Instability overshadows unique features
THE $315 ASUS R700T GPS NAVIGATION DEVICE offers an array of features in an attractive yet portable package. There are too many glitches, however, to make this a compelling product, especially when there are far better options in this heavily saturated sector.
The R700t comes preloaded with Tele Atlas maps, and offers real-time traffict updates via the Traffic Message Channel (TMC) service.
Once you get a GPS signal and enter a destination, the unit displays easy-to-follow 3D maps (including 3D representations of landmarks) on a large 4.3-inch touch screen in crisp 480x272 resolution.
The unit offers many useful points of interest (POI)-not only the closest gas stations and airoprts, but also nearby railroad/subway stations, sport stadiums, and concert halls. This came in handy during one road trip. When we missed a turn in our route recalculaton test, the R700t caught it quickly and gave us a new direction in a very timely manner. The navigation system also offers a helpful feature; upon approaching a turn, the angle of the map automatically changes so that it's easy to tell exactly where the turn is to occur.
Overall, the interface is very user-friendly. On the downside, the R700t doesn't have text-to-speech functionality, a feature found in many competing GPS units. Reliability is also a problem: Although many navigation units lose their GPS signal when passing through tunnels, the R700t managed to conk out while passing under a highwayoverpass. It's a bit frustating to lose the signal so easily, especially when it takes to 10 minutes to regain it. The device also crashed occasinally when we simply zoomed in on a map. -Shawn Calo
Computer Shopper October 2008
usa.asus.com
October 25, 2008
Asus R700t
September 09, 2008
Magellan Maestro 5310
Magellan Maestro 5310
Sluggish GPS device lacks high-end features
THE MAGELLAN MAESTRO 5310 is one of the first GPS navigation devices to boast a large, 5-inch screen. This latest Maestro offers solid driving directions and many helpful navigational features, including multisegment routing and a built-in real-time traffict receiver. But the $499.99 5310 lacks certain features found on other models in its price range, and it suffers from some performance issues.
In addition to preloaded Navteq maps of North America, the unit features a points-of-interest (POI) database with 6 million entries, as wella s information such as (AAA)-approved destinations and lodging. There's also contact information for AAA roadside-assistance centers (available to AAA members only), which is useful in case of a breakdown.
Standout features include voice directions that were loud and clear, even with our car radio turned up and the windows rolled down. The 5310 also offers text-to-speech directions that read out every street and exit name. Although you can find this function on many current GPS devices, the 5310 was very clear and easier to understand than other units.
Unfortunately, the 5310 lacks vehicle profiles found on other devices. Also, it has no Bluetooth of voice command. Worse, during on-road testing, we found some performance quirks. Its route-calculation performance is sluggish and, oftentimes, it instructed us to use an alternate route that we had already passed. The device aadditionally had a tendency to lose the satellite signal at inopportunate times, which require us to wait for it to recalculate.-Rich Greech
source: Computer Shopper September 2008.
www.magellan.com
Posts
