Delphi NAV200 comes in at $349
Aftermarket navigation systems are not cheap, though neither are the nav units that come bundled in your car. Aftermarket units can start in the $500 range but easily skyrocket up to $2,000 depending on how many features you demand. Delphi's consumer electronics division has just announced a new hand held nav system called the NAV200 that packs most of those popular features in a small form factor at an easily digestible price of $349.
The NAV200 is about the size of a PDA (who uses those anymore?) and can be controlled via a stylus or your own grubby fingers via a 3.5" touchscreen. Unlike many aftermarket nav systems, you aren't forced to load maps into it via a CD through your computer. Rather, Delphi includes complete maps of the US and Canada from NAVTEQ on a 1.5gb SD card that slots right in. You can also insert an SD card with MP3 files, photos and videos and use the NAV200 as a portable media player, however the battery only lasts 3 hours when not plugged into the cigarette lighter. Still, it could replace an iPod for some.
Other features that the modern nav user demands are also present, like the option for real-time traffic info that the unit can use to reroute your path (available with an adapter antenna and subscription fee). Bluetooth, however, is one missing feature we feel the NAV200 is missing, as pumping cell phone calls through such devices is becoming quite popular, especially in states where you're not allowed to hold a cell phone while driving anymore. But the NAV200 makes a compelling case for itself at $349.
[Source: Delphi]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jeff 8:47PM (9/21/2006)
could this be the gadget that turns delphi around? the price point is definitely attractive.
i've never owned a portable NAV system before, but am looking for one. anyone have any thoughts on how this will do?
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toga333 7:51PM (9/21/2006)
Hooray! The product that will save Delphi! Maybe not, but I want one.
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FrankTheCrank 11:23PM (9/21/2006)
Hey Mario...Look at this thing. Only $350!!
Nice!
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Philip Hutchins 8:59PM (9/21/2006)
Mr. Neff, you failed to mention what I feel is clearly the most important feature of any GPS Automotive Navigation device. The Text-to-Speech feature of some devices allows a driver to receive specific turns including street names, that feature alone lets the drive navigate confidantly without looking at a screen....Drive safely.
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Mike 9:18PM (9/21/2006)
Get a map, learn to read it. Spend the other $347 on your wife.
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ckm 9:23PM (9/21/2006)
#4 What if your wife wants satnav?
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Mike 9:28PM (9/21/2006)
#5 She doesn't, trust me.
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Gordon S. 9:39PM (9/21/2006)
I just spent two weeks driving around rural Newfoundland with a Dell Axim + GPS that uses the same Navteq maps this unit uses (Which is the same source Google Maps uses) and I was FLOORED by how accurate it was. The damned thing had one lane gravel goat-paths on it fully navigatable. Vastly better than the Garmin units I've used. This Delphi unit is priced extremely well for its class too!
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Cosmo Kramer 9:58PM (9/21/2006)
$349 could really get you a great time at a brothel in Reno
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Stoneman 10:21PM (9/21/2006)
...comes pre-loaded with pr0n for your viewing pleasure...
Stoneman
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Randy 7:17AM (9/22/2006)
Preloaded, nice... But how do I update the maps? Buy a new one every year?
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dreesemonkey 10:34AM (9/22/2006)
Very nice price! I have a Axim/GPS combo that works well, though it's a bit bulky with all the wires and whathaveyou. If I could buy a waterproof case or something for this thing for my motorcycle, I'd be sold.
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Batman 10:47AM (9/22/2006)
Go try the Garmin Streetpilot 330c before this. It is amazing.
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NEBTEK2002 11:06AM (9/22/2006)
Agree with post #4.
Spending nearly $400, the actual cost with sales tax in most states, for something that a $5 Rand-McNally Atlas can do just as well is ridiculous.
As for the concern that Rand-McNally might not be current enough, the company gives website info for updating each map.
Download and print updates for the regions you are visiting and study them. Then, take them with you for further consultation, if necessary, by the side of the road.
Pulling off to read a map or map update is much safer than "watching TV" or "playing Gameboy" while driving.
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Justin Bregar 12:32PM (9/22/2006)
Um... a $5 Rand McNally isn't really usable while you're DRIVING. You gotta pull over, which stands a reasonable chance of being A) Impossible or B) Dangerous... and is definitely C) Inconvenient.
There's a place for satnav... and I'd never leave home without a map either.
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R Bart 9:51AM (9/23/2006)
In ref. to post 11: EXACTLY WHAT YOU WILL HAVE TO DO! This is NOT Delphi's first Nav. system offering. Their first one was NEVER supported and after 5 years they STILL HAVE NOT offered an upgrade to the map data. This was on their "top end" $600+ unit. Imagine the support they'll offer on a $350 unit!
My take: RUN THE OTHER WAY!!
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