| Have you been hearing about the benefits of a | | | | in an unfamiliar area. |
| mapping or navigation system and wonder what | | | | Just from the features alone, you can see why |
| the big deal is? You are definitely not alone. Many | | | | every person needs automotive GPS systems. |
| people are curious as to what these systems can | | | | But how do they keep you safe? Think about it; |
| do that a paper map or Mapquest cannot. | | | | if you are out traveling alone at night between |
| Honestly, there are many benefits to using one of | | | | Denver and Ohio, and suddenly you are |
| these systems, including convenience and | | | | side-swiped by a blizzard, there are tons of |
| entertainment, but the major reason would have | | | | features you could utilize to stay on route - or |
| to be safety. Where a paper map can offer | | | | avoid the blizzard altogether. For example, with |
| assistance in getting you around a city, it doesn't | | | | turn-by-turn navigation systems, you have the |
| offer specific directions. And while Mapquest can | | | | option to find alternate routes. Also, if you need |
| assist in getting you to a specific address, if you | | | | to find a fuel stop or convenience store, you can |
| lose your printout, you're back a square one. The | | | | use the POI database to locate them without |
| mapping or navigation system, however can offer | | | | needed a telephone book for the city you're in. |
| real time directions to and from anywhere in the | | | | And finally, if you have traffic or weather alerts |
| country. So if safety on the road is an issue for | | | | with your system, you would have been informed |
| you, then sit back and learn more about why | | | | about the blizzard before you ever reached with, |
| every person needs automotive GPS systems. | | | | and would have been offered routes to take to |
| Basic Functions of Mapping and Navigation Units | | | | avoid the hazardous weather situation. |
| There are some basic functions that you can look | | | | Name one paper map or Mapquest print out that |
| forward to with most mapping and navigation | | | | can do all of that for you. |
| units. Let's take a look at what they are: | | | | The fact of the matter is every person needs |
| Preloaded Maps - If you're are located in the | | | | automotive GPS systems because you'll never |
| United States then whether or not you have a | | | | get lost. You'll never have to worry about the |
| mapping or navigation device, you will get to take | | | | safety of your children when out traveling with |
| advantage of preloaded maps, normally with 2D | | | | them at night. You'll never have to fear your |
| and 3D functions. With these maps, you can see | | | | college kids getting lost on their way home for |
| the path to your destination on the road or | | | | the holidays. And you'll never have to waste |
| highways that you will be traveling. Many compare | | | | another sheet of printer paper on a printed map. |
| this feature to viewing a virtual map from Google | | | | What Else? |
| or Mapquest. | | | | One more reason that every person needs |
| Turn-by-Turn Navigation - This feature only | | | | automotive GPS systems is that most portable |
| comes with a navigation unit and is one step | | | | units (which are cheaper than in-dash units, by the |
| above the mapping feature that merely shows | | | | way) can be removed from the vehicle. So let's |
| you your path to travel. The navigation feature | | | | say for instance that you have experienced a |
| actually gives you each turn you will be making a | | | | breakdown and need to find a location near you |
| few hundred feet before you are to make it. In | | | | for assistance and food. You can actually pull your |
| other words, it guides you every step of the way | | | | unit out of the car and carry it in your hand while |
| to your location. | | | | getting directions to the nearest location in your |
| POIs - POIs (or points of interests) are preloaded | | | | POI database. It doesn't get any better than that! |
| businesses and other public locations like ATMs, | | | | So are you now convinced as to why every |
| fuel stops, restaurants, and retailers that come in | | | | person needs automotive GPS systems? I hope |
| a database and allow you to find a location | | | | so! The investment is definitely more than that of |
| without need the address. | | | | a paper map or virtual map printout, but the |
| Traffic/Weather Alerts - Traffic and weather | | | | safety benefits are far greater. So before you |
| alerts for many are the main reason everyone | | | | take your next trip, consider again why every |
| needs automotive GPS systems. This often | | | | person needs automotive GPS systems. Then go |
| optional feature gives real-time updates on traffic | | | | out and buy your own mapping or navigation |
| and impending weather conditions in your area, | | | | system. |
| something that is very useful in your own city, or | | | | |