More PNDs Arriving With Real-Time Traffic

By Amy Gilroy On Aug 6 2007 - 6:00am

Delphi, Sanyo and Navigon have begun shipping new portable navigation devices (PNDs) with real-time traffic updates, and the Navigon models are the first in the United States to offer traffic service for the life of the products.

The two units from Chicago-based Navigon are the 5100 and 7100. Both offer a new feature called "Reality View," which provides 3D realistic views showing the various lanes and highway signs of complicated highway intersections.

The 5100 has a 3.5-inch screen, pre-loaded maps of North America, pronunciation of street names for upcoming turns, Zagat Guide and lifetime traffic at a suggested $499. The step-up 7100 has a 4.3-inch screen and adds Bluetooth at a suggested $649.

The new NAV300 from Troy, Mich.-based Delphi is the company's first PND to incorporate Bluetooth, Zagat Guide and voice announcing of street names for upcoming turns.

The $399-suggested NAV300 uses a 3.5-inch screen and offers optional Clear Channel real-time traffic. It includes maps of the full United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, and it adds a lane-assistance feature that cues drivers as to which lane to enter for an upcoming turn. Its built-in rechargeable battery lasts five hours.

In September, the company will add Zagat reviews of restaurants and other attractions to its point of interest database. Users who purchase the NAV300 before that date can download an update.

For its part, Sanyo, of Chatsworth, Calif., is shipping the $499-suggested Easy Street NVM-4070 and the $399 NVM-4050. The 4070 features real-time traffic, a 4-inch screen, Bluetooth, portable media player (PMP) functions, built-in FM transmitter to play music through the car radio, text-to-speech to announcing of upcoming street names and an SD card slot. It also includes preinstalled maps of Canada and the full United States, including Puerto Rico.

The step-down model NVM-4050 lacks real-time traffic, video playback and built-in FM transmitter.