Sept/Oct 2005

Siemens group subsidiary VDO Dayton, one of the long-standing names in satellite navigation systems, has launched its first self-contained portable navigation system. It describes its new MS 2000 as an entry-level system for drivers who change vehicles regularly, although in specification it stacks up well against rival models from other makers.

Although VDO was an early entrant into the navigation market, the company previously focused on fixed in-vehicle units, which remain its core market; but portable units and PDA-based systems from other makers have become increasingly popular (and affordable) in the last couple of years.

The MS 2000 comes in competitively with a price tag of £480. For that you get a dedicated handheld unit with a 3.5 inch non-reflecting backlit screen and a generous 544 megabytes of flash memory. This can also be expanded by means of an SD slot. You can transfer data from a PDA by means of a USB connection, and the company says you can also load MP3 music files or digital photos on to the unit.

Although self-contained, the MS 2000 is designed for easy integration into a vehicle environment. There is a vehicle mounting unit, and a cordless remote control system to allow it to be operated from the steering wheel. An audio output allows sound to be fed to the vehicle's audio system. There is a rechargeable battery, or the unit can be powered from the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket.

 

In terms of display, it offers 2D and 3D mapping with spoken directions and pictograms. A zoom function allows complex junctions to be seen in enlarged view.