Review by D. Allin for Nextar Q4-MD 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with 1-Year MSN Direct Service Included
Rating:
I bought this to replace my old Nextar, since it’s maps were out of date and there was no way to update them.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The POI were sometimes out of date, and accessing them on screen is not intuitive.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.

Review by Larry Schulin for Nextar Q4-MD 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with 1-Year MSN Direct Service Included
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WARNING !! DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM NEXTAR. IT IS JUNK! THEY ARE A JOKE! NO HELP AT ALL. I WAS TOLD TOO BAD WHEN MY NEW GPS BROKE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. DO NOT BUY… YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Review by WSSiegelaar for Nextar Q4-MD 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with 1-Year MSN Direct Service Included
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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!

Review by Sudhakar Swaminathan for Nextar Q4-MD 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with 1-Year MSN Direct Service Included
Rating:
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.

Review by Ian Chen for Nextar Q4-MD 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with 1-Year MSN Direct Service Included
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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!