Holiday Travel By GPS Tips

(Part 1)

Using a car navigation system while driving can add a little holiday cheer during an otherwise stressful experience. Assuming you already know how to set a destination and GO! these tips will help you get to where you are going with less delay, and more enjoyment form your dash-top device.

Hit the Detour Button!

When traffic is heavy, hit the detour button and let your GPS continuously calculate alternative routes. Then when you come up behind an a long line of brake lights with an exit approaching, you will instantly know your options. If you decide bail and re-enter the freeway a few miles down the road, you will know by the absence of cars that you made the right decision and have pity for others who are blocked by (or worse, involved in) a wreck behind you.

Speaking of traffic...

Car navigation systems that feature traffic alerts can also be a big time saver and stress reliever . Typically, a subscription is required and your GPS may also need a separate antenna to pick up on traffic broadcasts. So you will want to include these items on your trip preparation list. Then while driving, your system will notify you of accidents, road construction, and weather-related traffic delays - before they are encountered.

... and weather,

Have you ever been driving for miles in heavy rain and wondered whether or not the deluge would slack-off while you pulled-over for a few minutes? If you had a storm chaser dream machine like the Garmin 376c (shown at right) with NEXRAD radar, you would wonder about the weather no more.

how about a "Food Radar"

Most car navigation systems include an extensive POI* (points of interest) database including restaurants along the interstate. Choose the cuisine you want and watch your GPS display a list of results by proximity. If you have the option, filter out only those along your route and your forward seeking food radar will update faster.

* "POI", by the way, is also a Hawaiian delicacy made from the taro root that most haole's don't much care for.

Stay tuned for

Part 2 -
In-car Entertainment: Audio Books, MP3 s, and GPS Tour Guides.

Part 3 -
Multi-day trips: calling ahead, hands-free; time and mileage calculations.