Navigon 5100 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently purchased the Navigon 5100 GPS device after some research. I went to some retailers and tried the devices out physically as I wanted to get a good idea of the interface they provided.
First of all the Navigon is loaded with functions, this might overwhelm some, but of course remember that changing these are optional. The default settings are good enough, but it is great to have the choice and freedom to alter certain settings.
Let me first start with the things I am not too happy about, or feel could be better.
- Device periodically lags (doesn't happen often but I would like it to be more responsive during those few times)
- There were also a few times that the route had to be recalculated and it took longer than I expected
- Takes a while to display the turn by turn list (only seems to happen when you have lengthy directions e.g. those spanning multiple states)
These weaknesses really for me was not enough for me to be dissatisfied with the unit, especially with all of the positive attributes it had going for it.
Here are some of the features I love:
- Multiple Transport Settings (Car, Bicycle, Pedestrian)
- Displaying the speed limit (quite accurate too, I was amazed at how the Navigon changed the speed as I was driving past the sign)
- 3D Reality View (HUGE PLUS - it really helps, especially in metropolitan areas)
- Says the name of street in addition to distance from the turn e.g. "In 1/2 mile, turn left onto Omaha street"
- Multiple Route Settings (Fast, Optimum, Shortest, Scenic)
- Night and Day views (contrast/brightness settings can also be adjusted)
- Option to Allow, Avoid, or Forbid toll routes
- Can allow or disallow U-TURNS (great to enable if you do not like taking U Turns.)
- Free Lifetime Traffic Information - It was amazing to see these traffic information popping up, alerting you to an accident ahead or construction on your route - then prompting you to avoid, after which it will automatically reroute you around the traffic. Oh, did I mention FREE for life!!
- Smooth user interface, other GPS devices simply can't come close to how beautiful this interface and user experience is - could almost pass for an Apple product.
- Speed dependent volumne - Wow, this will increase the volume depending on how fast you are traveling. Some users may have said it automatically reverts to a lower audio setting, if you wish turn this feature off and keep it on high volume.
- Points of Interests (POIs) - So many POI, and very accurate. It may be overwhelming, but what is great about the device is that you can select what POI categories you want displayed. Initially all 31 categories are selected, I went in and cut the list in half - I really didn't care to see Car or Motorcycle Dealers in the area.
- Accuracy, it gives great directions, and also allows you to block certain roads if you prefer to take another route.
- Tells me which side of the road my destination is on (pretty helpful)
The Windshield Mount:
Something else I should mention - the Navigon comes with a windshield mount that at first I thought was extremely distasteful. I didn't know why it had to be so long. But after using it I realized that it allowed me to mount the device and have it come out closer to me, so it was easier to reach and see, and it gave me some more flexibility with where to mount it. Though it lacks the ability to tilt UP and DOWN, it does rotate and turn.
The Navigon 5100 also has a "Route Planner" which allows you to plot multiple destinations - this is great, but I think this could be improved by optimizing the route - meaning tell me where to go 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc.
Overall, I am more than satisfied and quite pleased with the device. I would highly recommend this as a GPS device to invest in - especially for those new to GPS and are not fixated on the interface functions of other GPS devices. This is an important point to note, if you are used to using a Garmin, then pressing the screen will bring up different options than what happens when you press the screen of the Navigon.
A friend of mine had a Garmin nuvi 350 and we actually tested both products side by side in the city. The only thing I would say that the Garmin had over the Navigon was that it allowed users to connect their phone to the device via bluetooth. Other than that the Navigon excelled in some many ways. The Navigon gave better directions from the start, whereas the Garmin had to recalculate after forcing a different route. The Navigon interface was way better, with 2D/3D options. I also loved how the address and POI entry operated, it was similar to "Google Suggest" where as I typed, matching responses would appear.
I am currently more than happy with the product, it's not perfect, but in sure comes close, with innovative features not found in other devices.

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