That's right - the name you already know and love for high-end audio equipment is getting into the Personal Navigation Device market. HK has teamed up with Sanyo and announced the Guide + Play GPS 500. Well, actually HK outsourced the manufacturing to Kinpo and licensed the navigation software from iGo. So neither Harman Kardon nor Sanyo actually manufactured this GPS -- although Harman Kardon did slap their name on the front! HK says they're the number 3 manufacturer in Europe, and Sanyo claims to be #1 in Japan. With those kind of deep pockets, I'd except nothing less than perfection. So what makes this unit special among the sea of GPS newcomers?
- 4-inch WQVGA color touch screen display
- Built-in upscale media player
- A dedicated volume control wheel on the right side of the unit
- Intuitive and easy-to-use menu system
- Automatic 3D to 2D map panning based on your speed and distance from the next maneuver
- Dedicated pedestrian mode for using the GPS on foot
- Sort music playlists by artist, genre, title, or album
- Support for video viewing (MPEG4 and WMV formats supported)
- 5-hour rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Built-in maps of the USA and Canada. SD memory slot for music and movies.
Just looking at the features, the Guide + Play 500 looks like it just might be a contender. Still, I'm always a bit skeptical when a company suddenly decides the GPS market is hot, and then farms out the hardware and software to third parties. It'll be interesting to see how the Harman Kardon GPS 500 will stack up against the players who've been doing GPS for years (Garmin, Magellan, TomTom). Suggested retail price is $499, available sometime in Q1 2007.
Thanks to Mark for correcting a few errors in this post!
--FLETCH
Interesting? Wich Mapping company they will go with Navtech or TeleAtlas ???? The bets are on!
What type of GPS reciever are they using for this "the Guide + Play GPS 500"? Don't you think it is very important to note how well this GPS unit may perform by the type of GPS receiver it includes with this unit?
GPS4ME - You are exactly right, the type of receiver used is essential in knowing how the unit will perform. Unfortunately, there are no published details yet on which receiver it will use. Hopefully it'll be SiRF or something similar.
GPS4ME - You are exactly right, the type of receiver used is essential in knowing how the unit will perform. Unfortunately, there are no published details yet on which receiver it will use. Hopefully it'll be SiRF or something similar.
Fletch,
The GPS500 will use Centrality's Atlas II processor and Centrality's GPS. The same one you bashed in the review of the Blackbird. So much for "I'd except nothing less than perfection"...
Mark