GPS Systems and Reviews

Keeping Your GPS Unit on the Windshield

There are many different types of windshield mounts that you can buy for your GPS unit and each have a different degree of effectiveness. Some work better than others and some are just not worth having. Making sure you keep the unit on the windshield and not on the floor can sometimes be a never-ending battle and that is why we have gathered some tips to help you do just that. Most of these are just common sense ones, but a refresher course cannot hurt and you never know just one tip that works can save you hours of hassle with trying to get that darn windshield mount to work. Read on and discover what we have found to work best to keep your GPS unit mounted properly.

GPS unit mounts all give you some success, but usually at various degrees so this is something that you will need to take into account. I will admit some of these windshield mounts are not very good and a waste of money, but some of these tips should help you keep it mounted on the windshield and not sliding all over your floor. Cleaning the suction cup is probably one of the things we tend to forget. Dust and dirt gather on our windshield and the first place that heads is the suction cup. Cleaning that properly daily is good idea as you will get much better suction from it if you do.

Clean the windshield often is probably something we tend to overlook. Many people will just clean a certain spot and neglect the entire windshield. By cleaning it daily, you remove all dust and dirt that can blow around and get into the suction cup and also in your GPS Unit. Many people do not realize how quickly these units can collect dust and dirt and eventually it can breakdown your unit. This is why making sure your windshield is cleaned everyday is important. I know that it can be a pain to do it every day, but it the long run trusts me it will be worth it.

Mount the mount first. I see this mistake all the time and that is people mounting the GPS unit and the mount at the same time. I advise against it for a couple of different reasons. First of all you want to get a good fit and having something on the suction cup when trying to mounting it is very hard. The other thing is many people will push on the GPS unit as they try to mount it on the windshield. I’ve seen broken displays on units because people were trying to get the perfect fit or suction so go it alone and trust me you will see much better results and less chance for damage to your unit.

Many times when buying this suction cup mounts we are afraid to put a little pressure on these units and that is why they tend to fall off. I have found out though different companies mounts require different types of pressures when mounting them on the windshield. Most people will want to practice with it first before mounting the GPS unit to see which gives them the best result. By doing this you will know exactly, what type of pressure is needed? Experiment is the key here and that way you will know exactly which works best for you. One other key thing that people always tend to forget is not all windshields are created equal. Some work better than others so keep this in mind when mounting them.

Overall, the one thing about mounting these things on your windshield that you must know is make sure everything is clean. I always advise people to clean the windshield more than just one time, as it will give you greater suction than just a onetime cleaning. When cleaning the windshield use a good cleaning agent so you can get a good cleaning done. Most people will just clean it with anything and then they wonder why the mount keeps falling off and there GPS unit again has landed on the floor. If you’re not using the mount also take it off the windshield for a couple of reasons. First many times people will leave it sitting in the sun and the heat makes it lose grip and I’ve seen falling GPS units get damage and that is something you do not want. Secondly, it is an inviting target for thieves if they can see it. By removing it, you have much less of a chance for theft.

Tags: Ads, Common Sense, Dirt, Discover, Floor Cleaning, gps navigation systems, gps systems, Gps Unit, gps units, Hassle, Many Different Types, Many People, Mistake, Refresher Course, Suction Cup, Trusts, Waste Of Money, Windshield

Never Get Lost Again by Using Auto Gps Systems

There is nothing worse than visiting an unfamiliar location only to find yourself lost. Even if you have a cell phone, it can only help so much if the people you call have no idea where you’re going. In the past, you had to rely on maps, and hopefully a nearby convenience store or restaurant where you pray a knowledgeable and helpful person will guide you in the direction you want to go, but if you want to ensure you don’t find yourself in this unsettling predicament, you have to make sure to take extra precautions. For many, this means purchasing auto GPS systems that are always accurate and can help to stay on track when in unfamiliar territory.

What are Auto GPS Systems?

These unique systems were originally created as devices to be used by military officials. They are satellite-fed devices that give real-time information on your surroundings and are great for tracking, surveying, navigation and mapping. However, over time, people saw how great they were for personal use, so companies adapted them to a “home version” and made them available (and eventually, affordable) for civilians. Now people use these small devices in their homes if they want to survey their property; or even if they want to plant a small device in their car with a corresponding screen in their home that will allow them to watch and track where their car is going if it is stolen. However, most people use these devices in their cars to map driving directions.

Standard Auto GPS Systems

The standard systems are those that have basic features, such as map directions from point A to point B. Say for example you want to find out how to get to a new restaurant on the other side of town. Normally, you punch in the directions on MapQuest then either write them down or print them. This is a great way to find out where you are going without much hassle. However, if you don’t have access to the computer at the time, or a wrong turn was taken, you will still need directions. By having one of the standard auto GPS systems in the car, you can enter the addresses into the systems and the device will map it out right on the screen. You don’t have to worry about holding a map in your hand while driving. 

Auto GPS Systems with Navigation

These systems are one step above the standard systems in that they offer a navigational feature that not only gives you the highway and street maps, but also gives you turn-by-turn directions based on addresses you enter, directories for hospitals, restaurants, car services and many other points of interest – and they even have a voice prompt and other alerts that let you pay attention to the road while driving.

Of course, the added features come at a cost. Typically, by going with the navigational version, you have to buy additional software that allows the device to transmit information from a satellite feed in real time. However, if the added features sound inviting to you, there’s nothing wrong with paying a little bit more for what you really want.

Top Systems

Like any other product that becomes instantly popular, you will find over time that everyone will put out one too, making it increasingly difficult to determine which is great and which is a fluke. However, the below devices have come highly recommended by reviewers of auto GPS systems, and would definitely be worth your further investigation.

Garmin Nuvi 660 – These devices are considered high-end for their price (ranging from $550 – $700) and their innumerable features; but most argue that if you can afford one of these pricey models, you are definitely in for a treat. Not only are the easy on the eyes, with a stylish look, but they have wide screens for easy viewing, FM transmitters that allow you to hear your voice prompts and alerts through the speakers of your car stereo, theft-prevention features, and a Bluetooth wireless connection to link you directly to your cell phone. These systems have the highest recommendation from both reviewers and most consumers due to their reliability and real-time accuracy, so if you feel these features fall within your scope of necessity, you might want to give one a try.
TomTom GO 720 – The TomTom GO 720 is another device that comes highly recommended by reviewers of auto GPS systems – both expert and novice. The device containing the system has a great look that many customers navigate toward, and they are not disappointed when they use the system itself and find that it is has all of the great features of standard systems along with a Map Share community tool that gives its customers constant map updates that are loaded in real time. In addition, it has a safety option that lets you seek help without the necessity of a cell phone – an option not deviating far from the idea of OnStar. 

HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion – Many customers like these devices because they work as a PDA as well, keeping track of schedules and appointments. Of course, as a computer company, they have to show their chops a little with this extra feature, but their showmanship doesn’t come at the expense of a great product. Like the others on this list, it is noted for its reliability and accuracy and also had a great look that compliments most vehicle styles. It is also set up similar to a PC, which makes it easy for most customers to use – not bad!

No matter where you are in the world, you can use auto GPS systems – whether standard or navigational – to pinpoint your location on the map, so to speak, without ever needing a paper map again. The convenience and security this offers is worth the money you might spend on the product itself. Because, as many have discovered for themselves, auto GPS systems are not only cute and sleek, they are a major upgrade from the traditional map and allow for safe navigation in your area and beyond – and that convenience is priceless.

Tags: Auto Gps Systems, Cars, Cell Phone, Civilians, Driving Directions, gps navigation systems, gps systems, Hassle, Mapquest, Maps, Military Officials, Nearby Convenience Store, Personal Use, Predicament, Real Time, Satellite, Standard Auto, Surroundings, Unfamiliar Location, Unfamiliar Territory, Unique Systems, Wrong Turn