GPS Revue

Your Source for All Things GPS
January 19, 2010

The Craze of Number Plates

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

Depending on your location, you must have seen vehicles on the road with number plates that does not conform with the standard number plate system. You are also right to assume that these cost more than the usual alphanumeric plates. Yes, these are personalised number plates, which mean people customize them to their needs. These needs include recognition, as in business, for prestige to certain family, group or organization or simply just to evoke admiration from onlookers just for the fun of it. There are many many number to choose from , sometimes over thirty million different combinations of numbers and letters.

October 6, 2009

Important Tips To Follow When Shopping For Automotive GPS Systems

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

The new automobile GPS systems are amazing inventions. In the blink of an eye they can give real time driving directions, dynamic maps for streets and highways, and directions to a variety of places such as hospitals, restaurants, and attractions. They supply useful voice prompts so the driver does not have to ever observe the screen rather than the road. Some of the new technology you will find in car GPS systems includes traffic alerts and rerouting, 3D maps, large touch-sensitive screen to govern the unit, and integrated hands free cell telephone.

Some of the other advanced features you can get are better battery life, theft prevention devices, and the ability to have the voice prompts come through your wireless Bluetooth or your car stereo. The majority of the time the 1st experience someone has with an automotive GPS system leaves them stunned by all its functions. There are 3 main types of automotive GPS system available. Many new autos will come with one of these systems already installed.

If you arenot in the marketfor a new automobile you can buy an aftermarket in dash system that takes the place of your usual radio. The last technique to get one of these systems is to buy a conveyable unit that may be mounted to your dash or windscreen. There are GPS systems included in lots of the luxury cars on the market today. They typically have larger LCD screens which make it easier to use while driving. The genuine drawback of built in systems is they regularly donot have the most complicated technology available.

Aftermarket built in systems will also have abig LCD screens and can also include DVD players. They require professional installation and shouldn’t be put into a leased auto. Conveyable GPS systems offer much more flexibility and will usually cost less and installed units. They also give you the choice of moving them between automobiles or taking them with you when you travel. Find out more about GPS systems.

September 4, 2009

Showing You The Way With A Garmin GPSMAP 76csx

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could take a Garmin GPSMAP with you anywhere, as you would a paper map? Whether you’ll be on a road trip, a boat ride or a hiking excursion, you need reliable navigator maps to help you find your way. From the Garmin GPSMAP 60cx to the Garmin i3, there is a GPS device for everyone from this leading company.

Garmin knew that active individuals needed a reliable crossover device to help them navigate their way. In this world of James Bond caliber adventure, we find ourselves traveling by various modes in our pursuits.

Garmin GPSMAP
At the very beginning of the Garmin line of GPS maps, there are aviation navigator maps for pilots to travel by land, air and sea, such as the GPSMAP 96 or 196, for example. From those basic grey-scale models, Garmin has advanced to full-color portable devices like the GPSMAP 495 and 496, adding airport maps, pre-loaded maps, 3,000 favorite locations, traffic information services, voice prompts, satellite radio and weather.

The Garmin GPSMAP 76 series ranges from $200 to $428.56, depending on the model. The marine-friendly navigator maps are great for serious outdoor adventurers who want a barometric altimeter, electronic compass, location tracking and turn-by-turn directions.

The grey-scale Garmin GPSMAP comes with the 76 and 76-S models, while the 76Cx and 76CSx models display in 256 colors with transflective screens. The higher end GPSMAP 76cx and 76CSx models also beat the cheaper 76 models in that they have high-quality receivers for when you’re in deep canyons, dense forests or far-off mountain ranges.

Additionally, the more expensive models accept pre-loaded data cards if you want to add more maps without linking up to the computer. The 276c is also compatible with Blue Chart marine maps, which provide more detail for your high seas adventures.

GPS navigation
A Garmin GPSMAP may come in various formats. When you’re on the road, you’ll probably be using “City Navigator” maps, which include over 6 million points of interest, traffic data and detailed street information.

When you’re sailing, you’ll use the “Blue Chart” GPS maps with 3-D perspective, coastal points of interest, depth contours, shipwreck locations and auto-guide technology. The 300 Series and 600 Series, though you can still find them online, have been discontinued; while each step was celebrated at the time with a new series, the newer models include all those features and more, so Garmin is simplifying their line.

August 25, 2009

Software’s the Missing Link to Your GPS Unit

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

When consumers post reviews on the vaious GPS units from the larger companies, they sound as though they focus primarily on the technical aspects of the device; the appearance, performance levels, and the ease of use. What those reviews normally ignore, though, is the GPS Software that each product needs in order for the device to connect with the Windows or Mac systems properly. A certain kind of software is necessary for functions like synchronizing and retrieving the latest maps and POI’s to your GPS device. As with any other software, GPS software that is too bloated should be passed up. Understanding the different GPS software may not be the point that moves you to purchase one specific brand, but understanding the supporting software is necessary after you already put money down on one GPS device. The styles of GPS software will often be nearly identical for various models within a specific brand. Garmin Nuvi 465t Truck GPS Navigator

Garmin Nuvi Software

Garmin Nuvi offers a wide selection of various GPS software that a person might get from the company’s main website. Software updates could be downloaded directly or with help from another type of software called WebUpdater. In order to make WebUpdater work, users simply need to hook the GPS to your desktop and follow the system prompts. Garmin also offers several mapping programs which support PC as well as Mac platforms. There is also a special section exclusively for Mac users to help them tap the full potential of their Garmin Nuvi devices.

TomTom HOME

The TomTom HOME allows you to search your TomTom for installed software and accomplish upgrades when needed. In addition to its basic abilities to include transferring maps, TomTom HOME also enables software owners to download files that are used in the device, then customize and reinstall them to establish unique displays, giving the GPS a more personal look. Adding to that, TomTom already managed to produce software for mobile phones, most of which has been discontinued. Fortunately TomTom still makes an application which runs on an iPhone 3G. Garmin Nuvi 465t Truck GPS Navigator

Magellan Software

Magellan might have the established reputation of selling reasonably priced products, but they now offer a lot of software that is available to be downloaded for free, including two different versions; VantagePoint and MapGuard. VantagePoint is a multipurpose application which lets you download all the GPS action to your desktop monitor. All the maps, streets & highways, routes, and points of interest are accessible and your maps can be viewed using both the 2D and 3D effects.

MapGuard is Magellan’s alternate program and offers MapSend Manager in addition to Mapsend Lite. The MapSend Lite is a state of the art application which lets you display any map on your PC, helping you to insert waypoints and plan directions. MapGuard also support Geocaching, and you can additionally convert distances and speeds into many different formats.

Judging Each Application

Keep in mind, GPS software ought not be the only factor in selecting your new GPS device. These applications are only available to support the company’s GPS systems and achieve that product’s maximum potential. Out of the products reviewed here, TomTom HOME easily outdistances the others because of the ability to tailor the user interface. Some of software can also be tried out even if you do not own your own supported GPS device. Garmin Nuvi 465t Truck GPS Navigator

August 5, 2009

Useful Bits Of Ideas To Follow When Shopping For Automotive GPS Systems

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

The new car GPS systems are amazing inventions. In the blink of an eye they can give real time driving directions, dynamic maps for streets and highways, and directions to a selection of places such as hospitals, restaurants, and attractions. They supply useful voice prompts so that the driver does not need to ever look at the screen rather than the road. Some of the new technology you can find in vehicle GPS systems includes traffic alerts and rerouting, 3D maps, big touch-sensitive screen to control the unit, and integrated hands free cell phone.

Some of the other advanced features you can get are longer battery life, burglary prevention devices, and the ability to have the voice prompts come thru your wireless Bluetooth or your vehicle stereo. The majority of the time the first experience someone has with acar GPS system leaves them surprised by all its functions. There are three main sorts of automobile GPS system available. Many new cars will come with one of these systems already installed.

If you aren’t in the marketfor a new automobile you can purchase an aftermarket in dash system that takes the place of your usual radio. The last method to get one of these systems is to purchase a portable unit that can be mounted to your dash or windshield. There are GPS systems included in many of the luxury cars on the market nowadays. They customarily have larger LCD screens which make it easier to use while driving. The real drawback of built in systems is that they often don’t have the most advanced technology available.

Aftermarket built in systems will also have a large LCD screens and can also include DVD players. They need professional installation and should not be put into a leased car. Transportable GPS systems offer much more flexibility and will often cost less and installed units. They also give you the choice of moving them between automobiles or taking them with you when you travel. Find out more about GPS systems.

June 27, 2009

GPS Tracking Your Car To Keep Tabs On Your Teenage Driver

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

Using GPS to track vehicles - it is not exclusively for the spies and the police anymore. With the benefits of this powerful technology, companies are allowing consumers to take charge of their lives and install GPS devices in their vehicles. Go to GPS for more information.

The reasons to use GPS tracking can be many: you can use these devices to help recover a stolen vehicle, or can help keep an eye on your car when you loan it to someone (to ensure they remain at the speed limit and drive safely), or they could even be used as an aid to parenting a teen rebel. How you choose to use GPS tracking is up to you.

One of the more interesting to uses of this new technology is helping parents in parenting their children. By installing a GPS tracking device in your car or truck, you get an instant awareness of your son’s driving habits and location. This can be very important for several reasons and in the hands of a wise and discerning parents can be very helpful in educating children to respect the law and be safe.

Cars are an important part of teen culture. They are the main way that teenagers these days travel. Teenagers used to go on foot, by road, bike, or had to get bus tickets to get around. The car has replaced all these forms of transportation and have become the great engine of adolescence.

Because cars are so important to teenagers, you know that once your child is legally able to sit behind the wheel they will begin hunting to get the keys in their hands.

They will say: “Come on Dad, I need to get the keys so I can drive to the house of Sarah. Everyone is going to see a movie there!” Or they may say something like: “But mom, it will be much easier for everyone if I just drive to school in the morning and drive home from soccer practice.” To be honest, there is often a lot of validity to what they say. Refer to Vehicle tracking device for more information.

It really is easier for our young people to drive themselves around. It make us spend less time driving around and running errands. But there is something in us that wonders if it is really good for them to be alone so often. “Is it safe?” we wonder. “Are they going to drive like we would like? Will I know where they are?”

Tracking your teenager with GPS is a great way to help you learn the answers to all your questions while enjoying the convenience of leaving the teen to drive themselves around.
If you are not familiar with how the GPS is able to follow the car of your child, here is a brief introduction:

GPS means Global Positioning System and this system consists of a dozen satellites orbiting the earth. These satellites emit a radio signal such that GPS receivers can pick up.

The device is used to track your car by taking these signals that communicate information to your unit and processing that information. This information may include the time that the transmission was sent via satellite and the satellite that sent the message. Your GPS unit takes the information and uses mathematics - specifically the principles of unity trilateration - to calculate the position at some point in time.

If you only had a GPS logger that would be the end of it. But a GPS device that can be used in a car your child drives will not be a GPS logger, it will be a GPS pusher. This device will transmit the information to a processing center where the company you purchased your subscription will interpret the data and make it available to you via the Internet or some other means.

The information that it will deliver often includes the speed and direction of the teen that you are tracking. They will even keep a history of car’s position for a month or more!

Using GPS tracking on your teen’s car is certainly a valid way to learn information about your teenager that they might withhold from you otherwise. Parents have a right to know where their teenage is. Visit fleet management for more information.

June 5, 2009

Different Forms Of Vehicle Tracking System

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

Vehicle tracking systems are becoming an evermore popular option for fleet managers. There are many benefits to a system that allows you to track your vehicle fleet; purchasing a system however can be quite an expense. Normally a tracking system will be attached to software that must be installed back at headquarters. This means that the operator has access to information on all of the vehicles in their fleet, their location, speed, distance travelled and maintenance details. Go to GPS for more information.

A vehicle tracking system will work wonders for the efficiency of your fleet. No more is it necessary to have piles of maps in each vehicle in order for operatives to find their way. GPS tracking will give your operatives information on directions and locations. While it may take time for your vehicle drivers to utilise the system effectively, ultimately it will create a system where efficiency is held in the primacy. Cutting out delays and reducing fuel costs is of importance to all fleet managers, a tracking system will help you do this.

Fundamentally there are three distinct types of vehicle tracking systems available on the market today. All have various advantages and disadvantages. These three kinds of system are labelled cellular, wireless passive and satellite real time. But what is the best solution for your fleet? Here is an outlay of the pros and cons.

Cellular tracking has a lower initial set up cost than the other two forms of system. Cellular systems utilise cellular transmissions to transmit information on the whereabouts of your vehicle fleet. It is not strictly up to date however; locations are reported approximately every five to ten minutes depending upon the system you opt for. This type of system does however carry service costs based upon a monthly fee, meaning that it is an ongoing expense and not a one-off payment. The information is normally displayed over the internet using the accompanying software. Refer to Vehicle tracking device for more information.

Wireless Passive tracking systems differ from cellular systems in the way that they can be considered a one-off payment. Once the system has been installed and set up, it is in place for not further fees; it can be expensive however to set up and install. The reason for this expense is the dual components of hardware and software that must be installed as well as the creation of a database. There is however a fundamental problem with this form of tracking system, the information can only be retrieved once the vehicle has been returned to the depot.

Some companies, because of this major disadvantage will not want to employ this kind of system as it simply does not provide information at the right time. It also provides no protection if the vehicle is stolen or involved in accident. Modern passive systems are however installing added modems in vehicles so real time information is available. This addition has also meant that the system is also far more detailed. This kind of system now can give information on vehicle speed and when stops have occurred. Subsequently, many companies are opting for this option as it becomes more advanced and still retains no monthly fee.

Satellite based tracking systems, while not giving the detailed information of the other two systems; do provide a solution around the entire country. Subsequently shipping and trucking companies are more likely to select this sort of system. This can be an expensive system to employ although monthly fees do vary on the detail that the company wishes to be given.

As evermore developments are made in the GPS vehicle tracking industry, it is possible to combine the benefits of these three systems. What we can be certain is that as the technology clearly advances; these types of system will become increasing widespread in a number of industries. Visit fleet management for further information.

May 11, 2009

Get Vehicle Protection and Quick Recovery With a GPS Tracking Device

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

If you are at all concerned about vehicle theft, and if you are not then you probably should be, you will be comforted to learn that with a GPS vehicle tracking device the chances of getting your car or truck back in one piece can now be significantly increased.

We all know that crime is constantly on the increase and car theft is perhaps one of those at the top of the list of crimes that just get worse year after year. These days it really does not matter where you park your car or what type of alarm you have fitted.

For car thieves, who break in to your vehicle, it is a very easy task to disable or ignore your alarm and of course driving away is probably an even easier one. Normally that would be the end of it and your precious vehicle would be gone forever leaving you to deal with the mess and frustration of police reports and insurance claims.

However, it does not have to be that way anymore. If you install a real-time vehicle tracking device in your car, truck or any other type of vehicle that you might drive, then you will be giving yourself a much higher level of protection against total loss than you could have possibly done before.

In fact, you will be pleased to know that a GPS vehicle tracking device installed in your vehicle can constantly transmit a signal so that you can know exactly where it is at any time of the day or night.

What is more, some systems can now even send you an alarm signal when they start to move, so that if you have parked your vehicle for the night and someone takes it you will know immediately that it has been stolen. Refer to Vehicle tracking device for more information.

This knowledge and the speed at which you get it is an incredible advantage when it comes to tracking down your vehicle to affect a speedy recovery. The sooner you know what is going on means that the time a criminal has to move and hide your vehicle and potentially damage it is severely reduced.

This has a very positive effect on your ability, with the aid of the police, to recover your vehicle in one piece and therefore avoid the costly effects, in terms of both time and money, which you would experience without this advantage.

GPS stands for the Global Positioning System, which uses satellites above the earth to work out an exact location at all times whether moving or not.

They are very accurate and very reliable and can now work in some of the remotest places and even in difficult locations where signals can be weak as in the concrete canyons of a big city.

Up until quite recently a GPS tracking device would require professional installation in to a vehicle, which obviously increased the cost and time of initial setup.

Today however the devices are smaller and everything that they require to operate, including a long-term battery power source and strong antenna, are all built in to a portable self-contained unit, which requires no installation other than positioning it in a location within the vehicle where it is secure.

So as you can now do this yourself there are no longer any installation costs and moving a GPS tracking device from vehicle to vehicle is really easy.

Now there really is no excuse for not giving your vehicle the best protection currently available. You can very easily get a GPS vehicle tracking system and protect your vehicle like a professional. Visit fleet management for further information.

December 27, 2008

A High-end Gps System – Garmin Nuvi 880

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

The Garmin Nuvi 880 GPS Navigation System gives you a lengthy variety of benefits and functions that make it an excellent choice for the traveler who needs a high-quality GPS system. The unit is somewhat voice-activated and is easy to operate using the touch screen. The Garmin Nuvi 880 GPS Navigation System is one of the most helpful GPS systems on the market now.

Features

The Garmin Nuvi 880 has several features that allow it to hold its own as one of the top GPS systems available . The unit comes complete with wireless capabilities, giving you the chance to use the cell phone while driving . There are two front speakers on the system so that you can understand the person you are speaking with easily.

The Nuvi 880 also offers you excellent voice recognition capabilities. This hands-free function is the best option for driving on busy highways and in cities where you have to put all of your attention on the traffic. The FM radio transmitter is also a regular feature and you can add real time travel route reports if you need them .

Traffic reports are broadcast over your sound system so if you are enjoying an MP3 on your Garmin Nuvi 880 GPS Navigation System, the music will be interrupted so you can understand the instructions. This means that you should not forget your turn and that new driving directins will automatically be ready for you.

The Garmin Nuvi 880 GPS Navigation System also gives easy-to-understand instructions by referring to the street names rather than distances . The voice system is easy to use and comprehend, especially since all you have to do is key in the destination and your beginning point to use the system .

Charging Your Nuvi 880

You Nuvi 880 is easily removed so that you can carry it with you . The battery will hold a charge even away from an outside source of power for up to five hours . To charge your Nuvi 880 you can plug it into a cigarette lighter adaptor, your USB cable, or a garden-variety wall socket adaptor.

Adding Maps

The Garmin Nuvi 880 GPS Navigation System comes with maps of North America already added but you can acquire additional instructions when you wish to by downloading them from the Garmin Nuvi 880 GPS Navigation System website. If you are planning to go to a foreign country then you may also wish to get a travel guide for the general area you are visiting. The travel guide can make it easy to discover neat cities in the country and help you find hotels , gas and other practical necessities .

You can save your most well-liked restaurants and ships in the system , as well . This helps you to easily acquire your favorite foods and items no matter where you go .

Finding Parking

If you can never remember the location of your vehicle once you have parked, you will really appreciate the feature that remembers your parking spot. This great setting is guaranteed to be on your Garmin 880.

December 13, 2008

A Premier Gps System – Garmin Nuvi 660

Author: admin - Categories: Autos, Trucks and More

The Garmin Nuvi 660 Automotive GPS Navigation System has just about every option you could ask for when you are on the road . The system arrives equipped with the capacity to store two-gigs of data , a no-glare display, and wireless technology.

Standard Features

The readout of the Garmin Nuvi 660 Automotive GPS Navigation System is easy to read at 4 inches wide, with a backlight and glare-free screen that will help you to use your Nuvi 660 even in the dark or in intense sunlight . You will also receive a CD instruction guide to examine which will help you learn about the many uses of the Nuvi 660 before you start using it.

You have the ability to charge your unit with either a cigarette lighter adaptor or a standard plug-in adaptor, both of which are shipped with your package. You can also easily add music, audio books, and photos to your Garmin Nuvi 660 Automotive GPS Navigation System with the included USB jack.

As an added bonus you will also get a leather safety case for your Garmin Nuvi 660 in the package you purchase .

Entering Destinations

The touch screen helps make the Nuvi 660 easy to operate. You can enter your end point by city name, zip code, or latitude and longitude. The only thing you must know is some simple information about your precise destination, such as the city name and street address to create driving instructions on the Garmin Nuvi 660 Automotive GPS Navigation System.

You will also be able to keep your home address in the navigator so that all you have to do is enter a destination when you begin your trip . Your Nuvi 660 will also arrive prepared with an FM radio and an MP3 player . The system is an excellent way to play music in conjunction with your Nuvi 660, since the instructions will cut into your music, making it easy for you to clearly understand the directions.

Traffic In Real Time

The AM and PM traffic snarls can effortlessly be avoided by using the Nuvi 660’s instantaneous traffic updater. All you need to do is to install your Garmin Nuvi 660 Automotive GPS Navigation System in your automobile and begin utilizing the real-time traffic updater . The tool will help you find the quickest road directions to use to avoid the majority of city traffic.

The road info is easy to see by using the FM radio that comes with your Nuvi 660 package. The roads will be coded with signs that will be green, red, or yellow to show you where the traffic is in your area .

Safety Features

The Garmin Nuvi 660 Automotive GPS Navigation System uses a PIN number so that your unit may only be accessed by you and your kin . Taking the Nuvi 660 is pointless because a thief would not get to use the unit unless one had the PIN number.

The Garmin Nuvi 660 also offers a default setting that does not make it possible to put in any destination while the car is in motion, although you can drop this feature later .