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Everything you could want in a sat-nav unit, and at a good price
Built around a 400MHz Samsung processor and based on Windows CE 5.0, the Medion Gopal PNA465 has that familiar PDA look about it. A subtle black design and virtually button-free fascia, however, lend it a more sophisticated air.
Those fond of hardware controls may bemoan the loss of physical buttons but, in truth, this has little impact on day-to-day use of the device. Its simple interface is perfectly straightforward to navigate using touchscreen-only control. The only minor point here is that the Gopal will occasionally throw up an unfamiliar icon or symbol.
The Gopal is responsive and fast, so route planning is painless, especially since full postcode address searches are supported. The PNA465 also uses a Sirfstar III receiver chip, which means that it is quick to acquire a satellite and locate itself, and maintains a good lock on the signal while on the road.
Many of the features that other manufacturers seem to consider optional extras at the sub-£300 price point are included here as standard. Navteq maps for the UK and mainland Europe are provided, for example, as is a mains power adapter. Better still is the inclusion of free access to TMC traffic updates, which is a rare thing indeed for a product at this price.
The Gopal uses Trafficmaster RDS radio information to reroute you around congested areas and as such requires the use of an FM aerial. This is also supplied with the package, but installation can be messy, since it adds another cable to the mix.
As far as extras go, the PNA465 comes with support for multimedia (photos and mp3s) and includes some useful Berlitz City Guide information. One of its best features, however, is the large 4.3in LCD. With a resolution of 480x272 pixels, the screen is bright, clear and easy on the eye.
This article is part of a group test of 10 satellite-navigation devices
See also:
Introduction
Acer p610
Garmin
Nuvi 310
Magellan
Roadmate 3050T
Mio
Digiwalker C510E
Navman
N40i
Novogo
S700
Sony Nav-u NV-U50T
Tomtom
One Europe
ViaMichelin
X-950
A tables of features can be read via our pdf download above
Read more reviews
Pros: Free traffic alerts; large screen; European maps
Cons: Few hardware buttons
Overall: The PNA465 has almost everything covered and
represents great value to boot
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Unreliable hardware and faulty postcode database
The postcode database is faulty. Twice in one day it took me to a point well over a mile from my destination. The first time was the Waddesdon Manor NT property, where it took me to a completely different village! The touch screen failed completely after about 2 weeks. Response to my email complaint was slow (they promised 2 working days, but took 5). I still (after a couple of iterations) had to ring the emergency support number to arrange a collection, but there seemed to have been no information exchange with the email support. The unit was collected a week ago, but when I phoned today to enquire about progress, I was told that they were waiting for a part and did not know when it would arrive. I have now owned this unit for nearly 2 months and have had use out of it for 2 weeks. The faulty postcode database wasted a lot of time, and the service has been appalling. I have given the device a one star rating only because I reluctantly acknowledge that when it was working it did some things very well.
Posted by Richard Hann, 03 May 2007
Still no action
Just to let you know that I sent Medion's "hotline" an email with a link to this page and pointing them to my comments on 4th May. I have had no response during this week, so obviously they must regard this as normal quality and service.
Posted by Richard Hann, 11 May 2007
Still waiting - don't touch this with a bargepole
I have sent multiple emails to the "hotline" and received no answer at all - in spite of referring them to this website. I rang Medion today, and they are still waiting for the part and refused to put me through to a manager.
Posted by Richard Hann, 21 May 2007
Medion P4210
I have had mine for about 3 weeks - seems to work fine Postcode search has been wrong once - otherwise OK Maps seem accurate (few new estates missing) TMC seems to work - I get the green icon quite often and have had advise about congestion Speed camera warnings are good (unless on the Newton Road in West Bromwich - beep beep beep....) POI Warner upgrade is great (if you add a decent database of POI's) It seems great value for money - work out how much you would pay for the equivalent TomTom
Posted by Patrick Warner, 13 Jun 2007
Update = Medion customer service is the pits
When the operator refused to put me through to a manager, they said the only way to complain was to write in. I sent off a letter of complaint to the German headquarters (the only address I could find on the website) together with a copy to the UK branch (which had included an address at the end of an email). This was on 21st May. I have still had no response to either letter. Much to my surprise, I did receive the Satnav on 24 May. It appeared to be working (although still with the postcode glitches as previously noted). It continued to work in France and England until 3 June, when it started switching back to the welcome screen and giving error messages. I phoned the hotline on 5 June, and was taken through several attempts to cure the fault before being told I would need to reinstall the software on the card and reinstate it on the machine. This worked, and I now have a working Satnav again ? but for how long? My conclusions so far: The PNA465 is unreliable with a flawed postcode database The customer support is truly terrible. I have no complaints about the handling of the recent software corruption problem, but the delay in repair was excessive, and the total lack of communication or apology is unbelievable.
Posted by Richard Hann, 07 Jun 2007
Medion helpdesk doesn't
purchased a Medion MD 96240 Sat Nav,the memory card was corrupted so rang Medion Helpdesk for replacement, spent time and money talking to people reading parrot fashion of a computer screen, banging head against a brick wall. Whent back to Aldi and Manager got in touch with Medion and even rang me to say Medion would ring me within 24hrs. 96hrs later zilch!!.Now! I can go back and get a refund but this Sat Nav is a great bit of kit and all it needs is a replacement SD card or help on where I place APD files on flash disk as I have spare SD cards.I will hang on but judging by the helpdesk I will not hold out much hope.If I were Medion I would get rid of this useless helpdesk as it must be losing customers and!! they are paying it to do so as my friends and myself will not buy another Medion product judging by the standard of service. reminds me of the graphic card drivers in the early nineties Diamond Stealth AGH!!!
Posted by harry, 27 Jul 2007
PNA 465 update
Just to let you know how I am getting on a few more months down the road. The Satnav has been working without furhter problems(!), although I always double check the location of any postcodes entered. Medion have not bothered to reply to my letters of complaint to HQ in the UK and in Germany. I can sympathise with Harry and his experiences with the helpdesk. I was fortunate in eventually being moved on to somebody who knew what he was doing and advised the correct procedure for reinstating the card. (If anyone else is in this situation, wipe the card and reinstall the software from the PC).
Posted by Richard Hann, 08 Oct 2007
Gopal PNA 465
My experience with Medion and their Gopal has been disastrous.Fist purchased March 07 I have had constant serious problems with the unit,and it's ultimate replacement.Same faults, same atrocious service.12 months of utter frustration,and no further forward.The specs. are excellent and on the brief occasions that it functions it is a very useful tool.I am once again reduced to scratching about in the dark,with Maps!!!
Posted by Pete Jackson, 04 Mar 2008
Don't go near Medion!
I bought this Satnav back in Nov 2008 and found several problems with it: 1. In 3D mode the sky takes up a third of the screen! If I want to look at the sky I'll look out of the window thank you ... show me roads, that's what I paid for! 2. I have been led down an unacceptable number of wrong turns, even dead ends 3. The electronic voice is impossible to understand on some occasions 4. Every time I go into the device I have to reset it to 3D (it doesn't stay in that mode) 5. The speed limit numbers it gives me are often wrong 6. The menu system is incredibly non-intuitive. I work in computer systems so I'm familiar with technology, but setting a destination is a nightmare on this device
Posted by Sean Arkless, 06 Jul 2009