Navigon 8410

A brushed steel finish, 5-inch capacitive glass screen, 3D views and voice recognition are just some of the features on offer in the Navigon 8410. With the exception of connected services, which are only available on LIVE models, this top-of-the-range sat nav is packed with functions and has pretty much everything you could ask for.

Hardware: very comprehensive

The Navigon 8410 has a large 5-inch screen (480 x 272 pixels) that's finished with a glass panel. Thanks to capacitive touch-screen technology, a light touch of the finger is all it takes to control the device. It's pleasant to use and reaction rates are good. However, as the glossy finish poses serious visibility problems in bright sunlight, Navigon is shipping its GPS with a screen-protector film that eliminates most of the glare.

The Navigon 8410 is no lightweight GPS and its large screen is almost certainly the culprit. It's still fairly slim at just 18.7 mm thick, but it weights a whopping 225 grams, which is 50 to 60 grams heavier than average - you certainly won't forget you've got this beast in your pocket or handbag! Apart from that, it's pleasant to handle. I particularly liked the soft feel of the plastic at the rear of the unit and the robust feel that the 8410 has to it. Some, however, may not be so keen on its angular design.

The product is well-finished with soft-touch plastic on the reverse, and the screen is surrounded by a stylish steel frame. Our test model did seem to have a slight gap between the metal bit and the rest of the unit though.
This PND has a good selection of connections. For starters, it has two mini USB ports, one of which is intended for the optional digital TV module. There's also a microSD memory card reader for the 2 GB card supplied, which is also handy for adding new maps or accessing music, for example. You can even hook up a pair of headphones or connect the unit to certain car radios via the headphones socket.


The suction mount is fairly bulky and houses a built-in TMC aerial. It's almost certainly designed to stay inside your vehicle, both because of its size and because the in-car charger connects to it directly. In other words, you can simply slot the sat nav into its stand to charge rather than use the USB connection (although this is possible). Attachment to the windscreen is practical and sturdy, but loading the GPS into the stand could be simpler. The trickiest bit is actually removing the unit from its stand, as you have to push on a lever while pulling the GPS towards yourself in a movement that takes a bit of getting used to.


Handling: simple and practical

This PND takes 18 seconds to get to the main menu (navigation, phone, media player, TV), then a further 24 seconds to reach the navigation menu. Startup takes around 10 seconds and it's worth mentioning that the startup a jingle is anything but discreet. Plus, as there doesn't seem to be a way of deactivating it, the whole world will know whenever you're switching on your sat nav. Otherwise, the Navigon 8410 finds the satellites quickly and is generally fast to react.

The predictive text function works well. Letters that can't feature in the place name you're entering are greyed out, which makes it easier to spot the remaining options. The automatically completed section is displayed in the text entry box so you can accept suggestions without having to type out the whole word. There's also an ABC input mode if you prefer.
Navigon is particularly proud of the 8410's Voice Interaction Pro voice recognition system, claiming you can speak to your GPS as naturally as you would a passenger. I wasn't entirely convinced by this system, but then it's not like any of the competition can do much better. I often had to try several times to get the right place and I had to pronounce place names very clearly. Voice commands for the internal menus make a nice touch though, even if they're not available for each and every option (most times you end up having to navigate though the menus by hand).
The Navigon 8410 uses the ViaMichelin points of interest database, which contains a large number of places for effective searching.

The internal menus are relatively easy to use, even though the names of some functions and options are not always that easy to understand. The interface is pretty plain, based mainly on a black background with orange text. Some users might find it a little austere.

A useful feature, however, is direct access to volume controls and other important functions during navigation (phone calls, music playback, options).

Route guidance: comprehensive and accurate but no connected services

Route guidance with the Navigon 8410 is clear and effective. Instructions are accurate and I was pleased to see the inclusion of a Text-To-Speech function that reads out street names. A diagram shows you where to go at the next junction, and a warning system for dangerous bends means you won't be in for any nasty surprises. The 8410 was perhaps a little bit over-keen with its warning messages though, some of which were completely unnecessary, but at least they'll help keep you and your passengers awake. This PND will also warn you if you break the speed limit (customisable), displaying the relevant signs as a reminder. Lane guidance is on hand too to help you stay on the right track at complicated junctions and interchanges.

As this model offers no connected services, you'll have to make do with TMC for real-time traffic information. Although the TMC system isn't always up to scratch, it worked very well during our tests of the 8410. Alternative routes are proposed if you hit a traffic jam, as well as an approximate time of arrival so you can see whether it's worth clocking up a few extra miles to get home quicker. However, the TMC system remains less reliable than web-connected services, which react almost instantly to any incident on the roads.

Similarly to the IQ Routes function already found on TomTom units, the MyRoutes function lets you calculate alternative routes in relation to the day and time of travel. In fact, for every route it calculates, this GPS suggests two alternative routes shown in different colours. This quick and easy function saves you having to faff around in the internal menus to re-calculate routes until you find the best one.


Fixed but not mobile speed cameras are shown, and although it's not possible to share information on the position of speed cameras, you can make changes to other road features (a new roundabout, for example). Just enter the changes on your PND and then hook the it up to your computer to download updates. Plus, with a 24-month subscription to Navigon's FreshMaps service included, you can keep the internal maps up to date with new maps available for download every three months.

Before moving on from navigation, I mustn't forget to mention the 3D function, another feature the manufacturer seems very proud of. Unfortunately, as far as I can see, it's not much more than a selling point. Only major cities are covered and there's no noticeable improvement in readability. In fact, as the display becomes more crowded, the map becomes slightly more difficult to decipher. However, 3D relief views do make a nice touch.


Other functions: Bluetooth, pedestrian mode and multimedia

Like other top-of-the-range sat navs, the Navigon 8410 has a hands-free Bluetooth mode. It's easy to use and practical for answering the phone without having to take your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel.
It's also geared up for multimedia with compatibility for audio, photo and video files. A headphones output is a handy addition for hooking up a pair of earphones when you're outside your vehicle or for connecting the sat nav to a car radio. You can even turn your Navigon 8410 into a portable TV with the optional digital TV module, available separately for around £60 (RRP).

The Clever Parking function helps you find a parking place near to your current location to save you the hassle of driving round and round and round the town centre on a Saturday afternoon, for example.
Once you've parked, the pedestrian mode takes over, showing you the shortest route to your final destination with no detours via main roads. The display can even switch into portrait mode to help you navigate more easily.