| GPS portable navigation systems have become | | | | only use your GPS portable navigation system |
| extremely popular in recent years. As with any | | | | occasionally, either from home or while on travel, you |
| electronic device, when making a purchasing decision | | | | certainly don't need all the bells and whistles mentioned |
| about which brand or model to buy, one needs to | | | | above. A couple of things should be noted for this type |
| understand the feature sets being offered and decide | | | | of driver, however. One should certainly consider |
| which features he or she needs and which they want | | | | purchasing a unit with the "speaks street names" |
| to pay for. | | | | feature. You have much more certainty when you |
| Here is a list of many commonly available features on | | | | know you are turning onto the correct street than if |
| different brands of GPS navigation portable systems: | | | | you are not sure of that, and in addition you don't have |
| Widescreen- 4.3 inch or larger screen measured | | | | to be continually looking at the odometer. Another |
| diagonally (vs. a standard 3.5 inch screen) | | | | consideration this author would suggest is to purchase |
| Includes Europe Maps- Comes loaded with both North | | | | a unit with at least a 4.3 inch screen rather than the |
| American as well as maps of Europe. | | | | current standard 3.5 inch screen. You can see the |
| Speaks street names- Announces names of streets | | | | screen much more easily, and more importantly, the |
| and exits, for example, "Turn right on Main St." instead | | | | buttons for making address entries, for example, are |
| of "Turn right in 500 ft". | | | | larger. I found that the smaller buttons on the 3.5 inch |
| Speech Recognition- Operates the gps device with | | | | screen were too small. I would think I was pressing one |
| spoken commands rather than having to enter the | | | | button only to find that the wrong letter showed up on |
| information by touching the screen. | | | | the screen. For example, I wanted to push the letter |
| Lane assist- Realistically displays road signs and | | | | "u", and "v" , which was next to "u", came up on the |
| junctions along your route and shows arrows that | | | | screen. So this obviously had to be corrected. I would |
| indicate the proper lane for navigation. | | | | definitely suggest that these two features are worth |
| FM Traffic Compatible- Add-on an optional FM | | | | the extra money. The speech recognition feature |
| receiver and subscription to avoid traffic congestion. | | | | would be nice to have, but this almost immediately puts |
| FM Traffic Included- Avoid traffic congestion with and | | | | you into the very high end systems with prices in the |
| included FM traffic receiver | | | | $600 and up range. Entering addresses or other |
| MSN Direct Compatible- You can add an optional | | | | destinations by touch screen is really pretty easy and |
| receiver and subscription to MSN Direct to get traffic, | | | | quick once one gets the hang of it. |
| weather, gas prices, stock quotes, news, and more. | | | | If you drive long distances often, or if you are a |
| MSN Direct Included- Receive MSN Direct content | | | | professional delivery person who needs to choose the |
| including traffic, weather, gas prices, stock quotes, | | | | most efficient routes to make your deliveries, obviously |
| news, and more with the included receiver. | | | | the more advanced features on the list might be useful |
| Bluetooth®- Connect to your phone to make and | | | | for you. Certainly if you might be using your gps |
| receive hands-free calls | | | | navigation portable system in Europe, you would want |
| MP3 Player- Built in MP3 Player | | | | to consider purchasing a unit that has Europe maps |
| Emergency Locator- An emergency locator that | | | | loaded as well. |
| shows your coordinates, nearest address, and closest | | | | As for updating maps, this is normally necessary only |
| hospitals, police and fuel stations | | | | every 3-4 years or so. The major brands usually |
| Slideshow Viewer- | | | | release official updates approximately once a year, |
| Multi-mode Function- Provides driving, walking, bicycling | | | | and there is a cost to obtain these new maps. Of |
| and boating modes such that the device can be used | | | | course new neighborhoods and new roads are |
| for any of these modes of travel. | | | | included, and new points of interest, like gas stations or |
| Multiple point routing- Sorts multiple destinations to | | | | restaurants are also updated. These don't change that |
| determine an efficient route for deliveries and sales | | | | much from year to year, so one can afford to wait a |
| calls. | | | | while before purchasing updated maps for your gps |
| If you are a more or less "normal" driver who would | | | | portable navigation system. |