History of GPS

[+OwlCacher]

Does anybody know how much a GPS unit cost when it first came out? Was it a ripoff of what it costs today like many other electronics? Or do you wish you had purchased it earlier?

This is for a project for school, on the evolution of Hi-Tech vs, Lo-Tech items.

[+Groovy Cachin' Dude!]

Although it wasn't the "first" GPSr, I have a Magellan 2000 (similar to Dave Ulmer's) which retailed for $200.00 U.S. in 1996. Subsequently, I bought it used at a garage sale in 2000 for $25.00 U.S.

 

I have since upgraded, but my old Maggie still works as good as the day I bought it!

[+The Jester]

When I first saw GPS units for sale they were about $1500. I started to get somewhat excited when they dropped to under $800, but waited until the $150 mark before getting one.

[Xlobsterman]

Does anybody know how much a GPS unit cost when it first came out? Was it a ripoff of what it costs today like many other electronics? Or do you wish you had purchased it earlier?

This is for a project for school, on the evolution of Hi-Tech vs, Lo-Tech items.

 

 

To the best of my knowledge, this Sony GPS was one of the first "consumer" handheld GPS units on the market! (circa 1990) It does not have all the bells and wistles of todays GPS units, but it is an extreemly well built unit. IMO

 

Also, it has always amazed me what the prices are for "NEW" technology when it first hits the market place!!!

 

Here is an article that lists the price for my dinosaur GPS.

 

Where Am I?

No matter where in the world you are, the $1,195 hand-held Sony Pyxis GPS (Global Positioning System) can identify your precise position within about 100 feet. The Pyxis communicates with four satellites to identify your longitude, latitude, and altitude. With Pyxis you may still get lost, but at least you'll know exactly where you are. (Sony: 201-930-7669)

 

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.01/fetish.html

 

I purchased this Sony GPS'r (NIB) at a yard sale quite a few years ago!

 

[+OwlCacher]

Wow! I need to go to more garage sales!

[Suscrofa]

NEW technology costs a lot because it is costly to invent (something you can't plan by the way !), study, develop (and the product and the production tools) !

 

There is no rip off, here. Rip off is when you pay football players having the IQ of a salad, lawyers, politicians and the like more than scientists and engineers.

[+jotne]

Wikipedia is also a nice place to find information.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS

[Xlobsterman]

Wikipedia is also a nice place to find information.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS

 

WoW............................cool link, lots of good reading there!! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[+briansnat]

I paid $250 for my Legend and $350 for my Vista. Now you can get them new for $119 and $209 respectively.

[dave and jaime]

Does anybody know how much a GPS unit cost when it first came out? Was it a ripoff of what it costs today like many other electronics? Or do you wish you had purchased it earlier?

This is for a project for school, on the evolution of Hi-Tech vs, Lo-Tech items.

 

 

To the best of my knowledge, this Sony GPS was one of the first "consumer" handheld GPS units on the market! (circa 1990) It does not have all the bells and wistles of todays GPS units, but it is an extreemly well built unit. IMO

 

Also, it has always amazed me what the prices are for "NEW" technology when it first hits the market place!!!

 

Here is an article that lists the price for my dinosaur GPS.

 

Where Am I?

No matter where in the world you are, the $1,195 hand-held Sony Pyxis GPS (Global Positioning System) can identify your precise position within about 100 feet. The Pyxis communicates with four satellites to identify your longitude, latitude, and altitude. With Pyxis you may still get lost, but at least you'll know exactly where you are. (Sony: 201-930-7669)

 

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.01/fetish.html

 

I purchased this Sony GPS'r (NIB) at a yard sale quite a few years ago!

 

 

not quite, magellan introduced the first handheld gps unit in 1989 and it was the nav1000. for history, try searching wikipedia for thalles.

[Xlobsterman]

not quite, magellan introduced the first handheld gps unit in 1989 and it was the nav1000. for history, try searching wikipedia for thalles.

 

Well Dave & Jaimie,

just to clarify...................I stated that the Sony was "one of the first" not "the first" consumer GPS units on the market...............

[+Renegade Knight]

In 2002 I paid about 500 for my GPS V. I still have the V and use it for caching and routing. I have never upgraded. At the time that was the limit of what I could afford and would not have paid more if they cost more.

Edited December 7, 2006 by Renegade Knight

[Xlobsterman]

In 2002 I paid about 500 for my GPS V. I still have the V and use it for caching and routing. I have never upgraded. At the time that was the limit of what I could afford and would not have paid more if they cost more.

 

Hey Renegade,

I purchsed a Garmin GPSV earlier this year from cabelas for $199.00. IMO, this seemed like a good price for a mapping unit! The reason I purchsed the V is that I had an older model GPSII that I purchased about 10 years ago for $89.00, I was already familiar with its operation, and I had the mounting bracket on my ATV. Also, I like using an external antenna for better reception in the deep woods here in Nova Scotia.

 

 

My next GPSr will be a Garmin color unit................

Edited December 9, 2006 by Xlobsterman