The Delphi Nav200
In Figure D is Delphi's Nav200, an entry-level, pocket-sized, GPS navigation device.

FIGURE D


The Nav200 from Delphi. Roll over picture for a larger image.

It comes with NAVTEQ maps of the US and Canada preloaded on a 1.5GB SD card. It provides turn-by-turn voice directions to the destination of your choice, through multiple way points if desired, on a 2D or 3D map. The NAVTEQ maps feature points of interest on locations such as gas stations and repair shops, restaurants, motels, and ATMs for locating any needed service in your local. Figure E shows the navigation map.

FIGURE E


Turn-by-turn navigation with the Delphi Nav200. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Also included on the Nav200 is an MP3 player, photo viewer, movie player, a calculator, world clock, and the Othello game; also known as Go, or Reversi.

As an additional purchase option, Delphi offers a Real-Time Traffic Kit. The Nav200's traffic service uses RDS-TMC (Radio Data System-Traffic Message Channel) technology for up-to-the-minute traffic data on extreme weather accidents, road closures, and traffic jams. With the data, the Nav200 is able to adapt the route and navigate around the obstacles or delays.

The specs
The Delphi Nav200 measures 5.3x3.2x1-inches, weighs 6.7 ounces, and features a 3.5-inch diagonal, 320x240 color touchscreen. The Nav200 is powered by a non-removable lithium-ion battery, or can use your vehicle's power adapter. And finally, an SD expansion slot holds the map card, or other cards containing your multimedia files. The Delphi Nav200 retails for $250.00, with the Traffic Kit going for an additional $200.00.

This review
I must confess up front, this is my first foray into the field of GPS devices. From one point of view, some may think me less than qualified to cover this type of product. But from another viewpoint, it makes me better qualified. I come to the review untainted by previous experiences, like the consumer buying one for the first time.

First off, and probably the most important, I found the maps on both the Garmin and Delphi units to be accurate and up-to-date. While driving, cross streets, turns, and announced directions come up accurately and on time. And the Garmin's speed indicator was right on with the speedometer of my vehicle. The Delphi unit has no such speed function.

Route navigation
The appeal of a GPS device isn't so much to tell you where are, but how to get where you want to go. In fact, you could say that route planning and navigation are the most desirable features of consumer GPS devices.

Users expect their GPS devices to provide them with the shortest, fastest, and/or most direct route to their destination. And it was in this regard that I was most disappointed in both the Garmin and Delphi units.

In order to test the route planning features of both devices, I used destinations both local and out of town, comparing the generated routes to those in Mapopolis and my own best-known routes. I have used Mapopolis as my mapping and route navigation utility on both the Palm and Pocket PC platforms for nearly a decade, and found them to be one of the most accurate and reliable on the market. Unfortunately, Mapopolis has left the consumer market to focus solely on OEM sales.