What to do if you find yourself in an unfamiliar city with heavy traffic, you are forced to slow down in front of every signpost, afraid to miss the right turn. And there is no way to stop on the curb to review the map. And the solution is simple – you need a GPS-navigator. But how among the plethora of models to choose the one that suits you? To begin with you should understand the basic functions and parameters of the navigator. One of the basic and the most difficult – are the maps and the amount of memory, on which depends the level of detail and the amount of information. Decide in advance, what region maps you need. Most often, flash cards are used, which are either included in the kit or can be purchased separately. The number of multimedia applications depends on the amount of built-in memory. Modern navigators allow you to view photos and video, have an MP3 player and built-in games.
But the main thing in a navigator is its built-in functions. AutoRouting will help you choose the best route: the shortest or the most comfortable one, passing on the main roads. The TrafficTrends option, using special GPRS connections, studies the traffic flow and calculates the route, taking into account traffic jams or repair work on the roads. Taking into account the speed of the vehicle, the navigator will indicate the exact time of arrival at your destination. The myTrends system stores the most frequently used routes in the memory and after some time of operation simply “guesses” where you need to go. The navigator will choose the lane you need, warn of an approaching turn in advance, and in case of accidental speeding will remind about the speed limit on this part of the road. If you happen to miss a turn, the navigator will show you the way again straight away. The three-dimensional image of the relief allows you to navigate even on multi-level highways.
EcoRoute, the so-called green function, will tell you how to achieve the most efficient fuel consumption. Many devices have a “Where I am” option, which will tell you the exact location of the car, as well as the nearest police station, hospital or gas station.
When buying a navigator, one should pay attention to the display, because the driver often has to look at it, so it is better to choose a bigger screen with a high resolution. Modern car navigators have anti-glare coating, so the image quality remains high even in the sunny weather. Touch screen or key control – the navigator functions are unaffected. However, it is worth paying attention to whether the image can be switched to the night. Otherwise, in the dark time of the day the bright glow of the navigator will distract from the road.
Some devices “understand” voice commands. Without distraction, it is enough just to say: find the address. Also, for the convenience of the driver, some navigators have a Hands-Free function. The navigator can use Bluetooth wireless technology, which allows it to function as a telephone, without the need to hold it in the hand. Often the navigator is accompanied by the holder, which is used to fasten the device in the car, as well as the adapter and the USB-cable for connection to a computer.
The choice of navigator models is huge. Someone will need a simpler model, while someone needs a device with a built-in translator – modern manufacturers have provided for everything. The only thing that remains is to choose.