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Dominic: Portable GPS navigation for your car is a great way to not only get directions
to where your going, but to enhance your journey in many ways you might not have thought of.
And we're going to take a look at some of those ways in this video.
But first, let me go over some common features found in most portable navigators. The primary
function of these travel tools is point-to-point navigation, so they all come preloaded with
detailed maps and a database of points of Interest. Point of Interest is anywhere you
might want to stop along a journey, such as a restaurant, hotel, gas station, or even
an ATM. Navigators sort these points of interest by category, and they include address and
phone number information for each one, where available. Once a portable navigator determines
where you are and where you want to go, it'll establish a route and give you visual and
spoken directions. All you have to do is follow along. Text-to-speech voice promps help a
great deal by saying actual street names at each upcoming maneuver, so you'll be sure
you're on the right path. You'll hear something like, 'Turn right on Main Street' instead
of 'Take the next right.'
GPS: Turn right on Seminole Trail.
Dominic: Which can come in very handy if you're in an unfamiliar area. When you get beyond
these basic features, you'll find a lot of handy extras that differentiate the various
models. Built-in Bluetooth is one important feature that some navigators offer. Bluetooth
lets you use your compatible cellphone hands-free through the navigator's touchscreen. In many
cases, you can access your phonebook right through the navigator, instead of fumbling
around for your cellphone. The best thing about having Bluetooth is that you can call
ahead to make reservations or find out how long the wait is at a restaurant. Traffic
updates come in handy when you're driving in the city, and they're now offered in most
metropolitan areas, but you will need a special receiver, typically, to get updates.
Other handy features found in some navigators include 3D building graphics and junction
view. These features give you an improved view of your surroundings instead of the typical
flat, two-dimensional graphics. These views usually only work in urban areas, where you'll
find distinctive buildings and complicated intersections. Lane guidance helps you stay
on track by showing you which lane you should be in for upcoming turns.
Now let me tell you about a feature that is currently available only on a handful of navigators.
It's called Connected GPS, and it allows your navigator to work as a portable search engine.
So you can find any type of destination you want to from the road.
Here we have a Garmin nuvi 1690 and the TomTom XL 340 S LIVE, both of which feature connected
capabilities. With your subscription to their respective services, you can access local
search powered by Google, which lets you plug in any search term you want to get instant
results, making it much easier to find what you're looking for rather than scrolling through
endless menu screens to find that one special spot. This feature requires a monthly subscription.
Both companies offer a free trial period, so you can check it out before subscribing.
Connected services do more than give you search capabilities. They can also provide live traffic
reports in your area, weather forecasts and local gas prices. You can also look up movie
times and the best listings in your local area to find out what's going on in town tonight.
As you can see, Connected GPS can make your travels easier and more fun than the basic
portable navigator can. And with the extra features we mentioned earlier, like Bluetooth
and improved graphics, you'll find that even the most routine commute can take on a whole
new life as you discover new ways to explore your surroundings. So be sure to check out
portable navigators that go beyond the run-of-the-mill feature set. To find out more about what a
portable navigator can do for you, visit crutchfield.com/portnav or give us a call for personalized service.