I’ve always wondered how accurate auto navigation systems like GPS really are. They’ve always seemed a little extravagant to me, and the thought of driving around with a computerized voice telling me how to get somewhere seemed a little too futuristic to be true. But that changed when I was on vacation recently and had the opportunity to use a rental car equipped with one of the new auto navigation systems.
My older brother got me completely hooked when he brought his over to my place to check out. I was amazed at how accurate they are. You don’t even have to stare at the thing for directions. It talks to you. Heck, quality auto navigation systems even let you know when you’re off route. The first time I took advantage of one was on a long trip from Salem, Oregon to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Let me tell right now, that is one seriously long trip. Although you may think it’s a blast, it can get rather hairy to say the least if you’re traveling with your family.
It did a pretty good job, though it got a little confused when I ignored a turn command on a one-way street and it had to figure out an alternate route. And that’s the thing about auto navigation systemsas hard as they try to charade as a good human guide, they’re not human. Even Handheld GPS are flawed in the way that all machines are, and they can’t give you hints based on information that is happening right then in the front seat of your car. They can’t remind tell you to pay attention to where you’re going, or to check the street signs or make a quick turn, they can merely serve as a guide to the best of their programmed ability and you need to do the rest.
Regardless, auto navigation systems will make the journey much more enjoyable. You basically just program your destination in the device, and it takes over. Once it has your address, it will use its antenna to pinpoint your current location. Then it will begin routing. Simply mount the auto navigation system in your vehicle and take off. It literally tells you where to go every step of the way. How awesome is that! You will never get lost again. So far my wife and I have used auto navigation systems on a number of occasions. They’re not just for traveling a long distance you know. Take advantage of handheld GPS whenever possible. It will save you oodles of time, effort and frustration.
Mark Green tries to divide time between two hobbies: gadget reviews and communication studies. Handheld GPS are a wave of technology that is definitely here to stay, and which keep getting more and more sophisticated and more widespread. Get to know more about your favorite GPS devices.
- Mark Green
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