Added GPS Functions
If you drive a car (truck, motor scooter, rickshaw etc.), I'm sure that you've had the experience of getting lost. Well, that "experience" might just be better described as a sinking feeling. Suddenly the familiar goes to the unfamiliar, and despite with the foldout map that you smartly brought along, you quickly realize that you haven't a clue where you are. Before the conversation with your travel companions turns to where you should stop for directions, you realize that a GPS unit would have been a very good idea.
After having some of these experiences, while not quite as bad as on the TV show "Lost," I decided a GPS unit was the thing to buy. For those lucky enough to be in the market for a new car, they can get one built into the dashboard, for a price premium. The auto manufacturers are happy to offer this option, but often require that you take the upgraded interior package and some options that likely didn't interest you. As fast as you can say "monthly payment," an in dash GPS can be yours, but even at this price, there are some inherent disadvantages. The first is that there may not be updates available for the unit, or they may be quite expensive. Another is that in a multicar family, the GPS unit obviously can't be shared. The last is that this is a take it or leave it purchase as there is no choice of unit. For the silver spoon crowd, a manufacturer installed GPS unit is great, but as I wasn't getting a new car anytime soon, this would not be my route.
I was looking for an aftermarket solution. With the cash I was willing to part with, an installed unit was also not going to happen. However, that didn't mean that I needed to unfold my map again by any means. There are currently many models available in the under $500 range which should keep me on the road. An LCD screen shows your current location, and gives turn by turn directions to the destination. This is all based on calculating the time signals from 3 or more satellites from the US's 28 satellite network in orbit. It should work from anywhere on the planet. Who says we don't get anything for paying taxes?
One of the problems is that all the units are basically the same. While the size of the display may differ, the information presented is not all that different between units. Manufacturers have sought to differentiate themselves by adding in assorted other features.
One popular feature is to have some type of MP3 player. This would seem to me to be a no brainer. It's cheap to add, and what user wouldn't love to hear some of their tunes? Also, even if it is only used for traveling, it still may be useful. Well, unfortunately, the current GPS units that have this feature can't walk and chew gum at the same time; in other words you have the choice of listening to music or finding your destination, but not both simultaneously. Until they resolve this, it is an essentially useless feature.
Another feature I see added is a Bluetooth chip. This is designed to connect to the cell phone and allow for hands free use. As hands free cell phone use is required in many states, and most users don't use their ear pieces, this has some more potential. I'm not sure the audio quality will be there (for talking or listening), but it could work well if properly implemented. By combining in the music player, and have it turn off to take the call, while doing GPS functions, then we'd really have something. As far as I know, this doesn't exist right now.
I'm wondering why they haven't added in one obvious feature. When I think of auto electronics suction cupped to a windshield, I would say "radar detector" if I was on the Family Feud. With only one power 12 V outlet, I'm not sure why we haven't seen a GPS unit with radar detector functionality built into it. Heck, Cobra even manufactures both GPS and radar detectors! Be that as it may, it still is a good idea that they should look into at some point.
With all of this build up, I hope the fans aren't disappointed to hear that the unit I chose is a GPS unit with no other added features. Sometimes a one trick pony can get the job done as well. Rest assured that there will be a review forthcoming.
--Jonas
After having some of these experiences, while not quite as bad as on the TV show "Lost," I decided a GPS unit was the thing to buy. For those lucky enough to be in the market for a new car, they can get one built into the dashboard, for a price premium. The auto manufacturers are happy to offer this option, but often require that you take the upgraded interior package and some options that likely didn't interest you. As fast as you can say "monthly payment," an in dash GPS can be yours, but even at this price, there are some inherent disadvantages. The first is that there may not be updates available for the unit, or they may be quite expensive. Another is that in a multicar family, the GPS unit obviously can't be shared. The last is that this is a take it or leave it purchase as there is no choice of unit. For the silver spoon crowd, a manufacturer installed GPS unit is great, but as I wasn't getting a new car anytime soon, this would not be my route.
I was looking for an aftermarket solution. With the cash I was willing to part with, an installed unit was also not going to happen. However, that didn't mean that I needed to unfold my map again by any means. There are currently many models available in the under $500 range which should keep me on the road. An LCD screen shows your current location, and gives turn by turn directions to the destination. This is all based on calculating the time signals from 3 or more satellites from the US's 28 satellite network in orbit. It should work from anywhere on the planet. Who says we don't get anything for paying taxes?
One of the problems is that all the units are basically the same. While the size of the display may differ, the information presented is not all that different between units. Manufacturers have sought to differentiate themselves by adding in assorted other features.
One popular feature is to have some type of MP3 player. This would seem to me to be a no brainer. It's cheap to add, and what user wouldn't love to hear some of their tunes? Also, even if it is only used for traveling, it still may be useful. Well, unfortunately, the current GPS units that have this feature can't walk and chew gum at the same time; in other words you have the choice of listening to music or finding your destination, but not both simultaneously. Until they resolve this, it is an essentially useless feature.
Another feature I see added is a Bluetooth chip. This is designed to connect to the cell phone and allow for hands free use. As hands free cell phone use is required in many states, and most users don't use their ear pieces, this has some more potential. I'm not sure the audio quality will be there (for talking or listening), but it could work well if properly implemented. By combining in the music player, and have it turn off to take the call, while doing GPS functions, then we'd really have something. As far as I know, this doesn't exist right now.
I'm wondering why they haven't added in one obvious feature. When I think of auto electronics suction cupped to a windshield, I would say "radar detector" if I was on the Family Feud. With only one power 12 V outlet, I'm not sure why we haven't seen a GPS unit with radar detector functionality built into it. Heck, Cobra even manufactures both GPS and radar detectors! Be that as it may, it still is a good idea that they should look into at some point.
With all of this build up, I hope the fans aren't disappointed to hear that the unit I chose is a GPS unit with no other added features. Sometimes a one trick pony can get the job done as well. Rest assured that there will be a review forthcoming.
--Jonas
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posted by digitaldoc at 10:04 PM
2 Comments:
One reason for leaving out the radar detector is states that outlaw them. I drive to Florida every couple of years, and the radar detector is illegal in Virginia. I believe it is also outlawed in Connecticut.
That's a good point Rapcomp. They're still legal in the majority of states though.
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