Navigon's 2200T does free traffic for life, retails for a mere $229

While many GPS manufacturers seem to be still seeing how much they can milk out of minor feature updates and monthly subscription fees, Navigon is going for the jugular with the new 2200T. The 3.5-inch-screened nav device offers up free real-time traffic updates for life -- a service that usually will run you $10 a month -- in addition to fun stuff like Reality View Pro (3D images and actual road sign text), Lane Assist Pro and text-to-speech, all for a mere $229. Three years of map updates will cost you $80, but the built-in maps for US and Canada should get you pretty far. We saw the 2200T at IFA, and while it's nothing so special to look at, that price is going bruise up some of the competition. No word on when this will hit stores, but our guess is soon.

[Skemo @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:50AM]

Ruthless price cuts and free services, that's what I'm talking about.

[tom @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:48AM]

It is a nice perk to give lifetime, my question is how long the device will last???

[Flashpoint @ Sep 3rd 2008 12:48PM]

Everytime someone rides with me, they always ask whether or not I have to pay to use my GPS system...to which I respond by explaining that it just passively recieves data from a bunch of satellites and uses that info in conjunction with the DVD.

I betcha if car companies had it to do all over again, they'd make us pay for the address search feature. Its funny how to keep consumers buying, they come right back around with a model that helps you avoid traffic in near-real time.

[projektR @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:52AM]

Any idea of the map accuracy is like in comparison to Garmin?

[Michael Witt @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:22AM]

I have a Navigon 7100, and its accuracy is quite good, and the maps are very good. I've only had one problem with it not really knowing where I was (it told me I was somewhere in the middle of Iowa driving northeast, when I was in Wisconsin driving east, but that was resolved by restarting the unit)

[NxP3 @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:52AM]

That look really nice and the screen looks uncluttered. I just might pick this one up, but where the hell do I get them. I never see them at Fry's or best buy. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough.

[scott @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:16AM]

there's always the internet, dude.

[penpusher @ Sep 3rd 2008 4:53PM]

This Navigon looks pretty cool—remember the old pagers before the advent of text messaging? They’re almost the same size. Upgrades are indeed money-makers for these companies because once you have the old unit you do not have any choice but to upgrade and pay for the cost. The unit may be cheap but add up the cost of the upgrades and you’ll be paying more. There are lots of online stores selling GPS already. You might want to try http://www.pressdigital.com.au/ I’ve seen several GPS units there and other gadgets you might want to check out.

[mrpoo @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:59AM]

That's what I'm talking about. Garmin wants 70 bucks for a single map update on my Nuvi, which I'm still debating since I frequently get directed to private residences or horse farms when my Nuvi locates phantom Cracker Barrels that never were.

[Kris @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:59AM]

I wonder how this will compare to TomTom? I've tried other navigation systems before and so far all of them have sucked (I haven't had a chance to try Garmin yet). Cobra is absolutely HORRIBLE.

Who am I kidding. I'm going to pick up the Knight Rider GPS regardless of its lack of Bluetooth and Traffic.

[aeth @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:59AM]

Back reminds me of the Creative Zen...

Got me all excited too...thought it was a new touch-screen HDD Zen, then I read the brand...

[kk @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:07AM]

Lan Assist Pro?!

Finally, I'm always having trouble organising a LAN party over my other GPS devices.

[NxP3 @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:08AM]

OK I just checked their website, Where is this free traffic update, It says 89.99 on their website. Also you pay to update maps...which I understand...but where's the free stuff!!!?

[Michael Witt @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:24AM]

The $90 is for lifetime traffic updates, if you already have a Navigon which does not include them as a standard feature. This model includes that in the price.

[Erik @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:10AM]

I have an earlier Navigon unit and it's awful. It freezes on a regular basis, and the response from it when it's not frozen is sub-par. I would only go with a Tom-Tom or a Garmin in the future.

[Michael Witt @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:25AM]

My navigon 7100 is pretty good, but especially so after the recent software update.

[Stefan @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:31AM]

Well TomTom is not much better. I have a new TomTom with the latest maps and every time I leave my subdivision to get on the interstate it wants to send me 2 miles north 2 miles west and 2 miles south before entering the right interstate ramp. I can reach the same ramp in 2 miles by going 1/2 mile south and 1 1/2 miles west. When I take this "correct" route the GPS gets completely confused and takes me on a spin of suggested turns on roads that don't exist. Only a reboot after entering the interstate solves this problem.

[Dwayne Hamson @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:25AM]

I did a side by side comparo of my garmin nuvi 760 with a cheap navigon unit (no idea what the model number was...it was a friend's)- the garmin was much better. We set a destination that was known to me (the route that is), the garmin did find the fastest and had us arriving 15 minutes earlier than the navigon gps. We just did one test...so, just giving you the real world experience. Also, the Garmin Nuvi has a free update to the 2009 maps...you just have to contact Garmin directly and give them a copy of your receipt. I ordered mine off of Amazon so a screen shot was all that was needed. It was a pretty painless process. I really like my Nuvi!

[Koray @ Sep 5th 2008 4:52AM]

Next upgrade will be a camera slapped at unit's back and live feed from highway, with arrows and signs superimposed on it. But wait a minute, highways already have signs, right?

[aytunc @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:48AM]

I have a Navigon that I snatched last black friday with lifetime traffic updates and it smokes all TomTom and Garmin units with its free traffic feature. I wish i have enough DIY knowledge to permanently install it to my dash without the wires dangling when i drive but other than that, signal acquisition, routing, and lane assist with its Virtual highways signs is a godsend.

[ciara @ Sep 3rd 2008 1:15PM]

I HAVE A NAVIGON THAT TAKES ME EVERY WHERE I AGREE EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE ONE......

[phanbouy @ Sep 3rd 2008 2:31PM]

OH MY GENTLE JESUS

[jeppe @ Sep 12th 2008 11:14AM]

Free maps will get you too far.

[keven @ Sep 9th 2008 8:33PM]

I have a Navigon 7100 GPS,I think that navigon is the best
http://www.pricestealer.com/deal/460/Navigon-7100-GPS-Navigation-Device/
http://www.buy.com/prod/navigon-5100-portable-gps-system-with-reality-view-built-in-us-maps/q/loc/111/208429765.html
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