MS5500 C-IQ, Conrad Anderson UK, Cruise Control

MS 5500 C-IQ

Birmingham, January 2003.

VDO Dayton, in conjunction with Conrad Anderson, launches MS 5500 with C-IQ; a new generation of cost-effective satellite navigation.

The introduction of the MS 5500 navigation system from VDO Dayton represents a new generation of on-board computer which, for the very first time, enables users to only pay for the mapping and travel information they actually require. This is achieved by way of a unique coded data-access system known as C-IQ.

"The key to cost-effective navigation lies in being able to provide customers with only the data they actually require," says Siemens VDO Commercial Manager, Paul Jennings. "C-IQ achieves this through storing data and travel information for each of 23 European countries in separate 'data-sets' on a single DVD. Customers are then able to purchase licences to access the particular data-set or sets they require. The duration of licences can also be specified so, for example, a customer could purchase UK-mapping for a year plus information for France for two weeks to cover an annual holiday.

"With a typical navigation system, travellers looking for such a service would have been forced to purchase individual maps for other European countries, or a complete DVD - a far more expensive solution, typically costing around three times as much as the C-IQ option. To access C-IQ data, customers purchase special access codes from www.vdodayton.com, the C-IQ Service Centre, or their local dealer. The process is simple and takes just a few minutes to complete. C-IQ data can be authorised for use for single days, a month, a whole year, or even for a lifetime."

The annually updated DVD contains sufficient storage space for the entire previously digitised European road network, comprising some 4 million kilometres of road and more than 500,000 points of interest from fuel stations to shopping centres. Additionally, the DVD contains travel information from publishers such as VARTA, Merian autoscout and Michelin. DVD updates will be sent free of charge to MS 5500 users (apart from those who have taken the lifetime option). As mapping data is constantly being revised, improved and developed, this means customers will always have the most up-to-date mapping information available to them.

"Users will also be able to try information before they purchase, as the system allows up to two days free use for two sets of country-data," adds Paul Jennings. "By purchasing the mapping and associated travel information they require, customers can configure their own personal navigation package."

MS 5500
With MS 5500, VDO Dayton has significantly improved the performance of the navigation computer through the use of upgraded processors that ensure route calculation is faster than with any competing products. This means that maps are displayed on the screen within a matter of seconds and should the user deviate from the proposed route, an alternative route is offered as soon as the first turn is made.

MS 5500's wide-screen display unit incorporates a redesigned graphical interface which is clearly structured and provides more information than previous systems. The voice-guidance can now offer 'turn now' advice and the Traffic Message Channel facility has been further refined and developed so that UK customers with a TMC receiver can now access traffic information using the C-IQ coded data-access system. This obviates the need for a new map and means TMC can be used only when required as access is available either by the year, the month or the day.

To simplify and speed up the selection of routes, users can enter a partial postcode to take them to the locality of their destination. A new 'Quick Access' function offers further advantages, especially in large urban areas, by enabling users to enter a street name first and then select the corresponding town or city from a list.

The MS 5500 is available from a national network of authorised VDO Dayton dealers. RRP is £1700 for the MS 5500 with a 5.8" widescreen colour display and £1800 for the MS 5500 XL with a 7" widescreen colour display. Prices for accessing a region (i.e. UK, Benelux, Scandinavia) costs Euro 2.99 for a day, Euro 19.99 for a month, Euro 89.00 for the year, or €169.00 for one year activation of European maps.