3. What's in the box? (Unboxing)

Figure 1: Novogo S700 BT Retail Box, Unopened

The S700 BT ships in a square, white box, similar in size to the box Garmin uses for their StreetPilot devices.

Figure 2: Novogo S700 BT Retail Box, Opened

Figure 3: Everything that's included with the Novogo S700 BT

Here you see everything that ships with the S700 BT:

• Novogo S700 BT Navigator
• Car holder
• Suction mount
• Cigarette lighter adapter
• Mini USB cable
• Novogo map CD
• Warranty card
• Hardware installation guide
• Rechargeable Li-on battery
• Quickstart guide
• SD memory card with map data pre-loaded
  

Figure 4: Included 12v cigarette lighter adapter

Figure 5: Car Holder

Novogo's documentation calls this piece the "Car Holder". It attaches to the end of the windshield suction mount, and creates a quick-release style cradle to hold the S700.

Figure 6: Included mini-USB cable

The S700 BT includes a mini USB cable for connecting the unit to a PC via the USB port.

Figure 7: Suction Mount

When I first saw the included windshield suction mount that ships with the S700, I thought it was overkill. But after using the mount for a few days, I grew extremely fond of the German-engineered mount. An innovative slide built in to the neck of the mount tightens or releases the suction against the windshield, making it easy to attach or remove the mount from the glass. Even after a week of frequent mountings / unmountings, the mount never lost suction or showed signs of wear.

Figure 8: Car holder, attached to the suction mount

Fully assembled, the windshield mounting setup (suction mount with the "car holder" bracket connected to the mount) measures about 6.5" in length.

4. S700 BT Hardware

Figure 9: Novogo S700 BT, Front

The S700 is a decent looking GPS. It feels light in the hand, and not particularly solid in construction. One good drop and I suspect the S700 could break apart.

Four physical buttons are placed near each of the four corners:

• Power button (top left)
• Hands-free button (lower left)
• GPS status / save current position button (upper right)
• Repeat buttons (lower right)

Although they look like speakers on either side of the 3.5" touchscreen, the audio speaker is actually located on the rear of the unit. The left speaker-grill is cosmetic; the right speaker-grill conceals the built-in microphone (for use with the hands-free calling feature).

Figure 10: Novogo S700 BT, Left Side

The DC power input plug is located on the left side of the S700. The SD memory card slot is located under the flap.

Figure 11: Novogo S700 BT, Rear

Looking at the rear of the S700, one of the first things you notice is that the battery compartment is easily accessible, meaning battery replacements won't require professional servicing.

The S700 also includes a stylus, which can be stored in the stylus compartment located below the battery compartment.

An external GPS antenna connector is located above the audio speaker.

Figure 12: Novogo S700 BT, right side

The right side of the S700 is home to a volume up/down control, and an audio output jack and TMC traffic port are located under the flap.

Figure 13: Novogo S700 BT, right side

Audio output and TMC ports are located on the right side of the S700, under the protective flap.

Figure 14: Novogo S700 BT, Bottom

The master on/off switch and USB port or located on the bottom of the S700.

Figure 15: Novogo S700 BT, Top

Notice the two grooves on the top of the S700. When docking or undocking the unit from the windshield mount, these notches line-up with the cradle and hold the unit in place.