The company used CES to announce the U.S. release of its newest in-car GPS unit, the TravelPilot Lucca 5.2.

Here are the stats:

• 4” color 16:9 wide screen display
• preloaded maps of the U.S. and Canada
• NAVTEQ mapping data
• Multimedia capabilities, including video playback (WMV-format), back up camera, MP3 (or WMA), and picture viewer (JPG, BMP, and GIF supported).
• Windshield cradle with integrated FM transmitter for multimedia playback through your car speakers
• Address input by zip code
• Ability to download speed camera locations (available via internet, beginning 2007. Subscription required)
• Multi-destination routing
• 2D and 3D map views
• Integrated travel guides
• User-selectable warning when exceeding the posted speed limit
• Fast route/re-routing thanks to Centrality Dual Core CPU
• Connection to external video sources (i.e. DVD player, iPod Video, back up camera, etc.)
• Integrated TMC receiver for dynamic route calculation
• 2 GB internal memory
• 5-hour Battery Life

The included mount for the TravelPilot looks similar to a Magellan-style windshield mount, with X and Y-Axis tightening dials. Unlike Magellan's mount, however, the Blaupunkt mount includes an integrated FM transmitter.

When I looked at the rear of the TravelPilot's included windshield mount, I noticed a PC-style VGA port. Not something you typically see on a GPS mount. When I asked about it, the Blaupunkt rep simply said it was reserved for "future functionality" and declined to comment any further.

The TravelPilot Lucca 5.2 is expected to be available in lat Q3 2007 and rumored to have a retail price of $699.

I couldn't help noticing that Blaupunkt had setup a demo of their OEM GPS that currently ships with the Volkswagen Taurig. I get a lot of emails asking if I prefer after-market GPS or integrated units, and my answer is always the same: you just can't beat the ease of use of after-market stand alone GPS units. Take a look at the interface on the unit above - you'd have to do some serious instructions manual reading before mastering this GPS.

Blaupunkt manufacturers the GPS not only for VW, but also Suzuki, and several other car makers. Judging from the demo unit I played with, integrated GPS units have a long way to go before matching the ease of use and functionality of personal navigation devices. Of course, integrated units have the benefit of being nicely installed in the car, and they're usually connected to the car's accelerometer and brake sensor so they can provide map tracking through tunnels and other places where GPS signal is obscured.

That said, I have a good friend who owns a Mercedes, Lexus, and Cadillac all with integrated navigation systems, and he still brings his Garmin nuvi with him in each car because the nuvi is just that much easier to use.