Leaf International Communications has partnered with German global GPS vendor, Navigon, to distribute Navigon's 5100 and 7100 GPS devices.
Leaf MD Quinton Leigh says the company partnered with Navigon due to its "compelling" development roadmap. Navigon's devices offer much value due to their quality and functionality, he says.
According to Leigh, the local GPS market could use some healthy competition: "Dropping costs and breadth of current and future functionality are driving extensive growth in the personal navigation market."
He says Leaf aims to put Navigon on the map both locally and in sub-Saharan Africa. By the first quarter of 2008, he adds, the company will have a presence in Botswana, Cameroon and Mozambique.
"Navigon builds its devices from the ground up," says Leigh, and most GPS vendors design the hardware, then outsource the mapping software to a third party.
Leigh says both the 5100 and the 7100 feature Reality-View technology, enabling users to see where they are going in a real-time 3D map. The display can show motorway signs in advance, giving drivers reasonable warning before a turn occurs.
The 5100 has a large 4:3 touch-screen display and enables users to choose from views ranging from 2D, 3D and day-and-night mode, and what the company dubs a dynamic route overview. The model can also pick up traffic glitches in advance and suggest alternative routes.
The 7100 is the product range flagship, says Leigh. It features a 16:9 touch-screen display and a built-in Bluetooth hands-free kit.
The GPS devices will be available locally from October.
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