NAVIGON readies 8100T GPS with rolling terrain
updated 09:00 am EST, Mon November 10, 2008
NAVIGON 8100T
NAVIGON today launched its first 8-series GPS unit as both its highest-end device and as a claimed first for the industry. Through built-in 3D hardware acceleration -- still rare among navigators -- the device can render a bird's eye view with textured, dimensional terrain data from NASA that represents hills and also makes a distinction between forests and other regions.
Accordingly, the 8100T gets the largest LCD of NAVIGON's range with a 4.8-inch touchscreen and also gets a new, upscale brushed metal frame that replaces the black plastic that dominates most GPS receivers.
All of the company's other features make their way into the device, including Bluetooth hands-free calling, voice activation and text-to-speech readouts, and a lane view mode with street signs and exit notices. The 8100T is due later this month for $599 and will come with NAVIGON's now standard lifetime traffic updates to auto-reroute drivers. Map update packs continue to cost $80 for a dozen updates over the course of three years.
