Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810

in Advanced GPS Systems

Score: 6.5/10 , Based on analysis of reviews and performance evaluations.

• Overall
• Photos & Videos

Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 Overall - 6.5 (Acceptable)

Reviewers like the Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 for its sexy slim design, abundant features and decent performance. They also note this device is different from other GPS systems because it comes with a remote control rotary knob that seamlessly controls the device to make for safer and easier use while in the car. Still, the Guide + Play 810 is far from perfect. While it aces some of the more cutting edge GPS extras like playing video and music, its Bluetooth integration is unanimously regarded as poor. GPS Magazine captures the general opinion, noting the Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 is "Not Bad. Not Great. Plays Videos." 

The Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 is relatively pricey (prices max out a little over $500), but Harman Kardon makes more moderately priced units as well. The Guide + Play 310 has a four-inch screen, text-to-speech, maps of the U.S. and Canada and a music player. The Guide + Play 510 adds video support and built-in traffic, plus it sports the larger 4.3-inch screen.  

What the Experts Say: 

• "When you hear the name Harman Kardon, you probably think of consumer audio and video products, not GPS navigation devices. That's because Harman's brands include names well known to audiophiles such as JBL, Infinity, and Mark Levinson. But the Harman Consumer Group is set to change your expectations." -- PC Magazine
• "In-car video? Check. In-car music player? Check. In-car handsfree phone calls? Check. Live traffic updating? Check. Oh yea, and it's a navigation system too." - Gear Patrol

• "The 810 is a major improvement over Harman/Kardon's previous GPS models, and brings good looks and decent GPS performance to the table. Routing was exceptionally fast, and I was quite fond of the wireless remote, which can be used to operate all functions of the 810. The Guide + Play iPod integration was also a nice plus." - GPS Magazine 

Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 Performance - 8.0 (Very Good)

Reviewers find the Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810's navigation capabilities are good enough to stand up to the Garmins and TomToms. GPS Technology Reviews says one of the unit's most helpful features "is the trip simulation which gives all the map movements and voice-prompts at high speed so that you can check and familiarize yourself with the planned route." Reviewers also highlight the Harman Kardon 810's quick re-routing to get you back on the beaten path. 

Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 Ease of Use - 7.25 (Good)

Operation of the Harman Kardon's 810 GPS is very easy to pick up. As GPS Magazine explains, "A quick tap is all you need to power on the 810. The same goes to put the unit on standby." The device's remote control knob also aids usability. PC Magazine finds the knob gives you "convenient access to the GPS 810's menus while you are driving." 

Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 Design -- 8.75 (Very Good)

The Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 has a design like any other -- that's because in addition to its 4.3-inch display screen and slim design, it also comes with a reviewer-favorite wireless control rotary knob that you can place anywhere for control of the menu while driving. "No more reaching for the screen when it's mounted far up on the dash," Gear Patrol writes. 

Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 Features - 8.0 (Very Good)

As expected from a Harman Kardon product, the Guide + Play 810 does well with media files. PC Magazine notes: "On my tests, the media players worked fairly well. ... I was also able to play WMV video files and MPEG-4 movies that I had encoded for my iPod. Like every other video player in a GPS device that I've tested, though, it wasn't able to play AVI files created by my digital camera." But most testers take that in stride -- they are instead disappointed with the device's poor Bluetooth integration. GPS Magazine says: "I consistently had problems using the 810 with a Bluetooth device. Calls dropped frequently, the connection between the GPS and the cell phone was on and off, and sometimes the 810's menu froze up altogether. HK has some serious work to do cleaning up the 810's Bluetooth support and reliability." If Bluetooth is not a deal-breaker, also note the Harman Kardon Guide + Play 810 has a picture viewer, FM transmitter, and 12 million points of interest.

Other GPS Devices to Consider

MSRP: $200 Navigon 2000S

For its affordable price, the Navigon 2000S has a great design and is easy to use, plus it features useful navigation extras.

MSRP: $300 Garmin nuvi 500

The Garmin nuvi 500 Series gets favorable reviews because it can handle any navigation situation you throw its way -- in the car, on a bike, on a trail, even on a boat.

MSRP: $200 TomTom ONE 130

The TomTom ONE 130's standout qualities include useful features, a highly portable design, and one of the more agreeable price tags for the segment.

MSRP: $536 TomTom GO 300

The TomTom GO 300's features and design are universally easy to master for basic navigation. But other models are unanimously seen as stronger navigators with more innovative features.