New Navigon GPS Devices Learn from Users’ Driving Habits

Navigon's new 7300GT, 4300GT, and 3300 max individualize navigation by offering three route choices factoring in speed limits, construction, traffic...and users' driving habits.

Germany’s Navigon has unveiled three new GPS units that aim to bring individualized routing and driving direction to a whole new level by factoring in users’ driving habits into their route planning, as well as factors like speed limits, travel times, construction, and traffic. The devices’ MyRoutes feature shows each route on the integrated display and continuously updates its planning account for new factors and how the user is driving.

“Any device can get you from point A to point B, but the real challenge is delivering an experience that helps our customers overcome the challenges they face every day on the road,” said Navigon America’s president Michael Roach, in a statement.

The MyRoutes feature, available in all three new GPS systems, shows up to three possible routes to a destination, factoring in traffic problems, construction, speed limits, day of week, and time of day, as well as a user’s individual driving habits as recorded by the GPS during use. The GPS units will notice the speeds users drive on different types of roads, and notice which roads they prefer to drive, factoring those preferences into their route planning. All suggested routes are displayed on a map with an ETA, and the information is continuously updated as the driver proceeds. The new systems are also the first on the market to feature Rand McNally navigation content, including pre-planning weekend getaways and scenic trips.

At the high end, the Navigon 73000GT offers Panorama View 3D and Landmark View 3D features that not only offer a 3F view of roadways, but also drop in terrain and landmarks to help users find their way—in some cases, like sports stadiums, the landmarks might even be the users’ destinations. The 7300GT can also speak traffic updates (rather than just showing them on a map), and offers a new voice option for inputting addresses and destinations, and enables users to raise or lower the volume of phone calls using their voice. The 7300Gt sports a 4.3-inch touch screen display, pre-loaded maps for the contiguous 48 U.S. states (and Canada, if sold in Canada) and Bluetooth hands-free capability; expect to see it in the second quarter of 2009 with a suggested price f $399.99. Navigon also offers a “FreshMaps” package for $80 that will provide up to 8 map updates over two years; if a user opts in to FreshMaps within 30 days of buying a device, the price is only $39.99.

The 4300GT basically matches the specs of the 7300GT without the 3D Panorama and Landmark views, it should be available in the second quarter of 2009 for $299.99 The 3300 max keeps the 4.3-inch touchscreen, but drops Bluetooth and the real-time spoken traffic updates and the Rand McNally scenic routes; expect to see it on sale for $199.99. The FreshMaps map update service—and 30 days from purchase discount—applies to both the 4300GT and 3300 max.