Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., today introduced the StreetPilot i2 and i3, a new line of small, inexpensive automotive GPS navigators that make driving fun.

Photo: http://www.garmin.com/products/spi2/gallery/pt-spi202a.jpg

No larger than a baseball and starting at $299.99 (MSRP), the StreetPilot i-series is destined to be a hit for commuters, college students, and corporate travelers who are looking to experience the ease and enjoyment of GPS satellite navigation for the first time.

The compact i-series features a unique and convenient click-to-enter scroll wheel and a "back" button -- which makes it easy to select a destination from the unit's menu-driven interface. The i2 and i3 provide voice prompted, turn-by-turn directions through a built-in speaker, and the unit easily moves from vehicle to vehicle with an integrated suction cup mount. The i-series will also automatically put drivers back on course if they miss a turn.

The StreetPilot i2 and i3 come with a MapSource® City Select® North America NT v7 DVD, which contains mapping detail of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico -- featuring nearly six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions. Users load the City Select data onto an included 128MB Transflash(TM) data card via a fast USB connection.

Garmin has also added the ability for customers to augment the pre-loaded maps with Custom POI's from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras. In addition, a proximity alert feature is included to optionally notify the driver of upcoming Custom POI's.

The i3 features a 32k-color, sunlight readable TFT display with backlight, while the i2 features a high-contrast backlit FSTN monochrome display. Motorists can choose from either a three-dimensional mapping perspective, or overhead "bird's eye" view. For added convenience, drivers can power the unit with either unit with two AA batteries (six hours, typical use) or the included 12-volt adapter cable.

   Product specifications:
    -- WAAS enabled, 12-parallel channel GPS patch antenna, with MCX-type
       connector for optional external antenna
    -- Unit dimensions: 3.00" W x 2.74" H x 2.15" D
    -- StreetPilot i3 display: 1.3" W x 1.7" H, 176 x 220 pixels, 32k-color
       TFT with backlight
    -- StreetPilot i2 display: 1.3" W x 1.7" H, 176 x 240 pixels, high
       contrast monochrome FSTN with backlight
    -- Weight: 5.3 oz (includes vehicle suction cup mount, no batteries)

The StreetPilot i2 and i3 ship with a PC/USB cable, 12-volt adapter cable, vehicle suction cup mount, dashboard adhesive disk, 128MB Transflash data card, a MapSource City Select North America NT v7 DVD with full unlock, and setup guide. The StreetPilot i3 has an estimated retail price of $399 and it is expected to be available in August. The StreetPilot i2 is expected to be available in October at an estimated retail price of $299.

For more information, visit http://www.garmin.com