The road ahead for Cobra Electronics (COBR) is crowded with rivals selling similar car navigation products.

But the Chicago-based company hopes to drive ahead by being one of the first to offer real-time traffic data on its devices.

Cobra is best known for its radar devices used to detect the radar guns cops use to catch speeders. The firm also makes two-way family radios and citizens band radios. Three years ago, it moved into the navigation device market, with products for cars and boats.

“It was a natural for us,” said Cobra CEO Jim Bazet. “We’re about dashboards, whether it’s in a boat, a car or a truck. So consumers are already familiar with us.”

Navigation products using the Global Positioning System are a small part of the company’s sales, but one with potential for fast growth.

Cobra’s third-quarter sales rose 8.1% to $33.5 million, mostly on the strength of its two-way radios. It earned 29 cents a share, up 263% from a year earlier.

Cobra’s recent earnings got a boost from lower operating costs, a tax credit and proceeds from an executive life insurance policy.

Cobra faces much larger rivals in portable navigation. Garmin (GRMN) and Thales Navigation’s Magellan brand control about 75% of the market. Other rivals include Pioneer Electronics (PIO) and TomTom.

Priced As Low As $799

“The market is big enough for all of us,” Bazet said. “We’re going to win through competitive pricing, hitting the masses and coming out with our innovation.”

Cobra’s premier product is its Nav One 4500, the first fully integrated portable navigation unit featuring real-time traffic. The maker’s suggested retail price is $1,099, but it sells online for as little as $799. The product recently earned an Innovations Award from the International Consumer Electronics Show.

The device comes with a free three-month subscription for the traffic service, which afterward costs $60 a year. The service provides up-to-the-minute traffic information in 48 major metropolitan areas, with re-routing options.

Cobra’s Nav One 4500 mobile GPS navigation system features 7.6 million “points of interest,” such as restaurants and lodging. It has a 5-inch color touch screen and is ready to go right out of the box.

The product is available from Circuit City (CC) and other stores. Cobra is working to expand its retail distribution. Wal-Mart (WMT) plans to test the product in some stores soon.

For years, Cobra was a “sleeper company” making products in three no-growth categories where they dominated, said Steve Denault, an analyst with Northland Securities. “This new category for them is triple the size of all their legacy categories combined and growing at a nice clip.” He rates the stock outperform, or the equivalent of buy.

Market May Double In 2 Years

The market for portable navigation devices is expected to double by the end of 2007, when sales could hit $1.5 billion, Denault says.

“GPS navigation is a white-hot category within consumer electronics this year,” he said.

Portable navigation devices appeal to people who want to use them in different cars, including rental cars while on business trips or vacations. These devices differ from GPS devices used by hikers.

“For a company as small as Cobra, carving out a sliver of that category means big business,” Denault said. Cobra’s sales over the last four quarters totaled $130 million. “I would never suggest that they’re going to unseat Garmin or Magellan, but it’s possible for them to carve out 5% to 10% market share.”

Cobra hopes to make a name for itself in the portable navi space by making innovative products that are “drop-dead simple to use,” said Dave Marsh, Cobra’s director of mobile navigation.

Cobra rushed to get a device with real-time traffic data to the market in September before its rivals because that feature had the highest level of interest from consumers.

“Once you have traffic (data), you now add a daily use for this new device,” Marsh said.

Source: BY PATRICK SEITZ - INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY

RF-shielded MN1010 Module, designed for portable consumer electronic applications, is complete 12-channel Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver that requires power and antenna for operation. Drawing less than 75 mW, receiver allows all satellites in view to be tracked, minimizing position jumps caused by individual satellite blockage. GPS chipset, from u-Nav microelectronics, features uN1008 CMOS RF front-end and uN8130 baseband processor.

MMT announced today, at the Institute of Navigation Show, the availability of their MN1010 Module. It is the world’s smallest complete global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The ultra small design is packaged into a 10×10x1.8mm, RF shielded 36 pin package. This module is a low power, high performance GPS Receiver solution designed for portable consumer electronic applications. It draws less than 75mW making it an ideal solution for battery operated, PDA and wireless applications devices. It is a complete 12 channel GPS receiver that only requires power and an antenna to operate. The 12 channel receiver allows all satellites in view to be tracked, providing a solution to minimize position jumps caused by individual satellite blockage.

The GPS chipset integrated into the MN1010 is from u-Nav microelectronics and features the uN1008 CMOS RF Front-End and the highly integrated uN8130 Base-band Processor. This chipset provides a low power, high performance cost competitive solution.

The MN1010 is supported by an evaluation kit which includes software and references designs to reduce time and cost for the OEM development. Samples are currently available with full production quantities scheduled for October 2005.

“MMT is committed to providing high quality GPS solutions in a small, low power package for portable consumer applications. We believe that the combination of MMT’s advanced manufacturing technology together with the low power GPS chipset solution has produced an outstanding state of the art product,” said Alfred Low, CEO of Micro Modular Technologies Ltd.

About MMT

Incorporated in May 2004, our corporate mission is to develop GPS modules and other smart GPS modules that allow our customer to design with ease thus shortening their product development cycle. MMT is headquartered in Singapore with design center in Irvine and Singapore. For further information please visit us at: www.micromodular.com.sg

About u-Nav Microelectronics

u-Nav is a privately held, fabless semiconductor company that develops GPS chipsets and software for the emerging mobile location based services market. u-Nav’s technology delivers ultra-low power at low cost with state of the art performance to enable operation indoors and in urban canyons. u-Nav Microelectronics is headquartered in Irvine, California, with design centers in Irvine and Tampere, Finland.

CONTACT: Bell Lee of Micro Modular Technologies PTE LTD, +65 6745 8832, bell_lee@micromodular.com.sg

Web site: http://www.micromodular.com.sg/

– It used to be that in order to have a GPS system, you had to shell out big dollars on luxury vehicles. Thanks to improvements in technology, feature-rich navigation systems have become smaller, more portable, and most importantly more cost effective.

Clem Driscoll, an analyst with C.J. Driscoll & Associates, a marketing consulting and research firm specializing in GPS and wireless products and services, thinks the market is ripe with opportunity.

‘Factory-installed GPS navigation systems are now available on over half the vehicle models sold in the North America. Over a million new vehicles sold this year are equipped with navigation systems,’ Driscoll said. ‘This has created greater consumer awareness of GPS navigation and its benefits. Also, an increasing number of auto manufacturers are featuring vehicle navigation in TV ads.’

Driscoll added, ‘The leading portable GPS units perform well and the early adopters often recommend these systems to their peers. The current generation systems focus on `ease of use,` which is very important to consumers.’

Companies like TomTom, Garmin and Cobra are betting that their portable systems will be hot sellers this Christmas and beyond. TomTom`s marketing campaign has increased public awareness and the coolness factor of these devices.

Karen Drake, PR Manager for TomTom, said, ‘Consumers in general are becoming more aware of the advantages of personal GPS and on-demand navigation. They are looking for easy ways to have information readily available whether while driving their own car, a rental car or even cruising on a motorcycle. Grab and go GPS devices provide consumers with the convenience to accommodate their busy travel schedules, and in general provide improved technology vs. built-in navigation systems.’

All of the companies seem to agree that ease of use is a priority for them. Dave Marsh, director of Navigation Products for Cobra Electronics, agrees. ‘The number one feature is ease of use. Consumers are busy today; they don`t have time to read a manual, set up a complicated system, or follow special instructions to use a mass market product. Our product development effort has centered on making the most easy to use product in the category — something that is off-the-shelf, out-of-the-box, and into-your-car,’ Marsh said.

If everyone pretty much agrees on what features consumers want, then what features do they feel distinguishes their products?

‘TomTom`s interface makes it very easy and intuitive to use, and our navigation products have great 3D maps for better visualization. The GO 300 and GO 700 feature Bluetooth connectivity and the GO 700 supports the Bluetooth connection for hands-free calling between the unit and a cell phone,’ said Drake.

Marsh said, ‘Cobra designed the NAV ONE 4500 to answer American consumers` needs and wants in portable navigation. From our research, these include a large, bright screen that is easy to glance at even if you wear glasses or you are looking at it in harsh sunlight; truly portable, fully integrated devices with no professional installation or special connections required; and a consumer-tested user interface designed for ease of use.’

Everyone agrees that the future is bright for these portable systems and can see a time when they can also become entertainment centers as well. ‘The category will certainly continue to include Bluetooth connectivity, and we`ll probably start to see additional entertainment and on-demand features,’ added Drake.

Marsh concluded by saying, ‘Since its high-priced debut over 15 years ago as an OEM-added option in luxury vehicles, mobile navigation has continued to penetrate new market segments. Scene-stealing portables have become a more affordable and approachable option. … Overall, the market winners will be those who concentrate on the best combination of features and price.’

Source: By Michelle Alexandria - M&C Tech

AutoFarm, the leader in GPS precision farming, announced today the release of the Cultiva OnTrac assisted steering system. Delivering up to 2-inch pass-to-pass accuracy, the system integrates directly with the steering wheel thus eliminating manual steering obstructions caused by friction drive motors. OnTrac affordably installs on nearly all makes and models of tractors and other agricultural vehicles in as little as 30 minutes with basic tools.

The Cultiva OnTrac drive integrates with the steering wheel to ensure precise vehicle control in all conditions. The OnTrac is controlled via the Cultiva ATC, which features an 8.4 inch color display providing the operator a Virtual Highway view of the field. Complete with where-applied maps and record keeping functions, Cultiva OnTrac with ATC is a feature-rich steering solution for under $8,500.

“OnTrac was installed and running in 30 minutes,” says Jerry Hull. “The picture guided calibration and simple-to-use menus guaranteed trouble-free startup.” Hull farms thousands of acres of corn and wheat in Kansas.

GPS assisted steering helps reduce input costs by minimizing skips and overlaps. Operator fatigue is also reduced ensuring consistent performance during peak seasons. Greater accuracy, reduced fuel consumption and increased farm productivity contribute to a rapid payback of less than one year for most growers.

The steering system accurately navigates curves and compensates for vehicle tilt on hills, with the optional tilt compensation package. The integrated design allows the operator to safely disengage the Cultiva OnTrac system by simply gripping the wheel.

Existing Cultiva ATC with compatible GPS receiver owners may upgrade the guidance system to OnTrac assisted steering with the purchase of the OnTrac drive unit for $3,495. The system works well in WAAS and OmniSTAR HP differential correction modes. OnTrac will be available in the United States and Australia in late March 2006. The product will be available in Europe following completion of regulatory review.

About AutoFarm

AutoFarm, a division of Novariant Inc., is the premier solutions provider for precision positioning and intelligent control systems. AutoFarm manufactures and markets Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and precision agriculture solutions for automatic steering and leveling based on its experience in advanced aviation landing systems. AutoFarm can be found on the web at www.gpsfarm.com or reached at 1-866-428-8632.

Men aged 35-54 have the highest exposure to outdoor advertising, according to US ratings data from Nielsen Outdoor in Chicago. The ratings also show that outdoor advertising exposure is best for higher-income, full-time employed demographics. The results also showed that the average adult is exposed to 40 outdoor advertising messages each day, and that exposure (not surprisingly) peaks during commuting times (8am and 5pm) on work days. Nielsen Outdoor’s data comes from the company’s own measurement system for outdoor advertising audiences, which uses portable Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to track the travel patterns of consumers in relation to known outdoor advertising sites. Outdoor advertising’s share of advertising budget traditionally lags behind that of television, radio and print media. According to Nielsen Outdoor, in most countries outdoor ads account for less than 5% of total advertising spend, with only US$18 billion being committed each year worldwide, compared to US$120 billion for television campaigns.

Source: The Wise Marketer

The StreetPilot i3 is the color version in the i-series StreetPilots. The unit is a new line of small, affordable automotive GPS navigators that make driving fun.

It is no larger than a baseball and priced affordably for the budget conscious. The StreetPilot i-series is destined to be a big hit for commuters, college students, and corporate travelers who are looking to experience the ease and enjoyment of GPS satellite navigation for the first time.

The StreetPilot i-series has many of the same powerful capabilities as our other premium automotive GPS navigators. Such features includes a unique and convenient click-to-enter scroll wheel and a “back” button which makes it easy to select a destination from the unit’s menu-driven interface. The StreetPilot i2 and i3 provide voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions through a built-in speaker, and the unit easily moves from vehicle to vehicle with an integrated suction cup mount. The i-series will also automatically put drivers back on course if they miss a turn.

Both the i2 and i3 come with a MapSource City Select North America NT DVD, which contains mapping detail of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico—featuring nearly six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions. Users load the City Select data onto an included 128MB Transflash™ data card via a fast USB connection.

As an added benefit, you can now import customized points of interest with the help of Garmin’s free POI Loader software. The possibilities are endless — upload safety cameras or school zones, and you will receive a warning if you are traveling too fast. In addition, an optional proximity-alert feature notifies you of upcoming custom POIs.

The i3 and i5 feature a 32k-color, sunlight readable TFT display with backlight, while the i2 features a high-contrast backlit FSTN monochrome display. Motorists can choose from either a three-dimensional mapping perspective, or overhead “bird’s eye” view. For added convenience, drivers can power the unit with either two AA batteries (six hours, typical use) or the included 12-volt adapter cable.

Specifications

Moving map features
Detail: StreetPilot® i5 comes preloaded with MapSource® City Navigator™ North America NT street-level maps and addresses for all of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. StreetPilot® i2 and i3 come with DVDs for loading MapSource® City Select® North America NT street-level mapping detail

Navigation features Routes
Automatically calculated with turn-by-turn instructions; a detour function enables routing around traffic problems or road construction; custom road preference allows user to prioritize choice of back roads or major highways; automatic offroute recalc shows how to get back on track if you miss a turn or exit

Voice: Navigation instructions and warnings

Waypoints: 500 with name and graphic symbol

GPS performance
Receiver: WAAS-enabled

Acquisition times:

Warm: Approximately 15 seconds
Cold: Approximately 45 seconds
AutoLocate®: Approximately 2 minutes
Update rate: 1/second, continuous
0
GPS Accuracy:

Position: <15 meters (49 feet), 95% typical
Velocity: 0.05 meter/sec steady state
GPS (WAAS) Accuracy:

Position: <3 meters, 95% typical
Velocity: 0.05 meter/sec steady state
Interfaces: USB 2.0 full-speed

Antenna: Built-in patch; MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection

Physical
Size: 3.00” W x 2.74” H x 2.15” D (7.6 x 6.9 x 5.5 cm)

Weight: 5.3 oz. (150 g)

Display: 1.3” W x 1.7” H (3.3 x 4.3 cm); 176 x 220 pixels; 32k-color, sunlight-readable TFT display with backlight

Case: Consumer grade/not waterproof

Temp. range: 32° F to 140° F (0° C to 60° C)

Data storage: Indefinite; no memory battery required

Power Input: 12/24 Vdc

Usage: 3w max. @ 13.8 Vdc

Battery life: 6 hours

i-series
comparison guide Here’s how the units are different:

StreetPilot i2:

Display: 1.7” W x 1.3” H (4.3 x 3.3 cm); 240 x 176 pixels; high-contrast monochrome FSTN with backlight
Map Storage: Comes with MapSource® City Select® North America NT DVD and blank 128 MB TransFlash™ card
StreetPilot i3:

Display: 1.7” W x 1.3” H (4.3 x 3.3 cm); 240 x 176 pixels; sunlight-readable color TFT with backlight
Map Storage: Comes with MapSource® City Select® North America NT DVD and blank 128 MB TransFlash™ card
StreetPilot i5:

Display: 1.7” W x 1.3” H (4.3 x 3.3 cm); 240 x 176 pixels; sunlight-readable color TFT with backlight
Map Storage: Preprogrammed drive with MapSource® City Navigator™ North America NT detail; accepts TransFlash cards for detail of other regions

www.gpsonlinesite.com

The Navman iCN 520 is an advanced portable in-car GPS navigation device. The iCN 520 is easy-to-use, affordable and includes advanced navigation features and user-friendly interface in a lightweight, portable, contemporary design. It has visual 3D guidance and spoken instructions which will get you to your destination more quickly and easily than ever before. In addition, the large high defination 3.5″ touch-screen displays bright coloured 3D maps and is easy-to-read in all conditions.

The unit has a user-friendly interface, just simply type in your destination on the colour touch screen and let the iCN 520 plan the best route for you to take. it also has advanced features where it will enable you to avoid traffic bottlenecks, program in multiple destinations and specify points of interest on route.

The Navman iCN comes with the latest navigation software and has a highly detailed local country maps for your region. The unit is easy to install and is ready to drive away straight out of the box with pre-powered, rechargeable battery and preloaded software

An American company is set to produce mobile phones for dogs.
The PetsCell has been designed by Cameron Robb of PetsMobility in Arizona to help owners track their dogs if they ever go missing.

The product will be available next March and the company is in talks with a Glasgow-based firm over licensing and distributing the canine phones.

The PetsCell will spell an end for lost dog posters. The bone-shaped handset, which fits into a collar, is equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking which locates the dog to within a five-metre area, advanced mapping technology and three call buttons.

Robbie Dick of PetsMobility said: “The response to PetsCell has been tremendous. We are in the process of talking to a company in Glasgow about the licensing and distribution of PetsCell. People can log on to our website for updates on when they can get one in the UK.

“It is a very rugged device, it’s waterproof and will support a wireless camera which could help in search and rescue operations. Or, it could serve as the equivalent of a nanny cam when you send your dog to doggie daycare.”

The PetsCell will be available for purchase in late March next year and will retail for $300 (£171). The PetsCell has three buttons, two are “call owner” buttons, which will allow anyone who finds a dog to phone its owner’s home or mobile. It also has an emergency call centre button too. The phone cannot take incoming calls which haven’t been preset by the owner.

Source: By Rachelle Money - sundayherald

Christmas is a wonderful time, but it can be challenging. One of the major hurdles is buying gifts for people you care about on relatively short notice.

We’re just about to that point now.

With just two weeks between Christmas Day and us, it’s time to get in gear. People who are shopping for sailors are at an advantage, because there are so many wonderful gift choices.

It does ease the gift-selection process if the buyer is a sailor, too.

In any case, some research online, in boating publications and in advertising offers all kinds of ideas. Here are a few of them, in a wide range of prices.

My own personal wish lists starts with a Pacific Seacraft 34, a well-designed and constructed sailboat. It may be a little on the high end. While individual sailors’ preferences are reflected in the price, it’s safe to say that the giver will spend more than $200,000.

My wife raises various concerns with that suggestion. She notes that a Pacific Seacraft 34 won’t fit in my stocking, or even under the tree, nor could Santa bring the boat down the chimney. She went so far as to say that any more such ideas would likely result in one or more gift-wrapped lumps of coal.

If you think that might be a bit expensive for the sailor you’re buying for, there are some less-expensive alternatives. Here are a few, available at West Marine, BoatU.S. and other marine retailers:

Holiday giving is fun. For me, it’s a lot more fun once shopping is done, and I can look forward to the recipient’s reaction. Browsing through marine retail shops and talking to people working in them can give you many more ideas than the few listed here.

John Ira Petty, a sailing instructor, licensed captain and charter sailboat owner, is the sailing columnist for the Daily News.

Source: By John Ira Petty - The Daily News

Google Inc., the world’s largest search engine, is developing a beta version of its fascinating Google Earth geographical satellite imagery and mapping application for Apple Computer’s Mac OS X operating system, sources tell AppleInsider.

The application asks users to type in an address and will then “fly” the user from space to the address through satellite imagery. Users can then zoom in on the aerial satellite view of the search location, view buildings and landscapes, and tilt and rotate the view to see 3D terrain and buildings.

Google Earth also offers driving directions and lets users search for schools, parks, restaurants, and hotels. Additionally, the application includes multiple layer support, allowing users to annotate satellite views and combine multiple layers of information such as restaurant locations, driving directions and service stations.

In late June, Google deployed a free beta version of Google Earth on the Windows platform. The company said the application “utilizes broadband streaming technology and 3D graphics, much like a videogame, enabling users to interactively explore the world, either their own neighborhood or the far corners of the globe.”

An advanced version of Google Earth for Windows includes GPS (Global Positioning System) compatibility for $20 a year, while a commercial version promises high-resolution printing and other professional tools for $400 a year.

Earlier this month, a pre-release version of Google Earth for Mac OS X that uses OpenGL rendering reportedly began making the rounds overseas. The 40MB application packs a hefty set of preferences, allowing users to tweak detail and color, and control the speed of their “flights.”

Google Earth interfaces with Google’s Web-based mapping service, Google Maps, in providing local search results and driving directions. However, sources say Google Earth for Mac OS X includes a superior set of satellite imagery when compared to the Google Maps Web service, offering additional clarity and a deeper zoom function.

Over the past year, search rivals have been launching new mapping services and related tools in an effort to capitalize on the lucrative search industry. At the Wall Street Journal “D” conference in May, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates previewed a tool similar to Google Earth called MSN Virtual Earth. Meanwhile, Amazon.com has launched a comparable project through its A9.com Web site that aims to provide photos of most U.S.-based businesses for an online service called BlockView.

Source: by Prince Mclean - AppleInsider