How did we get here?
In January of 2010, I met with NAVIGON at both the ShowStoppers at CES event, and also at CES proper. At the time, I was looking to validate a software GPS solution for two reasons: i) to fulfill a request for such a solution from a client who needed to reduce or do away completely with the costs of his traveling salesmen’s rental of GPS units, and ii) to eliminate my carrying of yet another electronic device. In my case, one of the two GPS devices I carried around with me whenever I traveled away from home: my faithful HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion (always, if I have to drive), and the Magellan RoadMate 100 I use as a backup to the iPAQ 310.
I was able to meet with both TeleNav and NAVIGON, asked for, and obtained their respective software for reviews. (Our review of the TeleNav AT&T Navigator is here.)
When I asked for the NAVIGON software for a review. I was surprised when J-TB, of NAVIGON, asked me if I needed a vehicle mount for the review. I said yes, and within an hour, I received a call from (Microsoft MVP for Windows Mobile Devices) Johan van Mierlo, Executive Product Manager for ProClip, asking for details on not just the devices I was going to use the mounts for, but for the vehicles the mounts would be installed in! Our overall ProClip review follows this post.
Disclosure: ProClip’s Johan van Mierlo also happens to be a personal friend.
I told him of the two phones in our inventory at that time – HP iPAQ Glisten, LG eXpo, and the two primary vehicles we were going to use for the review, the GMC Yukon Denali and the Mercedes-Benz GL450. Both of these vehicles have built-in GPS navigation units, but I wanted to see if smartphone-based GPS navigation software had come close.
The NAVIGON MobileNavigator 7 
Almost coincident with the delivery of the software, I received a package from ProClip containing four (4) vehicle mounts, enabling me to
For clarity, I have asked NAVIGON whether this 4-step process is still in effect, especially in the light of the new windows Phone/HTC HD2 push. I have not received an answer as of now.
UPDATE: I have been informed that the latest version of NAVIGON does include an option to install directly to a cellphone tethered to a PC.
Once, however, the install in completed and MobileNavigator 7 is started, you see immediately that the hassle was well worth it.
Using the NAVIGON MobileNavigator 7
The first striking thing about the NAVIGON MobileNavigator 7 is the user interface. A pleasant shade of brown, the UI is beautiful.
It is intuitive, yet simple. However, the simplicity masks the deep level of customizations possible. I found it easy to program, and in the LG eXpo, acquired a GPS lock with great speed.
The little things: the MobileNavigator 7 helps you stay within the posted speed, or your selection of a variance over the speed you want to cruise at. For people with lead feet, this can help reduce the incidences of getting caught speeding.
Since MobileNavigator 7 is not tied into any cellphone plan or carrier, you then understand why so much memory is required: it has to take its entire North American database with it. Doing so however, enables two things: an extremely fast and uninterrupted GPS navigation, and better battery life, since it does not have to continually download map data from a server in the cloud.
After a couple of weeks trying out MobileNavigator 7 on a standalone basis, I decided to test it against both standalone GPS devices, and the GPS navigation units installed in a couple of cars. Fortuitously, I had the opportunity to try it with a larger number of cars, one of them a Ford Taurus with Microsoft Auto’s Sync.
- Ease of use: While easy to use, the MobileNavigator 7 lagged behind the speech activated nav units in the Mercedes-Benz and Ford automobiles. However, it was just as easy to use, and definitely more responsive than the RoadMate and iPAQ 310.
- Speed: Having a local database makes the speed of the MobileNavigator 7 relative to the TeleNav – which I tested concurrently – very impressive. Information was there instantaneously.
- Value: At a cost of $89.99, I thought the NAVIGON MobileNavigator 7 was a good deal. However, right now until June 11, 2010, it is on sale for $49.99 US, making it an exceptional value.
For me, when I think of the time MobileNavigator 7 saved me from having to take an unexpected trip through downtown Atlanta on my way to Buckhead when my cab driver decided to take me on a sightseeing trip – I calmly told him to stay on the freeway or speak to the Taxicab authority, it becomes an even better value.
To crown it all, the included ProClip mounts proved versatile enough that they were used interchangeably over the range of vehicles we tested them in, from sedans to SUVs.
Dislikes
Incredibly back-asswards install procedure.
Conclusions
It can save you money like it did for me, not just from nefarious cab drivers, but also from the $10 or so daily rental fee charged by car rental companies. It is not a battery hog, and it is easy to use, with a very intuitive user interface.
Consequently, it has been given the SmallBizWindows Superstar Award.
We really like it.
NOTES:
- NAVIGON has a 50%-off sale going on right now, and is touting the beauty of the MobileNavigator when used in conjunction with the delectable HTC HD2. Greedy me, aka per our review policies here which states, We also solicit for products that catch our eyes and fancy – as described in the PR blurb, or by word of mouth, I have asked NAVIGON to send me that combined software/hardware solution for a hands-on test. I have not been answered. Grrrrr!!!
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ProClip, a product line I had not used until now, proved their mettle. In fact, we are issuing a blanket SmallBizWindows Business Ready Award for their entire line of mounts, and unreservedly recommend ProClip mounts to all. I also intend to acquire a ProClip universal mount to add to my travel bag for whenever I go out of town.
- Software on an SD card/Flash drive. Please tell me that this isn’t a better way to ship products than sending me a gazillion CDs/DVDs that clutter up my life! Maybe I should deduct points from people who insist on sending me CDs/DVDs…
Resources Used
