GPS Tips and Tricks

By using the right GPS tips and tricks, you can optimize and enhance your GPS driving experience.

GPS receivers have significantly changed the way people drive nowadays. The convenience and benefits it brings to your daily commutes made driving even easier and more effective.

Whenever your GPS receiver starts acting a little buggy, it is a telltale sign that its firmware already needs an update or that your GPS unit already needs a hard reset. First, save your favorites on your computer so you will not lose your commonly used applications.

For necessary firmware updates, you will need to connect your GPS device into your computer. Firmware is basically the software embedded into the device. The frequency of its updates depends on the product's model and brand. Firmware updates are generally easy. All you need to do is log in to the website of your GPS brand and navigate its product update interface.

To gain first hand information on the latest updates available for your GPS device, register your device to your GPS brand website.

There is always a good possibility that a major bug may exist in newly released firmware. If it happens that your device gets attacked by a bug, try rolling your unit back by installing an older version of firmware.

When you need to update your map, all you need to do is check out your GPS brand's website. This way, you get to update your pre-recorded maps with free map upgrades that are occasionally offered and sponsored by major GPS brands' websites.

There will be times when the map upgrades that you needed are not available. You can resolve this problem by finding custom maps on the Internet and transferring it to your GPS receiver thru your personal computer. Also, there are GPS unit models that allow custom map applications, which serve your map updating convenience.

Whenever you are having signal problems, try turning on your GPS unit from a spot where the sky is clear. Hold that spot for 20 minutes before loading in your target location to speed up satellite locking and signal acquisition. This is also a good tip for breaking in new GPS units.

Download as many points of interest as you can. This should depend on the memory capacity of your device. You'll never know when you will need to get to the nearest gas station, hospital and other emergency service providers. Also, this should enhance the device's track log functions. You can also create your own points of interest so you can personalize your GPS driving experience.

For GPS units featuring text-to-speech operations, consider using your car's speakers so your GPS directions will be fully audible. Since some GPS units are integrated with FM radio functions, this feature combines your car's audio system and dedicated GPS device.

As you get used to driving with a portable GPS, you can make your own list of GPS tips and tricks to explore more of its practical driving benefits. In case of problems, the Internet proves to be a valuable resource for GPS tricks, tips and troubleshooting solutions.

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