Vehicle navigation systems have been around for decades. Car GPS navigation systems were first used by the military and then gradually the technology found its way into the private sector. It is common to find GPS systems in phones, watches, radios, cars, trucks, vans, and more. GPS navigation systems are a big part of our lives.
Below are some areas where GPS systems have really altered the way we go about our day.
1) A car GPS navigation system has brought traffic relief for many drivers. It’s not uncommon for even the simplest system to come with the ability to remap our daily routes around serious traffic jams. There are those who talk to you and give you step-by-step instructions so you can focus on where you belong. There are even those that imitate the voice of a famous singer or actor. These are not only comedic but can also provide a bit of comedy for your passengers.
2) These GPS systems will help you find the nearest ATM or gas station. If you live in a larger city like I do, there are times when you may find yourself in an area of the city that you are not familiar with. Press a button and your GPS system will help you find your way to a bank or gas station. Many times a GPS system doesn’t stop there. They are even able to find places like restaurants, parks, airports, amusement parks, and other places of interest. If you have a real address, the GPS system will take you there with pinpoint accuracy. It is really a pleasure to have one in your vehicle.
3) A built-in GPS car tracking system has also started to provide a lot of value. If you’ve ever been in a situation where you’re in trouble or completely lost in the desert or mountains, a tracking system can save your life. You can tell others where you are and help them quickly.
Once upon a time there was an Acura TL with a navigation system and it was my favorite feature of the car. Even though it’s been many years since I’ve owned that vehicle, I still miss the convenience of having it nearby to show me where to go. I travel often and hate having to use a map to find my way.
The maps are not only outdated, they’re hard to read in the dark and never detailed enough to take you directly to where you want to go. Google Maps and Map Quest are great alternatives, but again they’re not built into the car.
Newer model navigation systems will accept voice commands. One of the biggest drawbacks of speech recognition is that it doesn’t respond to all voices. You find yourself repeating the words so that the system can recognize what you are saying. It’s easier to stop the car for a minute and enter the data into the system than it is to speak the words. Speech recognition is often too difficult to use.
If you find that your vehicle lacks the rich functionality of a GPS system, then don’t charter. There are a number of very good quality portable drives that will not only do all the functions mentioned in this article, but also provide the portability feature. The money spent will be worth it. You will find yourself very happy on the road, less distracted and a safer driver. Many vehicles now come equipped with them as part of the vehicles original price. However, there are still inexpensive vehicles that do not have this option, but can easily be equipped with a portable unit.