Personal navigation is becoming one of the fastest-growing consumer markets worldwide - a fact that has inspired South African company Leaf International Communications to increase the competition in the local global positioning system (GPS) market.
To this extent, Leaf has partnered with German GPS manufacturer Navigon, to distribute the Navigon 5100 and 7100 GPS units in sub-Saharan Africa.
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 is also capable of displaying motorway signs before you approach them - giving users fair warning on what to expect as and when a turn occurs.
The 5100 features a large 4:3 touch-screen display, which gives users a choice of views ranging from 2D, 3D and day-and-night mode and a dynamic route overview.
The device is also capable of detecting when a user is stuck in traffic and will suggest alternate routes to get them to their destinations quicker.
The 7100 is the current product range flagship. It boasts a 16:9 touch-screen display and has a built in Bluetooth hands-free kit.
The device itself is made from high-quality materials such as polished acrylic glass and has a classy black piano lacquer shell - positioning it as a true quality design piece for any motor vehicle.
The 7100 won the 2007 International Red Dot Design Award in the "Best of the Best" category - a remarkable achievement for a company that has been making GPS devices for just on two years.
With these two Navigon devices, every route can be calculated according to four different criteria - fast, short, optimum or scenic.
The user`s location is determined by the modern SIRFStar III GPS receiver module, which has strong signal strength and is highly accurate no matter where they are in the world.
The windscreen mount for both devices is designed to be stylish and easy to use and has a swivel head attached to a ball-joint, which has the ability to rotate 360 degrees to achieve an optimum viewing angle.
The Navigon devices also have miniature icons to represent points of interest such as service stations and fast food outlets - making it easy for users to find exactly what they are looking for without taking their eyes off the road.
"We decided to partner with Navigon because we believe in the company`s roadmap, and are confident that we can build the Navigon brand both in South Africa and in other countries such as Mozambique, Botswana and Cameroon," says Leaf International Communications managing director Quinton Leigh.
"Navigon is a young, dynamic company and is not like other players in the market, whose product portfolios cover everything from wristwatches to washing machines.
"Navigon only manufactures GPS devices and has an exceptionally strong development team. The company`s 5100 and 7100 GPS devices are both high quality products when it comes to the build quality, form factor and their user interfaces," says Leigh.
"Navigon has been developing mapping software for a number of years and now that they have taken the decision to move into hardware, Navigon has complete control over every aspect of the device from the hardware, software, interface and how you interact with the device," he adds.
"This is a major differentiating factor in the South African market - we can offer something that other players can`t, which is why we believe that in its product segment, Navigon will be ranked number one in the country very quickly," Leigh concludes.
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