GPS with Lifetime Map Updates
This year TomTom has released quite a number of GP units that offer Lifetime Map Updates. It’s an excellent strategy as Lifetime map updates will help negate some of the advantages of mobile phone apps that boasts always having the latest maps. TomTom Lifetime Map Updates utilize Tele Atlas maps, which are continually updated to include improvements on 6.5 million miles of roads, millions of Points of Interest and map updates and speed profile data generated by the millions of drivers in the TomTom US user community.
Magellan has also get in on the act. As these are getting highly popular with consumers, we hope Garmin will follow soon.
Here are some of the best selling GPS models with Lifetime Map Updates:
- TomTom XXL 540TM 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition)
- TomTom XL 340TM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition)
- TomTom XXL 540M 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Maps Edition)
- TomTom XL 350TM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition)
- TomTom XL 340M 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Maps Edition)
- Magellan RoadMate 1424-LM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps
- Magellan RoadMate 3030-LM 4.7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps
Comments Off
November 29th, 2010
Traffic Enabled GPS Could Cut 4 days Off Your Annual Commute
Want to trim enough time off your commute to get back four days of your life every year? Well, that statistic is provided courtesy of GPS-data provider NAVTEQ, which says that drivers who use a GPS device that incorporates real-time traffic updates can shave immense amounts off their drive time every year. In the US, 4 days worth of driving per year; in the UK, a mere 2 1/2 days. Either way, that represents about an 18 percent reduction in the amount of time spent behind the wheel, a phenomenal savings.
There’s even a green angle: In both countries, NAVTEQ says drivers using traffic-ready GPS units can reduce their carbon emissions by about 20 percent.
The study was performed in Germany and included drivers with no GPS, with a standard GPS unit, and with a traffic-enabled GPS unit. Ultimately it found that the drivers using the traffic-enabled GPS were able to far more effectively route around backups. They traveled a shorter overall distance than drivers without a navigation system. The study also revealed that the drivers using traffic enabled GPS devices experienced dramatic time savings, spending 18% less time driving on an average trip versus drivers without navigation. If applied over the course of a year, a driver who does not currently use a navigation device would save themselves 4 days of driving each year if they had a traffic-enabled navigation system.
Assuming the figures are very rough estimates, it might make sense to think about upgrading your GPS to one that includes traffic reports. And in fact, GPS systems with traffic updates are commonplace now. A traffic-ready model like the Garmin nuvi 265WT can be had for a little less than $200. But remember that, for most GPS models, you have to pay extra for traffic updates to be delivered to the device after an initial trial period. In the case of the Garmin mentioned, a 3-month subscription to MSN Direct is included with the GPS receiver. After that, subscription fees are $49.95 per year, or $129.95 for a lifetime subscription.
Comments Off
October 16th, 2009
Garmin’s New nuvi 1690 Will Be Shipping Soon
Garmin has just made the Nuvi 1690 official, clearing up the speculation around its newest generation portable navigation device that comes with a host of new features. It is equipped with a built-in wireless module that enables customers to access Garmin’s nüLink! service which will offer direct links to selected online information including Google local search, traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events, white page telephone listings and Ciao!. Social-network users will be able to take advantage of Garmin’s new Ciao position-aware social network that reports your location to the exisiting GyPsii and uLocate services and allows you to find and navigate to your friends.
All US-version of the nuvi 1690 will be equipped with 2 years’ free use of Garmin’s nüLink! service.
Slated to launch on 4th quarter of 2009 at a suggested retail price of $499.99, the new Garmin nuvi 1690 will pack a 4.3-inch WVGA display, North American maps, text-to-speech and also Bluetooth handsfree support.
Read the full Garmin nuvi 1690 review here.
Comments Off
September 29th, 2009
Prevent Your GPS Unit From Getting Stolen
GPS devices are some of the most popular electronics gadgets today. Smash and grab thieves can steal your GPS in less time than even the fastest unit can lock onto satellites, so to keep your GPS unit, and your car’s windows intact, here are a few simple precautions:
* Take your unit with you whenever you leave your car.
* Remove the suction cup mount from the windshield and wipe away any telltale marks.
* Better yet, ditch the suction mount altogether and buy a friction mount. These weighted mounts grip nearly any shape dash and are easy to hide under the seat or in the glove compartment. They don’t fall off the windshield or leave suction cup marks behind.
This is my favorite type of GPS mount. I can easily grab the entire mount/GPS assembly and place it on the passenger seat before I pull into a parking lot, ensuring that no one sees me disconnecting and hiding my GPS.