium ion battery that is rated for 4.5 hours of continuous use. All this is housed in an ultra-thin, sleek chrome housing that weighs only 6.3 ounces, and measures just 4.2 x 3.3 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D). The Navigon 5200 even comes pre-loaded with complete maps of the U.S. and Canada, providing you with superbly accurate, seamless door-to-door directions wherever your vehicular travels might take you.



Note that the 2100 runs on the Microsoft Windows CD Net 5.0 operating system. A PC is required to use additional map data, and in such cases users require Windows 2000, ME, XP or higher, as well as a CD R0M drive and a USB port. An SD/MMC card reader is recommended as the 7100 not only uses SD cards, but also comes with a 2 GB SD card in the package.



What's in the Box

Navigon 2100 GPS Navigator, SD card preloaded with software and maps of the continental US, rechargeable 1150 mAH lithium ion battery (rated for up to 4.5 hours),
car charger, car mount, quickstart guide, limited warranty



About Navigon
NAVlG0N has been a leader of GPS navigation since 1991, and has a long history of industry innovations. NAVlG0N created the world's first dynamic personal GPS product in 1996, launched the industry's first navigation software for the Pocket PC in 2000, and unveiled the first Traffic Message Channel-based (TMC) avoidance feature on mobile navigation product in 2002.

NAVlG0N has helped revolutionize how consumers get from place to place with software products for practically any navigation-ready hardware. Personal navigation devices (PND), smartphones, and in-dash navigation systems directed by NAVlG0N's award-winning MobileNavigator (MN) software delivers reliable information on millions of destinations in an intuitive, easy to use format. NAVlG0N is a valued partner to the automotive industry, and in 2006 strengthened its category competency by acquiring NAVTEQ's navigation software business.

NAVlG0N is a privately-held software company based in Hamburg, Germany, with NAVlG0N USA headquarters in Chicago, lL.

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Buyer's feedback: - * I wanted to like it, but I just can't ...
I bought my Navagon 2100 from Radio Shack for $139.00, and at first I thought it was a good deal. Then I started having problems. A few times I got the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death" a classic trademark of anything that Microsoft touches! I was only able to get the BSOD to go away by using the hard reset button. I really hate that fact that the power cord plugs into the bottom of the device, as it makes the unit sit too high on the dashboard, and isn't very good for the power cord, or usb/power connector.
The biggest disappointment, however was the highly touted "Speed Warn" feature. The device can only warn you about exceeding the speed limit if it "KNOWS" the speed limit for the road you are driving on! Sadly where I live in Tempe, AZ it only knew the speed limit on two major freeways, and none of the surface streets. Since I use my cruise control on the freeway anyway, it serves no purpose to warn me of my speed on the freeway, since my cruise control protects me anyway. Where I really need warnings is on the surface streets. The touch screen isn't very good either. I have to push my finger on what I think is the button two or three times to get it to activate. I don't know what is wrong with their touch screen button sensing algorithm, but it made using the device very frustrating. Also if you ever want to use the device for GPS treasure hunting, it has no way of entering a set of GPS treasure coordinates. So all you can do is try to see if the GPS numbers are getting closer or farther away from your treasure map number. I was so disappointed with my Navagon 2100, that I took advantage of Radio Shack's 2-week money-back guarantee, and returned it for a refund.

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Buyer's feedback: - Really quite horrible
I've been using navigation systems since I started driving 13 years ago... I've always loved them until I got my hands on this one.

Freezes constantly even after doing the available updates.

I'll be driving along and then realize I was supposed to turn 5 miles back when it had froze up on me.

I'm not sure of the newer bigger models, but I would never suggest this one.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Great GPS for the Price. You can't go wrong with this one. ...
This is my first GPS unit so I cannot compare it with other brands like Garmin or Tom Tom. I got the Navigon 2100 for $100 from staples a few months ago and have not been disappointed. I was a bit hesitant after the mixed reviews here on amazon but for $100 I knew that it was not a big risk so I decided to go for it. The things that I like about it are:

1. Its looks. It is a sleek GPS with nice round edges and a compact size.
2. The voice guidance is a pleasant surprise for a unit that costs $100!
3. The reality view is just awesome! It makes sure that you take the right exit when you are on a highway.
4. The mount is pretty good for me although you have to make sure that you're using it correctly or the unit will fall off the windshield.
5. Re-routing is pretty quick!
6. The option to avoid highways came in handy on my way from Richmond/VA to Chicago when I got stuck in a traffic jam. Once I reach an exit, I took it an used that option which took me through some inner city streets. I then turned the "avoid highways" option off and it led me back to the highway after skipping the traffic jam. This was especially useful since I don't have traffic assistance.

Now for the things that I dislike:
1. There are a good number of POIs but as some reviewers mentioned, it finds some small local businesses but doesn't show Walmart for example!
2. It doesn't let me search for POIs by name (it lets you search by category). Maybe this feature is there but I honestly haven't spent much time learning about all the options in the unit.

Overall, this is a great GPS for the price. I am sure that it has room for improvement but for the price, I have no complaints.

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Buyer's feedback: - Good for what it is but you might want a little more.
Navigon 2100 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Buy the 5100... lifetime traffic is included and it's only $30 more than the 2100. I spent $55 on the upgrade (list is $100) for my 2100, making the final cost $25 more than the 5100. Traffic and construction is a must so don't skimp!

Overall it's a good entry level unit. The spoken road names are nice... although sometimes it tells you to turn after you've passed the intersection. The small screen makes it difficult to read while driving (the 7100 is $95 more than my final cost for the 2100. Food for thought). The "photo-realistic 3D images of junctions" is a nice feature.

The company has great customer service. I would definitely buy another Navigon product when I'm ready to upgrade.

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Buyer's feedback: - * This item broke twice in the first two weeks. ...
I purchased this item because my son-in-law had one and said it was good. The first week, it stopped working. I called Navigon and they had me reprogram it on the telephone. Since that time, it thinks I am in a different location. I will be sending it back for repair this week.