NaviGadget

Verizon VZ Navigator Review

Mar 5, 2007 gps navigation, phones, reviews, software

If you don’t feel like spending hundreds of dollars on a stand alone navigation system and don’t like dealing with extra wires and batteries in your car you should look into VZ Navigator from Verizon. You’ll need a compatible phone, a data plan, and a place to go. The service costs $3 per day, or you can pay $10 per month for unlimited use.

The review gives the Verizon VZ Navigator service 3.5 out of 5.

The underlying architecture of cell phone–based navigation is quite different from that used by a dedicated GPS device that sits on your dashboard. First, it uses triangulation from cell towers to establish your position, not a satellite fix. Of course, that means it relies on your cellular service. Testing the service in the Northeast United States, where Verizon’s coverage is very strong, I had no problems getting and keeping a steady lock.

To make most of this service you are recommended to use a phone with a full qwerty keyboard and large screen. The pros are the price, text-to-speech feature, and always up-to-date maps and POI database. The few negative points is the lack of 3D rendering, traffic info, and the fact that it depends on cell phone coverage to locate position.

Here is a list of the compatible phones:

• LG VX5300, VX8300, Chocolate, VX8600, enV, the V
• Samsung SCH-a930, SCH-a870, SCH-a990, SCH-u740
• Kyocera K323
• Motorola V325, V325i, MOTOKRZR K1m, RAZR V3c w/LBS, RAZR V3m
• VZW G’zOne Type-V
• Nokia 6315i