ViaMichelin X-930 GPS unit hits North America for $300

A few months ago, we spotted ViaMichelin's X-980T on the FCC's site, but with Europe-only maps, so that wasn't really too useful for those of us on this side of the pond. But ViaMichelin's pulled a fast one on us and has just released a model called the X-930 before the X-980T: its first entry-level device targeted specifically at North American consumers. It's got all the standard stuff that you'd expect from a unit of this caliber: a SiRF Star III receiver, 3.5-inch screen, SD card slot, 1.5 million points of interest plotted across maps of the US and Canada, 32MB of RAM, and a 312MHz processor. For now, it looks like New York electronics retailer J&R has a short exclusive on this one, and will be selling it for $250. However, other retailers should have it for $300 before the end of the month -- that is, assuming people can find those stores without the benefit of GPS.

[Via Crave]

[cidion @ Dec 11th 2006 7:08AM]

What made them choose Greenville SC for a map to show? Interesting.

[chris Stefanescu @ Dec 11th 2006 9:53AM]

I actually have this unit. Its great, very small and light. Great GPS performance too.

[Mr. Mike @ Dec 11th 2006 10:05AM]

Yeah NAVTEQ

Hackable? Mio killer?

[Johnny English @ Dec 11th 2006 10:08AM]

I believe Michelin's North American headquarters is somewhere on that map.

[Ian Jardine @ Dec 11th 2006 10:20AM]

Couple of questions:

1) WHat level of detail does it have IF the whole of NA can be fitted upon one SD?
2) Can you buy European or Asian maps for the US unit so one can use it when travelling to another continent?

[TIMMAH! @ Dec 11th 2006 12:33PM]

I don't know how it could be a Mio killer considering the Mio is running 64MB RAM and has a 400Mhz processor.

[Vic @ Dec 11th 2006 1:12PM]

I had a MIO and found it lacking in several areas that it looks like this one took care of. I'll get mine tomorrow so I'll see.

The address book and zoom look to be improved and may even have newer maps!

[Brian Verenkoff @ Dec 11th 2006 3:09PM]

I also have this unit and it's great. It's small and super easy to use. THe best thing is the SirfIII GPS radio, it works awesome. You don't need an external antenna and can use it inside a car even away from windows.

[James @ Dec 11th 2006 5:26PM]

NAVTEQ maps are better than Tele Atlas. Look at all the problems associated with TomTom devices versus Garmin and Magellan.

[John @ Mar 22nd 2007 6:03AM]

Neat little unit but not very user friendly.
Needs a better way to switch from day to nite mode.
User manual reads like Japanese sterro instructions.
Has anyone written a quick referance guide for this unit that is functional ?
GPS also do'es not show elevation.

All of the above short commings could most likely be fixed with a firmware upgrade that could be loaded through the sd card.

[Ken Geen @ May 10th 2007 7:23AM]

Show me where I can trade this unit in. This unit thinks I'm driving in Corn fields ! Road that have been around for 5+ years are not showing up on map. Works great for cities, but try and find a address on a highway ! Highways that have been around for 50 years show up on the display and tell you where your at, but try and use the useless interface and type the place your at in for a address. Impossible! Could be a wonderful device, but I've contacted customer service and have them try to enter a address and nothing. If you know a rural address, go to WWW.viamichelin.com and type in a rural destination and see what happens. Spend 40 dollars more and buy a Garmin unit like my son did. A bargain isn't a bargain if you can't find a address for this unit to take you to. :(