Vector portable GPS device now more affordable

MANILA, Philippines - Good news for car owners, weekend warriors, trekkers, tour bus operators and road trippers: Asiatype’s Vector V100 Portable GPS device has become more affordable.

From an introductory price of P13,900, the Vector navigation system now costs P11,995.

No bigger than an iPhone and as intuitive to use, the Vector can be attached to the windshield of a car with a suction cup - allowing other drivers to adjust it to the height they are most comfortable with. Plus, unlike built-in navigation systems, you can take the Vector from your weekday car and use it on your SUV for weekend drives out of town. 

Unlike GPRS or Web-based maps, the Vector’s street-level maps of key cities in the Philippines plus key landmarks and main routes outside the metropolis are updated every three months.

“The connection is directly via satellite so unlike GPRS or mobile devices, you don’t have to pay; the connection is free,” says Asiatype mapping department manager Paul Refuerzo.

You’ll be given turn-by-turn voice direction, unlimited itineraries and alternative routes that take into account one-way streets and limited-access subdivision gates. Even when you miss a turn or bypass instructions, the Vector will quickly recalculate turns and routes based on where you are.

It also offers advanced search functions. For instance, you can type in the street address of the place you’re going to. Or if you’re only given the name of the building or a landmark in, say, Makati, the device will get you there, too.

For weekend warriors, campers, trekkers and road trippers, the Vector will show them the main road or landmark closest to their current location to ensure that they will never again be stuck in the middle of nowhere with no direction home. 

Among portable GPS devices, only the Vector can offer this kind of precision because the software was developed by Asiatype, which, for more than 20 years has been in the business of making the famed Citiatlas maps for Metro Manila and key cities in the Philippines.

“It’s our expertise, it’s our core business,” says marketing manager Jenina Alli.

“We have two teams who are out for two weeks to cover their assigned areas,” says Refuerzo. “They cover every municipality they’re assigned, rain or shine, with a GPS on board their car and a laptop, where they record every route they pass. And they keep a log of all the landmarks - stores, churches, schools, all the possible information that can go into the Vector.”

The Vector has a TFT touch-screen panel, resolution of 480 x 272 pixels, a 2GB internal flash and a micro SD card slot (8GB maximum). It can be connected to a mobile phone via Bluetooth so the user can answer his calls hands-free. He can also hook up the turn-by-turn voice direction to the car radio and transmit it via FM if he wants.

For demonstations and more information, head to SM Appliance Stores, Ace Hardware, Handyman, Robinsons Appliances and Tru-Value. Call 725-6262 for information on where to get the Vector V100 Portable GPS outside of Manila. Or order online at www.vector.com.ph.