Is a GPS Vehicle Navigation System For You?

GPS vehicle navigation is becoming a standard on many new vehicles and people who use it claim that they wouldn't own a car without a GPS navigation system again. They get directions and maps on their GPS devices, they feel the security of having someone just on the other end of a button in times of need, they can even find the nearest point of interest with some GPS vehicle navigation systems. Sure, you have to pay a fee in order to operate it, but what doesn't come with a fee these days? Is it really worth it? You decide.

A GPS vehicle navigation system is a device that acts as a virtual road map, with turn by turn directions to easily take you to any destination that you choose to program into the device. Some models are programmed by hand, other newer and more expensive models are voice activated. You are able to view your GPS map and directions in a few different ways on most systems. You can look at a top view, which may or may not rotate as you make turns. You can watch the bird's eye view or watch what's coming up ahead. You can even look at the turn by turn directions complete with distance gauges.

There are additional features that you can get with your GPS vehicle navigation system, too. You can choose a service in which you can push a button and speak with a live person with a computerized image in front of them that shows where your vehicle is, which direction it is moving, or if it isn't moving at all. The live person will know if you've gotten into a car crash, or if you seem lost. He or she will be able to tell you why your car stalled, or be able to unlock your doors if you get locked out.

There have been a few safety issues in the past with GPS vehicle navigation systems. One of the most controversial is that of having to program your GPS while driving. This is controversial because a few companies that offer the GPS as a standard feature on some of their vehicles have locked this feature out so that you have to stop the vehicle in order to program it. Some drivers feel that it is more dangerous to find a place to stop in many cases than it is to program an address into the GPS while driving. Most GPS vehicle navigation systems are now voice activated, which takes care of the problem.

By L. Wills