Being that mobile GPS has been one of the top requested electronic gifts this year, many people are going to be treated to shiny new Garmin Streetpilots, Garmin nuvi’s, Tom Tom Go’s and the like.
Small note: I’m very partial to Garmin. It’s Garmin or nothin’ with me. I love my StreetPilot c580.
Tip 1. Get a friction mount
All mobile GPS units come provided with suction cup mount and dashboard plate. You can stick the plate on the dash and mount the unit that way, or you can mount directly on the windshield.
Friction mounts are pads with a non-slip rubber bottom that will hold your mobile GPS in place without the need to "suck" it anywhere.
To find a friction mount for your particular device, eBay has it.
For example, if I wanted to find one for the StreetPilot c330 I just search for streetpilot c330 friction mount. For the c580 I search for streetpilot c580 friction mount. You get the idea.
Note: Car vent mounts SUCK (pun intended) as do cup holder mounts. Do not buy those. Spend the extra cash and go with the friction mount. Trust me on that one.
Tip 2. Categorize same-name favorites by store number
If you name two Favorites the same name in a StreetPilot, what will happen is that it will append the name with a 1, 2, 3 and so on. So if you save a favorite as "7-Eleven", then name another one the same name, the second will be "7-Eleven 1".
For same-name favorites that are stores, I use the store number.
You can find the store number on any receipt from that store.
Alternatively you can use a store finder, such as the one from Wal-Mart, that will list store numbers up front.
Title your favorites with same names with the store number after that, such as Wal-Mart 2740. When you need to find that favorite later, you can just search for 2740 instead of punching in all the letters.
Tip 3. Get familiar with how to set an avoidance for highways
If you commute at all, there will be times when you’ll want to avoid highways completely because you know you’ll get home faster compared to sitting in gridlock traffic.
On StreetPilots (and all other GPS units to the best of my knowledge) you can quickly configure the unit to avoid all highways before you start your trip.
Your advantage is that you’ll not only (usually) save time by doing this, but you’ll also be familiarizing yourself with alternative routes.
Note: You can turn on/off the highway avoidance as well as other avoidances (such as avoiding toll roads) easily.
Tip 4. Keep a guitar polish cloth for quick cleaning of the screen
You’re obviously going to get your grubby fingers all over the touchscreen. Tissue paper is 100% WRONG WRONG WRONG to clean the screen with because it’s abrasive and will scratch it instantly. (Incidentally, this is why you never clean eyeglasses with tissue paper – ever.) Go to a local Guitar Center and buy a polish cloth. Works better, doesn’t "break up" and doesn’t scratch.
Note: Also works for quick dashboard cleaning too – but not for glass (it will smudge the glass).
Tip 5. Use common sense; be willing to make mistakes
Mobile GPS is not in infallible. It will sometimes make errors in "judgement" as to where you should go for particular routes. Nay-sayers of GPS always love to point this out but conveniently never mention the rest of the time when it’s 100% correct. Regardless of that, you should not let GPS hand-hold you everywhere you go.
If the GPS instructs you to go a specific way but it doesn’t "feel right" to you, go the way you feel is comfortable. Sometimes your way is the best way. And even if you make a mistake, be willing to make mistakes. No one is going to feed you to the wolves for it.
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I post comments very rarely, but several tips in this article seemed “strange” to me.
“Store Numbers?” Does the auther actually REMEMBER the numbers of stores or does he have a list of them on paper? Even if you display such a list on the screen, how, in the World, would you remember which Wal-Mart is #2740 and which one is #2750?
Isn’t it easier to file stores and other places like that under “Wal-Mart Main st.” or “7-Eleven Grand Ave.?”
“Guitar Polish Cloth will smudge the glass…” And it will not smadge the screen?..
Guitar Polish Cloth is made for wood. It’s impregnated with OIL! Why not use a screen protector? When it becomes dirty, just replace it.
“You should not let GPS hand-hold you everywhere you go.” Really? And we thought we HAD to follow the unit’s instructions to the letter…
Oh, well…
These are all great tips. Thanks for a great source.