Technological advancements have made it possible to incorporate more and more features into the navigational devices. The new features added mainly depend on the needs and demands of the GPS user. Initially, they used to have only maps and you need to follow the maps whilst driving. This can lead to accidents, however the latest GPS systems have been integrated with more user friendly functions that allows you to focus on the road better all through your journey, the device in turn acting as your personal guide.
The major features included in the recent satellite navigators are as follows:
Bluetooth Hands-free Calling : – This is one of the most commonly asked for functionality. Bluetooth technology in your sat nav allows you to accept calls on your cellphone while driving. It lets you accept calls without the need to do anything and is usually carried out by voice commands. If your GPS unit comes with travel guide along with phone number, then this facility can also be used to dial numbers directly from the device.
Integrated Traffic Receiver : – This feature incorporated in your unit provides you the facility of receiving real-time traffic alerts automatically. This informs you about the traffic congestions occurring en-route and the major accident hotspots. You can thus take another less crowded route, thus reaching your destination sooner than expected.
Automatic Re-routing : – Today most of the GPS receivers come with automatic re-routing option. This means that in case of congestions or road blocks your device with calculate a new route for you automatically. It also gets you back on route in case you get deviated from your original pre-planned route. Very useful for reaching your destination on quickly.
Turn-by-Turn Voice Prompts : – Almost all the GPS units include the text-to-speech functionality. This feature reads out the names of major roads and junctions as and when they appear on the screen providing you with better control over the wheel. It eliminates the need to constantly peep into your device for seeing directions or path.
Lane Assist : – In a sat nav the Lane Assist functionality, guides you to take the correct lane on a multiple lane route. This is very important when you need to travel on highways and road junctions a lot. Take you to your destination through the right route.
Points of Interest : – Each and every company may differ in the amount of data they integrate in their GPS system with regards to points of interest. Some may have more number of POIs while others may have less. Basically a Point Of Interest is the major landmarks of a particular area. Although only a limited number is pre-loaded in the system, you do have an option to download additional ones or add you own customised POIs.
Screen Size : – The screen size of the GPS system is another major aspect that can determine your buying decision. The larger the screen size the better is the view of maps. The most common screen sizes in the market today are 3.5-inch and 4-inch ones. However if you go for a car integrated GPS unit you can even get 7-inch screens. Some brands also include around 5 ot 6.5-inch screens in their GPS units.
Multimedia : – Considering the stressful life these days, it pays to go for a GPS unit with multimedia facilities. You can play your favourite songs or watch movies while you are not navigating. This relaxes you mentally and gets you refreshed and recharged. One important factor used in most GPS units.
Expandable Memory Facility : – Although, the device comes with some amount of internal memory, it helps to have a memory slot for connecting external memory cards. This is useful if you need to download additional maps or POIs or any other relevant information.
Battery Life : – This is another major requirement these days. With most of you spending hours in travelling, it helps to have a unit with longer battery life. Ideally most units provide a battery life of about 3-4 hours. Additionally an in-car charger is also provided, so that you can charge your device in your vehicle itself.
This is not the end, with the research and development done in this field, you can expect a lot more in the coming days. Altogether, these are sure to make travelling a pleasant and memorable experience for all.
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One Response to “Key Features in an Automotive Satellite Navigator”Important Features in an Automotive Satellite Navigator…
This is a good site, explaining the fundamental features of Sat Navs in an impartial way. It is one of only a few that doesn’t bombard you with reviews and promotions of Sat Nav systems….