Navigon 7200T GPS: First Look

Navigon has begun offering an updated portable navigation device line in time for the 2008 holiday season. Despite boasting innovative features, such as reality view and free real-time traffic, Navigon has made units that have historically been less-than-average performers in Consumer Reports tests. We have purchased each of the new units to see if the changes were enough to be competitive in this fast-moving product segment.

The Navigon 7200T is a full-featured model with premium features, such as a wide-format 4.4-inch touch screen, extensive North American map coverage, traffic receiver, and Bluetooth connectivity. It also includes Zagat reviews and ratings, voice recognition for address entry, next-generation reality view, and three-dimensional landmarks. Focused on navigation, the 7200T does not have multimedia features common at its price point.

We paid $400 for our Navigon 7200T.

Key features include:

Initial impressions

The 7200T has improvements in many areas compared with the previous 7100 and 5100—the lowest-rated device as of this report. The clever new features make the 7200T a true contender in the automotive GPS market, though there are still areas that can be improved.

Navigon claims that significant updates have been made to the software, and we have observed improvements such as faster calculation times and quicker movement through menus, especially in address entry. Overall the interface is not as intuitive as the best performers. Tasks such as backing up through menus and zooming can be a little awkward. Also the touch screen seems less sensitive than most, sometimes forcing a user to tap the screen multiple times.

Voice recognition simplifies address entry. Once initiated, you simply speak the state, city, street, and house number to program a destination. We found the recognition system was challenged by some names, though it generally proved to be effective. Unlike the Garmin Nuvi 880, the 7200T does not use voice recognition to operate common functions.

Reality view provides a semi-realistic view of the road ahead, including road signs and exit ramps, to help you to negotiate potentially confusing junctions. With the 7200T, this welcomed assistance occurs more frequently than with past models, though it functions mostly on major roadways.

Adding another touch of reality, the 7200T can show three-dimensional renderings of landmark buildings. In New York City, we saw detailed depictions of Madison Square Garden, the Empire State building, and Yankee Stadium. Due to the relatively sparse coverage, this is a novelty feature for now, but it does have promise for helping visitors to popular places crowded with iconic buildings such as NYC, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C. When traveling, Zagat information on points of interest such as restaurants, hotels, and attractions provides reviews, business hours, attire, and approximate pricing when available.

The maps are nicely detailed, and the information is displayed with a clean, high-tech look. Some elements, such as the next-turn arrow and text can be a bit small, particularly for a wide-screen model. Also the names of adjacent streets can dance about as the map follows your progress on a curvy road. In fairness, the Navigon displays more side streets than most units. Branded icons along major roads for businesses such as gas stations and restaurants can aid long-distance travelers, though the graphics are also small.

Free real-time traffic information for 95 U.S. and Canadian cities is a compelling feature, and it works as well as the best competing models—which charge fees and might require the purchase of an expensive external receiver. Traffic alerts can warn of trouble ahead and help you to route around the problem. Another nice feature: The 7200T displays the current speed limit with realistic sign graphics, and it can provide speed alerts if the car is going to fast, based on user-set preferences, to help you to adhere to local laws.

The new mount is a common rigid arm that replaced a long cantilever used on previous models, and it works well. We had found that the previous mount style could vibrate, making it more difficult to read the display.

CR's take

Navigon products continue to demonstrate innovation and improvement, with the 7200T providing a compelling array of useful features. Those who buy the 7200T will enjoy the detailed map, reality view, lane assistance, free traffic information, and voice recognition. Notable trade-offs with the 7200T are touch-screen sensitivity and less-intuitive user interface compared with top-rated GPS devices.

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