Voice Activated GPS
Ranked #2,686 in Computers & Electronics, #53,632 overall
Do You Need a Voice Activated GPS?
However, there are now a number of features that take care of this problem. Certainly having spoken directions to your destination is an important first step. Now voice activated GPS devices provide the all important second step to assure ease of use and safety. Learn all about these devices, their advantages, and find some of the ones you have to consider.
Photo by MPD01605.
The Advantages of Voice Activated GPS Devices
GPS devices can be very handy on the road. They can help you plan your route, avoid missed turns, and even help you avoid road congestion. They can help you find the services you need, place hands-free calls, and more in many instances.Two features have become increasingly popular however. One is spoken directions. Users love the option of having directions spoken to them, especially if the device uses street names versus just saying "turn right". This allows the user to keep their eyes on the road rather than staring at a 3.5-4.5" screen while driving at the same time.
The other highly sought after feature is voice command. A voice activated GPS can also make these devices easier and safer to use. If a user can simple speak to the device to request directions or routing information, they can keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. It's truly like having your own navigator sitting in the seat beside you.
Voice activated GPS devices also make sure that even when the screen might be difficult to view due to lighting or tired eyes, you can get accurate directions when you need them. Of course, you also have fewer fingerprints on that touch screen since you're using it virtually hands-free.
When you're choosing a voice activated GPS device be sure you know what functions can be voiced controlled. Some devices only allow you to verbally input destinations while others allow much more.
Garmin Nuvi 855 Voice Activated GPS
Garmin nüvi 855 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Speech Recognition
Amazon Price: $249.99 (as of 02/16/2012)
The Garmin 855 is an impressive GPS for your car and is handy on foot as well. It's a voice activated GPS with speech recognition software that allows you to speak menu options allowing you to keep both your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. Just press the remote, mounted on your steering wheel to activate this feature. The 885 will provide spoken instructions with real street names. It will provide lane assist letting you know the correct lane for approaching a turn; in fact you can see the lane on the screen as well as the directional signs you can anticipate along the road.
The Garmin Nuvi 855 has a full 4.3" sunlight-readable widescreen, a high snesitivity GPS receiver, internal antenna, and rechargeable lithium ion battery. This along with it's compact size, make it portable enough to slip in a pocket and take along with you when you leave the car. In fact, you can have the 855 help you relocate your car.
This voice activated GPS comes pre-loaded with City Navigator North America maps (US, Canada, Puerto Rico) which include at least 6 million name searchable points of interest. You can upload Google Maps and Mapquest information onto it and it can provide audible alerts before you arrive at a point of interest. The 855 can provide both 2D and 3D maps and help you plan multi-destination trips.
It has a built in MP3 player, audio book player, photo viewer, and FM transmitter which allows you to receive option FM traffic alerts and hear directions, music, and more through your car stereo. Other features include a calculator, currency converter, alarm clock, and automatic time zone adjustment.
Garmin Nuvi 885T Voice Activated GPS
Garmin nüvi 885/885T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Speech Recognition
Amazon Price: $479.99 (as of 02/16/2012)
The Garmin Nuvi 885T has the same features as the Nuvi 855 described above plus a free 3 month subscription to MSN direct services to get dynamic information such as traffic updates, gas prices, flight status, advance weather, movie listings, local events, stock information, and news. It comes preloaded with City Navigator NT Maps for North America (Canada, US, Puerto Rico) which includes 6 million points of interest.
It too, has a 4.3" widescreen, high sensitive GPS receiver and is Bluetooth ready to allow hands-free calling with compatible cell phones. With text-to-speech software if offers spoken direction and the speech recognition allows voice control of the menu as well .
This voice activated GPS includes functions such as MP3 player, photo viewer, audio book player, and more. You can take it with you when you leave your vehicle and have it assist you in re-locating your car when you're ready to return. It can also perform multi-destination routing for you.
Garmin Nuvi 850 Voice Activated GPS
Garmin nüvi 850 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Voice Command and FM Transmitter (Soft Black)
Amazon Price: $239.95 (as of 02/16/2012)
This Garmin Nuvi has similar features to the 855 and 885T described above. It also has Garmin Lock theft prevention which disables the unit until the user enters a 4 digit PIN. Users can add custom points of interest from 3rd parties such as school zones and safety cameras. This device is traffic capable when purchasing the optional receiver for FM traffic, TMC clear channel, or ehanced MSN Direct Content. There is also optional software for language translation, detailed travel guides and more. With this voice activated device, users can even upload geocoded photos from a cell phone, camera, or photo sharing site and navigate to those locations.
Garmin Nuvi 3790T
Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic
Amazon Price: $269.99 (as of 02/16/2012)
The 3790 boasts a full 4.3" multi-touch screen that has advanced speech recognition software allowing users voice contol. It's Bluetooth compatible allowing you to make hands-free calls with compatible cell phones. It provides 3D views and dual orientation; allowing you to view it vertically or horizontally.
This voice activated GPS comes with integrated FM traffic alerts that are free for life. It even assists in navigating city transit, telling you where to pick up the bus, the subway, and so forth. It makes a great picture viewer, travel clock, currency converter, calculator, and more. It can even calculate and track your fule usage.
Magellan Maestro 3250 Voice Activated GPS
Magellan Maestro 3250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic and Voice Command
Amazon Price: $63.00 (as of 02/16/2012)
The Maestro 3250 is another option for those wanting a voice activated GPS device. It features a 3.5" QVGA anti-glare, color touch screen and features preloaded North America maps with 6 million point of interest which have reviews available to help you make the best choice of destinations. This device will provide spoken, turn-by-turn directions using real street names.
Users get hands-free calling with a compatible cell phone as well as voice command to allow them to keep their attention on the road where it's needed. The 3250 can easily help you re-route around traffic problems or it will quickly re-route you if you miss a turn. In fact it allows multi-destination routing. It provides the option of 2D or 3D views and is even easy to read at night when it switches to night view. It will operate for up to 3 hours on the lithium ion battery while on foot.
Magellan Maestro 4250 Voice Activated GPS
Magellan Maestro 4250 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Amazon Price: $199.99 (as of 02/16/2012)
This Maestro 4250 is another GPS device that offers voice command. It has the same features as discussed regarding the Maestro 3250 above but it has a larger 4.3" WQVGA screen for easier viewing. It comes with 3 months of free traffic information as well. It also includes AAA Tour Book information and allows you to create and store points of interest and addresses.
This device is also capable of providing flexible routing. For instance, users can request that if find the "fastest route, the "shortest distance", the "least or most used freeways", or the route which "avoids toll roads". It provides spoken turn-by-turn directions with street names and allows you to switch to voice activated use.
Let Us Know You Stopped By!
If you're still looking, be sure to stop by our online electronics store.
-
Reply
-
Nuvi1450LMTReviews
Dec 17, 2011 @ 6:08 pm | delete
- Love this Lens on Garmin GPS voice activated systems!
I was especially impressed with some of these videos you put in here. What was funny for me - I was was having memories (bad ones) about a piece of voice activated software from many years ago and how difficult it was to get right. These Garmin voice activated units nail it nearly every time. Impressive, isn't it?
Great job on this Lens!
-
-
Reply
-
mcochs
Mar 25, 2011 @ 7:53 am | delete
- Wonderful lens! I didn't know about these! How cool! Blessed by a Squidoo Gadget loving Angel on 3/25/2011. Have a great day!
-
-
Reply
-
Irenemaria
Aug 29, 2010 @ 3:37 am | delete
- Such a good idea!
-
by mulberry
A voice activated GPS device allows you to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel while you drive and it navigates. Learn more about t... more »
- 397 featured lenses
- Winner of 14 trophies!
- Top lens » Homemade Vegetable Soup
Explore related pages
- Valentine’s Day Ideas for Boyfriend Valentine’s Day Ideas for Boyfriend
- Nook Covers Nook Covers
- Best Home Theater System 2012 Best Home Theater System 2012
- How To NOT Lose Your Cell Phone How To NOT Lose Your Cell Phone
- Best Kinect Games (By Genre) Best Kinect Games (By Genre)
- My Top 5 Free Android Apps My Top 5 Free Android Apps
