Navigon 2110 Max
Navigon has just rolled out the 2110 Max GPS navigation system that boasts maps of UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe. Not only that, you also get a TMC traffic information receiver bundled along with speed camera data to help you save on tickets from the authorities. Interestingly enough, New features include Lane Assistant Pro that lets you know the right lane to get into on motorways and major roads as well as minor multi-lane roads. Similar to the previous Navigon range, the Max incorporates a sleek black finish, which integrates ports/buttons seamlessly within its casing. Design qualities also extend to its TMC antenna, which is now integrated into the car charger to reduce cabling.
The 109mm (4.3-inch) screen is coated in a stronger anti-glare coating, which shields the screen from direct sunlight pretty well. Navigon’s interface remains relatively the same from previous versions, but runs faster and now incorporates a picture viewer. Main menu icons also expand when pressed to reveal additional options. With a similar press, the menu options retract back to reduce screen clutter.
Despite the lack of a Qwerty keyboard, it’s easier to enter destinations with the Max’s Smart-Speller feature, which greys out any letters that are unlikely to follow what you’ve already inputted. You can also enter destinations via the map itself, choose from stacks of POI or utilise the route planner and run through simulations of your routes before embarking on your journey.
During tests the Nemerix GPS receiver coped pretty well and the route calculation speeds of the Max were fast. Re-route calculations were no slouch either. When approaching major motorway junctions and smaller complex junctions - including roundabouts - real signpost information is displayed at the top of the screen (eg 4A M42 Birmingham Airport), alongside the updated Reality View Pro and Lane Assistant Pro views.
The latter provides a larger symbol than its previous incarnation, which we found much easier to view when being guided into the correct lane. It’s still hard to keep an eye on the screen when navigating around some hellish motorway roundabout junctions with multiple lanes.
The Reality View Pro - now incorporating exits - shows a real-time graphical representation of the motorway lanes/exits lanes you need to be in, which we found useful. Additional driving aides include an accurate road speed symbol displayed on the map - with optional speeding alarm - and a safety camera database that provides basic audio/visual warnings of approaching cameras. The latter can be updated via the handy Navigon Fresh software, which can also backup/restore your device if needs be. We also found in the box a voucher entitling you to 24 months of quarterly map updates for ￡15.
Out of the box, acquiring satellites seemed to take some time, but was thereafter reliable. We were surprised by the Navigon, because we were sitting in the car parked, and on the satellite information page, it gave the address, including the street name – a glance out of the window, and we were indeed sitting outside number 58, which is very smart.
Navigation en route was precise and provided enough information to ensure that you make all the right turnings. One of the key features of the Navigon is the Reality View and Lane Assistant, which compares favourably with TomTom’s Advanced Lane Guidance. The works on motorways and major roads, giving you the layout of the signs you can actually see, as well as a clear indication of which lane you need. The signs are a nice touch for a quick confirmation that you didn’t miss anything and we found them to be accurate.
The Lane Assistance graphically displays a 2D map of the lanes, and indicates in which lane you need to be in. Depending on the size of the road, you’ll also get this information on major routes, including roundabouts and so on. It also managed to accurately navigate us around the junction at Crooked Billet on the Staines By-pass, which is a nightmare at the best of times! You also get an accurate countdown to the turning.
The 2110 will also provide you with gentle reminders that you are exceeding the speed limit, although we found that the speed database was not accurate, with a 50 zone appearing as a 30 and various other discrepancies. However, you do get a Latest Map Guarantee, although this is something of a gimmick, as it only applies for 30 days after purchase, so in our review, there were no map updates and the clock keeps running (this is the same as TomTom offer).
The map updates are accessed through Navigon Fresh, a separate software application that you’ll have to download from the Navigon website. Once you have registered you can update the device’s software and we found a few bug fixes in there. You also have the option to purchase different maps and so on.
The LogBook feature, recording your trip data including mileage, can be exported into Excel, which is handy for company car drivers. Finally, a security pin function is available for locking out your device from unwanted visitors. You won’t find a Bluetooth option for hands-free navigation and to utilise the TMC receiver in the UK, you have to pay a one-off ￡40 subscription fee. Voice directions are clear, but basic with no text-to- speech. An upgrade to incorporate text-to- speech will be available at the end of July, happily.
Some basic bugbears include the anti-glare screen, which is great for blocking out reflections, but not so sharp when viewing images via the picture viewer. Also, when inputting a full postcode, it has the annoying side effect of not allowing you to refine your search further with a street/house number.
The 2110 Max is certainly a vast improvement in terms of performance. The enhancements to its Reality View Pro and Lane Assistant Pro are indeed useful, though the latter depends on the complexity of the junction. Despite the lack of Bluetooth and required TMC subscription, its Navigon Fresh software can be used to gain updates at a later date. At its starting price, the Navigon 2110 Max still remains competitive for the quality on offer.
Tags: camera data, car charger, GPS Guide, gps navigation system, maps of uk, max gps, motorway junctions, motorways, qwerty keyboard, reality view, route planner, speed cameraRelated posts
Posted on August 6th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: GPS Guide
Leave a Reply