Review: Novogo S700 sat-nav device

The Novogo S-series is aimed at today’s pedantic GPS enthusiast, offering just about every conceivable option to customise routes, manage user data and provide a wealth of information to help you get to your destination.

Novogo's S-series is available with a number of optional extras, models at the upper end come with an RDS/TMC traffic receiver and Bluetooth hands-free calling but the S700 omits this technology in favour of offering a lower-priced alternative. However, you’ll still find full maps of Western Europe.

The well-conceived interface makes it straightforward to plan, tweak and customise a route while offering a host of configuration options to adjust the display or journey information on the move. This is very easy to do thanks to the 3.5in touchscreen and large thumb-sized buttons. The unit comes with a removable stylus, but thanks to the generously sized controls we coped perfectly well without it.

The S700 does take a little while to start up, but time-to-first-fix (the time it takes to locate the required satellites) is good and routes are calculated quickly with a minimum of fuss.

You can choose to navigate using either postcodes (full eight-digit supported), address or by searching the built-in POI (point of interest) database. Once you’ve chosen your destination it only takes a few seconds to work out the route, at which point you’re taken to the Cockpit view to begin your journey.

One of the things we like the most about this software is that you can configure a number of information boxes with data such as current speed, distance to destination, distance to next waypoint or time to arrival. There are also a range of displays for the map, which is very interactive and offers a detailed and vibrant representation of your current position.

You have full control over elevation, viewing angle, and a number of displays from birds-eye-view to a close-up mode to help negotiate tricky junctions. There’s also an effective smart zoom control that allows you to set a maximum and minimum zoom distances and overhead view configuration, so if you prefer a certain type of display you can set things up just how you like them.

Another interesting feature with the S-series is that it comes with several different metallic face plates, the idea being you can match it to your car interior. A built in 2W speaker can be configured to increase or decrease volume as the car speeds up or slows down, and the display changes colour during different times of the day to ensure that it’s visible to the driver.

Some users might find the vast array of settings a little daunting, in which case cut-priced alternatives such as the Navman F20 might be better suited. It’s also worth nothing that both Mio and Tomtom produce units with similar features along with built-in Bluetooth for around the same price.

The unit itself isn’t particularly pretty either, the design is a little clunky and slimline alternatives like the Tomtom One Europe and Mio C510 do offer a sleeker look.

There are no additional features such as an mp3 player or currency/unit converter with the S700, but as a pure GPS device it shouldn’t steer many people wrong. The main problem is that there aren’t really many reasons to recommend this unit over cheaper alternatives.

Also consider:
Mio C710
Mio’s high-end satellite navigation device comes packed with a wealth of features

Tomtom Go 510
A stylish and well-featured GPS from the market leader

Navman F20
A no-frills sat-nav device for under £200

All satellite navigation reviews

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