Helping You Use Your GPS Software
Before you purchase your GPS navigation system, you may want to be aware that some GPS software is more compatible than others. While Magellan and Navignon have perfectly fine products, there isn’t as much widespread support. For instance, there are a number of free navigator maps and tour guide downloads for Garmin and TomTom that just aren’t offered for other manufacturers. Additionally, Mapquest and Google Maps both allow you the ability to map out directions on your PC and send them to your GPS device, yet only if you have a Garmin (for Mapquest or Google) or a TomTom (Google Maps only).
One thing you can do with the software on your GPS is speed up the satellite lock. You’ll want to do this when you first get your device or when you’ve moved to a new location. When you first turn on your GPS navigation device, your unit will need to read the positioning of the other satellites in the sky in relation to your current position. The most efficient way to receive this information is to leave GPS navigation systems on under an open sky for 20 minutes, without moving them around. Additionally, when you’ve traveled over 100 miles and you turn your car on, you may want to hit the “new location” button on the satellite screen menu to speed up the satellite acquisition.
Let’s face it, many customers purchase their 910 Tomtom or their Garmin GPSMAP 276c just for the “Points of Interest” feature. How many times have you been driving somewhere and suddenly your stomach is rumbling out of control. Do you settle for that greasy spoon you just passed or try to hold out for a Wendy’s drive-thru? With the navigator maps, you can view all of the restaurants near your current location or even type in the name of the restaurant you prefer for the nearest location! The lower quality GPS software comes with 750,000 points of interest, while the higher quality devices come with something like 6 million. To be sure you have the most up-to-date list of places in your area, you can visit www.poiusa.com or www.poifriend.com and download information to your GPS for free.
Creating your own customized points of interest is another way to get the most from your GPS software. If you need help getting started, then you can check out www.gpsinformation.org or use the POI Editor for TomTom or Garmin GPS navigation systems. Additionally, Garmin offers “Tour Guide file” downloads too! The well-researched, professionally-produced audio files will play automatically as you walk or drive past the tour locations! Most of these downloads are free, although a few, such as the RoadTour UK edition, is yours for a small fee. To find these, check out www.garmin.com/products/tourguidesource.
December 9th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
This device saved me time. One day I was looking for Lowe in the area and I couldn’t find it. After taking a few minute to browse through this GPS system, getting to Lowe is easy. I like the wide screen for better viewing, but after getting used to it, you hardly look at the screen. Let the voice guide you. Oh, if you want it to speak the street name, make sure you select the language with “TTS” marked. It took me a while to figure this out online. No documentation in the box for this. I haven’t gotten used to the Bluetooth feature yet. I have a bluetooth headset, but just in case, if I forget it, I can use this GPS while driving. The traffic navigation is very accurate. I’m satisfied. In the long run, it should pay for the convenience and fuel cost. If you drive to new places, this should be very useful.