Traffic Message Channel (TMC) for in-car Sat Nav
September 22, 2008
Traffic Message Channel is a system that gives information about real-time local traffic condition and weather forecast for the drivers. It is an specific application of the FM Radio Data System (RDS). Local traffic information can be received from car radio or through GPS navigation system. Many latest models of sat nav come equipped with (TMC). Traffic data message received from Radio Data System (RDS) and is decoded by the TMC equipment fitted inside the car radio or in-car navigation system. Traffic Message Channel plays an important role in GPS system and it has become a major preference for users in selecting a good Satellite navigation system.
Information about traffic condition is presented in different ways. The most commonly used method done by alerting the driver about the traffic block consequence on the planned route and offering alternate route by dynamic route plan to avoid unnecessary time delay. You might have heard about traffic monitoring system, it monitors the traffic flow and provides all the information about traffic block, accident and weather to the central traffic-monitoring centre. This information is than passed on to (TMC) Traffic information service provider who provide traffic message.
The message of Traffic message channel provides all the description of the events, detailed weather situation and traffic problem and its hurdles. It describes the area affected by traffic and highlights the highway segment of location point. The main application of Traffic message channel is providing alternate solution for any traffic block and tell you how long the traffic problem will exist and according to that, it provides diversion advice and gives suggestion to take alternate route to avoid time delay.
Traffic information service provider will send the appropriate coded message to FM radio broadcaster for transmitting Radio Data System to the users. Then the radio or antenna that is fixed in vehicle will receive message and decode it by TMC decoder. The decoded message will be then reorganized and used along with the database of location codes and events to present it to the users through voice or visual message. There are lot of facilities and features are developed along with latest models of Sat Nav. These features add more facilities like language selection, filter message in presenting the traffic information to the users.
Magellan Maestro 4215 GPS Europe
September 22, 2008
Magellan has been in the GPS game since its very inception with a range of products from fish finders to hiking units but they have not been performing really well in the car SatNav section. A good answer comes in the form of the Maestro range of devices fronted here by the Magellan Maestro 4215 GPS Europe 4.3″ touchscreen Car GPS Receiver
Stamping down a menu with 100 options the menu offers a simple range of options making it easy to understand the operation. Route planning is straightforward, unlike the TomTom and Navman where it is awkward calculating the route from point A to point B without a GPS signal. This system’s navigators are easy to use with point-on-map waypoints easily added. During the on the road tests we faced certain problems with its voice instructions not very clear and missing one turn completely. The screen refresh was slower than every other device with a brown and green that goes hard on the eye.
Junctions are not expressed clearly on the display with just half the junction appearing and the next half of the junction probed by a next-turn icon as it approaches junction. Multi-point route planning can be activated only manually. The post code search is only four digits and there is no blue tooth or speed camera pre-installed. Route re-calculations can be done quickly and manually in the Magellan Maestro 4215 GPS Europe 4.3” In-Car GPS System and an exhibit of places of interest by the next motorway exit. But in most ways this SatNav cannot compete with its bigger compatriots.
Features:
Automobile GPS
Fixed
64k Colors LCD Display
WAAS enabled
EGNOS enabled
Battery Life: 4 Hours
Sony U82G Sat Nav
September 19, 2008
Sony is trying to write yet another history in the field of Satellite Navigation System. They introduce GPS system to tap its favourite market and take home its share by giving descriptive navigation solution to its users. It has collectively put forth all the intelligent features together to navigate you to your desired place quickly and safely. Sony never forgets to differentiate its product of sat nav by presenting it with impressive slim and stylish look. It has given a better driving experience by offering simple but effective Sony U82G Sat Nav to the users.
Sony has impressed the user by giving a large 4.8 inch TFT touchscreen display system with voice
guidance. This model has apprecialble battery life and withstands the power up to 2.5 hours. As usual, Sony U82G GPS system comes with the updated regional maps of UK, northern france and Republic of Ireland. It is very compact & slim and designed along with a suction cup that holds Sony U82G firmly on the dashboard or widescreen of your car that provides you a reliable installation.
When you are driving in a street of tall building and large canopy area, it will sometimes block the signal from the GPS satellite and does not give you the correct position awareness. Sometimes sat nav will ask you to take a turn behind the exact turn come; this problem depends on the chipset. Sony U82G navigation system is equipped with SirfStar III GPS chipset that gives you exact position awareness even under densely covered area. It also join hands with Position Plus – 3 GPS sensor for accurate positioning. It has three high sensitive sensors to keep your navigation going until it retrieves the lost signal.
Sony technology lets you to keep track of your favourite Point of Interest like restaurant, gas station, hotel etc. Sony U82G Sat Nav offers 2GB of flash memory so you can save more 2D and 3D map information. It provides Traffic Message Channel (TMC) as an optional for UK and France. With one touch navigation on a wide screen, you can experience better driving with dynamic route information.
Pedestrian GPS System
September 17, 2008
Pedestrian GPS System comes as a handheld navigation system that helps for position awareness and 
guides you through the place while walking. Normal sat nav has much difference when compared with GPS system for pedestrian. They differ by the software they use but have the same GPS receiver. The reliability does matter when you are using GPS system for pedestrian. Like sat nav, this GPS system has all updated street maps of European countries and many Point of Interest (POIs) places.
It also allows you search by postcodes, address and POIs. Just slip the GPS system into your pocket and start navigating your search of place like in-car sat nav. Many reputed company like Garmin, Tom Tom have introduced handheld sat nav models especially for navigating places while walking. There are lot of functions and features that will guide you lively to around the road, across the streets and behind the twist and turns. The same GPS system for pedestrian cannot be used as in-car navigation system.
Pedestrian GPS System is small and very compact that can be carried anywhere you go. Some of the in-car sat nav menus incorporates pedestrian mode and offers the option of the ‘route type’ menu for pedestrian travel. This pedestrian mode will help you to avoid streets or main roads without pavements. Pedestrian GPS System is also been introduced and improved with many features in many latest mobile phones. Nokia has introduced navigator series that is best suited to a spot navigation while walking. If you have navigator in your phone then start navigate your place with mapping software, it will automatically set to default pedestrian mode when you use it as sat nav.
Binatone C350BT Sat Nav
September 16, 2008
Binotone have tried to scoop the cream of the entry level of GPS system market. They have come out 
with sat nav systems for price conscious people and positioned Binatone C350BT as a economic sat nav model. They do offer all the necessary functions and features for better navigation solutions. Though it has been priced less when compared to its competitors Binatone has highlighted some of its primary function that comes more helpful for users while driving.
Binatone sat nav systems have never compromised quality for being a good GPS system, by throwing out useful options and ample functions to get you from one place to another place quickly and safely. Binatone C350BT navigation system features antiglare 3.5 inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth technology and a handsfree kit that enables you to take calls and make phone calls while you are driving. Once you connect your mobile phone wirelessly with Binatone C350BT Bluetooth sat nav system, it turns into virtual dialling machine to make and receive calls by just press of a button. You can find better integrated Bluetooth system and handfree kit in this cheap Binatone navigation system which is normally been seen in a little priced sat nav.
Binatone C350BT offer UK and Ireland maps and you can add other European country map by SD card Via SD card slot. This Binatone GPS system is powered with SiRT Atlas III chipset for strong signals that catches the signals and determines the trusted position awareness. Manage your personal data and create & export track logs with the help of Navigator 7.0 software. The touchscreen is preloaded with safety camera information and many Point of Interest (POIs) places.
