Navman S-Series sat nav

The Navman product range has been upgraded from the inside out with more than 500 internal and external enhancements to the range, adding style and security without compromising its simplicity.

There are four models in the S-Series range - the S30, S50, S80 and S90i - each designed to accommodate both first time users looking for the basics and experienced GPS buyers looking for uncluttered depth of features. Among these improvements is a stylish and lightweight new exterior, as well as an intelligently redesigned interface. The pixel perfect 4.3" widescreen offers the clearest map display of any Navman device to date. Following the success of the dedicated parking and petrol shortcut buttons, Navman has expanded this thought to include additional shortcuts such as Money, Food, Tourist and SOS. Navman has incorporated new ideas into this groundbreaking range, such as a speaking keyboard, mileage expense reporter and a space-saving foldable cradle.

With an array of additional innovative features, the new S-Series is easier to read and operate than ever before, thanks to a brand new interface. The most up to date 2007 map data comes as standard, for ultimate reliability and accuracy, while the brilliant anti-glare wide-screen display ensures that the maps offer an unrivalled view of the journey ahead and text is clearer and crisper than ever. Navman has been long renowned for the quality and reliability of their visual and voice guidance.

The new S-Series will definitely prove it self to have the best performing guidance so far. It really does feel you are travelling with a local beside you, helping you along the way, with a smooth Australian voice pronouncing street names. The most comprehensive safety camera information provides directional alerts when motorists are within 10% of the speed limit and spoken voice directions give specific road names when approaching a turning. All of these features are part of a considered and intelligent redesign, making the new interface the simplest and most responsive on the market. Other intelligent features such as the auto dimming screen, which automatically switches from day to night mode as evening falls, and a quick drop down menu showing the extra information you want only when you need it, make this the most user friendly and intuitive GPS range available.

Navman has even added a unique technology to the S-Series with a Speaking Key- board that speaks each letter and number as you type, meaning that inputting addresses is more accurate. With these extra features, Navman's S-Series is as smooth and slick on the inside as it is on the outside. Through constant innovation, Navman has gone beyond navigation with the S-Series. The pioneering and unique NavPix technology allows you to navigate to pictures, as well as creating your own NavPix destinations and sharing them around the world. And now, for the first time, an online image search powered by Flickr gives you access to a staggering 23 million geo-tagged images - simply download onto your Navman device, and navigate straight there with one touch. In addition, Navman has integrated Bluetooth capability to make your journeys as safe and easy as possible.

S-Series devices are able to connect with your mobile phone and dial the number for contacts or Points Of Interest with one touch. Also, the dedicated SOS button is an indispensable addition to the new range, providing you with a list of emergency services - from hospitals to garages, dentists to police stations - in the area should you need assistance of any kind. All you need to do is select the service required, and the S-Series can instantly dial the number or navigate you to the location. To make sure you're kept informed of everything along your route, an integrated TMC Traffic receiver has been installed on the S90i. This will enable you to receive traffic updates through an FM radio frequency directly to your Navman device and if there's anything in your way, a simple one-touch detour button will redirect you around any problems along the way.

Traffic is currently available through a trial system in Melbourne however it is envisaged that coverage will be Australia-wide by mid 2008. 'We've gone beyond navigation as a way of getting from A to B and invested in truly understanding how people want to use these products. This market is now main stream and as such, we have to recognise the varying degrees of consumer wants and needs - whether that's a first time buyer or an experienced user," says Marcus Fry, Navman Director of Sales & Marketing Australasia. "We aren't simply adding extra features to our devices just because we can - we have evolved and reworked our product range in line with what we know consumers want. That being, less clutter and richer content, delivered in a reliable, easy to use and intelligently designed package."

RRPs: S30 $399, S50 $499, S80 $699, S90i $899.