Just the other day I saw an editorial cartoon that showed a couple in a car with a GPS navigation system that seemed unsure of how to point the driver in the right direction. In the word balloon, the system tells them to take and right and then tells them no it was really a right. And it gets worse—then the GPS device declares that it is most certainly not going to ask someone else.

Well, that makes for a funny cartoon, but it would not be an amusing situation in real life.
GPS devices really do not have personalities of their own. Instead, they can take on the personality and reflect the interests of the user. You can customize your GPS navigation device you fit your lifestyle and travel needs.

Action GPS does not sell GPS navigation systems that are unsure of themselves. Yes, GPS systems do come with voice prompts that sound just like human voices. But unlike the guy at the gas station who doesn’t want to admit that he doesn’t really know how to direct you to where you want to go, GPS knows. GPS devices employ state-of-the-art satellite technology with updates. Some GPS devices can even warn you of upcoming traffic snags.

A device like the Garmin Nuvi 650 will provide you with turn-by-turn voice directions. It even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. Plus, it is programmable, so it will also take input from you. Add your own points of interest (POIs) like restaurants, schools, safety cameras and sports venues. You can also set alerts so that the Garmin Nuvi 650 can let you know when you are getting close to POIs.

With rising fuel costs affecting your wallet and contributing to the higher prices for goods and services, people are becoming more reluctant to travel very far. Just because you may decide not to take that road trip across the U.S. doesn’t mean that you cannot benefit from using GPS navigation in your own neck of the woods.

Summer is winding away and fall will be here soon. You will still need to take a break and relax. You can still explore and travel throughout your own region and a GPS navigation device can help. Most people stick to the same routes, so when it comes to exploring your county or state, you may be a little lost.

Use a GPS device to take you through those areas that are off the beaten path. You’ll keep costs down because you won’t be traveling far or paying extra fees for that second suitcase. Plus, you will keep fuel costs down because having navigation help will mean you won’t wander.

To save even more consider purchasing a refurbished GPS navigation device. A GPS like the Garmin Nuvi 250 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nuvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. Plus it is portable, so you can take it with you in your pocket so once you leave the car and travel by foot, you will still be able to find your way.

The TomTom ONE XL picks up where the TomTom ONE left off–the XL comes with an impressive roster to features that they somehow managed to get into 1 GB of internal memory. There is a lot going on in this slim little GPS device. It is hard to believe that something so compact could so packed with information and useful features.

This very user-friendly GPS navigation device has crystal-clear display, and will give you crystal-clear turn-by-turn directions. Voice instructions are issued at a speed-sensitive volume, so as your vehicle’s engine becomes louder or quieter as your speed changes, the volume adjusts itself accordingly, guaranteeing clear and easy listening.

The TomTom ONE XL–
-works right out of the box, so all you have to do is plug it in and go.
- has 4.3” Widescreen touchscreen for easy viewing
-has TomTom’s award-winning software
-is very portable and can fit in your pocket
-has Bluetooth technology built right in
-can recalculate your route quickly to keep you on track
-come with preloaded maps of the US and Canada in its internal memory. It doesn’t even need an SD card!
-lets to opt to get warnings if you go above the speed limit
-comes equipped with branded POI so that you can easily find your favorite coffee shop, gas station, hotel and other destinations. You can also download other POI as needed, so you are not limited to those that come programmed with your device.
-also provides access to real-time traffic, weather, and other pertinent info

Read more about the TomTom One XL and other TomTom GPS products at ActionGPS.com

Consumer Reports, an organization known for their rigorous testing of a variety of consumer products recently put GPS navigation devices to the test. And you will be happy to know that devices from the top-notch brands that Action GPS sells such as Garmin, Mio, and TomTom, were included in the mix. Being examined by Consumer Reports is very important because there are any number of brands that Consumer Reports probably didn’t even consider testing.  We can’t tell you exactly what they said because they save the info for paying customers only.

What was Consumer Reports looking for? Well they rated GPS devices in five categories:
Ease of Use (paying a lot of attention to how easy it was to enter a destination and look for points of interest);Routing Options; Controls; Mount Design; and Portability. They also added scoring for convenience features like USB and A/C power cables, trip computer and Bluetooth capabilities.

But really you don’t even need Consumer Reports to tell you which GPS product is the best for you. Once you figure out what capabilities best suit you and your lifestyle, certain GPS products will stand out as more suitable than others. Still, we know that you need a little help and that making purchasing decisions are much easier when you can compare. This is why Action GPS has decided to launch the Action GPS Learning Center.

Expected to be up and running next week on August 11, the learning center will provide you with the basics. You can turn to the learning center for information about GPS technology, using Bluetooth headsets and geocaching techniques. In addition to basics you’ll learn ways to enhance and make the most of your GPS device.

Getting to the right place on time is very serious business. So serious that you may be thinking about buying a GPS navigation device to ensure that you take the correct route.  You may choose to add the optional traffic alerts that  can accompany a device like the Garmin Nuvi 360 as an added assurance that you will arrive by the most efficient route possible. But while you’re on the road, remember that GPS devices can be fun, too.

Those of you who use GPS devices for recreational activities like geocaching and sailing already know this.

But for you commuters, don’t be afraid to let your hair down a little. When you are not running errands or going to work, you can plug in a brand-new destination and let your GPS device do the work.  You can also get a GPS device like the Garmin Nuvi 650 that you can customize with MP3 and audio book players and other forms of entertainment. No one says that A GPS device has to be button-up or only used Monday-Friday to get from point A to point B.

Since many GPS devices come preloaded with points of interest, you can use your GPS device to take a ride in the country and let it show the way to new destinations and places to eat. If you buy ab Garmin and get the  SaversGuide, your Garmin Nuvi GPS device can provide you with  information on nearby merchants that are offering discounts to customize your GPS whether you’re traveling or close to home.

Visit Action GPS today and check out your options and enjoy the ride!

If you’re traveling to Beijing for the Olympics, don’t forget to pack your GPS. Garmin has released City Navigator China NT 2008 just in time to help you navigate your way around China.

“This new suite of digital maps helps tourists locate stadiums, hotels, restaurants, and more — so they can spend their time being spectators instead of worrying about how to get there,” said Garmin sales VP Dan Bartel. “Presently, Garmin is the only satellite navigation manufacturer that is able to offer these highly-detailed maps.”

Just plug in the micro SD/SD card and 7 millions points of interest (POIs) are instantly  at your fingertips. The maps provide full coverage of China with street level detail for 980 cities and the roads that connect them. Download the free Chinese Sports Arenas POI bundle and you also get turn-by-turn directions to all the important Chinese sporting venues in Beijing, Shenyang, Shanghai, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao and Qingdao. Entries are sorted by both type of sport and city and provide competition dates to make following the world’s greatest sporting events a piece of cake. Road and POIs are presented in Pinyin, a Latin-alphabet phonetic spelling of Mandarin Chinese, to aid Westerners with road signs.

Best of all, Navigator China is compatible with all current Garmin personal navigation devices and can be easily downloaded from Garmin’s website. Remember to pack your Garmin GPS anytime you’re travelling outside the U.S. Plug-in SD cards provide language translation and travel guides to enhance your travel experience anywhere in the world.

You know that saying about how some people would lose their heads if not for their necks? Or maybe you heard one person tell another that they couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag? Well, I am sorry to say that those descriptions fit me quite well.

The other day I was leaving a museum and talking on my cell phone. The exhibits had been so thrilling that I left and couldn’t remember how I’d gotten there. I looked up and remarked to the friend on the other end that I wasn’t quite sure where I was. She said that I needed on of those things and she described, but couldn’t quite remember “GPS.” I told her that I had one in my car, but that there are many GPS models that have also been designed for people to use while they are on foot.

In fact, I am so conditioned to thinking of a GPS as an in-car navigation system, that I forget that there are some that can fit into a pocket or purse.

The Garmin Quest 2 Portable Navigation Automotive GPS is one of many GPS devices that can travel in car or in pocket. With its slim and portable design, the Quest 2 is a great go-anywhere guide. The Quest 2 has a unique antenna that folds flush when you are not using it.

You can also check out the Mio DigiWalker C220 GPS Automotive Navigation System. This easy-to-use GPS device also has not problem transitioning for the car for on-the-road navigation to a pocket to provide on-the-sidewalk assistance.

NASA has commissioned a new system that will work similar to a GPS  system for use on the moon. NASA isn’t planning on returning to the moon until 2020. Our space agency has given scientists three years (and over $1 million) to develop a navigation system that space explorers can use to find their way on the moon.

Unlike a GPS system, which relies on the signals from satellites to calculate the location of an object, this system will rely on a different set of sensors. Some of these sensors that will do the same work that satellites do in a GPS system are stereo cameras, lunar beacons, and orbital imaging sensors.

The aim of the new GPS-like system is to help keep astronauts safe and save them the stress and frustration of getting lost. It sounds a lot like what GPS navigation systems do here on Earth. And just think–you don’t even have to wait another three years to get a device that can make your journeys easier. You can get a GPS navigation device today and be on your way. Action GPS has a number of GPS devices that can fit the bill.

You may be really trying to explore and learn about new territory as some astronauts will do or you could just be taking care of routine things before returning to the mothership. Either way, there is a GPS device to help you get the job done.

For the adventurous, explorer types, there are Geocaching, Marine and Recreational GPS systems.
And for those of your who need some navigational help as you run errands and take the occasional trip out of town there are Automotive GPS systems.

My eccentric Uncle Leman came to mind as I planned my upcoming trip to the Big Apple. If there was ever an individual in need of a GPS system, it was my navigationally challenged Uncle Leman.  

What families lovingly refer to as “a character,” Uncle Leman convinced my Aunt Rose to forsake the comforts of their Ohio bungalow for a life of adventure on the open road. In typical Leman fashion, he did this by pulling their well-used Ford station wagon into the drive, little white house trailer in tow, throwing open the kitchen door, and yelling, “Rose, get packed!” What can I say? Times were different in the 1950s. I can only imagine Rose’s response today!

Despite a rocky start, the two of them seemed to enjoy life on the road. I think it was Uncle Leman’s goal to visit every state in the U.S. via the dinner table of each and every member of our very extensive, far-flung family. He and Aunt Rose crisscrossed the country for more than a decade before finally parking for good in Ft. Lauderdale.

Unfortunately, Uncle Leman’s thirst for adventure was unaccompanied by even the vaguest sense of direction. In an era well before cell phones and GPS devices, Uncle Leman’s method of navigating a strange city was to flag down a taxi and pay the cabbie to lead him to his destination, he and Rose trundling along behind with the trailer. I nearly resorted to the same tactic last time I drove to New York City.

Sandwiched between tractor trailers on the I-70 in New Jersey, I somehow missed the sign for the Staten Island bridge turnoff and wound up being funneled into the tunnel. I surfaced somewhere in Manhattan’s garment district, miles from my daughter’s home in Brooklyn and totally lost. It took me nearly two hours to find my way to Flatbush Avenue and familiar landmarks. New Yorkers have a surprising lack of understanding of their own city’s geography. But for the mercy of a kindly mounted policeman I’d probably still be wandering the inadequately marked streets of the Big Apple.

This time will be different. The first thing I’m packing is my automotive GPS. Uncle Leman would be envious!

GPS units have some amazing features, but who knew they’d lead to big fuel savings. With pump prices pushing past $4 nationwide and over the $5 mark in some areas, operating a vehicle fleet is taking a bigger bite out of government and corporate budgets than anticipated. Many cities, government agencies and private businesses are looking for new ways to save on gas and mileage. GPS to the rescue!

According to a report by Newsday, here’s how some Long Island, New York cities and businesses are using GPS units to put the brakes on fuel costs:

• The town of Babylon installed GPS units on its patrol boats to help constables conserve fuel while patrolling Great South Bay.
• Islip is using GPS tracking devices to discipline speeding employees. Not only does the town want employees who drive city vehicles to set a lawful example, but driving at slower speeds burns less gas.
• The owner of a Hampton Bay heating and cooling business outfitted his service trucks with GPS devices. GPS helps his mechanics find the shortest route to their next service call and keeps them from getting lost. By driving fewer miles, his mechanics are saving fuel.

GPS units are being used by salesmen, service providers, tow-truck companies, government workers, police departments, harbor patrols and many others to plan fuel-conserving routes and monitor vehicle fuel use. Anyone who spends their day behind the wheel of a vehicle – including suburban soccer moms — is looking for ways to save gas. An automotive GPS unit can plan the shortest route between multiple stops. By driving fewer miles you save gas (and time). ActionGPS has top quality automotive GPS units to fit every budget. Check out our reconditioned automotive GPS units for even greater savings.

If you still think that GPS devices can only help you find a friend’s house or a well-known restaurant, think again! GPS devices have come a long way and they do some much more than just get you from point a to point b. The companies that manufacture GPS devices add more and more features each year.

Many GPS devices come equipped with pre-loaded POIs (that’s points of interest) Gas stations are included among these POIs, as a restaurants, schools, movie theaters and almost any other destination you can think of. We say they come pre-loaded, but that doesn’t meant that you cannot add your own favorite spots as well.

There was a time when drivers stopped at gas stations to get both gas and directions. And I’m sure some people still do stop at gas stations to figure out how to get where they are going, but with more people using GPS devices gas stations are probably dispensing less directional assistance.

In fact, the tables have turned: people are now using GPS devices to find gas stations. Not only are GPS devices pointing people to gas stations, you can also opt to find out which stations have the cheapest gas. Earlier this year, we reported that TomTom provides a service to help drivers find the cheapest gas. This service costs a mere $15 a year; a fraction of what you pay to fill your gas tank.

You can visit Action GPS and check out the TomTom GPS products that they have to offer. Soon you may be hitting the road, paying bargain prices for gas, finding shops and restaurants with ease, and wondering why you did not get a GPS device sooner.

A while back we commented on how Oprah featured a Garmin Nuvi as one of her favorite things for the summer on her television show. Well, it seems that Oprah and her staff have caught GPS fever.  After dazzling the viewers at home with a pink Garmin (and wowing the in-studio audience by giving them on the take with them), they are once again telling the world about their favorite GPS devices.

This month in her magazine she mentions GPS a few times. In her parting words, in a column on the magazines final page she writes about how your instincts act as a kind of GPS to get you to where you want to go in life.

Before that, however, the magazine is a little less philosophical and a little more concrete as it gets into actual GPS devices that can direct you to on specific route and to specific places.

The article shines a spotlight on the Garmin Nuvi 350 and the brand new Nuvi 880 and TomTom One products.

You can check out the Nuvi 350 right here on the Action GPS website. O Magazine was impressed with all of the extra features that come with the Nuvi such as the MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, and calculator.

These features are really icing on the cake, though. The cake being the fact that Garmin’s Nuvi GPS devices have excellent mapping features to get you where you need to be.

If you’re looking for a great GPS device at a great price, check out the Mio DigiWalker C220 GPS Automotive Navigation System. This device was made especially for people looking for a simple, straightforward GPS device. That means for those of you who want to get where you’re going without a lot of bells and whistles. This doesn’t mean that the DigiWalker C220 is somehow lacking, it just means that it is a great choice for those of us who want a more streamlined experience.

The built-in map has over 1 million points of interest (POIs). So that are ready to hit the road within minutes of removing it from the box, the C220 comes complete with all accessories for you take it on the road. It’s a valuable travel companion whenever you’re away from home. It may even speak your language.

The DigiWalker C220 is:

Slim and portable: It fits into a pocket of purse with no fuss

Ready When You Are: This device comes pre-loaded with Maps of the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii

Not flashy, but knows how to make an entrance: The 3.5″ TFT Display comes with Anti-Glare so you can see it even while the sun is beaming

Straight to the point: A clear voice gives turn-by-turn directions

Adaptable and not stuck in its ways: It comes with Auto Re-route to get you right back on track should you veer of course. It also allows you to customize maps and add data  card, should you so choose.

Can’t wait to see what’s coming next at ActionGPS? Garmin’s Nuvi 800 series is creating a lot of buzz. The new voice-activated GPS is the most advanced navigation system available on the market. It adds amazing speech recognition to the already incredible features Garmin rolled out with its 700 series. Speak a menu option and Nuvi obeys. Simply press a button that attaches to your steering wheel and the Nuvi 800 series obeys your voice commands. It’s the ultimate hands-free technology.

With the Nuvi 800 series you get all the fab features you’ve already come to love in Garmin’s 700 series:

• sleek, ultra thin, high resolution, brilliantly colored, sunlight readable, wide screen 4.3-inch display provides perfect visibility from any angle
• high-sensitivity internal antenna for a sleek look
• rechargeable lithium-ion battery with plenty of juice for navigating on foot
• integrated FM TMC traffic receiver provides up-to-date alerts on traffic delays and road construction
• preloaded City Navigator NT street maps with millions of points of interest including hotels, restaurants, fuel stations, ATMs, attractions and much more and you can load in custom points of interest such as safety cameras and school zones
• superior 2D and 3D mapping with turn-by-turn voice directions and proximity alerts
• handy route planning with capacity to save 10 routes and plan the most efficient route between multiple destinations
• a 10,000 point trip log to track your travels
• invaluable “Where Am I?” feature pinpoints the nearest police stations, hospitals, fuel stations, address or intersection and keeps track of where you parked so you can find your car after the concert or a long day at the amusement park
• entertainment tools including a MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, games and more
• optional MSN Direct
• optional micro SD card plug-ins allow you to add language translation and detailed travel guides
• anti-theft Garmin Lock to protect your GPS
• a host of other cool tools including currency converters, an alarm clock and more

Take the new Garmin Nuvi 800 series for a test drive. Garmin’s interactive website gives you a taste of the Nuvi 800 that will have your mouth watering for more. Of course, it’s new so if you want an 800 series today, you’ll have to dig deep. But don’t worry. It won’t be long before ActionGPS will be able to offer the 800 at a considerable savings. Until then, the highly affordable Nuvi 700 series offers the same fabulous features without voice recognition. An excellent choice while you’re waiting for prices to come down. Check out the Garmin Nuvi 700 series at ActionGPS today. 

My sister and her family just moved to a new city. They and their three teens have traded the bucolic country life for the hustle and bustle of the city. Or as my sister puts it: shopping within a 5 minute radius and pizza delivery!

After spending 15 years traversing the geometric grid of Connecticut backroads, they were a bit unprepared for the winding roadways and unfathomable deadends of their new subdivision. After getting hopelessly lost and backtracking once too often, my frustrated sister bought a Garmin Nuvi 360 GPS Automotive Nav System with Bluetooth capability. The 3.5-inch screen is big and bright enough to see easily day or night, but small enough to slip into her purse and carry on a walking tour of the downtown area.

She’s getting to know her new neighborhood one GPS coordinate at a time. All she has to do is punch in an address from the phone book and her Garmin takes her right there — and by the quickest, easiest route. With the help of her Garmin, she and the kids have registered for school, found the library and local pool, checked out the farmer’s market, toured the city parks, located the DMV, and checked out a slew of stores. She even used the Garmin to track down the kids when they got turned around biking through the subdivision. They called from their cell in a panic. She had them read off the street signs at the nearest corner, plugged it into her GPS, and it was Mom to the rescue!

Out of the way restaurants, quirky shops, hard to find doctor’s offices, the homes of new friends — nothing has been beyond the capabilities of her trusty Garmin GPS. In fact, the pre-loaded Travel Guide has helped her and the family discover special features and attractions they might not have stumbled on for months without their trusty GPS. She’s been so impressed with how easy it’s been to get to know her new hometown with the help of her Garmin that she’s started giving GPS units as housewarming gifts when friends and family move. Not a bad idea!