Garmin Nuvi 1390t: GPS Gadget

One really has to pity the civil engineers in charge of making modern American cities traffic-efficient. Its a difficult, if not impossible task, and regardless of the outcome, people will be frustrated. Not even the keenest of city planning can make up for the oppressive onslaught of cars that hit the road come Monday morning. The result can be a disorienting traffic jam, which is bad enough for locals but can be a downright nightmare for tourists or those unfamiliar with the city. When I moved from sleepy Missoula, Montana to Los Angeles, California for college, the difference in driving “across town” was like night and day. But today’s gadget of the week has made my driving experience excellent recently, and it has the capability to do the very same for yours.

Garmin arguably makes some of the best GPS navigation units, and the Nuvi 1390t is in my opinion, the best of their bunch. With an innovative touch-screen interface, extensive battery life, and an extensive host of additional features, it has the ability to get you where you need to go, and fast.
The basic premise of a GPS navigation unit is simple: plug in a destination, and the GPS uplink provides you with maps and directions to reach your destination. Obviously though, a high-end unit like the 1390t has a host of additional features. First and foremost, there are a number of ways you can locate your destination. If you know the address by memory, simply punch it into the device on the easy-to-use touchscreen and you’re on your way.
This is where the device has some tricks up its sleeve. If you’re not sure of the address, you can search for the location by a variety of criteria. While using the device in the Los Angeles area, a search of an In-N-Out Burger brings up the locations of the nearest burger stands (much like a search on Google Maps would do). However, say if you’re craving a burger, but are unsure of what type, the Nuvi 1390t has categories for browsing. It’s a great asset on road trips, if you’re looking for a place to eat but are unsure of any particular location.
There are also some features especially handy for tourists. Other categories for browsing are filled with gas stations, lodging, emergency services, and even points of interest. While using the device, the points of interest feature had some great suggestions, with everything from hiking trails to football stadiums programmed in the device. There were some discrepancies when searching for local businesses that had shut down. Overall, the device performed excellently while searching for a variety of locales.
The Garmin Nuvi 1390t is a great choice for a GPS unit, aside from a few annoyances. Once or twice during testing, the device shut off for no reason. Additionally, the Nuvi sometimes suggests routes that require you to venture off the beaten path under the guise that they are more time-efficient. While this can be a great feature for the highly impatient, leaving the freeways to drive on unfamiliar streets can be disorienting and at times downright annoying. Other than these two minor complaints, the device is one of the best available GPS units on the market, and at a price of $239.00, it is a great deal.
Check out Garmin Nuvi 1390 deals at Smarter.
See also:
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Cool Items on a Budget: Car Electronics!

I’d like to start today’s article by shamelessly bragging about my winter break from school, which actually has some bearing on today’s topic. I’m from Missoula, Montana. When fall started, I drove from Montana to Los Angeles for college. This wasn’t as bad as it seems, as there was a week-long layover in Lake Tahoe. However, for winter break, I decided it was time to embark upon the ever-alluring college road trip, driving up the Pacific Coast Highway, to Sacramento, to Eugene, to Portland, to Seattle, and finally home. It was a remarkable week of travel, with the only damper coming two weeks later when I had to make the return trip. It was a great trip, and I was able to spend a lot of time exploring the west coast, bonding with Interstate 5, and hanging out in my car.

For that third reason, I feel incredibly qualified to write about some great car electronics that can improve the quality of your vehicle. If you’ve got a long trip in your future, or if you have a regular commute, a few additions to your automobile can greatly improve the use you get out of it. Here are three great kinds of electronics for your car:

Car Speakers:
While many cars on the market already have serviceable audio systems installed, there are always upgrades available if you find your stock system lacking in volume or quality. Most of these speakers require professional installation, making them more expensive than their price tag would indicate. If you have an older model, purchasing a stereo upgrade can be great for your commute. I almost always listen to music while in the car, and it’s a great way to relieve stress while on the road and pass the time on long trips. Some speaker systems are affordable, allowing you to expand your car audio easily. Check out this Pioneer speaker componant package for a great starting point.
GPS Navigation:
If you live in a big city, one of these units can be a great asset. While companies like Garmin and Tom Tom make devices that have many? high end features (such as business directories built into the device), a less expensive model will still be a great asset. By having step by step directions to virtually any destination, it can take much of the stress out of driving to a new locale, or driving in a new city. Be forewarned, though, that some units suffer from confusing menu organization, making them downright dangerous to operate while driving. Always exercise caution, and never operate one while in motion. A great deal can be found on some of the entry-level models in the Garmin StreetPilot series.
Car DVD systems:
These are especially great if you have younger children, as they ease some of the boredom that comes on long car trips. A good DVD system for your car will have several essential features. First of all, make sure the screen is a decent size, something that can be stared at for a long period of time without straining your eyes. Also, make sure you’re able to plug headphones into the device, so that the sound from the DVD doesn’t have to be played through your car audio system. As with the GPS devices, it goes without saying that you (as the driver) shouldn’t be watching such a gadget while actually driving the car, save that for your kids! This in-dash Pyle screen has some great features at an affordable price, and is a great starting point!
See also:
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Best and Worst: Car Subwoofers

I get a great deal out of enjoyment from driving in my car, something that doesn’t necessarily appeal to everyone. Recently, I drove from Los Angeles all the way to Seattle, Washington, a three-day trek I completed entirely by myself. I’ll admit this endeavor took a fair amount of patience on my part, but the trip was made quite nice by a steady supply of good music. I’m lucky enough to have some nice speakers in my car, so the quality of sound is always nice while listening to music on the drive. Today we’re going to compare two different subwoofers, the MTX Audio TR4512-04 and the Audiobahn AW121T Flame Excursion. Both of these subwoofers are designed for optimal car use.

BEST: MTX Audio TR4512-04
The MTX Audio subwoofer provided the best sound quality of the two. While installation and wiring for car stereos is best handled by a professional, unless you really know what you’re doing, the quality of this unit is well worth the price of installation. Crisp bottom end provided loud and deep bass lines, with lower frequencies penetrating the audio mix but never overwhelming the trebles. On a variety of different styles, from rock to rap, the MTX Audio subwoofer was solid and clear. The 12 speaker can handle up to 400 watts, and it’s stylish polypropylene cone was free from volume-related distortion at some serious noise levels. ?Priced at just over $100, it’s a great deal, meaning you won’t have to break the bank to have quality bass from your in-car audio system.
Worst: Audiobahn AW121T Flame Excusrion
Audiobahn touts their flame-casing design as being one of the highlights of this subwoofer, which is a 12 cone with some nice chrome finishing. While it’s less expensive than the MTX model, priced around $80, the difference is very noticeable.  At low volume levels, the Audiobahn unit performs adequately, providing a more staccato sound than the MTX that is a bit treble-heavy for a subwoofer. ?However, once the volume starts turning up, this subwoofer loses ground quickly. Distortion at moderate volume levels becomes a big concern, and the unit begins to rumble in a way the MTX woofer did not. ?At levels where the MTX was performing perfectly well without distortion, this speaker was buzzing and vibrating, making it detrimental to the overall sound. ?Some reviews offer up complaints of blowing the speakers at a 300 watt load, meaning you have to be careful with it at higher volume levels.
See also:
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