Voxson puts new maps into sat nav

That means people in the market for a new GPS can now get up-to-date maps.

The previous version contained data 18 months out of date.

Whereis 13 was released by Sensis in March and Voxson was the first to convert the data, test it, and release products with the data integrated into the Voxtrack 500 and Voxtrack 800.

With more than 1000 vehicles sold with GPS systems each month and an explosion in aftermarket sat nav, many drivers are becoming frustrated with outdated mapping software.

Every year, thousands of new streets are constructed around Australia, quickly making software outdated.

On a recent national launch of the Mercedes-Benz S Class, the sat nav equipment showed the vehicle driving through a green field when we were actually on the new Hume Highway bypass.

Voxson CEO Andrew Longginou said that with more than 1.3 million Australians having GPS on their shopping list, in-car navigation was their biggest growth area.

Voxson, which began manufacturing car radios and audio systems 35 years ago, can also upgrade current customers to the latest Whereis software.

Product design engineer David Hendriks said there would be a new version of the maps in 12-18 months.

Upgrade maps will cost about $200 and come on an SD card.

"The user simply purchases the new map card and swaps it into their unit," Hendriks said.

International maps can also be bought in this form.

The Voxtrack 800 includes voice and visual prompts, plus a video player, MP3 player and jpeg picture viewer for $799.

It quickly attaches to a mounting bracket that has a strong suction cup connector that will not only stick to shiny surfaces but also some hard vinyl surfaces.

Some of the handy functions are audible alerts for fixed speed camera zones, red-light cameras and a predetermined speed limit; flashing light prompts for turns; and an illuminated anti-glare touch screen which worked well in all lighting conditions.

I'm not sure why anyone would want a picture viewer function, but it's simple to operate and download pictures from a laptop via the provided USB cable.

Similarly, videos and MP3 files can be downloaded. The unit comes with 256Mb map cards.

The software and map data take up about 100Mb leaving enough space for about 50 songs or a short movie.

"We advise customers to use their own SD cards (the unit will accept up to 2Gb cards) for copying their music or movie files so as to limit the chances of corrupting or accidentally erasing the map data," Hendricks said.

"When copying movie files users generally use what's known as transcoders to convert the file to the correct format and screen size.

"As the screen resolution is quite low compared to that of a DVD, the video file can be significantly compressed with the transcoder and the final file size is quite reasonable."

Voxson cannot supply transcoder applications with the unit due to licensing restrictions.

However they are readily available online and anyone making movie files is often already using them.

There is an audio output for headphones or connection to your car stereo if it has a headphone or auxiliary input jack.

The Voxtrack 500 also has voice and visual prompts bracket system, illuminated anti-glare touch screen and costs $699.

Visit: www.voxson.com.au; whereis.com.au