The Bushnell ONIX 400, which we first saw an inkling of way back in November 2006 (and then later learned all the details about it at CES 2007) is finally available for sale at major retailers like Amazon, Wal-Mart, REI, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, and Gander Mountain.
I'll spare you with the boring details, because if you've been reading Orbitcast for any length of time, you've likely read all about the unit several times. For everyone else, the ONIX 400 is - in short - a handheld GPS overlaid with satellite and topographical imagery, combined with live weather data and forecasting, and featuring live XM Satellite Radio (wow, that wasn't very short at all).
We learned about XM NavWeather's pricing back in August of last year, but just so you're caught up: the XM NavWeather standalone service runs $9.95/month and, combined with XM Radio, it costs $16.94/month.
I've actually been playing with testing the Bushnell ONIX 400 for several months now, and slowly judiciously writing up my long overdue detailed review.
My quick take:
While the Bushnell ONIX 400 is a technological wonder, it's most definitely not for everyone. It's for the hardcore outdoorsmen who wants to be prepared for everything, anywhere. The ONIX 400 gives nothing in terms of navigation (so don't even think about using it in your car) but if you're type to spend 15 hours in a duck blind, out on your fishing boat, or up in a tree stand - this is the device for you.
More to come on this, I swear.
Maybe XM can get its field team to teach the WM sales folks how to sell this .... Wait. Never mind.
I still want this functionality with navigation capability, WM7, and have it all integrated into my cellphone. That would be the wins.
I just don't see where this is a "must have" product. IMO it will turn out to be another attempt to fill a need that doesn't exist. BTW, I've been up in many a tree stand or in a duck blind. The reason that I was there was to get away from noise, i.e. radio, telephone, pager, etc. I didn't always bag something, but I sure liked the peace and quiet.
Hey... this thing is also great for off-road/4WD trail riding... especially if you're a couple hours away from where the trails are, and the ride lasts another couple hours once you get there. Not to mention saving off trail locations, waypoints for various intersections, etc.
AND, while it may not provide NAVIGATION in the car, it can still tell you what the weather's like where you're heading... :) I happened to use mine on a day where there was considerable snowfall, so I could see what lied ahead of me going down, and where the rain/frozen line was on my return that afternoon.