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Written on September 17th, 2009 by MadChasno shouts
Auto Navigation Systems are Aids not Replacements for Attentive Driving
If you are in the market for an auto navigation system you are definitely not alone.
Some people are content to purchase a device, stick it in their windows and hope it works well whenever the need arises. For those, it is quite likely that most stand-alone navigation units will work quite nicely.
The thing to remember is that not everyone is created equal when it comes to primary or even secondary navigational skills. For that reason alone, not all auto navigation units are created equally either.
Don’t expect your auto navigation system to replace a ‘co pilot’ by any means but it should definitely do in a pinch and be more than capable of helping you get through a few lost moments while stuck in traffic, detouring, or taking a country drive.
You won’t have a natural conversation with your navigational system no matter how much the television commercials attempt to convince you that this will be the case. You can however get great details about every single turn of your trip including details about landmarks you should see along the way.
You should be aware that when you miss a turn the alternate route isn’t immediately forthcoming. Computers contain data and it takes a moment to go through the mountain of data sometimes in order to come up with an alternate route.
Be patient when dealing with your auto navigation system and it should serve you well both in times of crisis and during your regular daily driving.
I know this isn’t always too terribly easy in high stress situations but when you look at it, using a navigation system is a far cry better than relying on maps that must be dug out, dusted off and translated or an inability to read a map and ending up even more lost than you were to begin with.
Even the best auto navigation system on the market isn’t a replacement for attention to details, seeing and remembering important landmarks, and paying attention to street signs and what lies ahead.
The good news is that the technology for these systems is constantly evolving and improving. Data is synching much more rapidly than ever before and more and more often you are finding much more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.
The maps that are provided onscreen (in the more sophisticated versions) combined with the verbal directions and details work together in order to create a great driving experience, which would otherwise be filled with uncertainty, doubt, and no small degree of stress.
Regardless of how effective the auto navigation system you choose is, it only matters how effective you feel it is. If it gives you the directions and insights you need in order to reach your destination safely and on time, then I really can’t find fault in the system and would hope that you would not either.
There is no such thing as problem free in this day and age and these systems are only as good as the mapping data that they have. The really good news, however, is that data is more often accurate than inaccurate and in most cases you can easily reach your destination.
When selecting an auto navigation system you should really consider how often you travel and how often during that travel you wish you had an alternate route or at the very least an option for your directions, how often you find yourself lost and clueless and needing to ask for directions and how often you really feel you will use the device you decide to purchase.
If you don’t feel you will get the most possible use of your navigation device, then consider one that can be used outside the automobile as well or at the very least one of the less expensive versions. You want to get your money’s worth from whichever device you choose for your auto navigation system.
Written on September 13th, 2009 by MadChasone shout
Things They Won’t Tell You about Auto Navigation Systems
Auto navigation systems have come such a long way since their inception. It’s hard for many to see the product that exists now and realize exactly how far these devices have come since their origins in the U. S. Armed Forces.
The thing to keep in mind and remember is that they still have a long way to go. These devices are far from infallible and still have some serious faults that prohibit us from canning the compass and maps all together.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are almost always problems of some sort with electronic equipment. This is especially true when it comes to equipment that is run by software. If anyone doubts the validity of this statement, check out a computer that is run by Windows?
We often find ourselves at the mercy of the limitations of the software we are using. The same holds true when it comes to software driven auto navigation systems and GPS devices. This fact alone makes them a little unreliable. For those times when reliability isn’t at its best keep in mind that for the most part the system works well.
It’s just difficult when the times you need it to work well are the times when it is malfunctioning. The good news is that the units themselves are often quite resilient and even able to withstand the manhandling a typical rough and tumble two year old can dish out.
It is also important to keep in mind that GPS technology isn’t meant to replace the use of maps or of common sense when driving. You can only store so much information on a GPS device and roads are constantly being built, changes, constructed, improved and moved. For that reason alone it is nearly impossible to guarantee that any device will have 100% accurate information at all times.
You should however, choose a device or auto navigation systems that allows frequent and simple upgrades to the maps provided. Updating regularly and immediately prior to any large trips will go a long way towards saving some serious hair pulling while you travel.
Another thing to keep in mind with your auto navigation device is that it isn’t all that reliable whenever you don’t have a clear view of the sky. For that reason there may be times when you aren’t able to get a clear signal. Tunnels are a great example of one of those times. It’s not just about one signal, the device must be able to lock onto three satellites at the very least in order to be ‘seen’.
A fourth satellite is usually required for verification of the data. This means that in some situations where you have a clear view of the sky, you may not be in a position where all four satellites have a clear view of you and more importantly your device.
GPS and auto navigation systems are still a far cry better than trying to read dusty old maps for most of us. Despite that, it is always a good idea to go into a buying situation with all the facts in hand rather than thinking you’ve discovered the next best thing to sliced bread only to find out that the crust is a little hard and crumbly at times.
This technology is wonderful and affords many benefits to those who are willing and able to make use of it. It will never sacrifice common sense or map reading skills however and that is important to understand.
You may or may not be aware of the many options on today’s market when it comes to auto navigation systems. Take my word for it there are now more options than ever before with new options appearing daily.
Among the many options that are available for those of you who are interested in obtaining equipment that will assist you in finding your way on long and short trips there are options that can be used along with your laptop or PDA devices.
If you currently own and use on a regular basis a laptop or PDA the software or other devices and receivers that are required in order to utilize your laptop as a GPS device aren’t nearly as expensive as purchasing a stand alone auto navigation system.
In fact, as far as money savers go, this is a great way to save money on your purchase and receive the same great benefits that some of the top of the line auto navigation systems has to offer. You will find these types of devices that are geared towards as many different budgets as the actual stand alone systems.
Some of the more popular of these tools include the following:
1) US Global Sat BU-353 USB port GPS Receiver. This nifty device costs less than $100 and allows you to turn your laptop or pc into a GPS. This is a great feature for finding directions and attaches to your laptop through the USB port.
2) DeLorme Earthmate LT-20 GPS. This is also a little less than $100 and gives your laptop fully functional navigation features. This not only works with laptops but also with Palm OS. You will experience rapid satellite acquisition and you have the Street Atlas software to guide you towards your destination. The software is included with the Earthmate. This software will even recalculate your directions should you miss a turn along the way. For the price, I highly recommend this if you have a PDA or laptop already.
3) DeLorme Earthmate Blue Logger Bluetooth Wireless GPS. This is another nifty tool by DeLorme. This device will allow you to receive a real time image of your location but requires an unobstructed view of the sky in order to accurately record its current position. This device also works with Street Atlas software in order to assist you in charting your course and giving proper driving directions.
4) Tom Tom Navigator 6 Bluetooth. If you are looking for feature rich navigation then this is certainly the tool for you. This is useful with laptops and Palm systems. Not only will you find mapping technology that is quite superior but you will also find useful things such as parking garages, fueling stations, and restaurants along the way.
You will notice a great variety of prices and features with these devices. The important thing to remember is that you want the same or better features for less with this type of equipment since you are providing either the laptop or the PDA.
If you already have the laptop or PDA you should be able to save a tremendous amount of money over the costs of purchasing a stand-alone auto navigation system. If you aren’t getting an incredible bargain you might want to debate whether or not the system you opt for really is the best system for you.
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is the fact that your laptop or PDA can become an important tool in keeping you on the right track when traveling. You may be one of the lucky few who has never gotten lost while traveling (or one of those who refuses to believe they are lost)
However, if you aren’t then perhaps it is time to seriously invest in either software, equipment, or devices that can help you find your way whenever you are lost. Laptop and PDA equipment offer great alternatives for those who need navigational assistance but need to remain within a strict budget.
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.
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