&Nbsp; ) soaring more than 10% last week after the GPS specialist blew away Wall Street expectations of $0.64 with EPS of $0.96. A closer look at the report, however, reveals some concerns that the initial fanfare ignored. An EPS increase of 16% helped send shares up, but it's been declining revenues that have largely plagued Garmin. Even with improving margins, earnings can only go so much higher without top-line growth.
The fine print Analysts seem to have missed an important footnote in the company's report: Though the gadget maker posted revenue growth of 9% for the quarter, the reporting period was actually 14 weeks, not the usual 13 as in 2010. Adjusting the quarter to a 13-week equivalent implies that sales grew by less than 1%. This worries me.
Similarly, Garmin reported that revenue from its primary automotive/mobile segment increased by 4%, but really it declined by 3.6% in this 13-week equivalent time period. And the growth problems should continue as the company predicted revenue of $2.7 billion to $2.8 billion for 2012, equal to its $2.76 billion for 2011. The expectations for earnings are even worse, with management projecting pro forma earnings per share of $2.45 to $2.60, after an EPS of $2.73 in 2011.
Feds Propose Ban on In-Car Dialing, Texting, Surfing
21.05.12
The Department of Transportation has proposed guidelines that would block all in-vehicle communications by a driver, including texting, dialing, Internet browsing, and even entering a GPS address by hand.
So far, the proposed guidelines would only affect in-vehicle communication systems. But DOT also held open the possibility that future restrictions would clamp down on smartphones and tablets, and even crack down on voice-activated controls.
The regulations, if imposed and enforced, could dramatically alter the future of connected vehicles within the United States, as well as how U.S. drivers use devices like GPS navigation systems and cell phones.
The department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) would establish specific criteria for electronic devices installed in vehicles at the time they are manufactured that require visual or manual operation by drivers. In other words, those devices could have controls built in that could prevent them from functioning while the vehicle is in motion, or allow them to operate in a "less-distracting state".
Bought this from Amazon. Would totally reccommend it.
Automobile GPS navigation systems, which are best and most affordable?
Dec 22, 2008 by bgh | Posted in Other - Cars & Transportation
If you have had experience with any Mobile Gps systems, Which has the best price rating and overalrating for a truck driver who will travel entire usa
See at this page maybe can help you.
WHICH GPS HAS ROUTES FOR TRUCKS OR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?i e=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ama zon.com%2Fgp%2Ftagging%2Ftag%2Fgps%2Ffor um%3Fie%3DUTF8%26cdForum%3DFx1ZP396JKI1B Q4%26ref%255F%3Dcm%255Fcd%255Fdp%255Frt% 255Ftft%255Ftp%26cdThread%3DTx2AJQHNR2BN 507&tag=garmin.gps.navigator.cheap-2 0&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&cre ative=390957
K. Rankin says:
I have a garmin ique m4 which is a discontinued model, and it has an option to route for driving a truck. I used to drive a box truck for work in the baltimore/D.C. area and the truck route did steer me away from the roads commercial vehicles could not travel on. There are times when it will tell you to get on a road you shouldn't drive on, but that was extremely rare. I would suggest any of the garmin C series, the C530 is probably the cheapest one i've seen on amazon now at just under $200. I like the truck routing feature, and I would use it more than the car routing feature because it would take you on the bigger/wider roads which are easier to navigate on to begin with. I'm only guessing but it looks like the nuvi series uses the same user interface/software as the C series so it may have truck routing also.
I've got a Insignia Internet Connected model 20 with bluetooth on the way. It is a Best Buy only brand...and the only Internet connected GPS on the market right now. It originally sold for $599, but Best Buy is now selling it for $150.
I read a ton of reviews on it, and the general concensus was that at $599 it was way over priced.... but $150 is much better.
The pros of the device was obviously the Internet connection that alows you to google search for locations and automatically have google download the information to the device, if you have a bluetooth phone, it will also alow you to call the location handsfree through the GPS... as well, it will allow you to make and recieve phone calls through your phone on the GPS... this is one of the most affordable bluetooth GPS on the market. The Internet cononection also allows you get get up to the minute gas prices from gasbuddy.com and realtime traffic updates from 52 American cities.
The cons of the device are that the interface aren't as good compareably priced models. They aren't as "cartoony" and sharp. There have also been some complaints that the touch screen sometimes requires you to tap the screen twice.
The device is still very new on the market, just released the end of October, but being priced at $150 puts it in a great price range. If you are looking for the best graphics on the market with the most features, then this isn't for you... But if you are willing to sacrafice awesome graphics, and a ton of features... for functional graphics with only a couple very usefull features, then this is the GPS for you. Being a truck driver I'm sure the realtime gas prices and traffic conditioins, along with the ability to google search something you should really consider.
boomn4x4 | Dec 22, 2008
GPS navigation system......which one to buy?
Jul 17, 2008 by mmrn | Posted in Car Audio
I have narrowed it down to the Garmin or TomTom, unless someone suggests one that out performs these brands. I want to use it in my automobile, only in the U.S. and would like text to speech. I don't want to spend more that $300 and would like some advise from someone who has some experience with them or sells them. Thanks
If you want cheap, I would suggest the Garmin Nuvi 200, it is currently $150 at best buy and comes with a free case. This sale runs till July 26th 2008.
The first link is a $50 coupon off any Garmin at Best Buy, brings it down to $100.
The second link is for best buy, check to make sure your local store has the Nuvi 200 in stock, as many stores are already out.
If you want more features than just navigation and a lot of points of interest, look at the Garmin C580. It has bluetooth for answering/placing phone calls while you drive, Text to Speech (can say the street names), and MSN direct which provides traffic updates (1 year included, $49 a month afterwords) It is 189.99 w/ free shipping at amazon, which is the 3rd link.
KLAVEN_777 | Jul 21, 2008
They cost $100 nowadays. Don't pay over a $100 bucks since all of them will get cheaper in no time. They already go for $100 nowadays. The Garmin Nuvi 200 from BestBuy was 100 2 weeks ago.
Wait for the 4.3" GPS Systems to go down in price "eventually in a couple of months they will" Reading the directions off of the 3.5" screens most GPS systems use is kind of difficult sometimes.
Freaky Deaky | Jul 17, 2008
make sure you buy a good one, make it over $175 or else you will get a cheap one that doesnt preform very well. i prefer a Tomtom. they are more easy to manage and control.
quintin | Jul 17, 2008
I bought the Navigon 2100 at radio shack. It was less then 300. Text to speach is pretty new and I think it's only on the Garmins and Tom Toms. I'm happy with my Navigon though, it gets me there faster then the others and doesn't play around although I have to type the address.
zipperz41 | Jul 17, 2008
We got a Garmin Nuvi 350 for $200 on Amazon. It's awesome! We've borrowed a TomTom before too, and it was fine, but our relatives with a Garmin would always get a better/faster route.
Princeza | Jul 17, 2008
i have a TomTom XL One.. it's AMAZING. it was around $300, maybe a little more. i subscribed to live traffic and now i always beat it.
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