Nextar will be showcasing its Q4-LT GPS navigator at the Consumer Electronics Show next month and despite the fact the device isn’t slated for release until 2009’s third quarter, I’m excited to find out the purchase will include free real-time traffic updates for life. In cooperation with map maker NAVTEQ, Nextar will subsidize the freemium updates with “discrete advertising and special promotions that are offered to users based on their location.” I guess nothing is truly ever free, but this deal seems to be a more than fair trade-off. Traffic updates will be ready to go out of the box.
The Nextar Q4-LT will have a 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen display that displays NAVTEQ digital maps including 3D landmarks and sign-post viewing. The maps will include 1.6 million points of interest and text-to-speech spoken street name guidance pumped through the PND’s built-in speaker. Map coverage will include the United States and Canada and will come included with the Q4-LT on a 2 GB SD card.
Measuring 4.6 x 3.19 x 0.8 inches and weighing 2.3 pounds, Nextar’s Q4-LT will play back MP3 audio files and support JPEG image viewing. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the Q4-LT includes a stylus, AC/DC adapter, car adapter, USB cable, external RDS receiver, protective pouch, and suction cup.
When it hits shelves in Q3 2009, the Nextar GPS will have a retail price of $249.99. I’m sure we’ll find out some more information about the device come CES, so I’ll keep my eyes open. Recently Nextar has been on a roll in the United States becoming the third bestselling PND brand behind giants Garmin and TomTom.