Addon or in-dash GPS?
Once you've decided it's time for an in-car navigator, your next decision is which type of system is best for you: An in-dash unit or a portable addon model? Each has benefits and drawbacks.
Types: Factory option | Professionally installed | Portable units | Handhelds and addons
Types: Factory option | Professionally installed | Portable units | Handhelds and addons
Factory option Many of today's new cars offer optional in-dash navigation systems. |
Many of today's new cars offer in-dash GPS as an option, and some offer it as standard equipment. The earliest models were CD-based, lacked detail and had a robotic voice. Nowadays, any in-dash system worth its salt is DVD-based, so maps for the entire country have more detail and Malaysian maps will usually fit onto a single disc. In-dash systems are usually more expensive than their portable counterparts, but they usually feature larger screens and integrate better with other vehicle electronics. And even when the signal is lost, the car's sensors will keep tracking the car on the map until the signal lock is regained.
BMW was among the first to offer GPS navigation systems with the Singapore map installed with the BMW 7-series in 2001, and now this technology is available from several other manufacturers for the Republic. BMW continues to offer onboard navigation with voice recognition and voice guidance on most of its new vehicles. Prices start from |
Professionally installed The Kenwood DNX7100 combines a navigation system with a DVD/audio player and an AM/FM tuner. |
Even if you don't order your new car with a GPS option, aftermarket in-dash models are available, but they usually require professional installation and can be just as expensive as the factory models. The Kenwood DNX7100 should go for around The beauty of an in-dash system is how it integrates with the rest of your car's interior. There are no wires or 12-volt power adapters to contend with, and no beanbag, suction cup or adhesive mounts cluttering up the dashboard. Installation is clean and professional-looking. However, they are still susceptible to theft regardless of how well they are installed, and you can't take them with you to use in other vehicles. Manufacturers of in-car entertainment head units like Alpine, Clarion, Blaupunkt, LG and Panasonic, just to name a few, are furiously adding GPS to their lineups, combining GPS navigation with a DVD/audio player and an AM/FM tuner. The US, European, Korean and Japanese markets are mature for such devices. Unfortunately, Singapore's situation is more complicated because of the lack of map support--the small size of the market may not justify expensive mapping procedures, and pre-existing maps may be too expensive for the manufacturers to justify bundling with their head units. Fortunately, enterprising professional integrators have integrated multivendor solutions optimized for the Singapore market. The Garmin GVN52 GPS unit and the Panasonic CQ-VD6503W touchscreen head unit can be installed together by installation professionals, and features a 6.5-inch touchscreen, plays DVD movies and audio CDs, as well as has an AM/FM tuner. The Kenwood DNX7100 or DNX7200 is another ICE head unit combining navigation, based on the advanced SiRFstarIII GPS chipset. Though not yet available in the island-state, it uses maps formatted for Garmin GPS units, and Garmin-format maps of Singapore are readily available whether from Garmin or from the Malsingmaps community. As a note of interest, while there are many GPS products out there, Garmin by far rules the Singapore-Malaysia markets due to free map support sites like Malsingmaps. |
Portable units One advantage of portable units, such as the Garmin nüvi 600, is that you can use it in multiple cars. |
One advantage of portable units, such as the Garmin nüvi 600 series is that you can use it in multiple cars. Portable automotive GPS may not look as sharp as some of the pricier in-dash models, but they can be easily moved from car to car. High-end models such as the Garmin StreetPilot 7200 provide coverage of huge countries the size of the US with maps stored on a hard drive, offer a user-friendly interface, and are ready for use right out of the box with no need to download or unlock maps. Both models feature bright, colorful touchscreen displays and are easy to install and remove using a suction-cup-mounting mechanism. Plus they provide voice-guided driving directions and offer Dead Reckoning for the device to track the car even in the absence of a GPS signal lock.
Smaller and less expensive models such as Garmin's StreetPilot c330, are modeled after the first TomTom GO, a neat little plug-and-play device that uses internal memory to store maps. All three systems are icon-driven and very easy to use. To find a destination, simply touch an onscreen button (for example, Where To?); select an icon, such as fuel, lodging, restaurants, or another point-of-interest (POI) category; and press Go to receive directions. The relatively new and extremely versatile and portable travel assistants, such as the nüvi 610, combine Bluetooth handsfree telephone compatibility, MP3 playback, an audio book reader, a wide screen and use the ultra-sensitive Sirfstar III chipset for extremely rapid signal lockons. These ultraportable units are easily mounted on the windscreen, with a bright and easily readable screen, giving both 2D and 3D representations of your location. This handy little gadget can also be used as a pedestrian navigator and is particularly helpful when exploring new towns or cities on foot, Here's more: A currency and measurement converter and a calculator, and even a language guide with downloadable languages. Unsurprisingly, the nüvi series are the bestselling units in Singapore today for the portable category. These systems are generally half the price of their more advanced, feature-rich siblings, but there are tradeoffs. For example, the Garmin StreetPilot c330 can store only one route at a time and has a screen that tends to wash out in direct sunlight. Still, these systems are an affordable way to bring accurate GPS navigation with voice-prompted driving directions to any number of vehicles. |
Handhelds and addons Some PDAs, such as the HP iPaq rx5900, come with inbuilt antennas and mapping software |
Some PDA models, such as the HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion, come with built-in antennas and mapping software, and they feature productivity and connectivity tools, so you can stay on track in your life and on the road. If you already happen to have a PDA, you can turn it into a powerful handheld GPS system using one of the many addon adapters available, such as the Garmin GPS 10X compact receiver, which utilizes Bluetooth technology to connect your PDA and GPS receiver without the need for wires. It comes with mapping software, a vehicle-mounting cradle for your PDA, 12-volt adapters, and of course, a state-of-the-art GPS receiver with the new SiRFstarIII high-sensitivity receiver chip.
Very recently some cell phones like the Nokia N95 have incorporated GPS circuitry within, bundled with maps which have to be unlocked to be used. Usage of the GPS circuit may affect battery life, but there is great convenience to have a full-featured mobile with GPS, with the ability to fully exploit and access Location Based Services as these services become available. |
More Tips for Your Car
Maintain a regular service log to keep your car tip-top
Keep a schedule of regular servicing and checks. The data inside will ensure that the correct parts are always fitted and that your car can be easily repaired even after many years of use.
Regular servicing is essential to keeping your car road-worthy
Have servicing carried out regularly by an authorised workshop - It not only affects the road worthiness of the car but also establishes the foundation for better fuel efficiency and consumption.
Service your engine regularly to save on petrol
A badly tuned engine may use up to 10% more fuel than normal, so regular servicing can actually save you money and engine trouble in the long run. It’s also better for the Earth!
