Sexy Navigation: Navigon 7100 GPS

Housed in an ultra-thin, sleek piano-black housing that measures just 5.1 x 3.5 x 0.9 inches, the Navigon 7100 GPS includes a powerful Samsung 400 MHz processor, a fully integrated SiRF Star III GPS chip, 64 MB of both RAM and ROM built in, and a rechargeable battery that is rated for 4.5 hours of continuous use. Maps and menus appear on its extra-large and elegant, high-contrast 4.3-inch, full-color touch-screen display with an easy-to-read 16:9 aspect ratio for an exceptional view of the road. The Navigon 7100 comes pre-loaded with complete maps of the U.S. and Canada. The 7100 runs Microsoft Windows CE Net 5.0 operating system.

Navigon decided to forgo media support to focus on navigation-based features. The 7100 provides turn-by-turn directions, including actual road names via text-to-speech. It includes built-in Bluetooth technology that enables hands-free mobile phone integration, which not only increases driver safety, but is fast becoming a necessity as States pass laws against talking on a cell phone hand set while driving. It warns you when you are exceeding the speed limit. Its Navteq data contains millions Points of Interest (POIs) such as restaurants, hotels, golf courses, gas stations, banks, etc. And all of Navigon's GPS navigators offer Zagat ratings and reviews for their POIs.

In addition, the 7100 has two features that are a great help in negotiating unfamiliar or complicated road systems. Lane Assistant recommends the best lane for you to be in relative to the proposed route, so you won't find yourself trying to move over three lanes when the freeway splits.

Reality view guides you with photo-realistic 3D images of junctions, complete with actual sign text and exit ramp guidance. This makes translating what the navigator is telling you to what you see on the road instantaneous.

The Navigon 7100 is the first GPS device to offer subscription-free, real-time traffic information via the integrated traffic receiver with no additional fees or setup for the life of the product. Be advised on traffic flow and incidents, as well as the best alternate routes.