[Updated, Apr. 15] -- In conjunction with NASCAR, Transplant GPS announced a Windows CE PND (portable navigation device) featuring the voice of driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The Rightway RW500JR Spotter offers specialized POIs (points of interest) and graphics designed to appeal to race fans, says Transplant.
Mio's Knight Rider GPS (Click image for further information)
Like Mio's Knight Rider GPS, pictured at right, the RW500JR Spotter is a PND that has received some interesting customization. Where the Mio product featured "the original voice of KITT, the most iconic TV car of all time," the RW500JR features the voice of "NASCAR's most popular driver," Dale Earnhardt Jr.
According to Transplant GPS, the device provides turn-by-turn directions in Earnhardt Jr.s voice and unique style, including such commands as "hang a left," "park it," "were here," "you drive, Ill ride shotgun," and "hey, back her down, you've got to turn around." In addition, the device's standard onscreen pointer may be replaced (below left) with one representing one of Dale Jr.'s race cars, and a Dale Jr. section in the RW500R's POI (points of interest) database (below right) displays "places he likes to visit, businesses he owns, and where to get a great pizza," the company says.
The RW500JR allows changing its pointer to resemble a NASCAR racer (left) and has custom POIs (right) (Click either to enlarge)
The RW500R is similar to the Knight Rider GPS as well as many other PNDs, with a 4.3-inch display, an applications processor that runs Windows CE 5.0 with a custom user interface, and the SiRF starIII chipset. Apart from preloaded maps of the United States from Navteq (Q4 2008 map data), the unit offers video playing, music playing, photo viewing and E-book capabilities. The device measures 3.6 x 3.2 x 0.9 inches and weighs approximately one pound, the company adds.
Blake Davidson, managing director for licensed product for NASCAR, said "The Spotter GPS is unique and innovative and will resonate well with our loyal NASCAR fan base. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has such a strong following in our sport, and his personal touch on this GPS creates a great connection between the driver and the fan."
A video demonstration of the RW500R Source: Transplant GPS (click to play)
Availability
Transplant GPS did not release pricing or availability information for the RW500JR Spotter. According to an Amazon product page, however, the device has a list price of approximately $400, and will go on sale May 15.
