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Navigation systems are one of the best devices ever invented by man. They give you the freedom to venture out for an unknown destination without the fear of getting lost or forgetting your way. The latest Garmin nüvi 255T is the new model which was released recently. The system is preloaded with all possible map routes of the UK, Eastern and Western Europe.

It is quite simple and safe the Garmin nüvi 255T features the traffic re-routing option which allows you to avoid areas where excessive traffic is predicted. The advanced safety camera warning system ensures that an individual is safe on the road. The navigation system is pre-loaded with innumerable points of interest. As far as the styling of Garmin nüvi 255T is concerned, it is pretty compact, user friendly and extremely versatile. In case an individual wants to know about a certain location, he only needs to tap on the touch screen one or two times. Wherever an individual might go, the navigation system also stores the contact details of the nearest police station, hospital and other emergency numbers. The slim Garmin nüvi 255T can easily be accommodated in an individual’s pocket. The user also has the option of customising their navigation system in accordance to the vehicle they might be driving. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery of Garmin nüvi 255T can last up to 4 hours. The 3.5 inch LCD display screen can be easily viewed irrespective of the direction of the viewer.

Garmin has made a mark in the market by producing the best navigators that have helped people all over the world to drive in a more appropriate way. It has also changed the very notion in which navigation tools are perceived. The Garmin nuvi 250 is launched with the idea to carry forward the name that has been established by Garmin, and contains all features necessary for ensuring a smooth and pleasant drive without losing the way. The GPS system and the portable navigation technology has worked wonders for drivers and the Garmin nuvi 250 carries forward that heritage. The price is not as intimidating as its competitors, but there is a certain price associated with the splendid technology that the Garmin nuvi 250 offers.

Apart from navigation, the device also handles other features like MP3, audio, pictures, calculations and currency conversions. With such features on board, one can automatically make out the versatility that the Garmin nuvi 250 brings with itself. The internal memory is big enough to store the maps of the country where one lives and if used in Europe, it has enough memory to record the maps of most of the countries. The weight of the device is a mere 144 grams and the display resolution is 320 x 240 pixels. Buy you will never lose your way while driving as long as the Garmin nuvi 250 accompanies you. It is the best possible guide one can ever have.

Environmentalists would love the fact that there is a growing consciousness among both consumers and the automobile manufactures to address the serious issue of global warming and pollution. Automobile companies nowadays have shifted their focus to invent technologies that will substantially bring down the emission of hazardous gases like CO2. General Motors has come up its fourth edition of its zero emission, hydrogen fuel cell propelled prototype, the HydroGen4, in this spirit.

The mode is based on the Chevrolet Equinox SUV, and symbolises a marked improvement from many previous models Chevy models, like the, say the Chevrolet Nova, which was known for its terrible fuel efficiency. The model is expected to go into production in a large scale, and should have a production run of 100 or so units. Company sources informed that they are setting themselves a deadline to retail hydrogen fuel cell cars by 2015.

The HydroGen4 scores over its predecessor in its ability to start even at sub-zero temperatures, which is quite an achievement considering the many difficulties associated with a fuel cell vehicle. Moreover, you tend to benefit from an increased range from a fill of hydrogen, improved performance, quieter operation and improved durability. Another factor contributing to the appeal of the car is that it is build in a way that you can maintain it in a cost effective and convenient manner.

The initiative taken by General Motors doesn’t mean that hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles is a ready alternative to conventional fuels. It is far from the truth, and the recent initiative is all but a small step before we can start thinking of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as a viable solution.

Tags for this article: general motors, gm, green

Pogo has recently come up with one of its most definitive products, the Pogo Drive Version 2. This sat nav combines full feature 3.5-inch TFT colour touch-screen satellite navigation with the highly revered Origin360 speed camera and accident blackspot database technology. The entire package bears an aesthetic signature and is diligently compact, making for a great companion.

The device has been pre-loaded with detailed street-level mapping of the UK and Western Europe, along with the option to recalculate the route and search for full postcard. A dedicated camera only mode is also there, and comes with a special package in the form of six months free subscription to the Origin360 database.

This latest addition to the satellite navigation market indicates the emergence of an entirely new breed of GPS-powered driver information system, where can benefit from the unique combination of advanced touch-screen street-level navigation with the award-winning Origin360 speed camera and accident blackspot alerts.

The device is well equipped to provide you turn-by-turn voice guidance, and also gives you the liberty to select between 2D and 3D map viewing option. Meanwhile, the Origin360 speed camera and accident blackspot location system ensure your safety, and keeps you informed of all fixed location speed cameras you need to be aware of, as well as accident blackspots and school zones. The speed camera technology is among the best and most accurate and can even compete with the speed camera database of heavyweight sat navs like the Snooper Syrius. Both these services are provided via voice and on-screen alerts. The device also gives you the provision to individually adjust alert volumes. That’s not all as the drive comes inscribed with day and night operation modes, apart from a large sink of points-of-interest including hotels, petrol stations etc. meanwhile, your convenience and flexibility aspect are also taken special care of with the inclusion of an internal rechargeable battery for cordless operation in car/out of car.

The major emphasis of the Magellan eXplorist 500LE satellite navigation system is on its unique 16-colour display feature, which gives you the ability to see where you are in colour. The device also gets a thumbs up with the inclusion of the high-speed USB data port. This feature, along with the unlimited data storage capacity provided by the system via the Secure Digital (SD), places you at a real advantage when it comes to stuffing the device with an unlimited array of detailed street maps, TOPO or lake maps from the optional Magellan MapSend software. This unique feature is also adorable because you can perform these tasks without any hassle.

The device has an additional 8 MB internal memory that is pre-loaded with built-in maps of Europe, and also comes with an intuitive interface that makes operating the system a pure delight. This additional memory is sufficient to store 5 track log files, 20 routes and 500LE points of interest. Meanwhile, if you wish to store some further stuff, you can do it on optional SD cards that come with unlimited memory expansion.

The system provides you instruction and guidelines regarding speed, direction, distance to your desired destination, and the like via four lovable easy-to-read colour navigation screens. The Magellan eXplorist 500’s colour screen, along with the vibrant graphics, adds to its desirability, since it makes reading the device easy under all lighting conditions.

Another special trait of the device is its easy installation capability facilitated by the cigarette lighter adaptor technology. Despite being specially designed to be installed on a car, the device can even be used on your bicycle or motorbike.

Tags for this article: explorist, gps, navigation

‘The TomTom RIDER 2nd Edition UK and Ireland’ is the name of the latest satellite navigation system brought out by TomTom. The gadget is water resistant and its compact build quality ensures that it is ready to endure rough and tedious journeys. The flexibility of the device also happens to be one of its important virtues, as it fits perfectly with your car, bike or scooter, and provides you instructions and information in a clear and audible voice. The gadget is pre-installed with maps of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, as is evident from its name.

The device is tailor made to steadfastly respond to your stimuli and comes with a touch screen feature, which is increasingly becoming the norm. The TomTom Rider 2 UK gives you the opportunity to carry out door-to-door planning in your region which makes your task of navigating through routes that are new to you all the more easier. Meanwhile, instructions are available in both 3D and 2D graphics which are crystal-clear and easy to follow. The compact and portable design complements these traits as you can conveniently carry the device wherever you go without having to think about additional logistics.

Using the device you can find out important information like- the shortest route, fastest, warning on congestions and alternate routes, and others. Another lovely aspect of the device is that the screen is made of anti-glare materials which add to your convenience levels. Then, there is the option to select your preferred language of instruction as well. The device, in addition is of immense help when you decide to take a quick detour, as it instantaneously recalculates and adjusts the route description.

The Snooper S270 Sapphire Plus is not your here today gone tomorrow type of satellite navigation system. Decked out with many a high-end feature, the device has also been pre-loaded with NAVTEQ street-level maps of the UK and Ireland. You will also feel intoxicated by the aesthetically designed 2.7-inch colour touch screen.

The device has been equipped with a built-in MP3, MP4 player which are more than capable of fulfilling your entertainment requirements. A well structured photo viewer is there as well. The Snooper Sapphire Plus S270 also comes decorated with the award winning Enigma speed camera locations and Golf Pro Shot Saver feature and provides you an unabated access to over 2000 golf courses in the UK and Ireland supported by the GPS technology.

The portability of the device adds to your convenience levels, and since there are not many compromises made by the manufacturers to arrive at the final design you are favourably placed to reap the maximum benefits. The device apart from providing you turn by turn navigation facility, also provides you voice guide instructions and a full 8-digit UK postcode search option with the choice of 2D or 3D moving map display.

The device also comes with a stylus that can be used to manipulate the touch screen, and there you can even play with the screen colours. The device in addition gives your prior information on an extensive list of Points of Interest, along with providing you instructions on the shortest or fastest route, congestions, among others. Battery of the device is rechargeable which adds to your convenience. Further, there is a Built-in SIRF III GPS antenna which adds to the desirability of the device.

Tags for this article: gps, ireland, navigation, navteq, snooper, uk

Mercedes has come up with a novel concept in the form of its latest zero-emission car that can be powered by three different propulsion systems. The car takes inspiration from the B Class hatchback, and its electric motor can be energised by the batteries alone, or by a battery pack recharged by a fuel cell generator, or even from batteries whose range can be inflated by an external combustion system. The point here is that in each of the above cases the batteries are water-cooled lithium-ion, while the electric motor produces an inspiring 93bhp and 236lb ft of torque which powers the front wheels.

The Blue-ZERO concept exploits the possibilities thrown open by the sandwich construction of the B Class, which has been generating a lot of buzz due to its unobtrusive nature as far as passenger and luggage space is concerned. Moreover, the model is also a trendsetter of a sort for its low centre of gravity. Drivers should also love the crash performance meted out by the car which assisted by its unique design and layout. All the three models can reach speeds of up to 62mph in a matter of seconds, while the top speed is regulated at 93mph to improve battery life.

The mode when run on pure electric E-Cell has a range of 120miles which can be extended to an astounding 248miles in F-Cell form by the fuel cell generator.

This latest development shows Mercedes’ intent to promote low emission vehicles and from 2009 onwards the company will operate a small fleet of experimental hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to get acquainted with the various issues confronting the concept. While energy efficiency is admittedly important for everyday household products, like the energy efficient A class Hotpoint FF4DK fridge freezer, it is far important for your car, in terms of saving both money and the environment. Mercedes, it seems, has recognised this. The company, in fact, has completed all the formalities to introduce its first series of pure electric cars come 2010.

In case you are looking to bolster your car with an intuitive stereo system, then look no further than the Parrot RK8200. Jam packed with a number of versatile features it in essence is an FM/AM RDS car stereo, and lovingly has all the connections that is game for both digital and analogue music. Aptly enough, it is also bestowed with the capability of a Bluetooth with a hands-free kit replete with a host of telephony functions. A wonderful thing about the gadget is that it is comprehensively built into the vehicle’s audio system, which makes for an enhanced audio quality reproduced via the vehicle’s speakers.

You will be literally taken aback by the multitude of connectivity options at your disposal including a specific iPod connector, port for a USB flash drive and USB MP3 player, SD card reader and a line-in socket for analogue sources. The Parrot RK8200 in addition, even plays files sent by Bluetooth. If that is not impressive enough, it can store an amazing 300 MP3 tracks in its internal memory!

The less it is said about the Bluetooth feature the better, as it alone can give other similar products from rival companies many a sleepless nights. It features some of the most advanced hands-free telephonic technologies; and does the improbable by automatically synchronising itself with the phone books on the mobile.

Moreover, you can be less assured that conversations will be crystal-clear, and you can also enjoy the benefits of adjusting the volume in accordance with the surrounding noise. To top it all, the unit also boasts of an innovative interface.

Mio continues to be a dominant force in the field of GPS or global positioning system technology, and has been consistently producing products that are acclaimed as much for their simplicity as for their technological brilliance. The great thing about navigation systems produced by the company is that they have a comprehensive road map of Europe installed in it them. Mio’s latest offer the C520 is no different and you can have an unprecedented amount of information from it. Moreover, this time around the company has extracted the maximum out of its widescreen. You can now have a much fuller view and also derive important route information from it. That apart, you can gather route information, such as point of interest, without even quitting the navigation function.

The most impressive facet of the unit however appears to be its ability to multitask demonstrated by the host of information display options that you have at your disposal. You can now have a tab on important aspects like local points of interest, speed, camera locations, and route and timing data.

Inscribed with a 3.3 interface, it also presents you the luxury of Hands-free calling with Bluetooth wireless technology. All you need to enjoy the experience of hands-free calling is a Bluetooth wireless technology enabled mobile phone. The Mio C520 also has the inherent quality of switching from navigation to phone mode every time you receive a call. Can you believe that Mio navigation devices include Tele Atlas maps of 22 countries, with instructions in 16 languages! With Mio by your side you can really set out to discover and explore new horizons. The wonder thing here is that you need not have to key in journey stages to cross borders. These issues are better left to be handled by Mio, and what a marvelous job it does. Hats off to Mio C520.