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Navigon posts

Navigon withdraws from GPS business in North America

by Darren Murph, posted May 4th 2009 at 11:39AM

Man, talk about coming straight out of left field. After blowing it out at CeBIT just two months ago, Navigon has just announced its intentions to pull out of the navigation business here in North America. According to CEO Egon Minar: "Due to the difficult economic environment and the aggressive pricing we have decided to withdraw from the PND business in North America for the time being. We are however not closing down our Chicago office which will continue to serve our automotive and mobile phone businesses in North America." He did assert that the company would "continue to fulfill all obligations to its existing PND customers in terms of map updates, etc.," but nothing else on the subject was said. So long, Navigon -- we'll miss your "uber-premium" wares.

[Via SlashGear]

Hands-on with Navigon's newest GPS units

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 3rd 2009 at 1:31PM

Navigon had a shockingly large presence at CeBIT this year, and considering just how many issues these Europeans seem to have with following directions, we weren't at all surprised to find it among the most crowded booth at the entire show. Needless (and harmless, might we add) jabs aside, the firm had a number of its latest GPS units up on display, and while the model numbers (and software, obviously) were a touch different than the US models announced yesterday, the hardware was definitely the same. We really dug what we saw, too, as the curvaceous, thin designs really caught the eye and the LCD displays were all bright and easy to read. If you're hungry for more pics, you know where to look.

Gallery: Hands-on with Navigon's newest GPS units

Navigon announces Rand McNally-powered 4300T max and 7300T nav units, less awesome 3300 max

by Nilay Patel, posted Mar 2nd 2009 at 7:01AM

Looks like Navigon's new relationship with Rand McNally is starting to bear fruit -- the company just announced two new GPS units preloaded with McNally Scenic Routes. Both the 4300T max and the 7300T have over 250 pre-programmed routes from Rand McNally's Best of the Road series, sorted into categories like "weekend getaways" and "regional trips." The $279 4300 max (pictured) is the more basic of the two, featuring a 4.3-inch 16:9 touchscreen display, 2GB of storage with microSD expansion, Bluetooth, free traffic updates, and the new MyRoutes personalized routing system, while the $399 7300T repackages all that into a slicker "frameless" case and adds in voice-enabled address entry and control. Navigon will only say Q2 for the 7300T, but the 4300T max is due to arrive on March 9 along with the identical but stripped-down 3300, which drops Bluetooth, traffic, and Rand McNally content to get the price down to $199. Check a pic of the 7300T after the break.

Continue reading Navigon announces Rand McNally-powered 4300T max and 7300T nav units, less awesome 3300 max

Navigon keeps PNDs fresh with downloadable data packs

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 8th 2009 at 8:00AM

As if a partnership with Rand McNally wasn't enough, Navigon's giving prospective buyers even more reason to hand over a pinch of their savings. Starting this Spring, Navigon GPS owners will be able to download several new content decks for their devices, including Red Light Camera data, a North American expansion pack, a European map, 3D landmarks and extended POIs. All of the new material will be hosted on the company's Fresh platform, and pricing ranges from $19.99 for each Rand McNally guide to $129.99 for European maps on North American PNDs. Hit up the read link for specifics on each.

Navigon teams with Rand McNally to put a little travel in your PND

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 7th 2009 at 8:00AM

Not that we haven't seen navigator manufacturers partner up with travel companies before, but it's still pretty rare to hear of a PND maker looking out for the travelers and not just the completely lost crowd. Here at CES, Navigon has just announced a partnership with Rand McNally (the first of its kind, we hear), which will result in Scenic Routers and City Guides from the aforesaid firm being available on Navigon devices. The guides will provide over 250 scenic routers and pre-planned trips across all 50 states (we're guessing the Road To Hana made the cut?) and Canada, and there's also information on the best attractions and landmarks in more than 1,400 US / Canadian cities. The new data packs will be available on select Navigon units as well as in retail outlets and Navigon.com this Spring for $19.99 each.

Navigon launches "uber-premium" 4.8-inch 8100T navigator

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 10th 2008 at 8:49AM

In an effort to make sure you're well aware that the 8100T is the most premium possible, even better than ultra- or mega-premium, Navigon has definitively described the aforesaid navigator as "uber-premium." So, now that the bar is set at an unbelievably high level, how's about an outlay of the sure-to-be-phenomenal specs? We're talking a 4.8-inch display, brushed-metal housing, a 3D view using NASA terrain height data, free real-time traffic updates for life, voice destination entry, Bluetooth handsfree support, text-to-speech and an inbuilt lane assistant. The only question left is simply this: is all of that uber enough to warrant the $599 price tag?

Navigon launches 5100 max / 2090S GPS units at RadioShack

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 3rd 2008 at 8:00AM

We had a respectable hunch that Navigon's 5100 max would be hitting US shelves in short order, but we weren't aware that it'd be launching alongside a friend. As for the 5100 max, you'll find a 4.3-inch touchscreen, Reality View Pro / Lane Assistant Pro technology, handsfree Bluetooth support, text-to-speech, an Exit Guide and free real-time traffic updates for life. The little sibling (dubbed 2090S) checks in with a 3.5-inch touch panel and most of the same internal niceties already mentioned save for Bluetooth. Look for the cute couple right now exclusively at RadioShack (or RadioShack.com) for $299.99 / $199.99, respectively. Full release after the break.

Continue reading Navigon launches 5100 max / 2090S GPS units at RadioShack

Navigon's 5100 max slips into FCC database

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 8th 2008 at 12:59PM

Details are understandably scarce at the moment, but Navigon is apparently taking its 1+ year old 5100 navigation unit to the max. The predictably titled 5100 max has reportedly just seen its way into the FCC's lair, and we're told that it'll feature a 4.3-inch display, Bluetooth, text-to-speech and lifetime traffic / Zagat ratings. As for price and availability? We'll have to wait for the official word from Navigon on those bits. In the meanwhile... Rockford or Chicago?

Navigon's 2000S satnav: helps get you home, doesn't break the bank

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Sep 15th 2008 at 7:00AM

Navigon is continuing its full-steam-ahead approach with another addition to its satnav lineup, namely, the 2000S. The 3.5-inch touchscreen device comes loaded with an ATLAS III 375MHz CPU, a SiRF GRF3i+ GPS chip, 64MB of SDRAM, 2GB of flash memory, and microSD support. The 2000S sports a similar feature set the company has rolled out on previous devices, including Reality View Pro (which provides 3D signage to help with interchanges and exits), Lane Assistant Pro, and Directhelp, a push-button service that grabs directions and emergency numbers on the double. According to the kind folks at Navigon, the device will sell for a very affordable $199, and is slated to be available in October.

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

by Paul Miller, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 8:43AM

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.

Navigon's 7200, 2200 and 2150 Max in the flesh

by Paul Miller, posted Aug 30th 2008 at 6:15AM

We just went on a whirlwind tour of Navigon's booth here at IFA 2008, and while a sea of barely distinguishable GPS devices has a tendency to send us into sudden and violent fits of napping, we thought we'd give you a look-see just in case you feel otherwise. The only real standout was the new 7200 (pictured), which has a flat, glossy front, and is a joy to touch -- we're not positive it's capacitive, but it feels a ton better than the regular dull resistive touch of most GPS units out on the market. We also took a look at the 2200 and 2150 Max, as you can see in the gallery below. Knock yourself out.

Gallery: Navigon's 7200, 2200 and 2150 Max in the flesh

Navigon brings gratis real-time traffic updates to entire product line

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 28th 2008 at 4:46AM

In a move that we can only hope signals a trend, GPS maker Navigon has announced that real-time traffic updates will now be free for all users of its wares. For awhile now, the outfit has offered gratis traffic updates on its higher-end models, but now, it's taking the Free Real-Time Traffic Updates for Life program to each navigation system it produces. There's no extra hardware to buy, no hidden fees -- just good, clean, free traffic updates. What's not to love?

Navigon intros the 7200T, shows off 3D signage and landmarks

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Aug 26th 2008 at 8:48AM

Navigon has just dropped it's latest satnav baby on us -- the 7200T -- and it comes with an extra side of slick... like, gooey slick. Upping it's game a touch, the device sports a redesigned OS which incorporates real-time traffic updates (free of charge over FM via Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network) as well as "Reality View Pro" and "Landmark View 3D," the former designed to whip up some photo-realistic 3D signage when you need to make a move, and the latter aimed at helping you notice the little things in life... like the Chrysler building. The unit features a 4.3-inch, 16:9 touchscreen display, 2GB of flash storage, a SiRF GRF3i+ GPS chip, microSD card support, 64MB of RAM, and it all runs atop a Centrality Titan I 600MHz CPU. The 7200T is slated for an October release, and will clock in at $449.

Navigon 2150 Max now shipping in the UK

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 28th 2008 at 7:44PM

Navigon's 2150 Max isn't revolutionary in terms of design nor specifications, but it does feature a rather delicious list of features for just £229.99 ($458). All-too-trusting UK motorists can look forward to a 4.3-inch display, pre-loaded maps of 39 countries, built-in Bluetooth, text-to-speech and support for live traffic information. Oh, and in case our header was unclear, it's shipping this very moment in time.

[Via BIOS Magazine]

Navigon's 81xx GPS unit lands on FCC's doorstep

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 24th 2008 at 10:11AM

Now, we're not certain whether the 81xx actually arrived in a basket wrapped in old linens, but whatever the case, the FCC was kind enough to take Navigon's forthcoming PND in and put it through the necessary paces. After doing a little 2 + 2, we're going ahead and assuming that this unit is the 3D map-lovin' 8110 that we played around with briefly at CeBIT. As you'd expect from an FCC filing, there's no mention of when this thing will be freed for selling here in the US, but we don't expect it to lag behind the 2100 Max for too awfully long.