I Love My GPS

I have a GPS tool in my smartphone, but using it on the 10 hour drive slurped the battery power from my phone like you wouldn’t believe. When my brother took us to Virginia Beach in his van, I got to see his GPS and see how it worked, for the first time. I have to say, I was thoroughly smitten. So I purchased a portable GPS unit while in Virginia, and used it for the trip back to New York State. The GPS is SO COOL! I loved using it! The nice thing especially is that it will redirect you back onto your route if you deviate from it, for example, when you veer off at an exit to go to a gas station. The GPS I bought shows POIs,or Points of Interest. These included gas stations, banks, ATMs, museums, and more. I just loved it! Of course, I am a gadget fiend, so I enjoy toodling with a new device.

My husband was immediately smitten, too. He didn’t get a GPS (they are rather pricey, at least $130 for the good ones). I was able to get one and claim it for the business (and as a tax deduction since I use it for my travels). I have to say, I am very surprised that he likes the GPS. He is definitely not a gadget guy. But he tinkered with the GPS and has been gushing about it ever since. I am thinking of getting Mr. Mecomber his own GPS for Father’s Day or his birthday. What a great gift! Spending another $150, however, is a bit much especially since I won’t be able to claim this expense for the business.

However, another solution is at hand– Savings.com! This is a new coupon site I have recently discovered. It’s my favorite place to get coupons and promo codes. The site is extremely well-organized and features a ton of shopping sites, especially sites that husbands and dads love. If you’re looking for a great deal on products at stores, I highly recommend Savings.com.

Do you have a GPS? Isn’t it the coolest gadget ever??

Travel Safety Tip: Update the GPS System!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me. All opinions are 100% mine.

Before you go out on your next travel excursion, BE SURE to update your GPS unit, both the handheld unit and the car unit. It is very important. Summer is a high travel time, but it is also a busy time for construction– routes may have altered and/or may be closed. You just don’t want to get lost. Unfortunately, printed paper maps are no longer the best tool when traveling. I have a slew of very old maps, and a few that I believed were newer (within the last five years). I was once a very loyal fan of paper map books, but after experiencing a horribly lost-in-an-out-of-state-big-city, I lost my faith in paper maps. The map didn’t show that half the highway was no longer there, due to construction and a diversion of the area. It’s a freaky experience, being in a strange city and not knowing where you are. I now have a GPS map system for our travels, and I love it! But a GPS map is no good if it doesn’t contain updated and relevant information!

Updating your GPS unit is not difficult. The folks at NAVTEQ have made it extremely easy: go to your GPS manufacturer, retailer, or vehicle manufacturer, and follow the directions. NAVTEQ is owned by Nokia but is an independent operation; NAVTEQ is the global leader for providing maps and traffic data; they provide GPS information for most GPS units, so yours is most likely covered in their large list of updates. NAVTEQ provides GPS information for Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance devices, as well as online providers such as Yahoo maps, Bing maps, and MapQuest.

Tip: Update your GPS unit in the spring every year before the hectic travel season begins, just in case there are important changes. And with NAVTEQ, you have peace of mind that their maps are accurate and very up to date. This will also help save money on gas and time, by avoiding snafus in traffic and missing refueling stations. It will also reduce a lot of anxiety, trying to locate a rest stop!

Moreover, besides updating information such as traffic and highway alterations and additions, NAVTEQ will include new ATMs, gas stations, restaurants, and other important travel locations and needs. So please exercise good safety when traveling– use the most updated maps, and drive safely!