TeleNav Shotgun

in Midrange GPS Systems

Score: 7.1/10 , Based on analysis of reviews and performance evaluations.

• Overall

TeleNav Shotgun Overall - 7.14 (Good)

Reviewers overall impressions of the new TeleNav Shotgun range from pleasure at the concept to contempt for the final product. Some say the Internet-connected Shotgun is well suited for the basic needs of the business travelers its marketed toward. But other writers describe the Shotgun as a good attempt by TeleNav that needs improved search capabilities and a stronger routing signal. And in this price range where what's extra can make or break your decision on a GPS system, the Shotgun falls short of competitors for missing convenience features like reality view, lane assistance or multi-segment routing. 

The Shotgun's current list price of $299 comes with three months free Internet service, after which you can purchase a one-year service plan for $129, a two-year plan for $239, or month-to-month coverage for $11.99 a month. 

What the Experts Say: 

• "TeleNav is off to a good start with the Shotgun. While I ran across a decent list of things that needed to be touched up, most of those were relatively small issues that can be addressed through software updates." -- GPS Review
• "The TeleNav Shotgun's Internet connectivity brings dynamic content to the driver, but the functionality is a bit limited at this time, and the GPS needs to work out some performance issues before we give it co-pilot duties." -- CNET
• "As a connected GPS, the TeleNav Shotgun provides a glimpse of what the future of navigation could be, but it's definitely a '1.0' release, with only a subset of the services the technology makes possible." -- PC Magazine
• "The $299 TeleNav Shotgun is an interesting effort to provide business travelers with current traffic data, but it falls far short of being a useful driving accessory." -- Laptop Mag
• "We prefer the Dash for its simplicity, however, and the TomTom and Navigon devices for their more powerful features. Nonetheless, the Shotgun remains a worthy driving aid and accomplishes the ultimate mission: Getting you where you need to go." -- Digital Trends

• "In summary the TeleNav is a fairly robust device. The size of the screen is great, the software is easy to navigate through. There are a few features that are missing such as lack of clock, current speed & speed limit information but the two-way Internet connection makes up for these by providing great up-to-date traffic information and the ability to enter in addresses from the web and wirelessly have them sent to your device." -- Navigadget

TeleNav Shotgun Performance - 6.5 (Acceptable)

The TeleNav Shotgun's routing capabilities are adequate at best. Its cold starts are sporadic, and several test drivers have issues with slow route recalculations. Still others note the Shotgun's voice guided directions are frequently hard to hear. Ars Technica reports, "Route calculation was relatively slow -- not quite as slow as the Dash, but slow nonetheless. The device also has an annoying predilection for U-turns, especially if you overshoot a turn and it has to recalculate your route." 

TeleNav Shotgun Ease of Use - 7.7 (Good)

The Shotgun's main menu is streamlined and intuitive, and tech writers consider the device's ease of use one of its stronger points. Digital Trends says "the Shotgun is easy to use for touch-screen operation." In addition, "There are hardly any hardware buttons to speak of, save for the power button." Reviewers also like the like that the start page is limited to four options: Drive To, Search, Maps & Traffic or Extras.

TeleNav Shotgun Design - 6.75 (Acceptable)

Unlike the Dash Express, the TeleNav Shotgun earns praise for its sleek dimensions and sound picture quality. But many say it misses the mark with some key design elements. More than one review notes that the blue LED light that flashes to indicate Internet connectivity "is distracting at best and maddening at worst," as Laptop Mag writes. Furthermore, many have trouble with the Shotgun's windshield mount.

TeleNav Shotgun Features - 7.14 (Good)

Reviewers find the TeleNav Shotgun's Internet services useful, but say it falls short of expectations. CNET reports, "It didn't always provide the most current or appropriate business listings, and it doesn't quite take full advantage of the Internet connectivity. For example, unlike the Dash, you can't search for movies by show times or title and you can't read reviews of businesses." Others damn the Shotgun for leaving multi-segment routing or reality view off its features list.

Other GPS Devices to Consider

MSRP: $300 Dash Express

The Dash Express is one of the most unique GPS devices on the market, thanks to its Wi-Fi Internet connectivity. But it trades flashy features for navigation basics -- those drivers who are frequently lost should look elsewhere.

MSRP: $100 Magellan Maestro 3100

The Magellan Maestro 3100 is an entry-level GPS that aims to provide bare-bones navigation at an attractive price. While not loaded with extras, it will get you to where you're going -- and it won't break the bank in the process.

MSRP: $250 Navigon 2100

While most manufacturers are trying to impress with you flash and color, Navigon 2100 chooses to woo you with its simplicity.

MSRP: $200 Garmin nuvi 200

The Garmin nuvi 200's trump card is "no muss, no fuss" navigation that's absent the frilly features increasingly offered on even the cheapest navs, but fully loaded with Garmin's trademark accuracy and simple operation.