If one in-car option on the OEM level has dominated the marketplace over the last 12 months, it's been expanding availability of high-powered GPS navigation systems. Where once GPS navigation was relegated to expensive, top-of-the-line models, this useful accessory is expanding down market and is now available on a factory-installed basis on an ever-expanding roster of vehicles.
But what if you already own a car without GPS navigation? In the recent past, you had three options. The first was a dedicated, installed unit with a separate LCD monitor. The next option was a separate remote-mounted unit integrated into an existing aftermarket AM/FM/CD or DVD receiver with an LCD screen. And finally, as the overall electronics package has been downsized, all the components can be integrated into a single in-dash unit that combines entertainment and navigation functions into a traditional single- or double-DIN receiver. While popular, the cost of dedicated units, and the fact that they are installed in the vehicle, limits their flexibility. A better solution was needed: portable units.
As the category name implies, these are self-contained units that can be moved from car to car, typically suction-cup-mounted to your windshield and plugged into your cigarette lighter. If desired, they can be fixed-mounted and hard wired. The units take a wide variety of form factors and use DVDs, internal flash memory or built-in hard drives to store mapping data and a point of interest (airports, hotels, restaurants, service stations, shopping malls) database, with each unit providing a unique user interface. Some units even provide real-time traffic updates (subscription required from separate provider such as Clear Channel, Sirius or XM, depending on the unit) and dedicate storage space for MP3 files which can play through your existing audio system. Many even include built-in rechargeable batteries and when combined with their small size and light weight are well suited for recreational uses like hiking.
Pricing ranges all over the map (pun intended) from under $500 to more than $1,000, with the greatest concentration of units between $700 and $900. Generally speaking, the more expensive units will offer bigger screens and higher capacity memory, but as with other ICE products pricing is volatile as manufacturers jockey for improved market share and the prices listed are subject to change (typically downward) without notice.
While travelling in Europe we've seen another variation. Many Europeans add GPS functionality to their existing PDA, providing turn-by-turn navigation capabilities similar to portable GPS navigation units. If you have a powerful PDA with a large color screen, or a hybrid PDA/smartphone, you may be able to add a GPS antenna and software package to your PDA and get similar performance to a dedicated or portable GPS navigation unit.
While the portable market has been dominated by GPS manufacturers like Garmin, Lowrance and Magellan, new brands have entered the market, including several well-known ICE manufacturers like Alpine, Clarion and Sony as well as European suppliers such as TomTom. This illustrates a shift in the marketplace as this category moves from geek to mainstream status, putting these units in an expanding universe of retail locations (electronics superstores, recreation/sporting goods retailers and mail/Internet websites). Don't be surprised to see these units soon offered at the parts counter of your local Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche or VW dealer as well.