Uniden Intros GPS/Radar Combo

By Amy Gilroy On Jan 7 2008 - 8:00am

Uniden is offering one of the first personal navigation devices (PNDs) to link with a radar detector to display radar warnings.

The new Trax GPS438 PND comes with a separate radar-detector black box that mounts on the windshield. It connects to the PND by a power cord so that the PND's 4.3-inch screen displays the radar warnings, such as "police activity detected." It shows the direction from which the radar is coming as well as the legal speed limit on the PND screen. It also displays the radar band detected.

The Trax GPS438 PND pronounces street names and has Bluetooth for hands-free calling plus 6 million points of interest and preloaded maps of the United States. It is expected to ship in April at an estimated street price of $499, including the radar detector.

Uniden said its goal is to bring innovation to car navigation. "Our intent is to push the envelope," said product development VP Rex Holloway, adding, "We're trying to say that navigation is our category. We're committed to it — we intend to be competitive and to increase our brand recognition in the category."

The company is offering five additional PNDs, all with street-name pronunciation. The line leads with a 3.5-inch model with maps preloaded on internal flash memory, starting at a $199 street price. The step-up model Trax350 adds Bluetooth at $249. They will be joined by four 4.3-inch models (including the radar model) leading with the Trax433 at $299 with Bluetooth and the Trax436 with bundled traffic at $399.