Navigon 7100: A New King of Portable Nav Emerges?

Navigon is a relatively new player in the US portable nav market, but they're coming out of the gate with a wide-open throttle and a full tank of gas. The 7100 is Navigon's flagship model, and not only does it offer all the standard features you expect in a portable navigation these days, but Navigon has thrown in a few extra unique features to sweeten the deal. An easy-to-read 4.3 inch widescreen color touchscreen offers easy access to menus, and is large enough to incorporate a good deal of map information. The 7100 also includes a lifetime subscription to Real-Time traffic, advising you of traffic flow, accidents, and alternate routes, all for free.
Navigon’s Reality View also improves the overall navigation experience by providing a 3D realistic street-level view of the road, including road signs and exits. Combine that with Navigon’s Lane Assistant technology, which instructs drivers of the optimal lane of travel for their route, as well as text-to-speech for spoken route instructions and street names, and the chances of missing an exit or next turn are slim-to-none.

(More info and TON of pics are available after the jump!)

For convneince, the 7100 also features Bluetooth capability, turning this portable nav into a hands-free mobile kit. You can use the touchscreen to dial calls, scroll through your phonebook, and access your call history. The 7100 can also help you make decisions by offering a complete Zagat survey rating and review feature. The 7100 includes five destination guides, including top U.S. hotels, resorts and spas, golf courses, attractions and nightlife as well as trademark restaurant reviews in 70+ U.S. cities to help you find the perfect destination.

Gallery
(click the pics to enlarge)

Press Release:

Navigation Innovation Arrives in Style with the NAVIGON 7100
Sleek, ultra-thin portable navigation device boasts unmatched functionality

CHICAGO, July 12, 2007 — NAVIGON, a leading provider of navigation products and solutions, combined proven innovation with award-winning design to launch its first branded personal navigation device (PND) – the NAVIGON 7100. Stunning 2D and 3D map views, easy menus and exclusive functionality, characterize this bold, stylish approach to consumer navigation.

This personal navigation unit shakes up the me-too GPS category with smart features that make the device easy to use, help reduce driver stress, and provide meaningful real world context.

A category exclusive, real-time traffic works out of the box – no subscription necessary – to empower drivers to re-route around congestion. Reality View™ reduces driver stress by providing photo-realistic images of complicated highway interchanges. Lane Assistant bolsters confidence by guiding drivers to the best lane relative to the route. Advanced text-to-speech technology provides spoken driving directions and street names, so drivers can focus on the road. Comprehensive digital map information from NAVTEQ supports this market-first functionality on the NAVIGON 7100.

The device is as easy on the eyes as it is to use. A stunning piano-black casing sets off an easy to read 4.3 inch full-color touchscreen display featuring menu and map views that are clear, user friendly, and stunning to look at.

Product features include:
• Widescreen Display: 4.3 inch full-color touchscreen
• Text-to-Speech: Provides clearly spoken driving directions and street names
• Subscription-Free Real-Time Traffic: Advises on traffic flow, incidents and alternate routes without any additional fees or trial periods
• ZAGAT Survey® Ratings and Reviews: Five destination guides, including top U.S. hotels, resorts and spas, restaurants, golf courses, as well as attractions and nightlife in 70+ U.S. cities help users make informed destination choices
• Reality View™: 3D, photo-realistic virtual reality view of complex interchanges with road geometry

Comments

[garmin gps]

Great information and example pictures. I am definitely going to get one before I run my next marathon.