| Are you tired of pulling out an awkwardly folded, | | | | navigation systems offers this added feature, |
| obtrusive, impossible-to-read paper map every | | | | which for some is the ultimate reason they decide |
| time you travel to an area you're unfamiliar with? | | | | to purchase the device. Imagine being able to |
| If you're still doing this to get across the country, | | | | drive from California to New York, being |
| it's possible you're also still operating a VCR (with | | | | instructed the entire way with a voice guiding you |
| a cord attached). My point is, assistance with | | | | with the words "in 500 feet, turn right." And if |
| travel has evolved a great deal since those days | | | | you have an even more sophisticated unit with |
| of needing a paper map - not to say that it isn't | | | | text-to-speech technology, it will tell you "in 500 |
| very useful as a backup tool, but come on! Now | | | | feet, turn right on Madison Avenue." Having this |
| you can use global positioning units that provide | | | | type of ongoing assistance is just like having your |
| directions to and from endless locations while | | | | best friend in the car with you. |
| you're in your vehicle. So if you're looking for | | | | POIs - The points of interest (POI) database also |
| navigation and are sick and tired of that paper | | | | showcases the convenience of GPS navigation |
| map, now is the time to learn about the | | | | systems. Imagine that you're out on the road |
| convenience of GPS navigation systems. | | | | alone, making your trip from California to New |
| What's Not to Love about Them? | | | | York, when you decide on a humbug that you |
| There are so many reasons to embrace getting | | | | would like to make a detour to Hershey, |
| on the road with one of these gadgets. The main | | | | Pennsylvania. Of course, your handy little gadget |
| reason, however is that it is beyond convenient in | | | | will be able to map out the directions for you. But |
| that it offers to do much of the work you would | | | | along the way, you also decide that you want to |
| have to handle on your own. It figures out your | | | | stop at an ATM and get some money. This is |
| coordinates on Earth by communicating to orbiting | | | | where the POI database comes in. This database |
| satellites then accurately offers plain English | | | | offers the address to businesses and other |
| instructions to any location in the United States. | | | | important locations like ATMs, fuel stops, |
| There is even more to the convenience of GPS | | | | restaurants, and more without you ever having to |
| navigation systems. Let's take a look. | | | | look them out. You simply scroll through the list |
| Virtual Maps - So it's one thing to get your hands | | | | until you find what you want, then have the |
| on a bunch of paper maps for different cities and | | | | system map out the directions for you. And if |
| specific regions, but who is going to unfold all of | | | | your system offers a Bluetooth hands-free calling |
| those maps and place them in front of your eyes | | | | feature, you can dial the location you want to visit |
| while you're driving? Your handy electronic device | | | | with 1-touch dialing. Nice! |
| will, that's who. Where with paper maps you have | | | | Traffic and Weather Updates - The convenience |
| to organize yourself constantly, and sometimes | | | | of GPS navigation systems also extends to traffic |
| pull over on the side of the road to locate your | | | | and weather updates, which let you know where |
| position on the map (which is a safety hazard, by | | | | there are traffic tie-ups, or problems that can stall |
| the way), with this handy little device, all you have | | | | you as a result of bad weather. If the route you |
| to do is take a glance at the virtual map on the | | | | are traveling may be affected by one of these |
| screen, which is constantly changing to reflect | | | | issues, the system can offer an alternative route |
| your current position on Earth. | | | | to the place you want to go. |
| Road and Highway Navigation - Okay, so even if | | | | The convenience of GPS navigation systems |
| you're forced yourself to adjust to the paper | | | | doesn't end here. There is much more to take |
| map, there is no way that your map can talk to | | | | advantage of. But these benefits definitely offer a |
| you, offering turn-by-turn instruction as you travel | | | | good start, wouldn't you say? So don't miss out |
| along the roads and highways. If it can, you need | | | | on the chance to take advantage of the |
| to either get the map (or yourself) checked for | | | | convenience of GPS navigations systems. Your |
| further testing. However, the convenience of GPS | | | | next road trip will thank you for it. |