Nextar Q4-MD 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with 1-Year MSN Direct Service Included
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The Nextar Q4-MD mobile navigation system with MSN Direct (12 months free) assures that your days of getting lost are over. Finding an address or any one of 1.6 million points of interest such as the nearest gas station or restaurant is a snap anywhere in the U.S and Canada. Just enter information on the Q4-MD 4.3 inch touch screen and let the voice prompt and detailed map guide you to the destination. The Q4-MD has a built in stereo speaker, high sensitive antenna, SD card slot and MP3 and photo viewer. The Q4-MD has Text-To-Speech navigation that clearly pronounces instructions including street names(English). The MSN Direct features traffic and weather reports, news headlines, current gas prices, local events including movie times and stock quotes. First year of MSN direct is included. Subscription required for MSN Direct service after the first year. Preloaded with USA map that includes Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico on 1 GB SD card. Additional features include MP3 player and JPeg image viewer built in. Also includes AC/DC Adapter, Car Power Adapter, Suction cup, protection/carry pouch and USB cable.
Features
- Nextar Q4-MD In-Dash Vehicle Navigation System with MSN Direct
- Pre-loaded with maps of the U.S and Canada on a pre-loaded SD memory card
- Plays MP3s so driver and/or passengers can listen to their favorite MP3 files while in vehicle
- Includes one-year free of MSN Direct Services
- Storage capability for up to 300 addresses of favorite destinations
- Dimensions (W x H x L): 1 x 3 x 5 inches
- Weight: 0 pounds
The price is right
I bought this to replace my old Nextar, since it’s maps were out of date and there was no way to update them. The new one is thinner, easier to read, has better spoken instructions, and has some very nice features. The MSN Direct, however, didn’t work, and I found that even if it did, it would only be availabe for for a short time, as MSN was canceling the service. The problem is that you must use the bulky MSN Direct antenna between your car’s power source and the GPS, creating a mess of cables. I was able to find a good power cable on eBay that bypasses the MSN Direct antenna, however, so that is no longer a problem. Since the MSN Direct services didn’t really provide anything I need, and only works in selected areas, I don’t really miss it. The future end of the service is probably why the unit is selling so cheaply; without the MSN Direct, the unit works well and is priced lower than comparable units from other manufacturers.
Pros:
You have your choice of five different “voices” (male and female) in three languages.
The screen keyboard is in QWERTY format
When entering an address, the only keys you see are those that are possible. For example, if you start typing Albuq, the only letter you can choose next is U.
On freeways, the screen will display the green overhead signs and highlight the one you should follow. If there are multiple lanes, it will highlight the lane you should be in.
You can choose which information you want displayed in addition to the map (i.e., distance to destination, time to destination, ETA, speed, speed limit, compass, etc.)
Cons:
The menus are not consistent in appearance or action, and it’s sometimes hard to find the menu you need.
The map scale changes automatically according to speed and distance to the next turn, and sometimes it chooses a scale other than the one I would like. Manually changing it is difficult.
In one section of northwest Albuquerque it went nuts, sending me down streets that didn’t exist and wanting me to turn into empty fields. Elsewhere it has been very accurate, though.
The POI were sometimes out of date, and accessing them on screen is not intuitive.
Bottom line, all GPS units have their flaws and foibles, and this one works just as well overall as any other, but at a much lower price. If you get one, be sure you understand the two separate on-off switches, which are not clearly explained in the manual. The button on top only switches the display on and off. The one on the back actually shuts the entire unit down. If you are not going to be using the unit for more than few hours, use the main power switch on the back to turn it off. Otherwise the battery will run down.
Get another brand
This unit has old maps and is just not very good overall. Look for for a good deal on a Garmin or Tom Tom unit that has great reviews.
It works most of the time, but with glitches
The good:
iGo8 software is awesome, with text-to-speech, lane assist, deep pool of POIs. In fact, the abundance of the POIs sometimes makes my thought of getting a smart phone (I think I will only use it for searching locations while on the go) sound stupid. MSN direct offers traffic update which I found useful a few times too.
The bad:
The biggest annoyance is whenever I let the device to shut down by itself after I cut the power off (iGo8 has this function), the device will have problem turning back on. I had to use the hardware slide switch on the back of the unit to cycle the power, which is a bit inconvenient.
The other issue I have is with MSN direct, and 99% of the people won’t have it: I drive a diesel car, and MSN direct only shows gas prices nearby. This is a very useful function for most people, but I found it the other way. Unfortunately it cannot be configured.
So the bottom line is:
It does what it’s supposed to do. for less than $90. I really have no complain.
It is a good navigation device, but may not be good for everyone
After using Garmin GPS for many years, I thought to make a change, and I bought this Nextar. To my surprise, it is not that easy to use this one. After 2 week try, my wife still does not like it. So I bought another Garmin, 1350T. Comparing Garmin and Nextar, you will see Garmin is so easy to use. To do a same thing, you will touch more to use Nextar than Garmin.
However, Nextar indeed has its advantage over Garmin. Nextar gets signal sooner than Garmin. If you turn on the two devices inside a house, Nextar gets a gps signal very quickly, while Garmin could not get the signal. Nextar has more functions than Garmin. Because there are more functions in Nextar, it is not easy to follow the menu. Even to change a destination, you will have to touch the scrren many times. Also, Nextar display more informations on the screen. But you may not like all those displays.
Another thing I do not like Nextar is the power switch. The power is not automatically on when you plug in the power. You have to press the power buttern for a long 5 seconds.
About the sound quanlity, Garmin is much better than Nextar.
Overall, if you just want a gps, go for Garmin. If you want to explore more, try Nextar.
Wonderful g.p.s. system.
First time in the g.p.s. user system and this is the new deal, especially with the free year of msm direct. Took it in a 200 mile round trip and it was wonderful device as far as electronics syncronizing with satellites…. just wonderful..i’m a happy camper…
Great GPS
This GPS from Nextar is awesome and for the price , you can’t go wrong, great display , turn by turn directions , came with 1yr free service from MSN Direct wich i used in a recent trip to Canada, keeps you updated to live traffic reports and recalculated my route when i needed to avoid traffic jams… Can’t be beat for the price and I stack it up against any other major brand out there. This is my second unit from Nextar and they re up there with the best of them….
First time user. Not bad device.
First time user. Never used other GPS before. So I cannot make a comparison. But it is pretty easy to use with good function. My wife loves it. Would recommend for others.
Beware!
Don’t buy anything Nextar! They’re a total crock! They, without notice to registered owners, stop having updates for maps when they feel like it. It’s one use like having to use an old Rand McNally atlas for the year you bought it forever. They want you to participate in their ‘exchange program’ and buy a new one! Buy from a more reputable manufacturer – please!
Better than Garmin for the features I need
Most of them is going for Garmin or TomTom or Magellen. As I have used both Garmin and Nextar I find nextar features better than Garmin for my use. Price is less and also more accessories. One problem I see is that if you want audio player and also navigation at the same time its not possible in nextar. POI is better categorized in nextar and more update to date than Garmin. Lane guidance is available. The MSN traffic is not directly integrated into your route. It will warn you and you have manually do avoid those routes from the route. Garmin does not do that right any way. Overall I like it.
Practical MSN Direct!
About this GPS, the navigation system itself is just like the Q4 that I bought before, it can connect to the satellite real quick and provide accurate route guide. Because I get used to the operating system of Nextar’s Q4 already, for this product, what I am concern is the function of MSN Direct.
This unit comes with 1 year free MSN Direct service. It can tell you much useful live information, such as live traffic, gas price, news headline, local weather, and even the stock quotes. At the first, I am not sure if it can provide “real” live information about everything included in its service. Surprisingly, it does bring me the newest and correct information about the gas price and the live traffic report………these two services are what I need the most. Through it, I get to drive to the Universal Studio on Sunday without sticking with the traffic on the freeway and find a Shell gas station with the lowest price for V-power gas. To me, these two practical services create a significant value for this GPS, not to mention that it offers lots more live information as well.
And for the most important of all, comparing to its price, the value it creates has greatly exceeded my expectations!