Uniden’s Trax 436 and Trax 430 GPS auto navigators do in fact come from the company which one might more naturally associate with phones. . The Trax GPS navigation units are well featured units for the price and incorporate some interesting design ideas. The Trax units are identical apart from the Trax 436 including Bluetooth for hands-free mobile phone use, an integrated TMC antenna for traffic reports and the capability to fit an external GPS antenna for weak GPS signal reception areas. The GPS receiver is the capable but, less well know Nemerix.

Both the Trax 436 and 430 have a 4.3 inch widescreen making it easier to see the navigation display than with smaller 3.5 inch units. As there is only a single button (on/off) on the device, all data entry through pressing the touchscreen display. There is predictive text to help with some entry fields. One of the interesting design features alluded to is Safety Mode which disables the touch screen above 10km/h to ensure the driver has their attention on the road ahead.

A second of the interesting design features noted is the simple and advanced navigation interface modes. It makes a lot of sense to disable some more advanced functions, such as navigation to a GPS coordinate, in order to make a simpler, less cluttered menu structure for the average user. Incorporating text-to-speech capability, the Trax units’ voice navigation instructions include street names making it simpler to check one is on track without having to glance away from the road to the GPS unit display.

The navigation maps on the Uniden display look somewhat plain when first looked at but, contain all the necessary features.

Although the Trax navigators are not sold in the US, the four English speaking voices available have American accents – you cannot download/add other voices.

One “out of the box” feature, which may not be appreciated by all, is an alert when you’re driving over the speed limit. It can be disabled or the speed setting adjusted to up to 30 percent over the nominated speed limit.

Other key Uniden Trax Auto GPS features incude:

• 360 Degree 3D Landmark Technology showing road elevations and land contours including road overpasses and bridges
  Lane Indicators showing drivers the appropriate lane to use for turns well ahead of time (high end inclusion for the price)
• Integrated Traffic Monitoring Channel (TMC) receiver (Trax 436 Only) for receiving broadcast traffic alerts (subscription required). Both units have the capability to automatically plot a revised route around any traffic situation. TMC is not available in all Australian States or New Zealand so coverage should be checked.
• Multipoint route planning for when a trip includes a number of stops.
• Automatic Day and night mode for display
• Red light camera warnings
• 12 month warranty

Global mapping (including the US) is available. It should be noted that the units sold in Australia/New Zealand come with maps for both countries. Uniden TRAX CENTRAL is a free PC software program available from the Uniden site with which users can manage, update, backup and personalize their Uniden TRAX series. It’s handy, for example, if you want to import destinations and/or routes from Google Earth. A USB cable is not included with the TRAX unit but, most PC owners have a spare one available.

In the box with the Uniden Trax 430 or 436 GPS navigator are a windshield mount and an in-car, 24V charger lead. An AC adapter is available for extra.

Uniden Auto GPS Navigator range brochure

Uniden TRAX 436 Operating Manual

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