Portable navigation systems to get cheaper as sales flatline

Posted: Oct 24, 2009
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Navigation System

According to a report by Gearlog navigation system sales numbers will decrease 1% this year and is expected to stay low through 2013. Market researcher iSuppli Corp. predict that the norm will 41 million to 44 million units moved for the next four years will be the norm.

This will likely translate into a decrease in manufacturing costs and eventually a lower price for the consumer. Gearlog predicts that we will see decent quality products in the $100 range and high-end products in the $250.

Expect to see manufacturers shift their focus to the next big thing says the article; smart phones and cell phones. TomTom has such a device in the works, and could possibly be in a position to grab 20% of the high-end smart phone segment.

Their device use a gigabyte of storage space to store both he application and the mapping data right on the right on the phone as opposed to just housing the application while the mapping is stored on a server, as with other companies like Networks in Motion.

This drop in the market could also translate to a drop in monthly rates for the services as well.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Gearlog (via KickingTires)


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  • dmiami

    Why get a GPS when you will be able to use your phone.

  • zermatt

    Portable GPS units have been the vanity accessory of choice over the past couple of years. If you have one you need to show everyone – even though you are headed to pick up your dry cleaning.

    Portable GPS is the “Baby On Board” sign of the early part of this century.

  • Emma

    i disagree with Zermatt. Portable GPS is much better than the google/mapquest printouts on your lap while driving.

  • Emma

    Because a dedicated GPS has much more features than the 'swiss-army' phone of today.

  • zermatt

    I don't believe you have read my comment carefully. People in my neighborhood have their portable GPS units live and operating as they drive to mundane tasks that they know the route in their sleep. I work with people that have the GPS units functioning on their way to and from work – places they have been driving to for over 10 years.

    That is vanity use of the GPS, not need of direction.

    I have GPS on my phone and use it only when needed. Judging by the high number of people using portable GPS devices in the Chicago suburbs, there is a high degree of vanity or most people are too stupid to figure out where they have been before.

  • zermatt

    I don't believe you have read my comment carefully. People in my neighborhood have their portable GPS units live and operating as they drive to mundane tasks that they know the route in their sleep. I work with people that have the GPS units functioning on their way to and from work – places they have been driving to for over 10 years.

    That is vanity use of the GPS, not need of direction.

    I have GPS on my phone and use it only when needed. Judging by the high number of people using portable GPS devices in the Chicago suburbs, there is a high degree of vanity or most people are too stupid to figure out where they have been before.