by Kim on December 25, 2009
You may be driving around town and you are late for an appointment. You want to use your auto GPS to find out which road you should take but the unexpected happened – your GPS won’t switch on. Uh-oh, is it goodbye to the GPS? Times like that are pretty frustrating but no worries, here are some tips for you to find out what is the problem with your auto GPS.
Your auto GPS may not work due to a few reasons. But if the cost of fixing exceeds the price of buying a new one, then I advise you to go ahead and get a new model. To give your money its worth, you can try out these fix-it tips before giving up on your unit. See whether you identify with the problems below:
1. Loss of satellite reception
Weather does not generally affect the reception. Some people complained that their signal fail to lock when they use windshield wiper. All you got to do is switch off the wiper until the signal locks.
If battery is the problem, change the battery before trying to reset the device. The next step if that doesn’t work is to reprogram. If all else fails, you could have a damaged receiver chip problem. It can be replaced but will be costly. Consult your technician to see whether it’s a worthwhile fix.
2. Broken on/off power switch
First, try holding the switch down longer to power up. If that doesn’t work, try plugging it into your PC (using USB port) or a car charger and turn on the switch. These two methods ought to work.
If it doesn’t, then the most likely problem is a defective switch or loose connection between switch and motherboard. To solve this problem, you’ll need to take the device apart. And depending on the extent of damage, you either need to re-solder the switch or replace it.
3. Touch screen/Glass replacement
If you experience non-responsive commands and wrongs functions activated when you press the screen, it is likely you have a faulty touch screen. If the display is dark, dimmed, with splotches, or you have lines appearing when it shouldn’t, your LCD display is defective.
You’ll need to replace both the touch screen and LCD display because it comes together. It’s tricky to do it yourself because the screen is held with internal clips around the edges. To do it forcibly would risk damaging the touch screen. Take it to a professional.
You have to know that the lifespan of your GPS is relatively a few years (with so many new models coming up, it may be obsolete before it breaks down!) but how long it lasts also depends on your usage and how you handle it. If it’s beyond repair or too costly, get a new one. To find out which models I recommend, read my other reviews.
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by Kim on November 21, 2009
Maps and Updating
The maps must be up to date from time to time, unless you will only drive in mature cities such that the traffics and road are fixed and constant. The updates can be done using memory cards or USB connections.
Certain units have wifi capability which automatically updates your database whenever there is an internet connection. Several GPS units may download live traffic reports and alerts and incorporate it into routing using a built-in or external receiver – or a Bluetooth-compatible phone.
Traffic subscription validity
Get real time traffic info while you drive! Never get stuck in a traffic jam anymore while your auto GPS tells you which streets to avoid as you drive. Great for people driving in major cities.
Free lifetime traffic subscription is included in some newer models while other GPS units still require a separate yearly or monthly subscription.
The best auto GPS navigation with free traffic info for life is the Garmin nuvi 265WT 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth & Integrated Traffic Receiver.
Text-to-Speech Capability
Do you like to keep your eyes on the road while you drive? Some models of auto GPS give speech instructions. More advanced models can even pronounce accurate instructions based on your current location.
For instance, an instruction like “turn right at 50 feet” can be given by including the street names such as “turn right at 50 feet on Sesame Street”. You barely need to look at the screen at all and this will make the journey safer.
Some special units can even pronounce Red spots of accidents and road hazards. Different accents of spoken language are also available for downloading.
For best voice command, I recommend Garmin nuvi 880 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Automatic destination routing
If you’re like me – you hate speculating which road is the shorter one to your destination, or you always make the wrong turn and make the journey time even longer than it should be, you need this feature.
Modern auto GPS models capable of processing multiple input destinations and analyze you the most efficient, fuel-saving, and time-saving route.
Find a good one that can immediately analyze a new shortest route even when you’ve ignored its original instructions.
Points of Interest(POI) Database
A unit with a large POI (Point of Interest) database is great for those who are traveling to unfamiliar places. Get 5 million or more crucial points of interest range from service stations, petrol kiosks, hotels, restaurants, to ATMs.
Some latest models offers online capability that enable you real time updates of POI database from server rather than rely on in-built database.
Multimedia features
A number of auto GPS come with multimedia capability to let you play music and songs through your car stereo using FM signal transmitter. Just simply plug in your memory card or thumb drive, then you can browse through all the tunes you like.
Connect to phone
With Bluetooth, connect your phone to the auto GPS and make hands-free calls with just touching the screen. This is really convenient for people who talk on the phone all the time and I for one really hate fumbling with my hands-free cable when driving.
Garmin nüvi 760 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable Auto GPS has this feature.
Other convenience features
Most units feature a multipurpose touch screen for easy inputs. Many also let you search for your routes and destinations by keying in simple text and words, together with auto complete feature to shorten your searching. Some premium units even support voice commands.
I find Garmin nüvi 760 to be the most convenient auto GPS around.
Go back to my Best Auto GPS main page for more recommendations and auto GPS reviews.
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Have you ever wondered how GPS works? I have decided to do some explanation here for those who are not familiar.
1. What is GPS?
GPS or Global Positioning System consists of satellites orbiting the earth and it is a system made public by the United States Department of Defense in 1983. Originally meant for military purposes, it is now widely used for GPS services.
Your auto GPS contains a receiver and it receives signals (at a fixed interval) from the many satellites orbiting the earth. To be specific, it receives signals from at least three satellites at any one point of time.
These satellites are programmed to send signals simultaneously, and they allow the receiving device (your auto GPS) to locate its position and determine transmission time. Since the signals travel at the speed of light, knowing the transmission time allows the GPS software to calculate the distance to the satellite (speed x time = distance).
2. Why it Works That Way
Before I go on, you need to know that GPS uses distance (trilateration) to determine location while map and compass use bearings (triangulation) system. If you know how map and compass works, you’ll know that you need three points of reference to pinpoint your location on the map.
Same thing goes for GPS – you need at least 3 satellites to tell your location. Why? Simply because getting to one satellite will tell you where you are in relation to it, but it doesn’t give any clue to your position on earth.
Well, just picture with me. Imagine that you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and a person tells you that you are 100 miles from Chicago. You have no idea which direction that is and it could be anywhere within a 100-mile circle radius.
Therefore, satellites help you to pinpoint your exact coordinates. As I’ve mentioned earlier, you need at least three satellites to do so. If you have four, you’ll get a more accurate location with elevation details.
3. Coordinates Are Not Enough
Coordinates alone won’t be much help. That’s why auto GPS comes with mapping software. From the maps, you get information on roadways and directions (more detailed maps give better directions). These maps are also constantly updated to accommodate road changes.
You’ll need to buy digital maps from map companies. The software works to translate your GPS information and display it unto the map. With the map and satellite signal, you can tell your exact location on road and navigate your way around with ease.
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Hi, welcome to my first post of my new blog – best auto GPS.
Auto GPS or Automotive navigation system is great when you need to find your way in unknow location and places. Besides that, some of the auto GPS come with GPS auto tracking sytem.
Get Your Way Around Using Auto GPS
GPS usually come with visual interface that allow you to see where is your car position on the navigation map of the GPS screen. It’s will receive GPS satellite signal and map out the location plus use voice to prompts when you require help for direction.
Safety
Besides, that auto GPS system that come with auto tracking system allow you to track stolen vechicles and monitor your son driving behavior
Well, what to look for in the auto GPS system have become the main reason why I started this blog – best auto GPS. Hopefully, I will find the time to write and review some of my favorite and best auto GPS system with you all here
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