Axion rolls out budget-priced GEO-632 GPS unit

Apparently there's a gaping hole in the handheld GPS market, as it seems a new manufacturer takes its first dive every other week or so, and this time it's none other than Axion. Diverting its efforts away from those portable DVD players and iPTV gizmos, the firm is unveiling a budget-conscious GPS that pulls double duty as a pedestrian guide when not relaxing on your dash. Boasting a familiar 3.5-inch touchscreen, pre-loaded maps of the US and Canada on its built-in SD card, turn-by-turn guidance, automatic rerouting, and "2D / 3D night maps," the GEO-632 matched up fairly well with other entry-level offerings already on the market. It also functions as an MP3 player and JPEG viewer when you're not circling the block, and comes bundled with an in-car mounting system to boot. While the device may not floor anyone in the features department, it can get you where you want to go for just $259.99, which is quite a bit less than the alternatives are demanding for their navigational intelligence.

[Via MobileWhack]

[Jeff @ Dec 1st 2006 4:44PM]

Ok, what's the downside? What do higher priced models actually offer that this doesn't? I need a GPS but until a few months ago you really had to pay $500. All of a sudden, the floor's sunk to $250. If all I need is something to tell me how to get from point a to point b, with re-routing and whatnot in case I make a wrong turn, what else would I need besides something like this?

[Jeff @ Dec 1st 2006 5:24PM]

I'd say there is a gaping hole in the GPS market. Right now I can go buy a two year old PDA and a bluetooth GPS for less than it would cost to buy a stupidly overpriced GPS unit from most of the major manufacturers. Throw in some mapping software and you come out to just about the price of this thing.

So nice job guys. Assuming the unit doesn't totally suck I can see it being a pretty hot item.

[tiuk @ Dec 1st 2006 5:41PM]

Newegg sells these, and I'm heavily considering getting one for my girlfriend for Christmas, but I know very little about GPS units. Does anyone know if it speaks (ie. turn left in 100 ft., etc)? I think that's a feature she'd need, driving and looking at a screen at the same time doesn't seem like a very good idea. Also, what is the disadvantage of getting something cheap like this compared to an expensive unit?

Thanks.

[jimd @ Dec 1st 2006 7:03PM]

It took all of 5 seconds to find this. Google is a great thing... :)

Features
- 3.5" Touch Panel TFT LCD Screen

- 2D & 3D Map Orientation

- North America Map Preloaded on SD Card (50 States & Canada)

- Pedestrian Mode for Portable Handheld Use

- Point of Interest Searchable By Proximity

- Routing by Highways, Major Roads or Locations

- Fast Route Time and Re-Route Time for Detour

- SD Expansion Card Slot for Ensuring the Latest Map Updates

- Optional MP3 & JPEG Support


Specs
- CPU: Centrality AT260B 200MHz

- Operation System: WinCE.Net 4.2 Core Version

- Flash Memory: 32MB

- Power: DC in 5V

- Battery: 2700 mHhr Li-ion Approx. 8-10 Hours

- GPS Chipset: SiRF III


ACCESSORIES


- USB AC Adaptor

- Car Cord Adaptor

- Windshied Pedestal Docking Mount

- External In-Car-Use GPS Antenna (optional)

[Ian Jardine @ Dec 1st 2006 6:41PM]

Can you buy overseas maps for them?

[tiuk @ Dec 1st 2006 7:41PM]

Yeah, I also found those specs in about five seconds.. but they don't answer either of my questions.

I eventually found a post on some website announcing the device, and it mentions that it has audio, but so far that's the only source I've read that mentions it (including Axion's website).

[MitchellO @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:53AM]

I had one of these for about a week but I returned it. It was branded RoadAngel, and it sucked. Voice directions were incorrect 10% of the time, and it was slow. Not recommended.

[Bill S. @ Dec 30th 2006 7:51PM]

Stay far, far away from this unit! I bought one for a gift and it is terrible. The touchscreen uses a stylus only and it doesn't work. The maps freeze all the time and part of the touchscreen went dead after 1 day. Customer service is a joke. They got one guy in the whole country and he doesn't know much about them. I went and bought a garmin street pilot for $100 more. It was well worth the difference in price. You must go with garmin, tomtom or magellan with gps's. I thought I would try to save a buck but the differnce in quality is staggering.