Get in Touch with the TomTom XL 340-S.. Make a Match with the Magellan Maestro 4700.. On the Go with the Garmin Nuvi 1390T.. Get a Garmin Nuvi 765T for Traveling..
When you get tired of printing maps to find your way, you are ready to update to a GPS navigational unit. There are many brands on the market that do everything short of cleaning your car. Technology does have a price tag though.
The TomTom XL 340-S gives you the help you need without overdoing it. The IQ Route feature chooses the quickest direction based on average speeds instead of standard speed limits. The Advanced Lane Guidance shows realistic images of complicated intersections to help avoid confusion and panic.
Amazon.com is a great place to see what the TomTom XL 340-S can do compared to other brands.
The TomTom XL 340-S offers great customizing options. The MapShare allows you to program locations and directions to places that are pertinent to your life. The HelpMe feature will show you where the nearest hospitals and police centers are.
If you would like some live interaction, you can sign up for the RDS-TMC traffic receiver. It will keep you posted on construction alterations and congested areas. The Fuel Price Service can also be added. This feature alerts you to the best gas price in you vicinity.
The TomTom XL 340-S does need to be updated through your personal computer. It will work for both PC and Mac users. The load time is long, usually between one and two hours, so you will need to plan for this.
Out of the box, the TomTom XL 340-S has limited memory. Removing the languages that you don’t use will clear up a lot of space. Be sure to save some voices or else the turn-by-turn directions will not be able to function.
The TomTom XL 340-S may not have all the bells and whistles but it doesn’t cost as much either. For a very reasonable price, you can get a GPS navigator that will guide you no matter where you roam.
My day to day travels are pretty basic. There are times when I load the family in the car to see some sights. Unfortunately, my sense of direction doesn’t always mesh with my sense of adventure.
The touchpad is a really cool feature. It is easy to use and lets me customize the unit to my needs. I like the OneTouch Favorite menu the best. It saves a lot of time to be able to go back to places that are kid-approved.
I also have used the AAA TourBook Guide on the Magellan Maestro 4700. It’s great for planning or as a back-up plan. One stop we made on a trip didn’t work out so well. The place was closed; permanently from the layers of dust of the interior. I was able to use the guide to find a nearby alternative. This was so much better than driving and hoping.
The multi-destination routing has made the trip easier on everyone. I can plan a trip without needing a bunch of print outs. I can also tell the kids how much longer it is going to be. If they are really being pests, I’ll give it to them in miles.
The touch pad also has an option to find the nearest gas station. While I normally plan refueling, my kids aren’t so accommodating with bathroom breaks. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to find a quick pit stop area.
Amazon.com is a great place to compare both price and features of the Magellan Maestro 4700.
I haven’t used the Bluetooth feature even though it is part of the package. I have used the Quickspell with SmartCity search several times with fast results. When you have kids strapped into a car, time is of the essence.
I haven’t had the best of luck with the voice command. The only one that seems to work is the “Go Home” command. Apparently this is a common problem with all voice command GPS navigators. I feel stupid talking to a box, so I don’t use it anyway.
The Magellan Maestro 4700 may not be as fancy as some brands, but it doesn’t cost as much either. It can get me where I want to go and show me some great places to see on my way.
I am almost always lost. Genetically I have the same sense of direction as a rock. I can’t read a map either. North, south, left or right is a question that should be answered by someone else.
This is my knight in widescreen, user friendly armor. This unit is really slim and fits into my pocket or purse. This is handy when I opt to use the Pedestrian Navigation feature.
The Garmin nuvi 1390T lets me find my way using public transportation or my own two feet. There are about 6 million points of interest programmed into the unit for my perusal. This makes it so easy to find the sites, the food and a place to rest your head.
I love the “Where Am I?” feature the best. With just a tap, I can locate the nearest hospital or intersection. It will even help me find my car. The unit automatically marks the spot when I take it out of the car. I can then use the Garmin nuvi 1390T to find my way back.
The price for the Garmin nuvi 1390T is pretty high, but Amazon.com offers some great deals.
It definitely makes up for the price difference in all the features that it offers. The 1390T model will let me receive updated traffic reports. I can avoid accidents, congestion and construction. It even keeps me updated on changes in road design. I hate looking for an exit that no longer exists.
The Lane Assist takes the guessing out of new routes that I may be driving. It actually tells me which lane to be in. It does it with plenty of warning so that I have time to switch if I need to.
The Garmin nuvi 1390T is jam-packed with features but it is still easy to use. I like leaving the house with confidence that I won’t get lost. This is much better than leaving a trail of breadcrumbs!
The human race has always been on the move. Evolution has taken explorers from following the stars to listening to a little talking box. GPS navigator systems have made finding the way much easier.
This version of the Garmin has all the same features with a few new extras thrown in. Like many models the Garmin nuvi 765T has Bluetooth technology that works with most phones. You can upload your contact list and create a list for all of your favorite stops.
The widescreen has antiglare technology to make it easier to read in bright light. The unit will adjust automatically to accommodate to changing levels of light. The unit is bigger than others with more space on the panel. This makes it much easier to use to controls over other models.
You can find the actual dimensions at Amazon.com.
The most unique feature that the Garmin nuvi 765T offers is the MP3 capabilities. You can store MP3s and audio books on the unit. They will play back through your vehicles stereo system.
Some models don’t have multi-stop features, but the Garmin nuvi 765T does. Once you find the best routes, you can even store up to ten different files. You can even track breadcrumbs up to about 10,000 points. Sometimes, it’s helpful to know where you have been.
When you need to know what is going on ahead of you, you can access that FM traffic update for current conditions. This feature may not work in all areas. Lane assistance is also available to make sure you are where you need to be.
Whether you are traveling across town or across the continent, it’s great to have good directions. The Garmin nuvi 765T can take you where you want to go with less hassles. The added features just make the trip that much more fun.
