Magellan Navigation
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Magellan Navigation, Inc. is a San Dimas, California-based producer of consumer and professional grade global positioning system receivers.
[edit] History
Magellan was once owned by Orbital Sciences Corporation, which purchased it in 1994. In 2001, Thales purchased the Magellan division of Orbital Sciences for about $70 million. The company became known as Thales Navigation. Five years later, private equity firm Shah Capital Partners and other investors purchased Thales Navigation for $170 million. The company was renamed Magellan Navigation.
[edit] Products
Magellan was the first company to introduce a commercial handheld GPS receiver, the NAV 1000 in 1989. Later consumer handheld products included the Magellan GPS 2000, GPS 315, Meridian, and SporTrak models. Magellan's current line of handheld consumer GPS receivers is the eXplorist.
Magellan also produces aftermarket automotive GPS units. Magellan produces the NeverLost system found in Hertz rental cars. The RoadMate line is Magellan's current consumer offering.
The company produces proprietary road maps (DirectRoute) and topographic maps (Topo) for use with its consumer GPS receivers.
The MobileMapper CE and ProMark3 are marketed to professionals like surveyors and geographic information systems users.
