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Old 20-01-2021, 12:05   #1
rbk
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Navigationlaptops.com Review

I had been interested in Ivan's product for a few years now and our Mac finally died so this was a perfect opportunity to get a laptop that can run double duty for us and with little to no independent reviews on his product I figured I'd do a quick write up.


13" Panasonic CF-31Toughbook 64bit i7 2.7ghz 8Gb RAM 500GB SSD HD, all available maps (Open CPN and TimeZero Pro nav software) AIS receiver, GPS/GLONASS receiver, Windows 10 pro and basically every premium option available except touchscreen.


The good:
-Every useless piece of software that you normally get with a production laptop is gone It is fast, waterproof and tough with one stop shopping.

The Bad:
-I knew Ivan refurbishes used toughbooks so I wasn't expecting a brand new TB for the price, but it was disappointing to have 'Property of' with someone else's name etched into my laptop (this may be an issue crossing an international border or with local authorities);

-The plug in accessories (AIS/GPS/12V adapter/ and AC adapter) are the cheapest available made in China stuff easily found on Amazon for 1/3 the price offered;

-The internal GPS I paid $80 extra for is from what I can tell incompatible with Windows 10 and was not tested prior to shipping out. Ivan was unaware of the incompatibility and offered help initially, after I tried several solutions with no results communication has all but stopped;

-The DVD/CD burner was shipped separate for me to install (still has yet to arrive);

-The TimeZero bathymetric maps are 'okay' but the google map overlay is a joke and in no way worth the additional money, they are old fuzzy images with next to no resolution (see below pictures, one in SE Alaska one Downtown Vancouver and they do not appear to be any better anywhere else in the world);

-Absolutely no product keys for any installed software;

-When ordering Ivan was very responsive, answered all of my questions almost immediately, after it shipped response time lagged and now he wont respond at all. I am assuming support for his product is now non-existent. I have been polite throughout and given more than adequate time for a response (5 days and counting now, and have entire email chain to back this up)

Summary:
I would give https://navigationlaptops.com/ a 2/5 stars for the lack of quality (on the accessories) and lack of operations testing prior to shipping combined with the lack of technical support. That being said I am more or less happy with the laptop itself (highly expandable, waterproof toughbook) and if I had to do it again I would probably (iffy) order the laptop again, but I would source the accessories separately and certainly not purchase the premium Time Zero maps (although the software is nice).
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Old 27-01-2021, 14:50   #2
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

To add further to this topic the software provided are unauthorized reproductions as well the AC adapter provided is non-certified (UL/ULC/CSA etc) and is illegal for use, sale or distribution in most countries. I would recommend not purchasing any products from Ivan or his website and Amazon and he has been reported to the appropriate authorities. Buyer be ware
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Old 13-10-2021, 17:04   #3
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

A heads up to anyone thinking of buying a laptop system from Navigation Laptops. Ivan scams people into buying an overpriced system with pirated software. The software, TimeZero will stop working after a few months since it needs an admin account after some time has passed.

It's easy to set up any laptop, PC or Mac and use the Open CPN software from https://opencpn.org. This software is free (they accept donations) and updated by a user community. Personally I like this software better than TimeZero software. Not a busy. Please pass the word on.
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Old 17-12-2021, 06:12   #4
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

Thank you for the sharing your experience. I was just about to purchase a laptop from him, he real pitched his product well. I was so excited believing I had found someone that supported his products.
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Old 17-12-2021, 06:24   #5
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

Just a follow up, that after calling him out that nothing he provided was licensed, I have not heard back from him to this day.
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Old 23-12-2021, 21:02   #6
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

I remember people in other threads saying they had good service from https://www.bobjohnson.com/ who specialises in Toughbooks (but I don't have any personal experience).

Of course that is not a 'one stop shop navigation laptop' purchase but as other people have mentioned it's easy enough to install OpenCPN or other software of your choice after purchase.

Hope that helps with the option of a different supplier. I think are a few other third party ToughBook specialists online too.


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Old 23-12-2021, 21:39   #7
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

I have also purchased one, I found the prices reasonable and the responses prompt prior to sale.
However, I have not found anyone else who can supply them as cheaply, but maybe that issue is on my end.
Like you I was not overly impressed to discover that software I was paying for was not legit(windows 10 included).
Same observation on the charger, but for the convenience of a one stop shop, I am willing to overlook the premium.

My tough book has had a technical issue since day 1, and like you I also found the response time dropped to zero, and the spare battery I bought with it lasts noticeably less.

I was considering ordering the charts from him, but now I suppose I won't. Can you elaborate more on the time zero expiry issue?

Given the lack of other cheaper options, I think I will continue to buy from him, the product was (mostly) as specified when delivered, and the shipping was prompt.
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Old 16-07-2022, 03:02   #8
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

The information they received would be of benefit to all who came. Thanks for sharing your own experiences and thoughts on this.
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Old 16-07-2022, 09:11   #9
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Startracker View Post
I have also purchased one, I found the prices reasonable and the responses prompt prior to sale.
However, I have not found anyone else who can supply them as cheaply, but maybe that issue is on my end.
Like you I was not overly impressed to discover that software I was paying for was not legit(windows 10 included).
Same observation on the charger, but for the convenience of a one stop shop, I am willing to overlook the premium.

My tough book has had a technical issue since day 1, and like you I also found the response time dropped to zero, and the spare battery I bought with it lasts noticeably less.

I was considering ordering the charts from him, but now I suppose I won't. Can you elaborate more on the time zero expiry issue?

Given the lack of other cheaper options, I think I will continue to buy from him, the product was (mostly) as specified when delivered, and the shipping was prompt.

Sorry didn’t see this earlier. Time Zero like all the other provided software is unlicensed. I called some local legitimate TZ dealers and confirmed this. It still works (sort of) but without a proper license you cannot take full advantage of the software (overlaid weather, chart updates etc) and are left with a fancy set of maps that are really not all that functional.

As for alternates you can find tough books on eBay for cheap and all internal components are available online and most are plug and play. I forgot to mention that I had to wait for my dvd drive and install it myself. Ivan sent me the partially completed laptop (so he could get my money) then mailed the dvd drive and I had to install it (albeit very easy). This is exactly what Ivan is doing, buying cheap used tough books then adding cheap Chinese hardware he’s bought online and adding illegally pirated software then selling at a premium. My biggest issue is the provider power equipment and possibly batteries as none of these are ULC compliant. Most people tend to leave laptops plugged in with the power cord, these cheap alternatives can be dangerous and cause fires or cheap batteries have a tendency to explode. Most of the components provided had been marked up 3-4 times what I found them online for.
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Old 16-09-2023, 10:22   #10
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

I bought a tough book from Ivan in May 2023. I used it for two weeks and it crashed while I was sailing in the Bahamas. I was careful with it even though it’s supposed to be nearly indestructible. He offered to send out a new hard drive that I could install myself. I told him that I’d like to return it instead. He never replied. I wasn’t going to have him try to send a part outside the US and I had made other arrangements for charts to get me through. I was no longer confident in the product. This was a big inconvenience and a loss of time and resources. Returning the laptop would have a small cost for them as well which I think is fair.

They were very responsive when I was buying but now they won’t answer my calls, texts or emails. I going to have to sue them to get my money back.
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Old 16-11-2023, 18:13   #11
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

I purchased a tablet from Ivan. Bottom line is I have well over $300 in a refurbished $70 tablet. The Glonass system I paid extra for comes already installed in the Imoxee tablet. The Navionics charts that he downloads on the tablet are simply HIS subscription. Anyone can download the Navionics app—which is a great one—for $25 a year and have complete control over it. After a short time i am having some serious charging issues with my tablet. Communication has really slowed down from his end. It will be interesting to see how this works out. I wish I would have done more research before handing over my money.
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Old 16-11-2023, 22:21   #12
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ketchikan View Post
I purchased a tablet from Ivan. Bottom line is I have well over $300 in a refurbished $70 tablet. The Glonass system I paid extra for comes already installed in the Imoxee tablet. The Navionics charts that he downloads on the tablet are simply HIS subscription. Anyone can download the Navionics app—which is a great one—for $25 a year and have complete control over it. After a short time i am having some serious charging issues with my tablet. Communication has really slowed down from his end. It will be interesting to see how this works out. I wish I would have done more research before handing over my money.
I don't know who Ivan is, but there is another recent thread about Garmin changing terms such that Navionics charts stop working if the subscription expires, and that only 2 devices can be active at one time.

Dishonest people like Ivan are probably why they had to do that.
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Old 17-11-2023, 14:20   #13
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

I cut him loose. Not throwing good money after bad to send my faulty unit back to him. No guarantee anything would be resolved.
My solution was I just went on Amazon, bought the same refurbished unit for $70, downloaded my subscription to Navionics and a few Google Maps. Finished with Ivan. A true internet scam artist.
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Old 17-11-2023, 15:54   #14
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

Wow!
All of this has a familiar ring to it..
Very keen and helpful untill after the sale...
Then deafening silence....
I am going through the same issues with this guy...
He promised some follow-up help in the next few weeks...
I will post back here when I have more to report...
Just wondering....did everyone else find his adds on Craigslist?
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Old 17-11-2023, 16:29   #15
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Re: Navigationlaptops.com Review

No. Didn’t find him on Craigslist. I was just surfing and ran across his site. My unlucky day.
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