First announced at SEMA 2007, Nokia 500 Auto Navigation system, finally hits the streets. This is the second portable navigation devices we’ve seen from the Finnish manufacturer of mobile phones (the first Nokia 330 Auto Navigation), and this is a big step forward compared to 330.Design a little more refined, that is the 4.3-inch touch screen, and packing more features with text to speech functionality, integrated Bluetooth, and opportunities on the road. In addition, Nokia 500 switches from Route 66 Navigation 7 software Nokia Maps (the same found on smartphones Nokia), and although better than the first, it is not so easy to use and sleek, like TomTom and Garmin PND. In fact, sometimes navigating the device can get straight into error.Thus, while the Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is a solid performer, we think you’ll have more experience in the Garmin Nuvi 660 and TomTom GO 930. Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is available now through online retailers and in stores Nokia flagship for $ 499.95.
Design
General view of the Nokia 500 Auto Navigation system resembles Nokia 330. This is not particularly inspiring but there are a number of enhancements and improvements in the overall design. First, Nokia 500 feels less plasticky than its predecessor, and has a nice charcoal gray casing with silver trim. The device is compact at 4.8 inches wide by 3.4 inches by 0.8 inches deep for easy portability between cars.
At the front, that’s the 4.3-inch (compared with 3.5-inch) touch screen that displays 65,536 colors at 480×272 pixels. Maps and images look clear, and the screen responds to touch. With a large display, Nokia has moved the shortcut buttons located on the right side of the Nokia 330 below the screen on the Nokia 500, which we consider a more aesthetically pleasing. Control involves a volume up / down and menu button. The power button is on top, and the 3,5 mm headphone jack and external antenna connector, which are protected attached cover. In addition, there are expansion SD slot on the right side.
Nokia 500 Auto Navigation unit comes complete with a car charger, vehicle mount (windshield only), cable USB, a soft carrying case, card SD 2GB, software DVD, and reference materials.Unfortunately, there is no dashboard disc, which is a problem for drivers in California and Minnesota as it is prohibited in those states to have anything attached to the windshield (though we have doubts about how many people actually follow that law ). The good news is the car charger has an integrated traffic receiver so you can get a modern road conditions.
Features
Nokia 500 Auto Navigation system is equipped with a receiver SiRF StarIII LA GPS and comes with preloaded Navteq North America and millions of points of interest. The user interface is different from the Nokia 330, as the company moved from Route 66 Navigation 7 software to Smart2Go software, which now Nokia Maps. In general, we like Nokia Maps software better than Route 66. Menus and icons are clean and clear, that said, it is not so easy to use and sleek, like Garmin or TomTom device. For example, when entering addresses requires extra taps and finding various features and settings, as is sometimes the hunt for treasures. Tools are not always organized in logical, so you never know where you’re going to find things – more on this later.
To start planning your trip, you can enter a specific address, choose a point of interest, or choose a place of “Favorites” or lists. Favorites menu also allows you to save your home and work addresses, and strangely, this is where you can plan multidestination trips. Having this feature in the Favorites menu does not make sense for us, but nevertheless, you can plan a trip with multiple stops, name and save the trip for later use. You can also add points “on the fly.”
Nokia 500 can calculate routes by shortest distance or fastest time and the various modes of transport, including bicycle, motorcycle, pedestrian, van, and scooter. If you want to avoid highways, toll roads, ferries and road, there are options to reduce these from your travel. Once the route is calculated, you can view the route and find an alternate route if you wish. With built-in traffic receiver, you can also check for congestion and accidents on this road and find another way around it. The system features automatic route recalculation if you happen to get from this.
