Smart Home Lifestyle
May 26, 2007
GPS receivers can give drivers entertainment as well as guidance
Headed the wrong direction on a one-way street? GPS will get you back
on track. Lost at sea? GPS will lead you to dry land. Wandered off the
beaten path? No trail of bread needed in these woods. No matter where
you are, or where you’re going, GPS will find you. So, forget
the compass and forget the map; let GPS be your guide.
GPS 101
GPS, or the Global Positioning System is a worldwide radio navigation
system comprised of 27 satellites. Wherever you are in the world, thanks
to the strategic satellite placement, at least 4 of those satellites
will be visible to your GPS receiver at any given time. And four is
the magic number needed to mark your precise location.
In 1973, the GPS was used for worldwide positioning, but in the 1980’s,
the military made it available for the general public- for free. In
fact, the U.S. Department of Defense still maintains the GPS today.
Built-ins
GPS receivers come pretty standard as upgrade options in most new
cars, these days. But, you can still get a “factory-fit” style
after the fact, especially if you were like me and opted for Sirius
satellite instead of the GPS. Pioneer Electronics offers an in-dash
model, the AVIC- N3, that doubles as a multimedia unit.
The AVIC-N3’s three-in-one system guides the driver by GPS,
lets the passengers up front listen to AM/FM or satellite radio, and
keeps the backseat passengers entertained with DVD movies. And that’s
not all. AVIC-N3 uses voice command, allowing you to change media sources,
radio stations and even adjust EQ levels. The AVIC-N3 costs $1800.
For a more affordable option with just as many great features, check
out Pioneer’s AVIC-D3 for just $1000. The AVIC-D3 combines all
the great navigational features along with iPod integration and Bluetooth
capability for hands-free cell phone calls during your drive.
“Adding an aftermarket in-dash navigation system from Pioneer
is not just an opportunity to add navigation functionality to your vehicle,
but a complete upgrade of your driving experience,” said Karen
Rubin, director of marketing and product planning at Pioneer Electronics. “The
AVIC-D3 provides the right mix of navigation, entertainment and integration
capabilities at such an affordable price point, making an in-dash navigation
solution a viable product option for those who may have not considered
it in the past because of price.”
Portable Picks
Built in receivers are great for your primary car, but portable units
provide multi-functional tracking options. Plus, they can be transferred
among any car.
Even rental cars boast GPS ability thanks to the marketing savvy of
companies like Garmin. Garmin, one of the foremost GPS receiver manufacturers,
teamed with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to target the traveler.
“We’re very excited to provide Enterprise Rent-A-Car with
a specialized version of one of our flagship automotive navigators,” said
Gary Kelly, Garmin’s vice president of marketing. “Whether
traveling for business or pleasure, Enterprise customers can now count
on the convenience and safety of state-of-the-art, easy-to-use Garmin
GPS navigation which takes all the stress out of driving in an unfamiliar
city.
Handhelds
If you want a GPS receiver that easily “translates” in
the car or the woods, check out Garmin’s large selection of handhelds.
“Since its inception, the Rino line has staked claim as the
only integrated device that not only lets users communicate by voice,
but also send and receive their exact locations,” said Dan Bartel,
Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “With the Rino
520HCx and 530HCx, we’ve upped the ante with a high-sensitivity
GPS receiver that rapidly acquires and maintains a lock in heavy tree
cover or deep canyons. The microSD memory card slot also lets users
load their device with highly-detailed topo maps, road maps, or lake
maps.”
The two Rino units are expected to be available in June 2007 ranging
from around $450 to $500.
Author: Diana Kostigen, Marketing/Public Relations Director, Comtec
