一份来自ABI调研机构的预测指出，到2013年底，GPS户外导航产品的年度销售总额将达到17亿美元，此预测数据仅包括户外手持设备-例如GARMIN的Colorado或Magellan的Triton，以及可供手机安装的户外软件解决方案。“Crossover”个人导航设备（既可用于车载导航也可用于户外手持）与运动休闲类的GPS产品不包含在内。
ABI调研机构预测，户外手持设备的年度复合增长率为13%，而软件类的则为61%。“户外GPS手持机将持续为户外GPS市场创造主要的销售额”，ABI调研机构的高级主任Dominique Bonte说，“高端触摸屏设备如Magellan的Triton1500和Triton2000以及GARMIN最新发布的Oregon系列，都为用户提供了更加直观的操作界面。Triton2000提供了包括数码照相和录音的多媒体功能，让用户以更多的形式在网络社区交流自己的户外体验”。
专用设备（GPS手持机）在恶劣的使用环境下，所表现出来的优越性能、可靠性、稳定性是促进其市场增长的主要因素。而会聚软件解决方案（converged software solutions）也基于低价格和实时的连通性得到了快速的发展，Trimble Outdoor、Wayfinder和 Augmentra是这类软件的提供商。
虽然目前的户外GPS市场仍然较小，并且GARMIN在这个市场中占有绝对份额，但市场研究公司仍预计未来基于地形图的户外导航将会崛起，新的增长将来自混合解决方案，例如汽车/手持的两用导航设备、多模式地图会聚解决方案，以及徒步导航设备。
原文
ABI expects continued growth in outdoor GPS market
An ABI Research study forecasts that outdoor GPS will generate $1.7 billion in annual revenues by the end of 2013. This forecast includes revenue from outdoor handheld devices - such as, for example, Garmin Colorado or Magellan Triton - and outdoor software solutions for mobile phones. “Crossover” Personal navigation Devices (offering both in-car and outdoor navigation) and sport-related GPS are not included in this forecast.
ABI Research estimates the compound annual growth rate for dedicated devices at 13% and for converged software solutions at 61%.
“Dedicated outdoor GPS handhelds will continue to generate the bulk of outdoor GPS revenues,” says ABI Research director Dominique Bonte. “High-end touch screen devices such as Magellan’s Triton 1500 and 2000 models and Garmin’s recently launched Oregon series offer intuitive user interfaces. The Triton 2000 contains multimedia features such as a digital camera and a voice recorder to capture and share outdoor experiences on social networks.”
While dedicated devices offer increased performance, reliability and robustness in adverse circumstances, converged software solutions continue their forward march thanks to lower prices and real-time connectivity, explains ABI. Trimble Outdoor, Wayfinder and Augmentra are among those software vendors.
While the current outdoor GPS ecosystem remains small and heavily influenced by market leader Garmin, the market research firm expects future uptake of topographic maps-based outdoor GPS navigation. This growth to be driven by hybrid solutions such as crossover PNDs and multi-mode mapping converged solutions, as well as pedestrian navigation.