Panasonic Strada CN-GP50N Reviewed

merlot158 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 05, 2007 Posts: 6

Hi Darren

Having just read your review of Panasonics entry Navigation system, I'm rather disappointed in your conclusions. Like you I have always considered Panasonics products to be amongst the premium brands.
However, portable navigation is hardly new nor the basic requirements to satisfy a modicum of road safety.
So, small difficult to read text, visual information that is just too late (lane departure), lack of audible warnings ref above and a screen that requires several presses then actions all the screen presses is just not good enough, first product or not.
I feel you should have been much more scathing in your conclusion and certainly not recommended it. It sounds like it is just the opposite to what “a newbie to GPS devices” needs or for that matter anyone.
Please give realistic recommendations when reviewing products.
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merlot

Nuvi660fm
GTM21
external gps & FM aerials

Darren · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject:

Thank you for your advice on reviewing criteria. However, if you take the time to re-read the text you will see that this is a reader review and not one of mine. As such the comments and conclusions are not mine to change!

We tried to obtain a review sample from Panasonic who promised on numerous occasions that one was forthcoming imminently. It never arrived.

Sadly Panasonic are not alone in taking short cuts to get a GPS to market bearing their name. Whilst the hardware me be unique to them, the software is not and it is this that is the most important feature Sony have taken a similar route to market with equally (in my opinion) poor results.
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Darren Griffin

Infama · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:36 am Post subject:

Mio offers Greece maps as well. They are Teleatlas data and cover 51% of roads there.

I also read that traffic rules change so often in Greece (monthly, even) that it is a challenge to have anything even reasonably current.

However, even old maps can be better than nothing!

Darren · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject:

Panasonic have been in touch and I should have a Strada tomorrow. Once I've evaluated it I'll add to John's review with my findings and some product shots.
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Darren Griffin

mostdom · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject:

Yes I now have one here. First impressions, nice screen, qood build quality but dire menu speed. It really is slooooow, frustratingly so.

I'd thought it had TTS but if it has I can't find it?
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Darren Griffin

mostdom · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject:

No but I may just have got confused!
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Darren Griffin

Darren · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:02 am Post subject:

Review now updated with my impressions.
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Darren Griffin

mostdom · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject:

I'm disgussted, utterly outraged... Evil or Very Mad

...I mean look at that tablecloth, I hope you don't have curtains to match. Twisted Evil

As for the review, I'm glad to see you did pick up on the same things as I, and your conclusion, I'm sure is based on a greater wealth of knowlege, so I bow to the better reviewer. Hail Darren!
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Dom

HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot

Darren · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject:

, my lighting cube had been mislaid, I hadn't reviewed the photos until it was too late as Panasonic wanted the device back at short notice.
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Darren Griffin

Galvany · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 04, 2008 Posts: 10

Ran one of these for a couple of months. Very slow, battery died after less than a month, and not very flexible. Overall, a rather disappointing experience. Got a refund, and vowed never again. Will get a Garmin instead (having also vowed never to return to TomTom).

Darren · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:49 am Post subject:

I'll give Panasonic some credit as they read the review and said that all the points raised would be passed on to the development team.
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Darren Griffin

Galvany · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 04, 2008 Posts: 10

Well, if Panasonic are reading this then they should learn.

A (once) committed customer of Panasonic products, I finally bought a Garmin 760T and find that it is excellent. I am still learning the unit (two-three weeks on) and though I liked the screen size of the Panasonic, the Garmin's functionality, speed, and receptiveness to customised POIs are real winners. The absence of clutter on the Garmin display makes a mockery of the Panasonic Strada's size (too much "noise" on the screen).

I should also note that both the Panasonic Strada and the Garmin were used in Spain and the Garmin wins hands down. Only issue with the latter is that the Panasonic seemed to have more restaurant/dining POIs, but I don't really need those.

So, if their development team wish to improve, they can start by using Garmin as a benchmark.

And if the Garmin 860 proves to be as good as the promise, then there's an even bigger headache ahead for Panasonic.

ttaxi · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 07, 2009 Posts: 1

It is a good gps with a good look and a good size for a gps and I recommend it.
The only problem I m finding is to update the map, I steel didn't find the way to do it.
If any one knows....let me know.

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