Navigon Pocket LOOX N100 Review

UPDATE: The Pocket LOOX N100 is currently available for just $99.99 from Amazon.com

The Navigon Pocket LOOX N100 is a portable GPS navigator from Fujitsu-Siemens which offers great value considering its price point.

What first strikes you about the N100 is its size - it quite comfortably fits into the palm of your hand. Yet, somehow, the LOOX N100 manages to boast a large 2.8-inch touchscreen and a host of features that puts many of it's rivals to shame.

At the heart of the N100 beats the powerful SiRFstar III chipset which provides extremely fast satellite acquisition time. In practice this means  complex functions such as route calculations and automatic re-routing are carried out in mere seconds.

Fujitsu-Siemens have chosen Navigon's MobileNavigator 6 as the software to run the LOOX N100. It's a relatively intuitive user interface that includes clear mapping and voice guidance functions. The voice guidance feature is invaluable and allows you to keep your eyes on the road.

Helpfully, a calculator and world clock are pre-installed on the N100 as well as a few games.

Bundled with the N100 is a 2GB MicroSD card which contains not only points of interest for the  contiguous united states, but also points of interest for Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Usefully, common logos are used for points of interests, allowing you to visually pick out your favorite restaurant or hotel by their easily recognizable brand.

A useful feature of the N100 is the lane guidance function which helps choose the right lane before your next maneuver. A visual and audio alert also sounds if the N100 detects that your are traveling to fast.

The N100 can also be used as a portable entertainment center. Simply put media on a MicroSd card to listen or view it on the move. The N100 is capable of reading MP3, WMA, and AAC files, and WMV format video.

The contents of the box include:

Navigon N100,

AC power adapter,

12-volt vehicle power adapter,

USB cable,

Headphones,

Windshield and dashboard mount,

Changeable cover,

2 GB mini SD card,

User's manual and quick-start guide.

The Pocket LOOX N100 is a very useful traveling companion that comes packed with useful features, yet boasts a a price that won't break the bank. It is also truly pocket sized, meaning easy portability. As an inexpensive alternative to fumbling with maps, it really can't be beaten.