by Doug Newcomb for Edmunds
Nowadays, navigation systems are everywhere. Not only can you get one on an economy car, but also there are alternatives ranging from portable navigation system to application for your smartphone. When you are looking to get a GPS navigation system, you are going to want to know where to get the best deals. Now sometimes your local stores will have a good deal on portable GPS system. Local stores seem to overcharge on a lot of things, and users are advisable to purchase through online. When you are shopping for these product online you can search a lot of different stores all at the same time.
Which one should you buy? What are the advantages of each set up? Which is less expensive? Here are a few things to consider so you can choose the system that's right for you.
One of the most important aspects of choosing an in-dash navigation
system is screen size. That's the feature that separates an in-dash
system from most portables and smartphone nav apps. Regardless of size, make sure that the screen is easy to see, even in bright sunlight. If the display is a touch screen, ensure that it's simple to use and
within your reach. Also keep in mind that touch screens smudge easily
and need frequent cleaning.
Many navigation systems allow you to input destinations using voice
activation. But voice input doesn't usually work well for entering long,
complex addresses. So voice activation is definitely a feature you need
to try before you buy if you intend to use it extensively.
Mapping Software and Graphics
A navigation system is usually only as good as its mapping software. So
one of the most important aspects to consider is where the map data
resides. More modern systems store mapping software on a hard-disk drive
(HDD). The advantage of this system is that it usually has a faster
response time. But the information on a hard-disk drive also becomes
outdated. This approach allows you to add navigation after
purchasing the vehicle simply by inserting an SD card into a slot in the
center console. Another advantage for
close-to-home drivers is that you can choose to only buy mapping
software for your area of the country.
Map graphics are another key feature to take into consideration. Some
systems provide a more realistic map view than others. More advanced
navigation systems have enhanced graphics, including a 3-D mode that
provides details to help you get your bearings. In a big city, that
might be key buildings in the area. Several systems include an aerial
perspective, and allow you to adjust the angle of the view.
Destination Input and POI Info
Most nav systems provide various ways to route to a destination: by an
address, an intersection, a POI, a point on the map or even a phone
number. Most systems include an address book and allow users to set a
"home" destination for quick routing. Some will locate and route you to
emergency services such as police and hospitals in the area.
Routing Quality
You can get the locations of emergency services, restaurants or other
information from a static map. But the quality of the nav system's
turn-by-turn directions, and the ability to reroute you if you miss a
turn, is the make-or-break feature. A system should give you plenty of warning and clear
instructions on where and when to turn, using graphics on the screen
and voice guidance that's delivered through the audio system. It shows the
route map on one side and the next maneuver on the other. Some also
provide "lane guidance" to show you the precise lane in which you need
to be.
Beyond these basics, navigation systems provide various convenience
features.
A common one in most systems is "geo-fencing" that allows you to set up
areas to avoid. For example, if you know construction is occurring along
a certain roadway, you can set the nav system so it doesn't route you
there. Many systems also now include some form of traffic information,
although many such services are subscription based. Maps usually use
color-coding and symbols to indicate traffic flow on the map. Some
systems will actively warn you of traffic along a chosen route. You can
also usually view and get information on all traffic incidents in your
area.
Some of the latest systems also provide weather reports, forecasts
and warnings, but this too can be subscription-based. Ford's Sirius
Travel Link system requires a subscription, for example. It includes a
fuel-finder feature with the latest gas prices, movie listings, sports
scores and even ski-area information. And while all systems let you
search for restaurants in an area, those in cars from Honda, Acura and
Mercedes-Benz also provide Zagat restaurant ratings.
Certain systems have a "send-to" feature that lets you transmit
destinations found online to the navigation system, and some even let
you do this from a smartphone app. Several systems let you send multiple
destinations at once so that you don't have to input them one at a time
while in the car. Systems from BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and GM (via
OnStar) also allow you to contact an operator in a call-center to not
only find POI info, but also send it to your car's navigation system.
Nav systems in some SUVs or trucks have off-road routing capability
that lets you set GPS waypoints so that you can find your way even where
there are no roads and signs. Nav systems from Land Rover also include
topographic maps showing elevations and physical features of the
landscape. Many systems include a "breadcrumbing" feature that
graphically marks where you've been on the map screen in case you want
to retrace your steps.
My Suggestion
I did read many articles of people died because of ambulance couldn't reach at the pinpoint on the right time. The most reason we figure out was paramedics couldn't find the accident place and lost several vital minutes. Paramedics team also find service difficulty due to computer system crash, poor designation of system, frontline problem and others. Thus, in order to resolve this problem and to save many life at a emergency moments, the respective body must take initiative to ensure that all the ambulance a fully occupied with the GPS System that providing emergency-services information. In implementing this system, all the places in Malaysia must be updated in the GPS System so that the system can pinpoint the place on their satellite nav system.
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| ERA GLONASS & eCall (European Union) : Coordinated Protocol and Sytem Std. |
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