NAVIGON MobileNavigator USA
by Jason Norment
Nov 8, 2010 9:00 AM –
Install
NAVIGON MobileNavigator transforms your mobile phone into a complete navigation system. Included are on-board maps for the U.S. MobileNavigator includes Text-To-Speech, Traffic Live, Reality Scanner, NAVIGON MyRoutes, and Reality View Pro.
Price: $39.99 (2 week promotion price started Oct. 27th, 2010), $59.99 (after promotion)
*NOTE: Price subject to slight variations based on exchange rates between Euros and US Dollars.*
Version: 3.5.1
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Excellent voice directions
- Traffic updates given throughout your route
- Accurate multiple routes given with MyRoutes
- NAVTEQ® Maps are offline so data usage is minimal
Cons
- No integrated voice search function
- POI search isn’t categorized efficiently
- No icon listed in the notifications area
Features:
NAVIGON MobileNavigator adds a slightly different feel to the already available GPS nav apps in the Android Market. Their app includes a lot of features similar to what you would find in a dedicated GPS unit. When NAVIGON contacted us about their new Android app I was ecstatic since I use navigation apps all the time. However, I withheld my excitement to keep the app for a week and thourghly test it out on a day-to-day basis. Those of you considering to buy this app should find the following extensive review useful.
Key Features:
- Text-To-Speech Navigation: I was quite surprised by the text-to-speech engine in this app. It was much more descriptive and smoother-flowing than a lot of other navigation apps I’ve used. Instead of calling the Interstate Illinois-94 (also known as I-94), MobileNavigator called it by it’s more widely used name “Dan Ryan”. I was shocked to hear that come out of my Evo. It makes listening to it’s turn-by-turn directions much easier. Also to note, while navigating it will give you directions for the upcoming turn as well. Great feature when driving in residential areas.
- Traffic Live: Want an up-to-date idea of the traffic along your route or in your area? MobileNavigator definitely delivers there. You can view your traffic locally before you select a route or have the traffic information included into the consideration of your route. Even better, this app will let you know when the traffic conditions along your route has changed and modify your route accordingly (without prompting).
- Reality Scanner: I was given a test version of the app for the market so I had some trouble getting this feature to work. I was able to pull it up a few times and it was pretty neat. Reminds me a lot of Layar mixed with Google Maps Navigation.
- NAVIGON MyRoutes: MobileNavigator will learn your routes over time and give you three options to your destination based on your usage and current traffic conditions. You get a visual comparison of each route along with the ETA to choose from. I can tell you that it does work because the routes given to me at the beginning of the week that it recommended changed throughout the week to more of my “usual” routes.
- Real Road Signs: This had to be the coolest feature I saw even though it’s completely aesthetic. Okay, we’ve all been there where you GPS tells you to take a certain exit and you were confused as to which way it was trying to tell you to go. MobileNavigator actually shows you what the sign your looking at looks like (Reality View Pro) in conjuntion with Lane Assistant Pro makes sure you choose the correct lane for your route.
- Take Me Home: Notice in the screenshot of the startup screen the button in the bottom left corner? No matter where you are, press the button and MobileNavigator will show you the way back to your house (after you set up the address in the settings). Kinda makes me feel like “E.T. phone home”. Nice and easy way to get home without the fuss of going through menus.
- Safety Features: Yes, they do exist. I see them all the time along my travels. Did I mention they were costly? Some of us have that urge to judge how fast the light will turn red when it changes to yellow. You make the judgement call and your too late going through the light. The following week you receive a citation in the mail from the BMV. MobileNavigator will alert you when your coming near a red light camera. How awesome is that? Oh, and if you have a lead foot it can also alert you if your going over the speed limit. You set the threshold up to 20mph and it will make sure you know your going too fast.
- Search: Search options vary depending on what your looking for. You can choose to look for a point of interest (POI) either nearby, statewide, in another city, by category or name, and last but not least: Google Search.I found myself using Google Search more often then anything else. It was the most accurate search function I found to my liking.
Usefulness:
As useful as a navigation app can get. MobileNavigator will help you get to your destination quickly and efficiently. Isn’t that what they’re designed for?
Ease of Use & Interface:
Aside from the Reality Scanner and POI Search, I found this app to be fairly easy to use. My biggest disappointment was the lack of a icon in the notification area to quickly reference back to if you happen to use anything else except MobileNavigator. It was awfully cumbersome to get back to the app after receiving a phone call.
Frequently Used:
If you travel a lot or worry about traffic along to your destination, you probably will use this often. Just really depends on your driving habits.
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NAVIGON MobileNavigator Android App Review
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NAVIGON Reality View Night
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NAVIGON Reality View
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NAVIGON Reality Scanner
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NAVIGON My Routes
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NAVIGON Traffic
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NAVIGON Startup
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NAVIGON Route Profile
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NAVIGON POI Search
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NAVIGON Google Search
Tags:
Android App,
Android Apps,
AndroidTapp.com App Review,
Augmented Reality,
GPS Navigation,
MobileNavigator,
Navigon Mobile Navigator,
Offline Maps,
Reality Scanner,
Reality View,
Text to Speech,
Traffic and Maps,
Turn by Turn Directions
Categorised in: Travel
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