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| Reviews Summary for Navigator by US Interface |
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Reviews: 26
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $369
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Description: The Navigator is a high quality interface between the rig and the computer, for use in running the digital modes such as PSK31, Olivia, MFSK, Hellschreiber, MT-63, etc. It also works fine for SSTV using many popular software programs such as MMSSTV.
The Navigator interfaces to the rig using a USB port, thus it does not require a serial port on the computer. It provides CAT control to the rig via a serial connection from the Navigator to the rig. The Navigator is completely configured and defined in software, and future updates are expected to be flash-ROM updates that can be installed by the user.
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More info: http://www.usinterface.com
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You can
write your own review of the Navigator by US Interface.
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W5AER
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 5, 2008 23:39
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Top Quality
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After buying several brands of interfaces, the Navigator is a keeper. The others either stopped working (RigExpert) or didn't do what they were supposed to (SignaLink). Having been a quality control manager, the Navigator rates at the top. Just like my Omni-VII, it does what it is advertised to do. I had hooked up directly to the Omni, and used VOX, but I didn't have the control I have with the Navigator. Certainly worth the cost.
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K0XD
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 29, 2008 20:16
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Great hardware, Super customer service backup
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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HARDWARE WORKS PERFECTLY ESPECIALLY WITH HRD AND DM780 BUT BEST OF ALL IS CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH ANY COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE PROBLEMS. GLENN WILL GET IT WORKING!
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ZL1WN
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 13, 2008 19:04
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I 'm buying another
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I ordered my Navigator via the Internet, it arrived in NZ (yesterday) very quickly.
It took me less than 2 hours to have it up and running, in which time I had to find the bits to make up the interface cables for my Orion II.
The software loaded perfectly on my Vista machine.
The manuals are very good and lead you step by step with setting up the normal digital programs.
It was much easier to get going than my normal sound cards, which use virtual ports etc.
I had a couple of questions for Glenn, about using the Navigator with various programs I need for EME, those have been answered extremely fully and quickly.
Would I buy another, yes, I will shortly place an order for another unit, which I will use with a forthcoming Elecraft K3.
Disclaimer: I have no connection with USInterface except as a very satisfied customer.
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WG9U
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 9, 2008 08:07
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Superior Engineering and Design Feature Sets.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I’m in a profession where you only hear about your failures and never the successes, with respect to consumers/customers, it’s the nature of engineering for the most part. However, I received my new Navigator yesterday and after some relatively extensive examination and practical application, I have to say the actual unit/product has exceeded its hype on the forums, and the marketing literature. Thus, the reason for the review.
A plethora of individuals in this section have already pointed out some of the most outstanding feature sets and engineering designs, so I won't go over the same ground twice. In fact, there are so many features you need to go to the site and spend some time researching the device. Before moving on, I would like to briefly interject, that the noise floor specs. that Glenn touts are actually, quite conservative. The Navigator's performance in field testing was quite a bit more impressive. More on that later.
In reality, I’m a skeptic by nature, a critical survival instinct in my professional, which makes my next statement all the more pertinent. The Navigator unit is one of the most well designed, best manufactured digital interfaces I have used to date, bar none. The surface mount assembly is of excellent quality, and the case design could pass Mil Spec – MIL-HDBK (1000 – 1499). OK, you may have to add an insane quantity of additional screws…! The organization, conciseness, and clarity of the documentation would allow my seven (7) year old grandson to install and configure the device, and have it up and running in under thirty (30) minutes. Additionally, with the exception of the actual radio interface cable, the package came complete with every item you need to get up and running. Everything from application software, operating system drivers, and a audio CODEC, to USB interconnect cable was included, nothing further to buy. The “all-in-one” Navigator has eliminated multiple devices in my shack and greatly reduced my overall long term equipment costs and clutter.
The flash update capability is a very attractive and necessary feature for me personally. A note on that; actually Glenn and I spoke about this and although it IS direct flash capable, the US Government required them to limit that functionality to its units only. Commercial upgrades will be handled by use of software downloads... Effectively, same same, for the end-user.
You may be asking, so what's that noise floor mombo jumbo and what does that mean to me? Simply stated; you can detect signals i.e. see them in the waterfall (and decode), that are buried in the the noise with other interfaces. I contribute that to the superb RFI filtering and audio isolation. I did a comparison between the Navigator and two top name brand interfaces that I own, utilizing a simple static environment methodology (SEM) and the results were quite definitive, although it was a subjective comparison, from a standardized product testing perspective. The Navigator exhibited a marked sensitivity advantage, with regard to signal reception. Please note, that the results I obtained were based on controlled, however, very limited test parameters, and were strictly subjective in nature. Your results may vary based upon a multitude of environmental variables, such as computer, radio, transmission line isolation, RF leakage, etc. in your particular shack. I am confident however, that in a comparative test between interfaces in your particular environment, the results will be similar, relatively speaking.
The bottom line is that in my brief experience with the Navigator, it is a superior device electrically and functionally, in all respects. I can say without a doubt that this was the best equipment investment I’ve made in a long time, and worth every penny.
73,
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KA0G
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 27, 2008 12:40
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Outstanding! Does everything I could expect
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I received my Navigator two days after ordering it. No small task since Glen is on the other side of the country. Once I cleared up one ambiguity about how the comm ports were set up, I was up and running. This unit works flawlessly. If only HRD had direct FSK, things would be even better. MMTTY does support direct FSK though, and my TenTec Orion II works nicely with the Navigator as the interface. The sound codec in Navigator is awesome too! The waterfall is much cleaner when compared to my old computer sound card.
The $369(US) might seem a little steep to some. To me, it is a very worthwhile investment.
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N1LF
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 17, 2008 10:47
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The best at any price!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've owned the USB Navigator for about four months now, and previously owned the Rigblaster Pro interface from West Mountain Radio. While I was generally pleased with the performance of the Rig Blaster Pro, I hated the rats nest of audio cables.
While researching a better solution, I discovered that the Rig Blaster Pro now came in a USB model. Excited, I dug a bit deeper only to find out that this "update" was really just a serial port to USB adpater...and that it would do nothing to simplify my operating station.
By comparison, the Navigator is a dream come true. The company offers custom made cables to fit nearly any radio---and installation is a snap. One USB cable runs to the computer, and another to the jacks on the rear of the radio. I currently have cables for my Icom 746Pro, Kenwood TS-2000, and Yaesu FT-857. The USB cable provides power for the unit, so none of those ugly little Wal-Wart power supplies (another advantage over the Rigblaster series)
Tired of constantly adjusting the sound card settings depending on mode or even bands? Forget it. With the Navigator, you simply adjust one knob and can alter both input and output sound levels with ease. LED Status lights never leave you guessing about what's going on...and there are no jumpers to adjust ever!
As others have commented, it's built like a tank. Perfect for mobile and emergency communications settings where any device can take a beating. It interfaces easily with MixW, Ham Radio Deluxe, Digi-Pan, MMTTY, etc. Worked the ARRL RTTY Contest last weekend, and really gave the station a workout. Despite band changes, and mode changes between RTTY and PSK-31, it never gave me even a bit of trouble.
RFI, even with an amp isn't an issue...and the built in sound card is very high quality. Compared directly against a Creative High End PCI card with 96khz/24 bit duplex capabilities...could detect and copy the weakest PSK signals visible on the display.
It's truly plug and play for digital modes...and tech support is just a polite phone call away if needed. The latest update for MixW is going to include an even easier "set up" routine for the Navigator, making that combination even better.
Buy this one, and you won't be disappointed. I have no financial or personal connection to the company, and my opinions are my own.
For the record, West Mountain Radio makes great products as well...I just think they're a bit behind the design curve when it comes to USB interfaces. The only thing missing now is a reliable Bluetooth interface that includes audio.
73,
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N3HSH
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 28, 2007 07:27
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The Best!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The shipping was superfast, the manuals detailed and well organized and the product performance is great! I researched long and hard in deciding with what to replace my aged PK232 which served me well for many years. The quality of this product, the many fine reviews and the fact I could use FSK, my preferred means of sending RTTY, helped me to decide.
Set-up with my Icom 746PRO was no problem and I am currently using the Navigator for RTTY, morse, (it has a built-in keyer) and PSK31. It is great to use such a quality product that is made in the good ol' USA! This thing is built like a tank.
The adage that you get what you pay for rings true. This is not the least expensive interface, but in my opinion, it is the best value and the best performer.
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N2NS
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 6, 2007 20:43
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It Works!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I purchased a Navigator after unsuccessfully struggling for months to get a competing product to integrate into my XP (USB only) computer/N1MM logger/Orion II xcvr. The Navigator is well built, well documented, and it works! Tech support is the best I've seen, bar none.
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AA0GD
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 21, 2007 18:39
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Fantastic Piece of Gear!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Returning after a 10 yr hiatus from Amateur Radio operations, I was shocked to learn just how things had changed. When I left digital operations, the venerable PK232 (by AEA) was “King of the Hill” and RTTY and AMTOR dominated the digital portions of the band. When I returned, I looked for my old digital friend, only to learn that the company was out of business, and that TNC’s weren’t even listed in most radio catalogues. Then I learned of all the new sound card modes being generated by a computer and a ‘digital interface’ and oh, my………talk about a revolution!
It was with a certain amount of trepidation that I began the process of selecting a digital interface from everything that was out there. After plowing through everything I could find, I settled on the Navigator, by US Interface. Before actually purchasing the equipment I called Glenn at tech support to ask some questions. I found him to be extremely helpful, very knowledgeable and more than willing to work with me. Navigator is not the cheapest interface on the market. And us “HAM’S” have a well documented history of being cheap. (Not unexpected, considering that many of us got into this hobby by going Dumpster Diving for spare parts!) However, I was so impressed with Glenn and what I had seen and read that I bit the bullet for the extra change. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
The Navigator is an absolute dream. The order process was clean, I was told when it would arrive and contrary to my experiences with other companies, it was here when they said it would be. It was well packaged for shipping and arrived free of damage. When I opened a box, I found an extremely solid, professionally made unit.
As soon as the opportunity presented itself, I set about the task of setting up the Navigator. I run a Kenwood TS-850 and a Dell P-4 computer, running XP Professional. Contrary to my typical nature as a HAM, one night after work, I decided to print out the documentation and actually read it BEFORE I ran into problems. I found that the documentation was very well written and illustrated with full screen captures to guide me through the process.
The following evening I sat down at the computer and followed the instructions word for word. When I finished, I installed the terminal software I had chosen and fired everything up for the first time. It was a sight to behold! Everything worked absolutely flawless.
I am no stranger to the world of technology and rarely have I seen a unit as well documented as this unit. And on top of it, when you get all done it does what it says it’s going to do! I can’t say enough good about the Navigator and US Interface. If you’re in the market, do yourself a favor, save yourself the hassle and go for the Navigator. You won’t be disappointed!
73’s
John (AA0GD)
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G1VDP
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 12, 2007 22:38
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Fantastic bit of kit
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have now had my interface for 2 weeks and been using it on CW and RTTY, and using MixW and my FT2000D to good effect. I have certainly improved my CW country count, and during the CQWW RTTY contest my country count went up no end.
The only problem I had was when I first started the set up and because I had been using a SignaLink SL-1 previously I had the setting in the MixW software set to "AFSK in place of FSK" which was preventing me from transmitting. But a quick post on the Navigator reflector and the problem was fixed - usual thing the simplest problem has the easiest answer and I could not see where I was going wrong.
Thanks to the guys at the UK suppliers for the quick service in delivering the product and I certainly will recomend the Navigator to any one who asks for any advice on how to get on the Data modes, and to any one who will listen. Again it has helped my country count no end this past few weeks and I am now operating more on DATA than on SSB.
Cheers and beers,
Chris Colclough
G1VDP
WAB Awards Publicity Officer
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