It’s a small event in the GPS world: Route 66 commercialized its own PND! Known for some time as a major producer of navigation software, up until now Route 66 only offered programs that functioned in PDAs. Its market grew with the integration of Route 66 software to certain units such as the Airis T920.

 

This time this company is back with its programs in its own PND. The advantage is double: Offer the client a product with a brand name that has proved itself for years in the world of navigation, and then assure an optimal follow-up with regular updates.

 

 

Available in four versions, we obtained the one that offers TMC and maps of France: the Chicago 7000 Pro. In the catalogue we also find the 6000 (with maps of France, without TMC), the 8000 (European maps, without TMC), the 9000 (maps of Europe, with TMC).

 

It’s easily transportable, particularly thanks to its thin width of 2.2 cm. This does not stop the 7000 Pro from having a comfortable tactile screen of 4.3 inches in large format (480 x 272 points), making it one of the largest screens for this type of unit. It’s equipped with traditional 400 MHz and Sirf III chips, which is what we find most on the market.

 

 

It’s on the inside that we find the true strong points of this PND, more specifically with its search engine for destinations, the « QuickSearch ». With Route 66, you don’t fill in the country, then the town, then the street. Type all the information on the destination line and the search is considerably shorter. This adds another non negligible advantage where it’s finally possible to easily access place names, monuments or any other place where you don’t know the name of the town. For example, you want to go to the Musée Rodin somewhere outside of Paris, but you don’t know the exact address. Simply type « musée Rodin » in the Chicago 7000 Pro, and it gives you the exact address; 19 avenue Auguste Rodin in Meudon. It’s as simple as that and this applies to all search criteria-as long as they are distinct. If you have to go to a friend’s house on Jean Jaurès street, you will also have to find the town for the 3390 responses that the search engine generates. Good luck.

 

Note that in activating Chicago, it will ask for a PC connected to the Internet to get rid of the message that systematically appears in turning it on. The same is required to activate the TMC. In both cases you don’t have to connect the PND to a PC, because it only concerns entering in a code on their website. On the other hand, if you choose to do this, you will receive a code for your GPS.

 

The interface is quite straightforward and pleasantly displays items for the demanding driver: Road signs, speed limits as well as a sound to indicate an upcoming radar. Updates are even available on this manufacturer’s website for this last item.

 

 

In practice, directions are clear and precise, all of this given by a pleasant voice that welcomes us to Route 66 each time we turn it on. Supported by Premium version TMC, in other words the best version, all destinations take road traffic into account. The recalculation of itineraries is quick, and the driver doesn’t find himself stuck waiting for new directions.

We did, however, find satellite reception a little weak with our all-weather windshield and had to place the GPS right next to the rear-view mirror (where there is no coating) for things to function properly. Too bad, because we were so close to perfection!