Navman N20 Automotive GPS Receiver

Navman have always liked to tinker with their GPS systems trying out new features above the basic A to B navigation. We tested the iCN320 which was the first unit to do away with the real time map in favour of static junction maps and a smaller screen, this didn’t quite work and while the static junction map remains in many Navman units most now have a 3D scrolling map once more. The latest innovation is Nav Pix, which allows you to select a destination by picture.
This feature had been resident in Navmans top end devices but now it is available in the Navman N20 making it more accessible to the average SatNav buyer along with a number of extra features and a supposedly improved navigation engine. After unpacking the N20 we noted that the unit did not come with a mains charger (unlike older Navmans) instead it comes with a car charger and a USB lead, which can be used to power up from a PC. The N20 is much slimmer than pervious units at only 22mm and the build quality is a bit less cheap plastic and a bit higher quality plastic!

The supplied windscreen mounting system is the latest of Navmans quick release mounts, which are ideal for removing your valuable GPS unit when leaving the car, combine this is the small size of the N20 and there is no excuse for leaving it on display. Power is handled by the supplied 12 volt cigarette lighter chord or from the internal battery which is good for just under 5 hours of runtime.

A 3.5” screen makes for a good user interface and it is recessed slightly from the outer edge of the device helping keep it free from scathes when placed in a bag. Alongside the right-hand edge of the screen are 4 navigation keys allowing quick access to commonly used features although the screen itself is touch sensitive and offers a quick and well designed GUI. Navman seem to have concentrated more on usability with this N20 and even the keypads presented are well spaced making it easier to type with your finger without hitting the wrong key.

More on those side buttons later, we start our review with a few basic navigation tests based on a full address entry and a 8 digit postcode, both routes took in a mixture of A and B roads plus some little unclassified lanes and a chunk of either dual carriageway or motorway driving. Sitting in the office car park we waited for the first GPS lock which we can happily report wasn’t long enough to allow the frost to clear from the cars windscreen due mostly to the SiRFstarIII™ chipset and good internal antenna.

As we set off along the first b road the N20’s screen leapt into life with a very smooth 3D render of the landscape and a highly accurate one down to 5 meters if you have enough satellites locked on. The display showed we consistently had at least 5 during the whole of journey 1 to Loughton on the border of East London and Essex. Navman have continued to improve the on screen display, which has evolved from a rather low rent experience to being on a par with the class leading TomTom interface. Alongside the scrolling map and backup next turn arrows there is also a clear spoken guidance, which is well timed to give you enough warning of needing to do something. The smaller case does seem to put a limit on the size of speaker used and we did find that the Navmans audio level wasn’t quite enough if you have the radio up at anything more than modest levels or perhaps a very noisy car. However it is far louder than PDA based systems and some of the cheaper all in one

It is a good, functional product. Size wise a bit bulky for a current trend of satnavs. In car mount is very easy so. It doesn't come with installed UK mapping, needed to install it from the CDs provided. Had a right fiddle with it even so I'm quite good with comps and had to buy a memory card.

A great compact unit very easy to use and understand. Internal battery life is approx 4-5 hours so great to pre-plan your journey and save as a 'favourite' then simply press 'go to', drive, take with you on foot if required all the way to destination. Highly recommended gadget especially if navigating in the dark to an unfamiliar place. One touch button to take you straight to nearest petrol stations or car parks. Built-in points of interest so can easily find near cinema, restaurant and so on.

This product is very good although it has sent me to a couple of places near where i wanted to be but as long as you have got a post code it is a very good product and very glad i puchased it,Easy to use all touch screen and will take you home if you get lost which is the main thing. The only thing is the battery does not last that long but as long as you take your in car charger with you you will be fine.

This easy to use sat nav system is brilliant value for money.

It not only has directions and points of interest for Banks cash points and Petrol stations but also warns you when your near a traffic camera and when your speed exceeds a given mph.

It's fully interchangeable between languages and countries and mine takes all details from Tom Tom and Garmin.

I used it without a peek at the instructions (which are available on line for free). It's so detailed and intuitive its as scary as having the wife on board!!!!!!

Brilliant value for money.