3. Features And Functionality

The main menu of the TeleNav GPS Navigator includes six items: The basic GPS tool to establish driving routes, a business finder, navigation tools, settings and a (rather useless) support menu item that tells users that there in fact is a TeleNav website with lots of "tips & tricks."

Compared to traditional portable navigation systems, the cellphone version tries to cram similar functionality into a much tighter space. Fortunately, the MM-8300's high-res screen offers crisp details, which allows reading most of the graphics on the screen, even from a distance of two to three feet. In our opinion, the main downside of the TeleNav GPS Navigator is the time-consuming input of navigation data, such as street and city names. Only experienced SMS text messaging users will find the interface to be convenient.

A seven item menu supports entering destination information.

Entering a destination address as text.

Beside the core navigation functionality, which relies on arrows displayed on the screen and audio output, the software comes with a simple map feature that allows the user to determine his current location. This feature not only comes in handy when traveling in a vehicle but also may be used when traveling on foot. Unfortunately, only the location at the time the map is requested is displayed. The map is not dynamically updated when the user moves. We would encourage TeleNav to support dynamic map updates. We carry our cellphone with us through out the day in urban areas and would certainly appreciate this enhancement.

Preparing for a turn in the Chicago metropolitan area.

More detailed maps do not change as the user moves.

Using the device and software on several drives from the Chicago suburbs to downtown Chicago revealed few surprises and was in line with our experiences with other GPS navigation systems.

Complaints throughout our two-week long test period were recorded because of occasionally lost GPS signals, some difficulties in getting satellite reception (in open areas), as well as minor errors in route guidance. Lost GPS signals have a major impact on the use of the TeleNav software, especially when driving on a Tollway, as re-programming of a previous and not completed route requires several clicks. A feature that automatically asks, if the previous route should be completed after the GPS signal is lost, certainly would be a welcome enhancement to the service.

On the upside, however, was the clear guidance system, with excellent audio and voice assist that made it virtually impossible to miss a turn. In the end, The Sanyo/TeleNav combo proved to be reliable when driving around town - and we happily dropped another, larger portable system in favor of the somewhat dynamic duo.