Archive for October, 2008
Lowrance iWay 500C GPS Steady Strong Performer
Lowrance electronics have been making electronic devices for a number of years mostly for the fishing and marine market so it was a natural progression when they decided to enter the GPS car market. The things that they have learned from the other markets can only help this company as they enter one of the hottest markets in the industry. The Lowrance iWay 500C looks to make its mark real quickly. Read further and you will learn what you can expect from the 500c and all it can do.
The 500C has a larger 5-inch screen that has a 320 by 320, 256-color display and it is very bright and readable even in direct sunlight. Sometimes the sun can be a problem, but this model seems to handle it very well which is something I really have to give this company credit for. The device measures 6.1 by 4.5 by 2.2 inches so it is small in size and very portable which another plus is for it. It weights slightly over 2 pounds, which really is not a lot, and it is sealed and watertight which can be expected since they have been in the marine and fishing arena for a very long time.
One of the things that I have to give Lowrance credit for is they seemed to have big hard drives on their products and this one is no different. You get a built-in 20GB hard drive in which 10GB is used to store your maps and points of interest and the other 10GB is for you the consumer to use. You may wonder what you will do with the other memory, but it comes in very handy. You can download more things to your unit or use it to download songs for the built in MP3 player. Yes, you heard me right it does have a built-in music player so you can take your favorite tunes with you when you travel. A nice added touch for those really long trips.
Five buttons are arranged vertically along the right edge of the unit which provide basic functions include power/backlighting, a map/music toggle, speak/volume, and the find and main menus. These are all easy to access and seem to work very well. The touch screen interface works very well and you should be up and running in no time, as Lowrance products are real user friendly, which is something I really like about them. You also can choose what data you would like to appear on the screen as you drive down the road. For many people this is a very important feature, as they always want to see what is going on.
The point of interest database that is included is very vast and you should not have any trouble at all finding what you need from it. The 500C has an audible prompt when it is time to turn and the screen will shift to turn preview mode. In this mode, many different things will appear to make your turns and keep you on route much easier. I like this feature and it seemed to work real well in all tests.
Overall, the Lowrance iWay 500C is a thing of beauty. You get a much larger screen than what most people is use to. The touch screen interface works extremely well and it is easy to operate. It should take you no time at all to get going with this model. A built-in MP3 player also is something I really like and it gives you a chance to listen to your favorite tunes as you travel down the highway. It seems more companies are now making this standard in their newer issues, which is something I’d like to see.
Performance wise the iWay 500C is a solid performer at a very good price. Out of the box this one is easy to operate and it will have you cruising down the road in no time at all. If you are looking for a bigger screen with some great added features than look no more the Lowrance iWay 500C has arrived. Grab yours and enjoy what this new model has to offer. With an MP3 player and a big memory there really is no limitations place on this unit. If you need a solid GPS unit than this is one that should be on your radar that is for sure. The company has been in business for years and has a solid reputation so you know they will stand behind their products. This model is one of the better ones.
GPS Tracking For the Elderly
As people age one of the first things that they tend to lose is there independence. Once we reach our golden years this does not mean we want to slow totally down just not as active as we once were. GPS tracking can help the elderly in many different ways once they understand the whole process of GPS tracking systems. No one likes to have to take the keys away from our parents or stop their independence, but safety is something down the line we all must think about. This is why the new technology of GPS gives us an option that many people really do not think about. Read further to discover different ways these units can keep the elderly viable productive citizens and giving you a measure of safety as well.
Aging takes a toll on all of us eventually and are reflexes are not what they were twenty or thirty years ago it’s just a fact of life and for many older Americans sometimes this is a bitter pill to swallow. No one wants to be told they cannot do something or go somewhere so many times you must find alternatives to still help them enjoy life outside the home, but keep their safety in mind as well. One option more people are turning to is GPS tracking systems. These units give many benefits that can help the elderly still stay independent and keep doing what they always do enjoy life. Let us look at a few ways this can be accomplished.
Many seniors drive with no difficulty, but directions always seem to be a problem with them. They do tend to drive slower as they need to look for their exit and many times this can lead to accidents. This is why a GPS unit needs to be employed and make the elderly driver feel much more at ease on the road. No more will they have to slow down as they will have directions for each turn, voice prompts will keep them going, and they will no longer be impeding traffic or causing an accident. Being lost is never any fun and the elderly it is doubling tough to find your way around when you have no idea of what you’re doing.
Secondly, many of the newer GPS tracking devices has a thing called Where Am I. This is a device on the unit that when you press it the exact location is displayed for you. Many times the elderly will never ask for directions when they get lost so this feature is one thing that you will want to make sure is on any model you buy for the elderly to use. The other advantage of this button is it can also design a route from where they are to when they need to go. This can be a lifesaver for the elderly especially if they are in a real bad neighborhood.
Many of the newer models come with preplanned destination programming. This means you have preplanned routes already planned in so all they have to do is press a button and they get directions to the drugstore or a predesigned trip. This makes it easier for them and you will have a sense that they will be okay and will make it home safe as well. Many Elderly will first balk at the idea of GPS units in their vehicles as they are too complicated and expensive. Well once they start using one they will erase those fears right away. One of the best companies to start with is Garmin GPS units for a couple of reasons. They are very affordable and they have a very wide selection to choose from so you should be able to find something for anyone’s budget. Secondly, they are very ease to operate and have a very good reputation in the industry.
Sometimes it does not easy have to take the keys away from your parents; so many people are finding that GPS technology is another option to try and very good luck with it. You may find the same luck as well. Look into this option. Most elderly still want to be independent and with these devices, it will give you a little added protection that your parents will have a device that can help them find their way home. The other thing that you also must remember it will be much easier for you to find them with a GPS device in their vehicle than without one in case of an emergency.
