Navigon 8100T GPS Receiver Review

The Navigon 8100T is a luxurious GPS receiver with a large 4.8-inch, widescreen display for presenting vivid, high-color maps and routes for clear, easily discernible navigation. By Michael Patrick Brady

Navigon 8100T

Though Navigon may not be as well known as its peers in the GPS marketplace, their array of GPS receivers are certainly worthy of some attention. The Navigon 8100T is a luxurious GPS device that puts equal emphasis on form and function, with a competent navigational core that's augmented by a sense of style.

Of particular note is the Navigon 8100T's "Panorama View 3D" functionality, which makes its debut on this model. Panorama View 3D is a full-color, intricately detailed, three-dimensional view of the map, using terrain height data supplied by NASA to create realistic, topographical landscapes. Hills, mountains, valleys, and shorelines provide a much more recognizable landmarks by which to ascertain your position visually, as you follow your projected route. More on this feature later.

Design

The Navigon 8100T is a very fine looking GPS receiver. The face features a large, widescreen 4.8-inch LCD display, making it one of the largest GPS displays available. The LCD is framed by a brushed steel bezel, which did a pretty fair job of resisting fingerprints. On either side of the display there are two pinholes, for the microphones, which are used for making cell phone calls via Bluetooth or with the 8100T's voice recognition abilities.

On the back of the device is a circular groove which is used to attach the 8100T to a rather long, sturdy looking mount. The mount is huge, like an old-fashioned telephone receiver, and it's hard to believe the weight of both the mount and the GPS (which are solidly built and have some weight to them) can be supported by the suction cup. Nevertheless, the suction cup did its job, adhering to the glass firmly, and instilled me with enough confidence that I didn't fear it detaching from the glass.

Though larger than the average GPS receiver, the 8100T is still small enough to be slipped into a bag or purse, and need not be left in the vehicle. Included in the box with the 8100T is the aforementioned windshield mount, a USB cable (for computer connections and charging), a car charger (USB to cigarette lighter), and a soft carrying pouch.

Advantage: Full-color, fully rendered maps

If there's one advantage Navigon has over the competition, it's the map. The 8100T's map, enhanced with "Panorama View 3D" is incredible. No doubt the large, 4.8-inch display helps show off the information better than a more traditional 4.3 or 3.5-inch LCD would, but the level of detail and contrast on the Navigon maps is extaordinary.

Street names are clear and distinct on the map, as are the actual contours and outlines of the roads. Your car's icon, an yellow arrow inclosed in a gray circle, glides along the orange route line as it snakes through the realistic, three-dimensional terrain. If you've seen a "3D mode" on a GPS receiver before, don't be confused. The "Panorama View 3D" is nothing like the annoying, skewed-perspective of those other devices. This is the real deal. You're no longer just a dot moving along a context-free map without any suggestion of what the world looks like around you. With the Navigon 8100T, you're a slightly larger dot moving along a greatly enhanced map that resembles the view outside your windows.

Points-of-Interest are also enhanced, and the 8100T doesn't just indicate that there is a restaurant or gas station nearby, it displays the logo of that restaurant (provided it's a brand like McDonalds or Burger King) or gas station (such as Hess or Sunoco), as well as the full name. These icons are quite discernible and very helpful, especially if you're driving through an unfamiliar area and interested in sampling local shops or eateries. The 8100T is also equipped with Zagat Ratings and Reviews, for a little added depth concerning such attractions. Users can locate a restaurant, find how well it's rated, how much it will cost, and other relevant details before they decide to set it as their destination.

The experience is rounded out by features like "Lane Assistant Pro" and "Reality View Pro," which provide realistic, three-dimensional depictions of road signs, lane changes, intersections, and other confusing interchanges where necessary. Another bonus is the integration of real-time traffic information which is free for the lifetime of the product.

Downsides: Responsiveness, Voice Recognition

The Navigon 8100T includes voice recognition software for setting destinations hands-free. Voice recognition is always tricky, and I've yet to see a GPS receiver that works flawlessly. The 8100T is no exception. In some cases, it did very well, and in others, it failed completely. Navigon at least tries to make things work with a handy calibration screen, but it's of no avail.

Also, the voice recognition mode requires that you wait for a beep to respond to the device's inquiries, like an answering machine. I often found myself jumping the gun, speaking when the GPS finished its question but before the beep, and having to repeat myself afterward to be heard. A minor annoyance, but an annoyance all the same.

The touchscreen interface works, but in certain cases it seemed sluggish or unresponsive. When navigating maps, menus, and keypads, there was a slight delay and occasional mis-hits which slowed things down.

Conclusion: A Solid Alternative

The Navigon 8100T manages to put an emphasis on form without forgetting function. It's a fun, appealing, attractive GPS unit that introduces some real, substantial improvements to the basic task of navigation, allowing it to stand apart from the competition in a meaningful way. The 8100T is not simply adorned with extras, it features improvements to the crucial, core functionality of the GPS receiver, improvements that users will find quite refreshing.