Bob and Malou demonstrate adding an HP PhotoSmart All-in-one Wireless Printer to a wireless home network, and printing a photo wirelessly from an HP TouchSmart PC IQ504. Know Your PC Episode 21
With so many options on the market when it comes to auto navigation systems how do you choose the one that will best suit your needs? This question may seem very simplistic; unfortunately the answer is not nearly as simple as the question.
There are many things to consider when selecting a personal navigation system not the least of which is what purpose you will be using the system to achieve.
Many people consider auto navigation systems for their automobiles and no other purpose. The truth is that these devices can have many very practical uses in your every day life.
If you are a person who spends a lot of time outdoors, you might find that a handheld GPS device with mapping capabilities is better suited to your personality and your needs than a stand-alone type of auto navigation system.
The reason being that these devices can not only be used for turn-by-turn driving directions but also for off road travels, geocaching, boating, hiking, biking, and mountain climbing among many other popular activities.
Handheld devices are perfect because they can be easily removed from your vehicle and taken along with you. The portability makes them perfect companions for just about any activity in which you choose to participate.
Many newer models of cars, trucks, and SUVs are coming equipped with in dash auto navigation systems. Don’t for a second think you aren’t paying for these glorious goodies. In fact, the chances are that you are paying quite the premium price for these lovely features and aren’t even aware.
The worst thing though is that if you are financing the cost of your car you are also financing the cost of your navigation system.
If at all possible avoid getting into this situation unless you are particular enamored of the look of the in dash systems as they really offer no better coverage than you can find in many stand alone systems that you can easily install and cost significantly less.
The thing to remember about these systems is that they are only good as long as you are in your car for the most part. You may find some that can last so many hours away from a power source (if you have a system that you’ve installed yourself rather than a factory installed system) but most of them aren’t going to offer the greatest features for activities such as geocaching or fishing.
Before you buy, seriously consider and have in mind the activities for which you will use your device. Don’t buy a device that charges for features that you aren’t likely to use and avoid at all cost an interface that isn’t easy to use.
Remember you will be using this while on the road most of the time and you want a system that won’t require a concentrated effort in order to operate. We have quite enough distractions to deal with while on the road without adding a difficult to operate auto navigation system.
Auto navigation systems are great to have when you need them and even at times when they simply come in handy though you could have survived without them.
For me the security of knowing that I will never be truly lost again is well worth the investment I have made in mine, I honestly believe you will feel the same way about your system once you decide which one is best for you.
It is true that auto navigation systems installed by automakers look completely natural and integrated into the features of the vehicles we purchase. For that reason alone, many people opt to pay several times over what the system would have cost to have installed by someone other than the maker of the automobile.
It is truly amazing how much of an impact aesthetics makes when it comes to purchasing your next dream car, or even your first dream car.
The thing is, that even if the system doesn’t seem to flow with the look of your car, there are very valid reasons for getting one in the first place and the safety and security that they provide travelers is very well worth the sacrifice of a few aesthetic features.
It isn’t exactly necessary, however, to completely sacrifice aesthetics in order to have the safety and security that auto navigation systems provide.
As a matter of fact, some of the most popular brands of these systems are actually installed to the car by use of suction cups rather than cutting into the dashboard or removing the ever so important stereo from your car, truck, or SUV. Keeping price conscious consumers in mind, manufacturers are offering many options well under the $500 benchmark while also affording consumers the luxury (or lower price, however you decide to call it) of installing these devices themselves.
It is important to remember that not all GPS (global positioning satellite) devices are meant to assist in auto navigation and make your purchase according to your specific needs.
When shopping for one of these devices it would be comparing apples to oranges to compare a tool that is widely used for activities such as geo caching, hiking, biking, or boating.
Each of these will bring in different price tags while offering greatly varied features. You need a device that is meant for mapping directions if you plan to use your device or system for driving.
I try to keep pointing out the fact that not all GPS or auto navigation systems are created equal this is very important to remember. You run the risk of purchasing the wrong system without proper planning and thus having a bad overall experience.
Even among systems designed specifically for the automobile that offer mapping and navigation assistance there are different types that will appeal to different needs and uses.
There are three types of auto navigation systems.
Those three types of systems include: Navigation systems that are designed to stand alone, handheld systems that suit multiple purposes, and systems that are designed to work with laptops, PCs, pocket PCs, and PDA systems.
Each of the types of auto navigation systems and devices offers different benefits and drawbacks. It is ultimately up to you to decide which will suit your needs most.
The stand-alone systems are often the most popular choice and are excellent for those who need driving directions and nothing more.
They offer a steady power supply, turn by turn direction (in many cases), the security of being there at all times (no worry about whether or not you remembered to actually bring it along), and verbal directions along with landmarks that should let you know you are on the right path. There is a reason that these are the most popular.
For those who want to take their navigational tools off road on occasion other devices might be much better suited to your needs.
Handheld devices often require additional software in order to work well with door-to-door types of directions or regular driving directions, however, they offer portability for those who wish to go biking, hiking, or kayaking and need the confidence that directions and navigational tools can provide.
For those who have laptops or PDAs, the software that is available for these provide an excellent service when it comes to navigation both on and off roads and the beaten path.
The cost is offset greatly if you already own your laptop or PDA and well worth a little extra investment, particularly if you will use this particular tool on a regular basis.
As I’ve said before, there is no perfect navigational solution for everyone, but there are quite a few that are nearly perfect for all who will dare to use them.
Auto navigation systems are wonderful tools to have when you need them and face it, we have all been utterly and completely lost at some point in time or another during our driving histories. Of course, some of us get lost far more often than others.
I will be the first to admit that I’m one of those who are continuously lost. More than I hate the feeling of being lost, I really hate stopping to ask for directions, which nine times out of ten only result in my becoming more lost than I was to begin with.
The truth of the matter is that in today’s society, being lost is more than a waste of time or a simple inconvenience; it is actually quite dangerous in many places. I know when traveling it is very easy to take a wrong turn and end up in the wrong part of town.
Even for those with decent map reading and navigation skills, simple detours can still lead you astray as maps don’t usually come with a ‘this is the bad part of town’ sort of disclaimer.
The fact that being lost can be a frightening situation is intensified in situations when women are either driving alone or with their children. Not only is there the uncertainty as to where you are or how you will get back on track, but there is also fear of anything going wrong because you do not know the area and there are no familiar landmarks.
These situations and that sort of peace of mind are the very reason that auto navigation devices are a great idea for anyone who travels-period.
These devices aren’t useful only to those who travel frequently but to anyone who uses a car on a regular basis. We all find ourselves at some point in time needing to take detours for road construction, traffic jams, chemical spills, parades, and countless other details.
The paths that are little out of the way of our ordinary paths, often rob us of familiar landmarks and it is very easy to become completely and utterly disoriented which could result in us going in completely the opposite direction of where we intend to travel.
If we have some sort of mapping system onboard that can help us find our way, we will find that we arrive much more quickly and with far less stress than trying to find our way, read maps, or asking strangers for directions, which in and of itself is taking a risk.
I know that there are a lot of people who find that personal navigation devices are quite useful as well. I seriously recommend having an auto navigation device installed in your vehicle for many reasons.
First of all, you won’t have to worry about the battery failing at just the right moment. I know my cell phone battery always seems to die when I actually need my cell phone.
The same holds true for flashlight batteries and weather band radio batteries too. It only makes sense that this would be the case when it would come to navigation devices as well.
Having one installed in your vehicle means that as long as your vehicle has power, so does your navigation device.
Another reason I recommend installation is this: how many times have you walked out of your house without your cell phone, purse, keys, drivers license, or any other document or piece of equipment you need?
I do it all the time and often find that I’m halfway to my destination before I remember that I left what I needed. Finding yourself lost is the absolute worst time to realize that you left your navigation assistance device at home and is generally the one time you need it.
Having it installed in the car means you never have to take it out and as a result will never have forgotten to bring it with you. As you can see there are many excellent reasons to have an auto navigation system installed in your vehicle.
I hope that you will find it provides you the same safety and peace of mind it affords me.
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