While technology has certainly spoiled car owners over the last ten years or so, if there is one innovation that has really helped make journeys easier, many would agree that it is GPS. For as little as two hundred dollars you can find yourself certain that you will never be lost again. And while some of us still somehow manage to get lost anyway, it’s still great to be able to keep the frequencies of such “excursions” to a minimum. If you have yet to kit your vehicle out with a GPS system, here are the key features to consider.
The Screen
When it comes to GPS system screens, size is not the only thing that you need to consider.
The Screen
When it comes to GPS system screens, size is not the only thing that you need to consider.
- While smaller screens are more portable, they can make touch screen buttons difficult to use while driving.
- Larger screens solve this problem but block more of the road if you are attaching them to your windscreen.
- Anti glare/anti reflective screens ensure readability in both different lighting conditions and from different angles.
Map Selection
First off make sure that the areas that you drive the most are actually mapped at street level on the device. This may sound obvious but it is both a surprisingly common and an incredibly frustrating mistake to make. Many manufacturers also sell add on maps which can be used to expand the geographical area that your GPS will work. This is a very important feature for those who enjoy taking their car with them on vacation.
Traffic Updates
One very useful features in many GPS systems is the ability to tell you about current traffic conditions. While some systems only offer this service via a paid subscription, many others offer such information completely free by simply displaying on screen advertisements.
Portability
If you would like to have the ability to utilize your GPS system at times when you are not in your car, there are a range of pocket friendly devices currently on the market. They typically come complete with car mounts and are therefore ideal for both in car and on person use.
Mounting
Regardless of whether you choose a traditional GPS system or one that is portable, how it is mounted to your vehicle is an important consideration.
First off make sure that the areas that you drive the most are actually mapped at street level on the device. This may sound obvious but it is both a surprisingly common and an incredibly frustrating mistake to make. Many manufacturers also sell add on maps which can be used to expand the geographical area that your GPS will work. This is a very important feature for those who enjoy taking their car with them on vacation.
Traffic Updates
One very useful features in many GPS systems is the ability to tell you about current traffic conditions. While some systems only offer this service via a paid subscription, many others offer such information completely free by simply displaying on screen advertisements.
Portability
If you would like to have the ability to utilize your GPS system at times when you are not in your car, there are a range of pocket friendly devices currently on the market. They typically come complete with car mounts and are therefore ideal for both in car and on person use.
Mounting
Regardless of whether you choose a traditional GPS system or one that is portable, how it is mounted to your vehicle is an important consideration.
- If you are selecting a GPS system that attaches to your windscreen via a suction cup, it is important to choose one with a ridged arm. Many of the “gooseneck” models tend to bounce up and down while driving.
- Not all states allow GPS systems to be attached to the windscreen so it is important that you check the applicable laws in your state prior to making the purchase.
- Some GPS systems that don’t attach to a cars windscreen are rather difficult to install and bring back awkward memories of that IKEA desk that simply never looked right. Before purchasing a GPS system it is always advisable to read a few independent reviews about how long it will take you to actually install the thing.
Spoken Street Names
The generic “turn left in 1.5 miles” announcements of traditional GPS systems are slowly being faded out and being replaced by text to speech technology that can actually tell you the name of the street that you are required to make a specific turn. This feature is particularly useful when you are driving in an unfamiliar area with multiple intersections in close proximity to each other.
Predictive Entry and Dynamic Search
To help you spend less time typing in street names when on the move, many GPS systems attempt to predict the name of the street that you are looking for. After you have typed in half of a street name for example, they will suggest street names in your current area that begin with those letters.
Extra Features
Finally, there are a number of additional features available in GPS systems that although do not necessarily make your driving any easier, they can certainly make it more enjoyable. The most useful are Bluetooth compatibility and video/MP3 playback.
The generic “turn left in 1.5 miles” announcements of traditional GPS systems are slowly being faded out and being replaced by text to speech technology that can actually tell you the name of the street that you are required to make a specific turn. This feature is particularly useful when you are driving in an unfamiliar area with multiple intersections in close proximity to each other.
Predictive Entry and Dynamic Search
To help you spend less time typing in street names when on the move, many GPS systems attempt to predict the name of the street that you are looking for. After you have typed in half of a street name for example, they will suggest street names in your current area that begin with those letters.
Extra Features
Finally, there are a number of additional features available in GPS systems that although do not necessarily make your driving any easier, they can certainly make it more enjoyable. The most useful are Bluetooth compatibility and video/MP3 playback.
- Bluetooth compatibility enables you to make and answer phone calls using your GPS systems speaker, internal microphone and screen.
- Video/MP3 playback allow you to play video and music files that are either stored on your GPS system or on an inserted SD card. While video playback of course disables the navigation features, it is a very useful features for drivers that frequently make long trips.
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