Sanyo crams SSDs into new duo of in-car navigation systems

If you've ran smack into any flavor of foreign object while waiting impatiently for your navigator to "recalculate," you'll likely be salivating for Sanyo's latest duo. The NVA-MS1280DT and NVA-MS1180DT each feature a 4GB SSD drive (though the former adds a 4GB SD card and DVD support), a 7-inch QVGA display, 43-watt x 4 internal amplifier, MP3 / WMA / AAC playback, a 1-seg TV tuner, 3D maps, FM tuner and iPod support. In all seriousness, the SSD is bundled in not so much for its speed, but for its reliability -- either way, we can't help but be enamored. Both units are slated to land in June for ¥181,650 ($1,761) and ¥155,400 ($1,506), respectively, so it's fairly easy to see those solid state discs aren't being thrown in gratis.

[Via NaviGadget]

[Peter @ May 24th 2008 3:15PM]

Umm, QVGA on a 7" screen?

[KEROLiUKAS @ May 24th 2008 3:57PM]

Yea, seriously, my phone runs QVGA...this must be a mistake.

[Wolfticket @ May 24th 2008 3:28PM]

They say: "solid state device". We say "4gb of flash memory and no hard drive".

[Taylor @ May 24th 2008 3:58PM]

Yeah, what's up with that? That's like saying the iPhone has an SSD in it because it used flash... it's just an embedded device with flash memory, SSD as a term only really makes sense if its in a notebook or something, when the Solid State Drive replaces the Hard Disk Drive. Flash memory in embedded devices is nothing new and this company is just trying to make their device sound like its got new technology in it when, as far as the memory goes, it doesn't.
-Taylor

[iEye @ May 24th 2008 3:32PM]

They should hook up a camera that films while you drive in a loop, then if a collision occurs you have the evidence on the SSD, and then you can sue the other person and your insurance will not go up as there is proof that the other person is a fault...

It's time that insurance companies go out of business...


Last!

[paul34 @ May 24th 2008 3:58PM]

Makes sense. In a moving, sometimes (always if you live in PA) harsh environment of a car rolling on the road, a delicate hard drive isn't always the best solution. True, modern HDs can survive... but why bother if there is a SSD available (other than price)?

[Homeboy @ May 24th 2008 4:02PM]

SSD eh? What's the size of the so claimed SSD drive, 1.8 inch drive? Or is SSD just used as a marketing tool trying to make embedded memory sound more high tech??

[Cybergypsy @ May 24th 2008 4:17PM]

nice....................

[Mark @ May 24th 2008 4:27PM]

Kenwood's in-dash GPS stereo all-in-ones (like the DNX7100 in my car) have been using solid state memory instead of a hard disk or DVD for map storage for over a year.

[marcus @ May 24th 2008 7:01PM]

Does it only support iPod? So it's like an iPod dock? Or is "iPod" the new term for mp3/4 player? ;(

[doublethink @ May 24th 2008 8:03PM]

a unit like that will always have a at least one usable regular RCA input (red and white).

the ipod probably has the ability to be controlled by the sanyo, so you dont have to handle it at all while driving.

thats usually the only advantage to these ipods when it comes to car integration.