NaviGadget

5 tips for the first time GPS navigation user

Jun 1, 2007 gps navigation, misc news

Don’t trust your GPS system when you first turn it on: Navigation devices take somewhere between several seconds to a couple of minutes to get a satellite fix and provide you with the correct position. Same thing goes for the compass as well. Your device will most probably indicate if it has found enough satellites to confirm your location.

Examine your route: Before you blindly follow the directions on screen do a fly over your route and make sure it makes sense. Algorithms that calculate your route are designed by humans and humans make mistakes. Plus the maps can be outdated, the ferry you are instructed to take may not operate at that time of the day, or the perfectly good scenic road you see on the screen may be covered with snow in winter months.

Be safe: Trying to operate a GPS navigation system while driving can be very very distracting. I’d say about 8* times more distracting than talking on your phone. If you have a passenger in your car have them operate it. If not try to enter all the info you need before you start driving. If you still need to change something wait for the next red light or just pull over.

Practice on the way to/from work: Familiarize yourself with your brand new toy before you go on an excursion in unknown territories. Try to learn the language your machine speaks. “Be prepared to go straight in half a mile”, or “stay left in less than 200 feet and then stay left” may not make sense at first. Learn how to do POI searches, edit your route for detours, mute, and other things you may run into.

Protect your investment: Leaving your GPS navigation unit on your windshield in a dark parking structure is an open invitation to thiefs. Be sure to keep your device -including the mounts and the charger- out of sight. Also the rechargeable battery in your device does not like extreme heat (obviously this does not apply to in-dash units)

* = not based on any scientific evidence.

Are there any tips you would like to share? – just leave a comment.