Motorola TN765T - 5.1 in. Car GPS Receiver

I travel. I mean, I drive A LOT. In the two years with my current employer, I've put just over 72,000 miles on the company car. And, although I often go to the same places, I almost as often have to find locations with which I am not familiar. Having a GPS navigation system was an immediate need.

I first bought a Magellin RoadMate 1220. It was simple, low cost and met my immediate need, even if it did send me down a few dead end dirt roads. I also didn't like having to pull off somewhere to type in my next destination. So, I started looking around for what else might be available.

Cost was still a concern of mine so I searched for something that was about $100. It was about ayear ago and I could not believe my good fortune when I stumbled across the Motorola Motonav 765t. This GPS unit not only sells for $98 but also has Bluetooth Technology and Voice Recognition! So, instead of pulling off the road and wasting time, I discovered I could speak the directions. Plus when the Boss called, I wouldn't have to fumble for my cell phone while driving. Our company frowns on driver caused accidents.

I also like what Motorola calls their "5.1" cinimatic display." Yes, rather than square, it's dimensions are like a movie theater screen...except for the fact that it's just over 5 inches wide. On the lower left of the display is a small microphone icon. Touch that while your driving and that is the only time your hand needs to leave the wheel. My little female guide, whom I call Madge, then asks me to "say a command." Everything else is by voice. I can "change city," "enter address," "find place," or even "call contact." The Bluetooth feature has allowed me to sync my cellphone contacts with the Motonav so after I say, "call contact" and Madge asks, "what contact?" I only have to speak the name and tell my little dashboard assistant to "make call."

Another fun and useful feature of this affordable GPS navigator is a little area on the left side of the display that you can open or close with a touch. Once open, you can scroll through information without ever leaving your map and directions. This area can display turn by turn directions; nearby Points of Interest (POI); speed, direction and elevation and more. There are also volume control and mute buttons on the side and a couple of programmable buttons (although I don't use those).

On the downside, Madge sometimes doesn't understand me but few women do and at least she displays a keyboard when I need it. Also, the mounting arm could use some redesign. It's a little too simple and could use something to dampen vibration. Because it's a jointed but basically solid arm, I believe it transmits vibrations from the car/windshield so that sometimes people have a difficult time hearing me clearly through the speakerphone. Finally, it gets hot! I mean, when you arrive at your destination and want to put it away, you might be playin' hot potatoe with this baby.

Still, I love my Motonav 765t because she talks to me and listens to me when I talk to her.