Customer Reviews

Navman F20 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I bought this unit on Thanksgiving Black Friday. I have used it for over 15 trips. I am totally satisfied with the performance of this GPS. I have tried it on different type roads in southen California, and it works great in all situations. Yes, it is just a entry-level GPS ( but don't get this wrong ), here "entry-level" just means it lacks MP3, Pictures and Bluetooth functions. It has all essentail features with pre-installed the newest US and Canada Map. Re-calculating route is fast and route-picking is wise. The size and shape make this unit extremely portable, you can simply put it in your T-Shirt porket ( this is important since many cars have been broken for stealing the GSP. Don't forget put the sucktion mount away from the sight of thievies also.) Touch screen and anti-glare is useful.

Just like other reviewers here, I expected there is connectivity kit and desktop software in the original package for updating the Map or customizing the POIs. However, the original package doesn't have those in the box. But it is unfair to blame this for such a low price ( I got it at $200). Besides, I think all we only need is a USB cable and SmartST 2006 software in order to achieve the same features of N40i. I have contacted Navman customer service, they told me that the optional connectivity kit will be available at their online store by the end of Jan, 2007.

A neighbor of mine just bought a Garmin StreetPilot c550 for $699 (not include tax yet) a few days ago. We made a comparison test. We installed two units side by side, during the test drive, I found Navman F20 pick the route smarter than Garmin c550. Calculating time are almost same. For voice instruction, c550 will tell you the street name for turns which is a great feature, F20 doesn't tell you the street name you are turning to at local but you still can see the next turning street's name on the screen. F20 will tell you the freeway "exit number" on the freeway instead of the street name(someone will think this is even better but I still prefer sound out the street name like c550 did). While both of units' voice instruction is very clear enough for me, c550 has much high volume voice than F20. The volume of F20 is OK for me but I hope it can be as high as c550. c550 has a better feature than F20, you can find POIs with detailed info, for example, with a few of touches, you can easily find restaurants or hotel around you with their phone number (This is a great feature my friend like the most since he is a salesman). For F20, it is only easy to find Parking and Gas Stations with one button touch. F20 also lacks the features like play musics and store pictures and bluetooth for making hands-free calls. c550 does have those extra features.

Bottom line, as a basic GPS device, it included the latest GPS technology and update Maps, it is accurate and reliable GPS with much cheaper price than other brands like Garmin an Tomtom. If you are looking for a basic GPS unit not a all-in-one unit, then this is the one I highly recommended. And remember, we should only compare two GPS within same price range.

I got this GPS at Office Depot BF special for $200.00 and I'm more than happy with it so far. It does not play MP3s, JPEGs or wash your car like some other high priced GPS units but it excels in its primary function as a GPS unit. I have tried atleast three other major brands of GPS units but none of them match the user friendliness of this unit.

Pros:
Extremely fast startup time, GPS lock and re routing time.
Routing has been pretty accurate.
Bright 3.5" touch screen.
Very intuitive interface.
Very colorful, pleasant and uncluttered maps and graphics.
Big icons on the touch screen.
Nice shape and build quality.
Internal antenna.
Charges through regular mini USB port.
Hot buttons for frequently used features such as volume, route, menu, parking and gas stations.

Cons:
No TTS, BT or FM transmission. For the price, I don't think its fair to ask for these premium features.
Not too customisable like changing the backgrounds etc.
Volume is a bit low some times.
Only 1.4M POIs.
No software kit as mentioned by the other reviewer.

I was able to buy the Navman F20 for $199, after rebates. For that price, it is a good basic GPS system. Not a lot of frills or customization options, but in the three weeks I have owned it, it has worked well. It does take a minute or so to acquire a GPS signal, but works well after that. With the touchscreen, it is actually easier and quicker to program addresses than the joystick operated nav system on our Mazda RX-8.

I've already found that the battery will last over 3 hours of continuous use. I plan to buy the memory cards for Europe and see if I can use the Navman to navigate on foot around Rome and London. Walking on foot in my neighborhood, the Navman worked well. Has anyone used a portable GPS to get around Rome or London? Any advice?

The only problem with using a portable GPS system in a car is where to mount it; windshield mounting puts it too far away and in the glare of the sun. I finally put it on the speedometer! That puts it in your line of sight and at the right focus range. I drive at the speed of other cars anyway.

The user manual is well written and on our first trip, I sorted out how to use the navigation system. The trip from our home to the end destination in Murfreesborough, NC took about 2 and 1/2 hours (distance 142 miles). The vocal instructions were very accurate and we reached our destination without any problems.
On our way back home, the GPS apparently lost all satellite signals (about at exit 289 on I40 NC) and we were informed to drive to the nearest road. After a while, our position was re-established and the turn by turn instructions were very accurate.
We found that whenever we deliberately took another route, the NAVMAN could quickly re-establish our position and guide us to the chosen destination.
The touch screen is easy to work with and most of the menus are intuitive. For it's price, I consider the Navman F20 a good buy. The manufacturer could however, have added a stylus (for tapping on the screen) as part of the package.

This is my second Navman. I like this one much more because there is nothing to download. It is easy to use, and mxh faster than my last one and the price is more than reasonable.

I bought this unit on Thanksgiving Black Friday. I have used it for over 15 trips. I am totally satisfied with the performance of this GPS. I have tried it on different type roads in southen California, and it works great in all situations. Yes, it is just a entry-level GPS ( but don't get this wrong ), here "entry-level" just means it lacks MP3, Pictures and Bluetooth functions. It has all essentail features with pre-installed the newest US and Canada Map. Re-calculating route is fast and route-picking is wise. The size and shape make this unit extremely portable, you can simply put it in your T-Shirt porket ( this is important since many cars have been broken for stealing the GSP. Don't forget put the sucktion mount away from the sight of thievies also.) Touch screen and anti-glare is useful.

Just like other reviewers here, I expected there is connectivity kit and desktop software in the original package for updating the Map or customizing the POIs. However, the original package doesn't have those in the box. But it is unfair to blame this for such a low price ( I got it at $200). Besides, I think all we only need is a USB cable and SmartST 2006 software in order to achieve the same features of N40i. I have contacted Navman customer service, they told me that the optional connectivity kit will be available at their online store by the end of Jan, 2007.

A neighbor of mine just bought a Garmin StreetPilot c550 for $699 (not include tax yet) a few days ago. We made a comparison test. We installed two units side by side, during the test drive, I found Navman F20 pick the route smarter than Garmin c550. Calculating time are almost same. For voice instruction, c550 will tell you the street name for turns which is a great feature, F20 doesn't tell you the street name you are turning to at local but you still can see the next turning street's name on the screen. F20 will tell you the freeway "exit number" on the freeway instead of the street name(someone will think this is even better but I still prefer sound out the street name like c550 did). While both of units' voice instruction is very clear enough for me, c550 has much high volume voice than F20. The volume of F20 is OK for me but I hope it can be as high as c550. c550 has a better feature than F20, you can find POIs with detailed info, for example, with a few of touches, you can easily find restaurants or hotel around you with their phone number (This is a great feature my friend like the most since he is a salesman). For F20, it is only easy to find Parking and Gas Stations with one button touch. F20 also lacks the features like play musics and store pictures and bluetooth for making hands-free calls. c550 does have those extra features.

Bottom line, as a basic GPS device, it included the latest GPS technology and update Maps, it is accurate and reliable GPS with much cheaper price than other brands like Garmin an Tomtom. If you are looking for a basic GPS unit not a all-in-one unit, then this is the one I highly recommended. And remember, we should only compare two GPS within same price range.

bought this F20 2 months ago... not as slick with bells and whistles like the Garmin 660 I was looking at.. cheaper price won me over... worked well until today..I turned it on ...uh oh.. black screen with RED text error message.. unable to access internal memory.. contact customer support..

so I called Navman Cust Svc... they said to bring it back to the retailer..they knew about the error message I described to them..and that there have been a number of units that are defective causing this internal memory error.... I was assured that the retailer knew about the recall.. guess what... I tried to return it to Office Depot...it is well over their 14 day return policy and they DID NOT know about the faulty F20's.. I had to do a dance.. shuffle and a whatever.. they relented and exchanged it for a new one.. which most likely will do the same...

have to call Navman back tomorrow to check into this further.. and see what other recourse I have...

I think some of the other reviewers here are getting a bit carried away. They seem to be forgetting it is an ENTRY LEVEL device, that's why you got it cheap. It is not meant to have all the frills of a more expensive model. Who cares about custom POI's, I just want it to get me from A to B and back again. I don't need to take pictures, listen to music from it (I have a car stereo for that), I don't need to customize the POI's or the colours or backgrounds. If you are in such dire need for all of that then you should have researched what you were buying or at least looked at the info on the box. If it doesn't say its in the box then it probably isn't so why are you all harping on about software and connectivity kits? A standard USB mini cable is all that is required (these cables come with most mp3 players and digital camera's) to connect it to your PC and can also be used for charging. If you were to buy a connectivity kit from Navman then you would be an idiot as you would be paying through the nose for a cable that you most probably have already or can get for a dollar at any accessory store.
As for the software, why do you need that? You would only need it to update the maps and to update the maps you need to buy them from Navman (updates are not free) who supplies them on a SD card or CD's depending on the maps you require. The software you need to install them is supplied with them.
The Navman F20 does everything it needs to do to get you where you want to go and it does it flawlessly. It was never advertised as anything other than a straightforward navigation device, isn't that what they were designed to be?
The people complaining about the lack of features are probably the same people who want every single concievable feature on their cell phones but only ever use them to make a call. Why do you want mp3 on a satnav, are you going to carry it around in your shirt pocket all day? Ever heard of mp3 players?
OOh I want a digital camera on my satnav so that when I get to a destination I can take a picture of a landmark there so that the next time I want to go I can just touch the thumbnail and it will take me there again. WHY WHY WHY....you already know how to get there right? You are going to look stupid pulling out your satnav/mp3/digital camera/fm radio to take a pic of the castle at Magic Kingdom aren't you?
Get a life, don't buy something then complain about features you knew it didn't have. Read the box next time!

1. Navman website and the box itself say PC kit via USB is sold separately. Navman tech support just told me "it is not needed in the US" but is for sale in UK. When i asked what they meant by "not needed", since I, a customer need it, they said the company feels it is not needed. When i mentionred it is on their site and that is false advertising, they said they would take it off the site. Good thing i took a printout. WIll be useful for BBB, FTC communications. They don't realize this is not UK. You can return the silly thing for a full refund. This is a PR disaster for navman. Even an email from CustSvc says that since this is such a basic unit, the POI customization is not supported.
2 So if you plan on doing any custom POIs, loading other people's POIs etc this is NOT for you
3 Doesnt even include canada maps which garmin does
4. The unit itself is easy to use, but so is garmin
5. the POI database is old and has incorrect entries for businesses that are long gone. can be very frustrating if i need to call the business to find out beforehand if they are still there. Garmin POI is WAY better
6. CNET review incorrectly says that it ships with SmartST
7. Even if you had an earlier navman, SmartSt 2005 will not work with F20. I tried this
8. Map updates are not free. Garmin it is free

All in all, i am very dissatisfied with the arrogant customer support. They have a thing or two to learn abt the american consumer market and are in for a rude awakening. The hundreds of people who bought it for 200 after MIR on black friday are about to return it now if you believe the online forums.
BBB, FTC, here i come

IMHO the C320 from garmin is a much better buy at 270 shipped from 5 star rated store with better maps, 4times POIs, usb, software, free map updates, more accurate maps. run a price comparison on cnet/pricegrabber
or even c330 with hard disk is 306 shipped.

Bought the Navman for $199.99 on Black Friday. This is our second GPS unit, our first is a Garmin i2. The Navman has a nice touch screen and is a good size for portability. However, functionally, we like the Garmin much better. Entered our home address 3 times and each time after powering off and back on the Navman changed our address number and added E before our street. There is no E for our loop. It didn't seem to be as accurate as the Garmin, the Navman said we arrived at our destination 3 houses before our home. A bigger concern was that the Navman told us to turn left from a main highway to a street that leads to our house which is not allowed. The Garmin properly navigated us to keep right and loop around so that we crossed the highway legally. Returned the Navman.