New Shipping Wi-Fi GPS

July 13th, 2011

AutoMover News: It’s the first GPS with Wi-Fi for cars is now shipping for $299. The company also announced a new backup camera meant for use with its RoadMate nav units. The RoadMate 5175T-LM GPS features a 5-inch WVGA touchscreen that can display in landscape or portrait mode by rotating the device. The built-in Internet browser enables destination or point-of-interest (POI) searching, and software updates can be downloaded when in Wi-Fi hot spots.

The included TourDirector app provides location information and average travel time. Other features include lifetime maps of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico; more than 6 million POIs; built-in AAA TourBook content; subscription-free lifetime traffic alerts, highway lane assist and spoken street names; and the OneTouch menu for favorite places and searches.

The second new device, a wireless backup camera ($149 suggested retail), is designed to attach to a vehicle’s rear license plate and transmit images to the 7-inch screen of a RoadMate 1700 or RoadMate 9055 GPS device. When the vehicle is put into reverse, the GPS navigator will switch from map to rear-view mode, enabling drivers to view what is below the rear window.

It’s reportedly dustproof and waterproof to IP67 standard. Features include a wide-angle viewing lens that provides a 120-degree viewing area behind the vehicle, a water-resistant transmitter, a 45-foot range and a 45-degree camera vertical adjustment. The kit comes with the camera and transmitter, along with a wireless receiver, vehicle power adapter, installation hardware and instructions.