Safety Concerns Regarding Mio-Navman Spirit TV Sat Navs
July 7, 2009
Mio in collaboration with Navman recently announced a completely novel range of sat navs that comes equipped with an in-built Freeview Television. This was done with the ideology to provide drivers with the facility of watching some television while taking a break from driving providing drivers with some kind of relief from constant driving exercise. However, this clever idea was strongly opposed and criticised by the RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents). As per the RoSPA manager Duncan Vernon, currently the law is against the use of televisions in cars as it may hinder one’s driving ability leading to accidents.
When these latest gadgets were tested; it was found that the unit displays warnings and alerts while driving. If the TV tuner is still ON while the car is in driving mode a second warning is flashed across the screen. RoSPA officials argue that the TV tuner must have an auto switch OFF function when the car is in driving mode; but this is not the case. RoSPA’s main argument is on the grounds that though it is not a dangerous watching television while waiting for someone, it is likely to cause accidents when used at the wrong time. They thus want a facility wherein drivers will not be provided access to the tuner while the car is in driving mode. This is because there is a danger of minority of people may use the sat nav in television mode while driving which could prove to be a major distraction.
Mio has positively responded to the safety concerns raised in tune with their latest Freeview compatible sat navs. Although it is a known fact that television is not to be viewed while driving; Mio and Navman has provided this functioning of television viewing keeping in mind the needs of everyone and not just the driver. They claim that the unit has a numerous safety measures providing users with ample amount of warnings before they are able to access the TV function while the car is in motion. This notifies that the final decision about one’s safety lies it their own hands. The device will not function unless the driver has accepted and acknowledged the safety warnings. This safety warning is to be receipted only if the passengers and children in the rear of the car need to view TV. Else the TV screen goes blank as soon as the user exceeds five mph speed.
Amidst all these criticisms and safety concerns the Mio Navman Spirit TV is expected to go on sale soon with its TV tuner functionality active and working. The models of the Mio Navman Spirit TV range include V505, V735, Spirit 500 and Spirit 300.
Mio-Navman introduces Spirit TV — A Sat Nav with an in-built Freeview
May 17, 2009
The main purpose of a Satellite Navigator is to guide you from A to B with minimum hassle. However it does help to have some entertainment options while navigating. This gave birth to sat navs with multimedia functionalities such as an in-built MP3 and MP4 player along with having picture viewer. Some sat navs also includes a DVDR option that allows you to play your favourite CDs and DVDs. In case of all these multimedia units, you need to have upload your favourite music and video files into the gadget’s internal memory or in the external memory card. You may want to catch up on the latest news, movies, music tracks, or some kind of talk shows for free. Travelling might restrict you from enjoying these things. But not to worry, now Mio-Navman has come out an entirely new concept; a satellite navigator with a built-in Freeview tuner.
This gadget, known as the Navman Spirit TV, claims to be the world’s first sat nav that includes a built-in TV tuner. It will be available sometime in summer, and is expected to come in two sizes; a 4.7-inch screen one and a larger 7-inch screen model. Although, it comes with the ability to pick up the television channels, it can also function as a full fledged GPS unit. It comes with the latest sat nav technologies as boasted by the company’s Spirit range of GPS devices. The same functions and features are exhibited by Navman’s Spirit 500, Spirit 300 and Spirit Flat satellite navigators. The Spirit series of GPS systems consist of a super slim build, local search facility, NavPix that allows you to navigate using pictures instead of addresses, the Gesture Control option, a pedestrian mode, an MP3 player, hands free calling via Bluetooth, and much more. All of these features have been incorporated in this unit along with a TV tuner.
The basic idea behind the conception of this Spirit TV sat nav was the need of a portable entertainment unit when you are not stuck behind the wheel. It is mainly aimed at people who need to travel a lot and would really like this opportunity to unwind and relax and get refreshed. The Portable Navman Spirit TV has a DVB-T free-to-air digital TV channel tuner along with an internal in-built retractable antenna and an integrated speaker. This unit is believed to cost anywhere between £300 and £200. So if you want to catch the latest broadcast of EastEnders while on a journey, then this is a must have device for you.
Navman iCN 320 Satellite Navigator
February 23, 2009
The Navman iCN 320 In Car Sat Nav is a ready-to-use GPS navigation device which uses latest technologies in GPS like SiRFstarII™ receiver for hassle-free navigation. The preloaded software technologies like SmartST™, Drive-Away™, Back-on-Track (for automatic re-routing), POI (points of interest), Postcode address search, Favourite destinations stored, and Multiple routing options make travel truly safe and quick.
The iCN 320 effectively displays accurate navigational information which is updated 95 percent of the time to a fix of 5 meters. The 2.83 inch TFT anti-glare LCD colour display screen provides 2D map views along with Turn-by-Turn and Next maneuver features. It is preloaded with maps of major countries depending on where it is purchased. Additional maps can be uploaded using the SD card slot. You can find your way in alien territory without even looking at the screen and just following the clear voice-based instructions. There is a choice of male and female voices. It is compatible with all kinds of vehicles.
The Navman iCN 320 Portable GPS System is not as sleek as its other touch-screen competitors but it is ideal for starters. The lack of complex features like Bluetooth, music players and other frills make it easier to use. The screen displays not just the map but also the next turn to be taken, the distance and the direction along with a countdown bar which shows the current location and the actual distance to the next turn. You can store in addresses and favorite locations using the on-screen keypad. It does not however have the capabilities of the other up-to-date GPS devices in terms of rerouting around traffic jams or accident sites. The battery life is also low at just 2 hours.
Navman S200 Satellite Navigator
February 3, 2009
Navman has introduced a slim, compact and light weight GPS unit the Navman S200 Satellite Navigator.
Navman S200 In-Car Satellite Navigator measures about 78×13x13.5 mm in dimension and weighs about 150 grams. It comes with a wide 4.3-inch touch screen display which has a display resolution of 480×272 pixels. This sat nav has an internal RAM memory of 128MB and an internal flash ROM memory of 1GB. This internal memory capacity can be increased using microSD memory cards. It runs on a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery which has a battery life of 2 hours. Navman could have provided a sat nav with higher battery power. The sat nav’s internal antenna is integrated with a SirfStar III GPS receiver.
Navman S200 Satellite Navigator provides accurate route guidance as well as regular voice guidance. It can display both 2D and 3D views of the maps along with automatic day and night mode switching. It can plan your route with multiple stops in between. This sat nav also comes pre-loaded with numerous points of interest with an option to add additional points of interest. This GPS device uses NavteQ mapping software. It includes Navman’s Advanced Lane Guidance functionality that provides you with timely voice guidance as you approach multiple lanes or junctions.
Navman S200 Slim and Portable Satellite Navigator comes with Bluetooth compatibility. This allows you to make hands free calls as well as transfer data and files over as wireless network. It also includes a FM transmitter, thus users can now connect to their favourite radio station whilst navigating. With this sat nav you can capture a location that you would want to visit at a future date. Above all this sat nav can also be programmed to be used in pedestrian mode. The Navman S200 comes with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty.
Navman F20 Satellite Navigator
January 31, 2009
The Navman F20 is an easy-to-install-and-use GPS navigation device. The 3.5” touch screen displays accurate maps of the entire Europe. You can also search for location using names or postcodes. It uses the SiRFstar III™ technology for GPS navigation. It alerts you on the nearest points of interest (POI) like fuel stations, restaurants, ATMs and car parks. More POI can be imported using the optional desktop connectivity kit. Drive-Away™, Back-on-Track™ (for automatic rerouting). Safety camera, 32MB RAM and 256MB/512MB/2GB memory are some of the supporting technologies.
The F20 is provided with a Rechargeable Lithium Ion battery with a life of 3.5 hours. It is fitted with loudspeaker for voice alerts. The SiRFstarIII™ receiver ensures a GPS update rate of one update per every second, 95 percent of the time, fix to 5 meters. The anti-glare high resolution 3.5” colour touch-screen monitor has both 2D and 3D views. A unique feature of the F20 is the Pause Journey feature. Route Summary View, Multiple routing options, Turn-by-Turn™, Next manoeuvre and Route Summary are some of the other capabilities. It is loaded with Tele Atlas 2006, SmartST™ navigation software and “favorite” destinations features.
The F20 is a perfect entry-level low cost, no-frills model. It serves the basic purpose of showing the way very efficiently. Speed, time to arrival, distance, direction and rerouting are effectively performed.
