NaviGadget

Navman F20 review

Dec 22, 2006 gps navigation, navman, reviews

Navman F20 is an nicely built entry level navigation that costs around $300. PCMag just published a review and gave it 3.5 points out of 5. Not sure how it lost those 1.5 points but it sounds like they didn’t like the fact that it doesn’t have a multimedia player. The pros are the menu system, SiRF Star III GPS receiver and the route demonstration mode.

In screen views, Navman broke ranks with other GPS manufacturers. Rather than the traditional 2D North up, 2D track up, and 3D views, the F20 has only a 3D view in the direction of travel. A magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner of the screen gives you the option of changing the zoom level, selecting auto zoom (zoom level based on current speed), or of changing perspective. By changing perspective, you can go from a fairly oblique 3D view to what’s essentially a 2D view in 13 increments. This ability to select the angle of view is unique to Navman products, and I’m glad the company included it on the F20.

We think it should’ve received a better grade for such a great value.