New GPS

Well, almost new. The hardware is the same, but a couple nights ago I loaded all new navigation software, maps, and points of interest (POI) database to the Jensen NAV-101 GPS unit. For those not familiar, this is a GPS unit that connects to some models of Jensen stereo systems. The display is on a 7 inch fold out touch screen, but the navigation unit itself is hidden. I have it in one vehicle already, and I may look at getting a similar unit to fit the Ghia as well. I'll have to work out clearance issues for the flip screen because the dash pad in the Ghia overhangs the stock radio position. An alternate option is to use the stock radio slot for gauges, and mount the Jensen unit below the dash in the middle. The GPS system itself can go in the trunk or even under the rear parcel shelf.

The original GPS software was from Smart To Go, and the maps were from 2007 or earlier. There were some things I liked about the software, like having direct and to-the-point menus. However, there were a few annoying things that were getting to me. For example, the voice navigation worked when you were listening to another source, like radio or CD or iPod. But, the NAV voice would interrupt your other audio sources, which would be a good thing, except for not being able to turn it off. Ever. And even if you muted the NAV voice prompts, it still muted the other audio sources for the same amount of time. Another problem was the lack of logic in routing. You could be 50 feet from the interstate, and it will navigate you across dirt roads for 3 hours rather than lead you to the highway right behind you that would reduce the trip to 45 minutes. How about taking you off the highway, then right back on because the road curves and the ramps are technically a shorter distance? Gimmie a map! For work, which is my most common use, we have over 125 remote locations. How many entries are allowed in the address book? 50. The last problem I'll mention with the old software is related to how we as a family operate: Six kids, three in sports with games, practice sessions, and special events at schools all over the place, and not one school is in the POI database. One son had to play on an empty stomach this last Saturday because he was at a school in a different city, and I could not map to the site until he was able to find someone who knew the full address of the school. When we got there, the game had already started.

The new software is from Horizon Navigation ( https://eshop.horizonnav.com/product_de … p?p_id=109 ) and resolves all the above issues. I cannot speak for the routing logic yet, but I'll let you know. The learning curve is a little steeper (more features), but most things are easy to figure out. I had it navigate to our youngest son's school this morning from the hotel, and did it without reading the manual. There are one or two things that are not obvious (I dare you to figure out how to exit the current navigation without consulting the manual ), but most things you can figure out on your own. First cool feature I found is an onscreen icon to switch between 2D and 3D modes, but tap the icon a third time and it goes into split screen dual mode showing both, side by side. When I switched to 3D mode last night, above the horizon on the screen it showed a midnight blue sky sprinkled with stars. Nice touch. Also available is a trip computer console that displays a large analog speedometer that goes up to 180Mph (yeah, I'll be pegging that one real easy, lol). Included are readouts for digital speed, max speed, average speed, and a compass. There is an additional info screen showing other info including total time driving and total time stopped, plus regular odometer and trip odometer. Each parameter can be reset, especially the max speed for you lead footers!

Points of interest database is more complete, includes schools (yeah!), and the search results can be sorted by name or distance. The list is also very current; I found restaurants that have been in business only about a year, and even the deli inside one of our hospitals which we have not even named yet was listed under its temporary name. This is in sharp contrast to sitting on a road a few years old that does not even show up on the old maps.

I could go on, but it would suffice to say this upgrade has changed my attitude about the hardware, which was a good 20 channel GPS unit to begin with. However, good hardware does not go the distance if the software comes up short. Glad that's fixed now...

Paul