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See All Auto GPS

TeleNav Shotgun

Discontinued

Reviewed

July 2009

Pros

Constantly updated traffic information
Unlimited addresses via the Internet
Automatic over-the-air updates
Can send addresses wirelessly to the unit
Slim design

Cons

Doesn't pick the best routes
Service subscription is expensive
Software bugs
User interface needs work
Less sensitive receiver than others
No Bluetooth

Our Analysis

The TeleNav Shotgun and the TomTom Go 740 Live (Discontinued) are both Internet-connected GPS units, but testers much prefer the TomTom. Both units connect wirelessly to the Internet, giving you constant traffic information, gas prices, etc., as well as an unlimited well of addresses. The Shotgun offers a couple of very useful features -- experts particularly like the automatic mileage tracker (for expense reports) and the ability to send addresses to the unit wirelessly from a computer -- but the Shotgun doesn't navigate as well as Garmin, Magellan and TomTom units in tests. It doesn't choose the best routes, it has some annoying quirks (more than one reviewer complains that it tends to cover the whole screen with inane announcements just when you really need to see the map) and testers say it sometimes crashes or can't seem to get a satellite lock.

In its usual thorough fashion, GPSMagazine.com tests the TeleNav Shotgun from top to bottom. Reviews at GPSReview.net, GPSLodge.com, CNET and PC World aren't as lengthy, but they are detailed. Experts at ConsumerReports.org test the TeleNav Shotgun's navigation ability but not its Internet-connected features. Retail websites are usually the richest sources of owner-written reviews, but since TeleNav sells the Shotgun through its own website, we found no good source of user feedback.

Our Sources

1. GPSMagazine.com

This expert reviewer thoroughly tests every aspect of the TeleNav Shotgun. He likes the Internet connection, but otherwise says the unit isn't a very good navigator.

Review: TeleNav Shotgun Review, Fletcher Previn, Feb. 14, 2009

2. GPSReview.net

The TeleNav Shotgun is "a good start" for this fledgling GPS maker, but reviewer Tim Flight finds some kinks that TeleNav needs to work out. He evaluates the unit's navigation and Internet-connected abilities, as well as usability.

Review: TeleNav Shotgun, Tim Flight, Nov. 9, 2008

3. GPSReview.net

Tim Flight compares only the services of the TeleNav Shotgun and the other Internet-connected GPS unit, the TomTom Go 740 Live. (He tests the performance of both in other reviews, but he doesn't consider performance here.) He concludes that the TeleNav unit offers more services for the money.

Review: TomTom 740 Live Vs. TeleNav Shotgun, Tim Flight, April 1, 2009

4. GPSLodge.com

Scott Martin tests the TeleNav Shotgun on his 35-mile commute into Boston. He finds a lot to like about the GPS unit's Internet connection, which he says provides much more accurate traffic information than a nonconnected unit.

Review: TeleNav Shotgun Connected GPS Full Review, Scott Martin, March 23, 2009

5. CNET

Tester Bonnie Cha finds that the TeleNav Shotgun's Internet-connected features mostly work well, but it falls short on its main purpose: navigation. She awards it three stars (out of five).

Review: TeleNav Shotgun, Bonnie Cha, Updated Jan. 29, 2009

6. PC World Details/Subscribe

This test-based review discusses every major feature of the TeleNav Shotgun. Reviewer Yardena Arar is impressed with the Internet connection, which connects quickly and provides all kinds of unique services.

Review: TeleNav Shotgun, Yardena Arar, Nov. 19, 2008

7. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

The TeleNav Shotgun is one of 96 GPS units tested and ranked by ConsumerReports.org. Editors mention its Internet connectivity in this individual write-up, but its ratings are based on its performance as a navigator.

Review: TeleNav Shotgun, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

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