Navigon Mobile Navigator iPhone GPS app: First Look

Snazzy graphics from a proven GPS maker head in the right direction

Navigon is the first major GPS maker to offer a downloadable iPhone navigation application through the Apple iTunes store. The company announced its withdrawal from the United States portable device market last spring, choosing instead to focus on software. Its Mobile Navigator launched first in Europe.

Navigon pioneered several features in portable navigators that leading competitors soon emulated, such as reality view and free real-time traffic, thereby contributing to rapid evolution in the segment. But the overall products usually scored midpack in our Ratings due to less-intuitive interfaces and lackluster touch-screen sensitivity. Using the iPhone as the device could theoretically help.

For our test, we purchased Navigon Mobile Navigator North America 1.0.0 for $70 and installed it on a 32-gigabyte iPhone 3G S ($300 with a two-year contract). The iTunes store notes that this price is valid until only Aug. 15, 2009, and that there are updates in the works.

Unlike some carrier-based cell-phone navigation services, Navigon uses a one-time fee for the software. It is a large download—1.29GB—though it includes full North American maps rather than just regional maps as in the previously tested XRoad G-Map software. Once downloaded, there are no additional fees.

The software is designed for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S. Maps include the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Key features include:

• Lane assist
• Reality view
• Automatic rerouting
• Address-book integration
• Full North American maps
• Two million points of interest
• Landscape and portrait view
• Voice-prompted route guidance

Initial impressions

Mobile Navigator does a good job of mimicking traditional portable navigation devices, with a look and feel similar to that of previously tested Navigon units. It benefits from the large, vivid iPhone screen and touch-sensitive interface. But in our laboratory and real-world assessment, we found some differences that leave the iPhone application lacking compared to the Navigon PNDs.

Entering destinations is much like with a PND, with the choice of manually entering an address, searching by point of interest, selecting from favorite or recent locations, or choosing from the address book. But the onscreen buttons are small compared with those on some traditional PNDs, making it more difficult to enter information or make selections.

The map display retains the typical two- and three-dimensional views with branded icons for nearby businesses and speed-limit signs with warnings.

Reality view and lane assist—Navigon hallmark features—provide graphic sizzle with their clear representations of major exchanges and visual guidance on how to navigate them. Mobile Navigator displays data such as speed, distance to destination, and ETA, but you must tap the screen to scroll through this information.

Users can avoid routes by selecting a set distance to detour around, but cannot exclude a road from a programmed route. Although there is not a true multi-destination feature, instead, interim destinations can be added to a programmed route. The Mobile Navigator lacks text to speech, an increasingly common feature that speaks street names, rather than just give "left" or "right" directions. Also missing is a directions list. Most PNDs allow you to review a suggested route, providing an opportunity to exclude a particular road from a programmed route.

The iPhone integration works well. For example, a user can enter a destination from the contact list stored on the iPhone, and it is possible to play music from the "iPod" mode while using Mobile Navigator. The zoom function also adheres to the iPhone "pinching" method, though it works only on the two-dimensional map. The software can be used in landscape and portrait view, giving flexibility to choose the preferred orientation for data entry and viewing.

On the other hand, there are weaknesses that the iPhone brings, such as voice volume and quality—both lacking in contrast to those functions on a dedicated PND. Of course to use the iPhone as a car navigator, you need a mount. Given the short battery life when in use, a car charger is a wise investment.

As experienced with other iPhone applications, the GPS accuracy with Mobile Navigator is not as precise as with traditional navigation devices. The GPS will often place the current position on a surrounding road, rather than the road on which a user is actually traveling. This will cause the software to recalculate, which needless to say is annoying and confusing. We also experienced times when the iPhone unexpectedly lost GPS reception.

CR's take
The Navigon Mobile Navigator North America is a worthy turn-by-turn GPS solution for iPhone users. It displays crisp graphics and many useful features found on PNDs. Compared with the recently tested XRoad G-Map app, Mobile Navigator is the better option. It includes a much larger map database, better graphics, and more seamless iPhone integration.

But it does have areas to improve. Navigon does have several enhancements in the works, suggesting that the product will get better over time. For now, dedicated portable navigation devices remain the better choice for regular use. Current iPhone owners looking for just occasional routing assistance could find Mobile Navigator to be a useful app and avoid purchasing another high-tech gadget. Should Navigon increase the price, the combined cost with a mount and car charger could rival that of a well-rated basic navigator from a leading brand.

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our special section with Ratings (available to subscribers) and buying advice. Discuss GPS with other shoppers and owners in the forums.