InVion GPS GM-410: the new kit on the block
From Harry Mulder
InVion is a new player in the consument electronics in Holland.
The range of products from inVion covers, MP3 players, MP4 players and whole collection of navigation systems.
Invion has created 3.5 inch gps navigators up to 5 and 7 inch navigation systems. Their products with a very sharp price will certainly take a large part of the gps market. But how is their GPS really preforming?
The inVion model GM-410 will have to give a severe fight to conquer his place on this market between the big trademarks competing right now.
My first impression is exellent. The inVion GPS is delivered in a colourful and attractive box with all the accessories needed, and with a handy manual.
The appearance is quiet “cool”, a black box with a 4 inch screen, with an “on and off” button on top of it. No other button is seen on the frontside, it efficiently works with a touch screen.
GPS reception
The first time I had a gps in hand you could see me standing outside my house walking and waiting for the gps to find its fixed position. I was astonished when my inVion GPS right inside my house found its four satellites in a few seconds. Certainly the basis of a good gps is a strong satellite receiver.
Plug & Play
Within a few seconds is the inVion GPS ready to use, it is a real Plug & Play system. I place the cradle on my windshield, and the screen appears clearly and very sharp. The letters are readable and the route to follow is clear. The inVion GPS with NAVTEQ maps and the software from CosmicNavigation feels trustworthy. Knowing that all the roads and streets of Western Europe are in there, I want to go on the road and drive away, this is also what I am suppose to do, testing the GPS’s performance.
Utilisation
Although a stylus is among the accessories, I can simply with my finger type my destination on the touch screen. The symbols are easy to read and certainly easy to understand. The keyboard could have been sharper, elderlies will probably need their glasses to type their destination.
The GM-410 finds in a few seconds four satellites for a fixed gps position. It is a pleasure to travel with this GPS. At the same moment the screen shows the route and a gentle and friendly voice gives me the direction to follow, I even get the highway outlets numbers, this is exactly what I like most in a GPS system. There are also no features that are distracting me from the road.
When I suddenly change my mind and take another route, my GPS can find a new route for me. Its batteries load up in half an hour, and can perform a few hours long, unfortunately the gps does not tell me when my batteries are low.
Conclusion
I have got there a fine gps without fioritures but it is very efficient. The GPS can play MP3 ‘s and MP4’s but I did not need to use that entertainment feature. I heard that the whole range of the CosmicNavigation products will soon be on the market and available for everyone. The GM-410 will start at a very nice price of 279,- euro. A great price for such a quality.
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