17. Conclusion

We said it many times in the past. We are simply fascinated what technology enables us to do today, how it can make life more enjoyable and how it makes everyday tasks more convenient. Navigation systems have been a common fixture in cars in Europe for almost ten years and are making their way into mainstream use in North America. In contrast to devices designed purely for fun and entertainment, a navigation system is a real tool that has the potential to replace the traditional road atlas.

However, the two systems we tested aren't ready to replace traditional maps quite yet. During our six-month test period we regularly encountered numerous situations when the navigation system left us in the dark and it was the good old map that helped us out of desperate situations. This was the case, for example, in downtown areas, during snow storms, in weak signal areas, after significant location changes, when the map data was outdated and when the small screens were not able to provide a greater overview of the area in which we were traveling.

It is easy to see that the Roadmate 700's user interface takes advantage of the experience Magellan has gathered from the use of the unit in rental cars. It is easier to use than the iWay 500c's interface and sends the user quicker on his or her way.

In summary, portable navigation systems are a neat complement for traditional maps, but are not a replacement. Leaving the map at home in favor of a navigation system is an optimistic move, but both tools together - the map and a navigation system - create a terrific team that will considerably shorten travel times to any destination. In most cases, the navigation system alone will keep you from getting lost. Keep a map handy for those unexpected hiccups and you should never get lost again.

Navigation systems do not replace traditional maps - yet.

Both navigation systems reviewed are not perfect. There is substantial room of improvement left in optimizing ergonomics as well as functionality. Simplified menu navigation should be the top priority for both manufacturers. In terms of functionality, for example, a simple re-route feature to allow the driver to navigate around an accident or a traffic jam certainly would be appreciated by all users. Also, points of interest need to be tied closer to the core functionality of the devices to allow users to more easily find what they are searching for in unfamiliar areas. We also look forward to the future when WiMax networks could become ubiquitous and such navigation systems automatically can react to accidents, traffic jams and weather forecasts.