CES 2008: Navigon takes GPS back to the basics
To bring you every GPS device on display at CES, we'd need to start GPSblog. Instead we're gonna hit the ones we think stand out from the crowd, like the Navigon 7100 you see here.
While the thing to do these days for GPS manufacturers is to cram everything they can into that black box on your dash, Navigon is taking a simpler approach. No MP3, no video capability, no Bluetooth. The 7100 gives directions like a good GPS box should.
It's not a low-end device, though. Navigon helps you get where you're going efficiently and safely. Imagine speeding down the interstate and your nav system says "take next exit." If you're stuck in the center lane, which way do you go? Navigon tells you which lane you need to be in, and on the screen shows representations of the overhead exit signs you'll be seeing.
The 7100 will keep you out of trouble, too. In the upper left corner of its screen is displayed the speed at which you should be driving if you want to avoid the cops. It'll keep you out of trouble when searching for a place to eat, too. Navigon has exclusive rights to use Zagat data to help you make decisions on restaurants while on the road.
The 7100 potentially saves you money as well, with a lifetime subscription to traffic data. No more paying monthly fees to know how congested your route is because the price of traffic info is covered in the $500 street price.
It's a good looking device, too, as you can see from our gallery of high-res photos. The company's full press release is available after the jump.
NAVIGON NAMED CES BEST OF INNOVATIONS 2008 DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
AWARD HONOREE
NAVIGON 7100 Selected as Top In-Vehicle Accessory
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) named NAVIGON as a Best of International CES Innovations 2008 Design and
Engineering Awards Honoree for the NAVIGON 7100 personal navigation device (PND). Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the trade press to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products. Selected as the Best of Innovations 2008 honoree in the In-Vehicle Accessories category, the NAVIGON 7100 features stunning 2D and 3D map views, easy to navigate menus and exclusive functionality. The NAVIGON 7100 shakes up the me-too GPS category with smart features that make the device easy to use, help reduce driver stress
and provide meaningful real world context.
The NAVIGON 7100 boasts many industry exclusive features, including lifetime subscription-free real-time traffic to empower drivers to re-route around congestion. NAVIGON's Reality ViewTM reduces driver stress by providing photo-realistic images of complex highway interchanges. Additionally, Lane Assistant bolsters confidence by guiding drivers to the best lane relative to the route. Advanced text-to-speech technology provides spoken driving directions and street names, so drivers can focus on the road.
"We are extremely honored to be named a CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award honoree," said Andreas Hecht, NAVIGON's President for the Americas. "We are very proud of the family of products we have introduced to the US market. Receiving this honor from the prestigious CEA validates the innovative thinking we have put into developing the best products in the navigation category."
As a widely renowned consumer technology awards program that began in 1989, the prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards recognize achievements in product design and engineering. It is sponsored by CEA, the producer of the International CES, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the voice of industrial design, committed to advancing the profession through education, information, community and advocacy.
The NAVIGON 7100 will be displayed at the 2008 International CES, which runs January 7-10, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase will feature honorees by product category at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Booth #70621. Best of nnovations honoree products will also be displayed at the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center, next to Experience CEA, and at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES on Saturday, January 5. The Innovations entries are judged based on the following criteria:
• Engineering qualities, based on technical specs and materials used
• Aesthetic and design qualities, using photos provided
• The product's intended use/function and user value
• Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive
About NAVIGON
NAVIGON INC. is one of the world's leading providers of navigation products and software solutions. NAVIGON makes its own navigation brand consumer products and creates software solutions for OEM customers operating in personal navigation, wireless, and automotive sectors. Founded in 1991, NAVIGON employs more than 400 people and has offices in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information, visit www.navigon.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brent 6:07PM (1/07/2008)
Most beautiful screen on the market!
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Brett- BMW Advo 7:04PM (1/07/2008)
I want one!
No worries all, the Navigon 7100 isnt THAT simple because it does include Bluetooth mobile phone integration.
http://www.navigon.com/site/us/en/products_us/7100
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RockStoneSteel 11:19PM (1/07/2008)
This is a step in the right direction as Garmin seriously needs competition to bring the prices down to reasonable levels. Another fix needed by most GPS devices is a significantly larger screen. The manufacturers are obsessed with the dainty little 3.5" screens. Ideally, GPS's would have a built in display driver which would permit attachment of any size LCD touch screen.
The biggest advance in the market will come when manufacturers finally start offering map updates. It is absurd that a GPS device can become obsolete so fast simply due to the mapping software.
The market is certainly increasing at a rapid pace. When I bought my GPS about 6 months ago, I had to go online since most electronics stores, Best Buy included, didn't bother carrying a reasonable selection of devices. No dedicated display booths; the GPS buyers were an afterthought. However, over this past Christmas season, Best Buy turned 180 degrees and started to carry a variety of brand names with dedicated showcase areas in the stores ...with reasonable prices to boot. They then sold like hotcakes. It is a bit mindboggling that stores like Best Buy didn't have the foresight to dedicate more floor space to GPS devices a few years ago.
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Hank 12:54AM (1/08/2008)
uh, you CAN actually get map updates for you recently bought GPS, albeit for a not-so-cheap price (~$70 from Garmin), but still cheaper than the $200 for an updated DVD for a built-in car navigation system.
Also, I would argue that bigger navigation screen is NOT better than smaller screen. There is a 'sweet spot' of screen size for a portable navigation device, which allows it to be easily readable, easy to carry, and does not become obstructive to your vision to the road. There's a reason all the portable navigation devices (even the high-end ones) only made the screen slightly WIDER but not taller, and they are all kept in a relatively similar dimension.
Really, people want big navigation screen just for showing off, sounds like you're one of those show-off types...
RockStoneSteel 8:35AM (1/08/2008)
In reply to Hank...
Uh, show off type??? 99% of the time, I'm the only person in the car. And besides, who would be "impressed" by having a GPS screen that was 7" diagonal as opposed to 3.5"? There isn't a single automobile manufacturer that puts such dainty screens in their cars from the factory. So why is the aftermarket so obsessed with tiny screens? Fact is, you can show significantly more of the surrounding map data on a larger screen. The point I was making about having a built in display driver is at least the buyer could select the ideal screen size for the vehicle. One would at least have a choice. So if you want the dainty little kiddy screens that result in fingers overlapping the keyboard and mistyping, that is your prerogative.
UCONNCASS 6:12AM (1/08/2008)
I purchased one of these from Staples at a great price with a 50.00 rebate. Taking the time to 'navigate' your way around the device you will find it quick and simple to plug in your address and routes. The 4.3 in. screen is easy to see both day and night. The only so-so feature is the bluetooth as the voice cannot be put through your car speakers therefore it is hard to hear your caller or directions if your windows are open or music is too loud. The mounting arm is sturdy but may not be viable for some vehicles. I found another mount that is PERFECT at www.mountguys.com. All in all this is a very nice unit that I think all would enjoy.
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Lee Monahan 8:32AM (1/08/2008)
Navigon is cool, but still immature. I've had mine for a couple of months now and love the features, but have been disappointed with the route planning, lack of software upgrades and accessories, and outdated maps. Otherwise I love it. A little more time in the market and better maps, this will be the leader.
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