Navigon 2000S review
Published on October 30th, 2008 in gps navigation, navigon, reviewsIn May I reviewed the Navigon 2100 Max. I guess someone over at Navigon read the review because this new model has all the tweaks I was craving before. The unit is faster and smaller than the 2100 (Weight: 121 g, Dimensions: 95 mm x 72 mm x 17 mm (that’s less than ¾” thick!)) and still has the great display quality from its big brother. The display is smaller 3.5” touchscreen display with a 4:3 aspect ratio but still vibrant with colors.
The Navigon 2000S still has the Speed assistance, Text-to-Speech, 2D & 3D Reality View Pro plus an added bonus, the Lane Assistant Pro!
Lane Assistant Pro provides a depiction of the intersection showing all the lanes from a top view and shows which lanes are designated for turning. This can help you prepare and make your way through even the most hectic traffic situations!
Another new feature from when I reviewed the 2100 is the Smart Speller feature. So when typing a location or POI, the keyboard only shows you letter combinations that makes sense with the Navigon’s database of destinations.
It’s always frustrating when the unit doesn’t have a destination you are looking for, but at least this way you’ll know sooner than later as you’re typing in the address and the next letter isn’t available. In the 2100 review I complained on the size of the keyboard which was only half the width of the screen. The 2000S amends this flaw with a full screen keyboard which is much easier to operate. Another complaint that was corrected from big brother to the 2000S was the sound quality. Even at full volume the sound is much crisper on the 2000S.
Navigon took the Day / Night mode one step further than from the 2100 where now the 2000S automatically switches between the modes. I really enjoyed this enhancement but if you don’t, you can always turn off this feature.
Conclusion
In conclusion I was impressed by the Navigon 2000S. The quirks I disliked in the Navigon 2100 Max have been corrected so hat’s off to Navigon for that. The Smart Speller feature, the Lane Assistant Pro, Multi-Destination Trip Planning plus more make this a great pocket size unit. My biggest complaint is that the unit there was no LED to indicate if the unit is charging/charged or even on which I think is a simple enough feature that every unit should have. If that’s my only complaint, its not so bad :)
–by Gautam Khattak
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CNET said that the units “satellite acquisition is painfully slow, and route recalculations can sometimes be sluggish.” Was that noticed with this review?
Have you seen their video tutorial on youtube yet?
http://www.youtube.com/user/NAVIGONUSAcom
It gives some insights.
On the 2100 Max I think the initial satellite acquisition was painfully slow and on the 2000S it was much better, so relatively it was quick on the 2000S but yes it is still a bit slow compared to other GPS units. The route recalculation was not sluggish in my opinion.
price being equal, 1st time buyer, which is better….Nuvi350 or this Navigon 2000s.
I picked up a 2000s and I love it so far. Everything said in this review I agree with.
Sattelite acquisition is fast on my unit, and route recalculation is extremely fast, takes 1-3 seconds in my experience.
The interface is easy to use and its easy to enter destinations compared to what was scaring me from picking up an older navigon models.
Smart speller is great, auto day/night mode is great, and reality view is something that will likely keep me comming back to the navigon line in the future. The voice commands are awesome. I havent had a problem with routing, but I have noticed in my day to day travels that setting the unit to “Fastest route” rather than “shortest route” or “optimum route” usually takes me the route I would choose knowing the area.
I also love the POI logo’s showing up on my screen, or even my saved destinations as I approach and pass them on the map.
I bought a 3 year freshmaps subscription for under 30 bucks so that I can keep up to date on my maps and points of interest.
My only major gripe with this model is that it is NOT compatable with lifetime traffic subscriptions according to navigon usa. I believe it is the only model (besides the identical 2090s, that doesnt offer lifetime traffic). I bought at a great price, which i dont regret, but I did want to upgrade to lifetime traffic at a later date.
Other minor drawbacks are no USB to USB mini cable included, but I already had one handy. And I would prefer it used regular SD instead of micro sd, but thats just a personal thing.
If you want lifetime traffic, go with the 2200t. I got my 2000s for under 100 bucks but if i find a good price on a 2200t I might just upgrade.
+ I don’t know why the “Lane Assist Pro” never shows up is my Navigon 2000s so far. Something wrong with my unit or do I have to change something?
+ Yes, satellite acquisition is sluggish most of the times (5-20′). I miss my Tomtom One!!!
Joe, I have the same problem with mine. When I first got the 2000S I had “Lane Assist” and then I downloaded a update from Navigon and ever since that download I lost the lane assist feature. I called Navigon and they wont admit to this problem and wanted me to send my unit in to them. I find that I can live without lane assist as long as I get the “Reality View” which shows the lanes to be in from about 1/2 mile ahead. I also get a warning at 2 miles to “Bear Left” so that’s nearly as good as the lane assist to me. I don’t want to send my unit in as that’s asking for trouble. I have no problems with acquiring satellites, looks like a problem on some units but not mine. PS.. there is nothing you can change to correct this missing lane assist as its always there according to Navigon rep. Hope this helps, Jim…
I just bought the Navigon 2000S, and I agree about all the complains above.
Inaddition, I tested the unit for an address that I know, and the Navigon 2000S asked me to take side streets instead of taking the staight route (one street). And finally when I got close it asked me to do the final turn correctly.
I will difinitly return it asap.
Mazi
I have the 2100 (actually I bought 3) with lifetime traffic and couldn’t be happier. When it first starts it might take a few seconds but that has never been a problem for me. I know that unlike the TomTom, the 2100 is extremely accurate with regard to exactly when you should make a turn. I think it is a great unit.
I went to use my 2000S this morning and realise the LCD is broken – it has not been dropped or damaged. Has anyone had a similar problem? It is less than 4 months old?
Help!!!
Thanks
[...] stuff. Read some reviews of the 2000s to get the full feature set. Navigon 2000S | GPS Tracklog Navigon 2000S review — NaviGadget Review: Navigon 2000S GPS | Just Another Mobile Monday Navigon 2000S – A Review of the Navigon [...]