How low can prices go?
Thu, 12/17/2009 - 11:06pm
    15 years
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A year and a half ago $300 was the price barrier to be broken, for getting a full-featured Garmin ($299 for nuvi 660). Now the 780 is selling for $168. GPS is becoming like smartphones, everybody's (50%) got one.
Maybe Garmin will be like RIM and keep on chuggin'!
With all the new smartphones
With all the new smartphones offering directions it'll be a downhill slide. I'm holding off awhile longer before purchasing.
The dedicated automotive GPS
The dedicated automotive GPS should have more features than a great phone solution.
how low can they go?
Never low enough
So long as Garmin is still profitable
I think that GPS prices should continue going down with so many people buying GPS units.
The things probably cost $10 if that to make>>>
I think that GPS prices should continue going down with so many people buying GPS units.
it's the mapping technology and r&d that costs a bit more...the mapping technology is getting worse as years go on...pretty soon they should be paying us to take them
"You can't get there from here"
$10 cost
Exactly, the cost of the unit itself is peanuts. I think the markups are still huge at this time.
The maps are getting worse
The maps are getting worse as time goes on. Google maps can't even spell my street correctly!!! At least Navtec has it correct (for the moment!!!!).
Vis
1250T for ~$62-$72!
Still cann't believe I got two of these for $72 each at Best buy. Lifetime traffic, speed limits shown, and street names spoken upgrade from my basic 250 christmas present a couple years ago. My daughter used hers last night and was alt routed around a traffic accident. She was a little surprised by the route, but I was surprised how fast she got home! Thanks again fatwallet.com.
I spent last night loading favorites and pictures and just discovering all sorts of neat stuff.
nuvi 250 --> 1250T --> 265T Lost my 1250T
Way to go google!
Google maps finally corrected my house location on the block! First to get it right -- Garmin still shows me at a nonexistant address and my address much nearer the corner. Don't know if developer/postal/county did the funny numbering nobody seemed able to crack until google finally got it right last night. It still has the old marker near the corner along with a brand new one almost in front of the house.
nuvi 250 --> 1250T --> 265T Lost my 1250T
as low..
As low as they can go without literally giving away the product and still making a profit.
Perhaps the trend will be
Perhaps the trend will be similar to some other segments of consumer electronics. Lower end units will gain functionality and as prices continue to slide, the big names will abandon the low end segment and concentrate on the more specialized segments (aviation, military, etc.). Then, that $10 gps will be made by a Chinese company you haven't heard of and have the look and feel of $10 worth of electronics. As for phone based gps, the potential is significent. I currently do texting, emailing, play podcasts and internet radio and even occasionally talk on my phone, that is, when I've got a digital signal. For navigating in unfamiliar, and sometimes remote areas, I'll keep my dedicated Garmin in-car and hand held units for awhile.
Of course I've been wrong before.
Now thats funny but ditto!
Vis, Now thats funny but ditto!
Not for nada>>>
Then, that $10 gps will be made by a Chinese company you haven't heard of and have the look and feel of $10 worth of electronics.
Probably already the case...compared to the C530 I still use, most of the NUVIs and all the MIOs, etc feel like junk...not trying to disrespect anyone's toy...just saying that the trend has already commenced...it is the inevitable progression as consumers clamor for more features and lower prices...something's got to give and you can bet your derriere it ain't gonna be company profits!
"You can't get there from here"
Pretty soon we will have the $5 versions!
Pretty soon we will have the $5 versions!