NaviGadget

Navman iCN750 review by pcmag

Jul 19, 2006 gps navigation, navman, reviews 1 Comment

PCMag just published a review of the NavMan iCN750, the only in-car navigation system that comes with an integrated digital camera. They didn’t think it was worth $700 since the 1.3 mp digital camera wasn’t all that great and the other features just didn’t make up for the price tag. Read the full iCN750 review.

In an increasingly competitive market, many manufacturers are adding features such as MP3 players, photo viewers, and live traffic reports. Music and images are nice to have, but they don’t really help you navigate. In fact, some of the newer Magellan models (like the RoadMate 3000T and 860T), will not play MP3 files and navigate at the same time. So why pay for a feature in a navigation device when you can’t use it while navigating? You’d be better off with a separate MP3 player, which you probably already own.

As a GPS navigation device, the Navman iCN750 is easy to use. On my vacation, it provided accurate, reliable directions and got me to my destinations without any hitches. The NavPix feature is interesting, but at $799.95, there are better GPSs available for the same money.

Magellan RoadMate 860T review

Jul 4, 2006 gps navigation, magellan, software Leave a comment

With the introduction of the Magellan RoadMate 860T ($799 list), the new top-of-the-line model in the company’s 800 Series, Magellan joins its competition in offering live, integrated traffic data that can be used for automatic rerouting around congestion, traffic accidents, lane restrictions, and construction sites. But though it offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the 860T still has a ways to go before it can outshine the competition.

The 860T measures 6.3 by 2.2 by 1.4 inches and has a 3.5-inch (diagonal) touch screen. It shares many of the features of the RoadMate 760, but new features and a new key layout fix many of the 760’s problems. For example, the 860T includes a built-in rechargeable battery so it can be used away from the vehicle. In addition to a 2D track up and a 2D North up view, it also has a 3D “bird’s-eye” view—a commonplace feature in most GPSs, but one that’s missing in the 700 series.
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Magellan RoadMate 860T is out!

Apr 21, 2006 gps navigation, magellan Leave a comment

Even though Magellan’s website doesn’t confirm any of this yet several resources have reported that the RoadMate 860T is officially released. So here you go:

Make way for the new Magellan RoadMate 860T portable vehicle navigation system. Packed with an MP3 player and photo viewer, the 860T is bundled with a 15-month subscription to traffic service allowing drivers to take necessary detours when the system detects abnormal traffic on your current route.

MP3s and photos can be stored on a 10 gig partition available on the internal 20GB hard drive, and I suspect that in the future the RoadMate series will be much more than just a multimedia travel companion. With the traffic service, you can either ask the system to re-route your journey or simply be alerted of traffic ahead – this is great if you deliberately want to run in to traffic and give the usual excuse “Oh, you won’t believe how the traffic was!” (unless the other person knows you have a Magellan RoadMate 860T).

The screen, a big 3.5″ TFT color screen, has enough visibility even in daylight and offers higher resolution. It’s also a touchscreen – very convenient when driving, so you don’t have to search for those little buttons all over the place.

Voice prompts are possible too, and you have to option to choose a 2D or 3D bird’s-eye view of the map. Maps of the US, Puerto Rico, Canada and the US Virgin Islands are preloaded, but if you’re traveling to Europe, you’ll need to shell out additional money for the relevant maps.

A useful feature is the display of traffic incidents – whether it’s an accident or road work or any other condition for slow traffic, it’s clearly displayed on the map screen.

Priced at US $799, the Magellan RoadMate 860T will be available in May 2006. Access more details at Magellan’s website. The package includes Magellan TrafficKit, a windshield mount and enhanced cradle, USB cable, AC adaptor, vehicle power adaptor, headphones and pouch for protection. Check the extended entry for features.

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Magellan 3000T and 860T

Mar 24, 2006 gps navigation 1 Comment

There’s no agreement yet between resources if it is 300T or 3000T but either way… these are new.

GPS Gazette has the dirt on two upcoming Roadmate in-car GPS units from Magellan, which contain many similar features, including 3.5-inch hi-res touchscreens, 2D as well as 3D birds eye views, and hard drives preloaded with all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Although the Roadmate 860T is basically an minor upgrade to the 800 that we saw last year, and maintains its predecessor’s features and design, the new Roadmate 300T departs from the standard all-buttons-on-the-right configuration common to previous in-car offerings from Magellan. Along with the usual lineup of voice nav, POI, and auto re-rerouting features, the $600 300T also sports a 4GB hard drive, automatic night dimming, MP3 playback, and SmartVolume adjustment for louder directions when you’re in the midst of a high-speed chase. The 860T would actually be the better choice for your getaway, though, as it incorporates built in traffic alerts for avoiding roadblocks and a 20GB drive in case you need to add other countries and foreign tunes while you’re on the lam. The 300T will make its debut in April, while the $800 860T — which you can glimpse after the break — hits stores in May…. via