Accessories

GPS offers better way from Point A to Point B

Lewis & Clark never had it so easy.

Say you're on vacation in the Canadian Rockies and your family wants a hotel before the sun goes down. The nearest town was miles back and traditional maps don't offer any clues. What now?

"GPS navigation devices offer drivers precise directions whether you're in Manhattan or rural Kansas," said Ted Gartner, senior manager at Garmin, a maker of GPS devises. "You also can take portable devices out of the car and use them for walking directions."

The GPS systems give you access to a mountain of information on hotels, restaurants and sites. They also act as your personal guide, providing directions and phone numbers so you can call ahead—without taking your hands off the steering wheel.

GPS Systems "There are no subscription fees," Gartner said. "GPS navigational systems come pre-loaded with maps of North America or Europe and sometimes both."

Roads and business locations can get out of date quickly in America's evolving landscape. As a result, companies who develop mapping software employ an army of foot soldiers to keep up with changes. They also rely customers to let them know of roads that go nowhere, for instance.

"GPS navigation devices are meant as a driver aid," Gartner said. "There's no substitute for paying close attention to where you're going."

Drivers have a wide range of choices even if their Toyota isn't equipped with a GPS system. Inexpensive microprocessor technology has turned portable navigation units into affordable accessories for any vehicle.

Gartner gave the following suggestions when looking for a GPS navigation device:

Viewing resolution and brightness. Do you like the way the screen appears and is it easy to read? Does it have adequate backlighting for viewing at night?
Ease of operation. Are the "buttons" easy to use and find? Can you scroll through features quickly? Is it intuitive or do you need a user manual for basic functionality?
Portability. Can you remove the device and use it wherever you go, whether on a bike or walking around a city?
Security. Some of the GPS devices offer a four-digit pin that prevents unauthorized use.
Traffic data. This feature is becoming more important as drivers look for ways to save gas and avoid idling in traffic.
Voice recognition. A GPS device that accepts voice commands can keep you from taking your eyes off the road. For instance, tell it to "find gas station" and it will locate the nearest facility.
Bluetooth connectivity. A GPS navigation device can find hotels and restaurants and automatically dial your Bluetooth-compatible phone. You can keep your hands on the wheel when you're using a hands-free phone system or headset.

"Ask you service advisor about options available for integrating GPS technology into your dashboard," Gartner said. "These types of solutions are more elegant since you don't have wires hanging down. They also can integrate seamlessly with the radio head unit and engine data."

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