Review: Nextar P7 GPS

I own three GPS units. All of them are annoying.

The first was Delorme's Earthmate designed for use with PalmPilots. I thought the concept was brilliant; the execution was so flawed as to be fatal. When I first installed the GPS software on my Palm, Delorme also installed a huge map file that locked up the Palm and it took me three days to get it working again. The second fatal flaw was the connector: it did not lock onto the Palm, and so easily broke free; that meant losing all the collected data and restarting the GPS.

The second I acquired as the result of a corporate gift. The primary flaw of the Garmin eTrex is that it does not display maps. So, it can show where you've gone but not tell you where you are. I did buy the cable to hook it up to my notebook computer, but running that in a car is just too cumbersome.

The third I bought yesterday is the Nextar MN2707. (Or maybe P7. The sticker says MN2707, the firmware states P7; both models are displayed at the Nextar Web site. I'll call it the P7, since that's fewer characters to type.)

It has these benefits:

+ Large, 7-inch color LCD touchscreen with nighttime mode (dimmer reversed colors).
+ 40GB drive that acts as an external computer drive (20GB available for you).
+ Two USB2 connectors, mini and regular size.
+ MP3 playback that works at the same time as the navigation system.
+ Locking power plug (ie, it's hard to unplug the power from the unit, which is a good thing).
+ Hardware on/off switch, so it turns on when the car is turned on.
+ Zoom the map using on-screen soft buttons or the control wheel; pan the map by dragging your finger across the screen or pressing the arrow buttons.
+ The interface is easy enough that you can figure out most of it without the instruction booklet.
+ Includes detailed mapping for Canada and simple mapping for USA (on units sold in Canada).
+ Includes power supply, car adapter, USB cables, audio cable, and suction cup attachment.
+ Cheap at CDN$400 (currently on sale at Canadian Tire; regular CDN$500) -- equivalent to about US$350; list price is US$600.

Other tech specs: runs Linux on a Samsung 200 MHz CPU with 64MB SDRAM.

After some mulling, I decided to get it. For these reasons: it's my birthday; it's an external hard drive + MP3 player + okay navigation system + big touch screen.

Drawbacks

But it has plenty of drawbacks that might give you pause:

- The P7 is heavy and has no battery, so you cannot use it for walking about. A battery would be nice for keeping the unit alive when the car is off; keeping it on when moving between house and car; and using it as a portable MP3 player (along with external speakers).
- It takes about a minute to start up. This means you need to keep the car idling for that amount of time if you need to know your current position. It takes another minute or so to lock into a 3D signal. In contrast, the Garmin eTrex starts in under 10 seconds, and is locked into a 3D signal in another 20 seconds.
- Once started, a woman's voice keeps repeating "Acquiring GPS Signal" even though lots of satellites are already being tracked.
- It forgets the volume setting. I set it to mute, tap Save Setting, but the next time the P7 is turned on, the volume is up again.
- You have to pay US$50 for the CD with detailed USA maps. Maps of other countries not available.
- It does 3D satellite tracking, but does not report the altitude.
- it comes with the printed manual for another product, although the feature set seems similar.
- The 7-inch screen is a touch screen with soft buttons (buttons displayed on the screen). Problem is that the soft buttons disappear after a while; touching the screen brings them back, but also pans the map out of position.

Map

The map displays only streets and their names. Major roads are shown by another color. NOTHING ELSE. The map fails to display landmarks that would be useful while driving, such as:
- No rivers, shorelines, or railroad tracks.
- No tunnels, bridges, or over/under-passes.
- No major points of interest, such as hospitals and airports.
- No borders; no names of cities or states/provinces.

The unit claims to have two million points of interest, such as gas stations and hotels. However, they are listed in alphabetical order, instead of distance order -- I'd want to know where the nearest gas station is, not that there is an Arco station on Aberdeen Avenue.

Testing the Routing Software

I ran a test that mapping software usually fails. I ask it to map the route from my current residence to the town of my birth (in northern Canada). All mapping software usually makes the mistake of telling me to take the ferry along the coast, because distance-wise that is the shortest.

But cost-wise, it is the most expensive route, and time-wise takes the longest. Mapping software fails on this test because they usually assign a time of 0 hours and 0 minutes for the ferry trip, even though the trip takes about 12 hours and requires additional time for getting on and off the ferry (allow an extra 2 hours for that).

The Nextar P7 fails this test. Worse yet, it does not allow me to adjust the route to force it to use just roads.

Another failing is that the P7 does not allow me to peruse the proposed route. When I try to pan along the route, the P7 forces the screen to jump back to the current position.

The second test is from my residence to the international airport. There is no good route in real-life, so I am interested in technology that can tell me the shortest route, time-wise. I know it takes 1hr 15min (or so). In the P7, you would take these steps:

1. Press Find button.
2. Tap "Search POI [point of interest] by Name".
3. Tap "Transporation" or "All POI".
4. Use the on-screen keyboard to type the city. As you enter characters, the P7 anticipates which city it might be, a good feature that reduces the amount of typing.
5. Tap OK
6. Type in "AIRPORT." After mulling its database, the P7 says none exists.
I tried the airport code, such as YVR, and that worked.

You can then tap Drive To (calculates route), Zoom To (displays location on screen) or Save To (save to a named list of destinations). The result depends on the option selected:

Shortest [route by distance] - 46.9 miles and 2hr 5 min.
Mostly Highways - 52.0 miles and 2hrs 19 min.
Least Amount of Turns - 47.0 miles and 2 hr 6 min.

Since I cannot peruse the route (without the screen always jumping back to where I am now), I don't know which route the P7 plans to take me along. The workaround is to zoom out far enough to see the entire route on the screen, but then the P7 doesn't display sufficient detail for me to figure out the exact route out of the myriad of possibilities.

I suspect it does not adjust for highway speeds, because it seems to use 36km/hr (22 mph) for all roads, including 70mph (120kph) freeways. That means that its time estimates are useless.

GPS Data

Related to lack of altitude reporting (3D data), the unit provides only some of the data that can be gleaned from GPS data, just this:
- current time.
- speed.
- North direction (top of screen).
- The GPS Status screen shows latitude, longitude, satellite positions, and signal strengths.

It does not report:
- margin of error
- maximum speed
- average speed
- trip odometer
- duration of trip
- sunset and sunrise
- bearing and heading angles.

Of these, I'd really like to know the error, usually around 15-50 feet for most GPS units.

MP3

The MP3 player uses simple folder management, which is the system I prefer. You segregate songs in folders, and then play the entire folder or a single song file. The unit makes reference to "playlists" but that's just its term for folders.

The unit has a built-in speaker and audio out plug. The speaker is tinny, okay for spoken instructions, but no good for music, so you'll want to plug it into a FM broadcast module to play over your car's audio system. You can also hook it up to headphones or to your home music system to playback MP3 music.

There are no other music controls, other than volume. No tone controls, no random play, skip to next track. One workaround is to tap the touch screen and select the next song to play from the list displayed (it shows 7 tracks at a time).

Hard Drive

When connected to your computer with a USB cable, the P7 cannot act as a GPS device nor playback music; it becomes an external drive that can be accessed through Windows Explorer and all Windows software programs. I am guessing it would work with Linux and Mac, but haven't tested that.

Of the 40GB hard drive, 20GB is available for your own files. The other 20GB would be used for the Linux operating system and map files. Because the P7 acts as an external hard drive, you can store any files on there for backup purposes.

With such a large screen, it would be a natural for showing slideshows and movies, but no such luck.

Update

After a few days, I returned the unit for these reasons: the size and weight, the low level of GIS data, and the difficulty of controlling/previewing the route.

Comments

[Marc]

I had a much better experience with my TomTom Go700. Used it here in Montreal and on trips in New-York and Boston.
It's more expensive but I think it's worth it; they really know how to make a usefull product; it's now as natural using it in the car (the bluetooth link to the phone helps) a the climate control and I would not get out of town without one.

thx for your nuch appreciated observation.
i returned that product today.

[pv]

I really appreciated your excellent (albeit negative) review of the Nextar P7. I have been comparing it to the Plenio VXA-3000; Both of these GPS units have 7" displays which my aging eyes really need!

They are fairly comparable spec-wise, but the Nextar would have saved me about $100US. However, after reading your review I'll spend the difference and get the Plenio.

Thanks!
pv

[rw]

Thx for the detailed review. I started by looking at the Garmin 7200, then quickly wnet to a UMPC w/ touch screen and navigation software, all for $1200-1500. Have now been comparing the Nextar P7 to the Plenio VXA-3000. I think you have steered me to spending the extra $150 for the Plenio.

[Ken]

I have recently received my Nextar P7 and for $299 bucks I am delighted with all the features.
Took it out for a trial run and it worked flawlessly. The route recalculate feature worked very fast when I deliberately missed a few turns along the planned route.

Your right about the annoying start-up voice about "Acquiring GPS Signal". As soon as I power the unit on I adjust the volume down. I might install a manual speaker on/off switch to defeat this problem or wait for a software fix.

You said that you were unable to puruse the planned auto route but if you run the demo mode it shows you exactly the route that has been chosen.
If you really need to know all the fine details such as satellite altitude ( why? ) then I guess you should buy more expensive models.
For the money this is one great GPS unit.

[Wendy]

For the average user, this is a great buy!
Don't get too technical and go overboard here! Save it for the tech-savy.
You're steering people the wrong way!

[Tony M]

I would like to know where you can buy one for $299.99 The Nextar P7 is the unit I am referring to. I assume you paid retail from a web site. I can't even buy them for wholesale in the US for $299.99
Please respond
Thanks
Tony M.

[Bart]

How can I install European maps on my P7??
Is there any chance?
Thanks

ebay

[Bob]

DO NOT buy either of the Nextar units. I originally bought the 2707 at Canadian Tire. Great price, huge screen etc. The unit takes forever to lock up and that voice is more annoying than my ex-wife. The routes it displays are ridiculous. It has you exit a highway and driving through towns, when you could go a few more exits down the road and get to your destination faster with out all the stop and go driving.

Secondly, my unit locked up and died after only 2 months use. I sent it back to the factory in Dec of 2006, as of 3/1/07 I have not recieved my replacement unit. The tech support is just lip service and no-one can give me a straight answer as to were my new unit is or when I can expect delivery. I am traveling to Canada to see the Brier and am not looking forward to navigating through Hamilton Ont. w/o a GPS. I am buying a new Garmin GPS and will put the Nextar unit on ebay if and when I ever recieve it. STAY AWAY FROM THE NEXTAR UNITS!!!!!

[Darren Wagner]

I too own the MN2707 and the verdict hasnt really been decided yet. It does have some nice features, but finding couple different problems with the mapping. I drive alot of rural highways in Alberta and seems like several highway coordinates must have been programmed wrong as I find on the display, my marker is driving along side of the highway alot, and of course when marker is not on a road, the gps continually tries to calculate the route, cause it has no idea where its at and cant tell you how far from your destination or any other pertinent information. Seems like a software flaw or something, has anyone else experienced this problem?

[Fred April]

I have owned the Nextar MN unit (now updated firmware wise to p7)for more then a year now. I have made 10k miles of road in both Ca and US so far. I have been able to get along with the cognitive bugs of the unit but I often use 2 GPSs when travelling with family and want to make sure I don't make any mistakes. My laptop is running Delorme 2005 and I must admit the Nextar unit is more "convenient" and a bit better..but for the occasional mistakes when Nextar wants me to take a rural route rather then staying on the freeway up to the end...I like the detailed maps of Delorme to find my way back (and second opinion). Both of them try to get me on rural roads..but in different occasions/places!. Now that GPS are cheaper..and after trying 5-6 units so far, I would go with TOMTOM or Garmin Nuvi (not last year models though!...buggy) or build a Carputer with a 7" lcd and TomTom Navigator on windows.
My scores:
Tomtom One: 9
Garmin 320: 7
Delorme 2005: 6
Delorme 2007: NIY
V7: 6
Garmin Nuvi 350: 9
Street and Trips: 6 (2005-2006 are crap! 8 for 2007 version)
Navigator on PocketPC: 8

Hoping for a P7 update with 3d maps and better logic from Nextar...

[Ted]

I just purchased a Nextar I4-BC navigation GPS. It had a backup camera and the 4.3" screen which is what attracted me to it. It too does not save the volume setting that is "saved". My real frustration is that is woefully lacking in points of interest. For the whole state of MN it lists no Home Depots, can't find a police station for the third largest city, or Wal-Marts, etc. It is disgusting. I bought it so I could find places of business when we travel but it is practically useless for that. I will return it tomorrow. It is also difficult to get the unit to respond to back up. In many circumstances you can only make choices forward before you can go back. It amazes me how they can stay in business with such poor products.

[John Kozeluh]

God help you if you need technical or customer support from NEXTAR.
I purchased a Q3 GPS one year ago (Nov 2006)and the 12V adaptor hasn't worked since July 16th 2007 when a replacement was reqested. It's now Nov 16th and 7 phone calls later. I have yet to receive a replacement, and my best new friends at NEXTAR technical support; Michael and Deon state replacements are back ordered and no shipping date is in sight. One third of the year I could not use my GPS.
I tried to contact Customer Support to complain but There is No Customer Support, If you want to try for yourself-call
800-938-9886 or 888-849-0846 and see how long You get the recorded run-around

[Bill]

My unit went out today; I was floored when I found out Nextar will not repair their units that are out of warranty, further more, they refer repairs to whence you bought the unit?

Do I trust the repair to a spotty faced teenager at Best Buy!

Amazing!

[delese]

we have a nextar 2707, and it worked fine until something got dropped on it and the screen cracked. i got the royal run-around from nextar because the unit is out of warranty. does anyone know of anywhere in ontario that repairs screens on gps units?

[Doug]

Curious if delese ever found a repair source for MN 2707. I have a similar issue. The suction cup mount fell off my windshield and cracked the touch screen glass when it hit the shifter.