Navigon 2100 review

UPDATE: The new Navigon 2100 max updates the 2100 with a 4.3" wide screen and the DirectHelp emergency screen.

The Navigon 2100 is Navigon's entry level GPS device. Even so, it offers text-to-speech, so you'll get "turn left on Oak Street" rather than just "turn left." It also has the "reality view" feature for major highway interchanges, as shown above. 

Beyond that, the unit is pretty basic -- 3.5" touch screen, SiRFstar III chipset, and maps of the lower 48 United States. The 2100T includes a traffic receiver. Amazon reports that the unit has only 1.3 million POIs, a very low number, but I have not been able to verify that.

Compare prices on the Navigon 2100

Stepping up to the Navigon 5100 gets you more POIs, lane assist (suggesting which lane to be in), Zagat ratings and free lifetime traffic. The Navigon 7100, which I wasn't very impressed with, adds Bluetooth too.

More Navigon 2100 reviews

• Consumer-authored Navigon 2100 reviews are being posted at Amazon.
• GPS Lodge has posted a detailed and fairly positive Navigon 2100 review.
• CNet was not as kind in their Navigon 2100 review, giving it a 6.3 out of 10 rating. Consumer reviews are also posted there.
• Terry White reviews the Navigon 2100.
• Tech Review has posted a Navigon 2100 review.
• GpsPasSion has a Navigon 2100 review thread.
• Consumer Electronics Net reviews the Navigon 2100.
• Buzzilions has posted a Navigon 2100 review.
• A comparison of the Navigon 2100 and TomTom XL 330.
• You may also want to read my Navigion 7100 review -- As I said, I wasn't all that impressed, and that's their high-end model.

I'll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some...

Other Navigon 2100 resources

• GpsPasSion has a Navigon resource page
• Go here to download the Navigon 2100 owners manual
• A Navigon 2100 hack
• A Navigon 2100 video demo
• How to plan Navigon routes on a PC

Compare prices on the Navigon 2100 at these merchants:

• Check the current Navigon 2100 price at Amazon.
• Get the Navigon 2100 - Portable GPS System w/ Preloaded Maps at Buy.com.
• Get the Navigon 2100 for an amazing price on eBay.
• I'll be posting more links as additional vendors begin carrying the Navigon 2100.

From the official Navigon 2100 web page:

Feel more confident on the road with the NAVIGON^® 2100. Stylishly compact, accurate and affordable, the NAVIGON 2100 is built with the same design DNA of NAVIGON's award-winning 7100 and 5100 devices — and offers features that aren't available on systems at twice the price.          

• Ultra-slender, portable design with an easy-to-read 3.5" screen
• Extra guidance  with exclusive 3D Reality View™
• Text-to-Speech technology offers spoken turn-by-turn directions and street names so you can keep your eyes on the road
• Intuitive touch-screen menus and stunning 2D and 3D maps
  

Only the NAVIGON 2100 evolves with your needs. With optional service accessories like Lifetime Traffic and Zagat^® Ratings and Reviews, you can customize the device to work within your lifestyle.

Related posts:

• Our GPS reviews
• Auto GPS buyers guide
• Top ten auto GPS

Comments

[TFB]

The POI's seem to be the same as TomTom. I compared the two and the same showed up at various locations.

Overall I am impressed with the 2100T. Not perfect but good. The again I paid $99.99 w/ free traffic. Can't beat that deal.

Pros: Nice screen, TTS, lifetime traffic, POIs, multi-route

Cons: smaller touch buttons, a bit slower than others

[Rich Owings]

TFB,

Glad you got one at that price. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[Mark Chambers]

I own a Navigon 2100 sure is sleek and pretty. Too bad it's dead! Navigon knows the units have issues and said they would give me a call if and when they figure it out. Could be weeks, months, who knows? Meanwhile I can't even return it for a working unit or my money back. Unbelievable

[Ken Williams]

I bought a 2100 and subsequently returned it. I found it not to be as good as reviews made me think. here is my ‘review’ of this device.

1.Design: The case and interface are very slick looking. The reality view is a great feature.
2.MAPS: Based on NAVTEQ map software, this unit seems somewhat up to date, but the maps aren’t as up to date as the Garmin Nuvi products. I suspect an older version of navteq was used in early development and not updated before released on this product.
3. Fonts: many of the fonts are too small. The speed is virtually unreadable. This important piece of information [My Speed] should be larger, since I often refer to it as a reference to the accuracy of my speedometer.
4. Routing. No matter what the tech says, routing is broken on this unit. whatever the problem, it results in incorrect routing over 50% of the routes I tried to calculate. I can provide specific routes that are incorrect. I did notice that other people mentioned that it tries to take you back to your original route, even if there’s a better one.
5. Missing Features: Auto day/night, auto off. Sufficient POIS.
That’s about it.

Finally, I would have kept my 2100 if it weren’t so bad at routing. I want to be very clear about this. I have been working with GPSRs for six years and talking to many users. I have worked with many different GPS Navigation units and the routing problem is REAL and it makes this unit virtually unusable.