Never get lost again - Map reading is a thing of the past

contact | privacy | partner sites | free website content

Home » Misc. auto tips

Auto articles

Car games

» Rural Racer
» Park a lot 2
» Formula Fog

Never get lost again - Map reading is a thing of the past

Do you spend lots of time planning routes and checking maps on the road. You don't have any more with a Magellan RoadMate.

I work in the film industry, scouting locations for possible shooting. These can be in built-up urban areas and remote locations all over California.

I often had problems finding my way, even with detailed instructions. I spent as much time parked and reading maps than I did driving.

Then I bought a RoadMate and within hours I felt I would never get lost again. The RoadMate works right out the box, no complicated set-up and no downloading information - perfect for a technophobe like me!

Now I don't waste time scribbling instructions. I switch the unit on when I get into the car and within seconds it has a fix on my position (even in the car port).

I have my contact give me the address or even a landmark close by, and type it into the RoadMate. Just like that, it finds my destination. And if I'm going to be going to that destination again I can save it in the memory for future use.

It offers 4 modes - the first time I tested it out I chose "shortest route" from home to office, and it displayed almost exactly the route I'd have chosen.

You get yard by yard voice instructions (so you don't have to look at the screen as you drive) and it corrects directions immediately if you take a wrong turning, and there's a handy "Repeat" button to get an instant repeat if you didn't hear an instruction.

If you need a visual representation of where you are, there is a useful "3-d" view, down to lamp-posts and garbage cans. The screen is easy to read, with views designed for use in both light and dark conditions.

The helpful voice will even give you a countdown of yards before you reach your destination, even if that destination is a remote dirt-track.

I can guarantee that the RoadMate has saved me countless hours and frustration from reading maps and getting lost.

When I'm returning home, I choose my address from those stored in the memory, and off I go. If I've noticed any roads I want to avoid on the way, traffic jams for instance, I can specify avoiding them, and the RoadMate has new directions for me right away.

All in all, it's a tool I wouldn't want to be without.

About the author
RoadMate-Review.com reviews and rates electronic navigation devices for automobile and truck drivers.
http://www.RoadMate-Review.com
roadmate@niall-kennedy.com

Latest auto articles

» Safety rules to consider when doing car maintenance yourself
Working on a car involves several risks which you should be aware of and prevent before actually starting the job.

» What to do when a cold engine is hard to start
Starting a car with a cold engine can be very difficult sometimes and it can become a real obstacle for those who live surrounded by extremely cold weathers.

» What to do when a hot engine is hard to start
Although usually engines exposed to cold weather is the most known problem related to car starting difficulties, hot engines might bring obstacles as well.

» Should a new set of tires be balanced
Many times people who buy a new set of tires wonder if they should have them balanced or not.

» Tips on which type of motor oil to choose
The first thing you should always have in mind at the time of choosing a motor oil is to choose one which respects the indications from your car owner's manual.

» What to do when the car is pulling to one side
If your car is pulling to one side it might be very uncomfortable to drive as well as you might not know what to do about it.

» Learn what the EGR valve is
As a general definition we can tell that the EGR valve is part of the exhaust emission control system of the car.

» What to do with a loose steering
A loose steering is not only uncomfortable for the driver but also is a risk to his safety as well as to the safety of all the other vehicles around him.

» How often to replace spark plugs in the engine
Spark plugs have a central role in the car functioning since your car depends on them for starting and running.

» What is the MAP all about?
MAP stands for Motorist Assurance Program and is a consumer oriented program created by the AMRA or Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association.

» How to change a tire without help
Learning how to change a tire can be one of the most useful things you could learn regarding your car.

» Why and how to check the antifreeze or coolant level
When extreme temperatures are near, it is very important to make sure that the cars antifreeze or coolant level is correct.

» What are leak down tests for?
A leak down test is a kind of compression test which allows measuring the ability of the cylinder to hold compression.

» Tips for replacing the clutch yourself
If you wonder if you can replace the clutch yourself, you should first consider how much knowledge you have regarding how to do it and the car pieces involved.

» Learn how to change the oil filter
Before you start following the procedure for changing your car's oil filter you should make sure you count with the elements necessary for it.

» Why does a car engine overheat?
There are many different reasons that can cause an engine overheat, but they all have in common three aspects.

» What does the PCV valve do?
The PCV valve is a control device which sends partially burned gases that come from the engine's crankcase to the combustion chamber.

» What is the choke exactly?
Although we might have an idea of what the choke is, often we don't really know how it really functions or what its exact purpose is.

» What to do when your car brakes are squealing
Brake squealing is a very common problem which might not only affect your car but it might also end up giving you headaches each time you drive.

» Learn how to choose the right fuel treatments for your car
Choosing the right fuel treatments might be the difference between your car mechanism's receiving bad deposits or not as well as it could reduce the engine's wear or increase it in case it was wrongly chosen.

» Some tips regarding how to change your car's battery
Keeping your car's battery in well shape and making sure it functions properly is very important for the overall functioning of your car.

» Some guidance on how to change your wiper blades
Although it might not be one of the car parts you might have to change very often, wiper blades can become a problem at the time of doing so.

» Learn how to properly check tire pressure
Tire pressure is one of the things a car needs to have checked most often.