Looking to give Dad the latest in automotive technology but a new car is not in the budget this holiday season? Magellan’s SmartGPS is the perfect gift that will turn Dad’s car (or Mom’s car) into a Connected Car with Smartphone integration for only $250 (available at Best Buy). SmartGPS will not only guide you to your destination quickly and safely, it will also give you:
1) Trip planning in the comfort of your home. Use your smartphone (Free iPhone and Android apps) to plan where you want to go, then with the touch of a button send the destinations to the SmartGPS in your car. SmartGPSmakes trips safer, easier, and more fun for both you and your children.
2) Yelp & Foursquare – Discover new restaurants, shops and interesting places, with real-time information from Yelp & Foursquare displayed on the SmartGPS screen. Instantly and seamlessly navigate to those locations on the larger SmartGPS.
3) Fuel prices. No need to hunt for the lowest fuel prices because SmartGPS will display fuel prices at nearby stations based on your location, directly on the device screen.
4) Wireless Back-up Camera compatibility – combine Magellan’s SmartGPS with a back-up camera, and you are aware of people, places and things in front of you, behind you, and around you.
So what are you waiting for? Drive Smarter with the Magellan’s SmartGPS!
The Magellan SmartGPS brings a whole new level of performance to vehicle navigation systems. The SmartGPS is really more than just a navigation system, with advance features that provide valuable information and services. I have always been a fan of using my Android powered phone for navigation, but after using the SmartGPS, I have found many more features and uses then what I had been use to.
Features:
- Cloud Connection – Allows you to sync your SmartGPS, smartphone and desktop or tablet to share information across all devices.
- 5″ High-resolution Capacitive Touchscreen – Extra wide 5″ glass touchscreen gives you more viewing area.
- Yelp & Foursquare – Read reviews, short tips and discover great deals in relation to your location.
- Gas Prices – Locate the lowest fuel prices around you.
- Traffic Camera Alerts – Receive audible and visual warnings of red light and speed cameras along your route, provided by PhantomALERT.. 1 Year Free.
- Weather – 5 day weather forecast of your preferred 5 cities.
- Best Parking – Provides parking garage locations, hours of operation and directions to the entrance.
- Lifetime Map Upgrades – Never worry about out-of-date maps again. Download the latest map information (up to 4 times a year) for the life of your Magellan navigator.
- Free Lifetime Traffic – Warns you of reported traffic events that may delay you and provides alternative route suggestions
- Wi-Fi – Allows downloading of Cloud Connection features, use of Android browser and wireless software updates without an extra subscription.
- Internet Browser – Wi-Fi Web Browser allows you to search for destinations from any location with a Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Bluetooth Speakerphone – Integrated Bluetooth technology turns your navigator into a hands-free speakerphone, making your commute time more productive.
- Back-up Camera Compatible – As you put your car into reverse, your Magellan navigator will automatically switch into rear-view mode allowing you to see what is behind your car- including children, pets and toys.
- Landmark Guidance – Receive directions using 9 categories of landmarks as your guide, making it a more intuitive way to navigate.
- Junction View – Realistic images of freeway signs and arrows provide advanced warning guiding you to the correct lane to make driving easier, safer and less stressful.
- Speed Limits – Manage your speed along your route with optional settings for visual and audible alerts.
- OneTouch™ Favorites Menu – Find your favorite restaurant, bank, gas station and more in any city with a single touch. Easily create shortcuts to your favorite destinations and previous searches with personalized bookmarks so you can quickly find them anywhere you travel.
- Spoken Street Names – Hear street names and directions for a clear understanding of when to make the next turn while you keep your eyes on the road.
- QuickSpell® with SmartCity Search – As you type the first few letters of your target address QuickSpell instantly narrows the search based on your destination.
- 7 Million of Points of Interest (POI) – Search and route to millions of preloaded destinations such as gas stations, restaurants, hotels, attractions and other points of interest.
- Preloaded Premium Maps – Travel the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada with all the maps you need, pre-loaded on your device.
- Auto Night View – Adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing.
Red light camera and speed alerts have become some of my favorite features of the SmartGPS then I never knew I missed. Recently I used the SmartGPS on a trip through 5 states over the course of 9 days, and realized how helpful the speed alerts are when traveling in unfamiliar areas. Being able to glance at the SmartGPS and see the speed limit saved me from the costly mistake of missing a posted speed limit and getting a speeding ticket. Although not the most impressive feature of the SmartGPS it has been one of my favorites.
The on screen displays provides several ways to display information that is very helpful. With the default display your navigation that’s up around ⅔ of the display and to the right is a grid of 4 flip style icons providing you with a constant updating list of nearby places. I found this layout to be great for nearly all my navigation needs. The nice thing about it was how simple it was to see more or less information. Using the on screen scroll wheel I could extend the navigation screen to the full size of the display. This becomes useful when you need to see a bigger picture of the area you are in. When I wanted to see more information I could easily scroll the other way and bring up a full screen of different informational content squares.
These on screen content squares provide a wealth of quick, easy to access information about what is nearby without the need to search for it. content squares are organized into groups,that update and scroll through the items in each group in each tile. For example you may see one that has gas stations that will flip through gas stations nearby while also showing you the gas price and distance away. That alone is a big money saver when you can find the cheapest gas price without have to check all the gas stations nearby first.
Other content squares provide relevant information about what is nearby such as traffic delays, stores and restaurants. This information is available to you, without the need to search for it and become distracted from your driving.
Aside from all the great features the SmartGPS has to offer the main thing is how well it can get you from point A to point B. The SmartGPS excels at this as well. I was surprised when I started using the SmartGPS to here directions like “In half a mile turn right just past the Shell service station.” Wow, really not only can you tell me where to turn but you will include landmarks to make it that much easier. This alone has kept me from having to double back because the street I was suppose to turn on didn’t have a road sign and I missed it. Now instead of hunting for a street sign that might not be there, I knew to where to turn based on what store was on the corner. It is also much easier to pay attention to the road, since I could spot a store from a few blocks away versus trying to find a street sign when I was getting close.
The SmartGPS doesn’t stop there. With additional features such as connection to your phone via bluetooth for hands free calling to Yelp and Foursquare reviews for nearby places. The SmartGPS shines as a navigation system, but is also so much more. It is more like a central communications hub for your vehicle. With companion smartphone apps for Android and iOS the SmartGPS provides a level of functionality that you won’t find any other GPS navigation device.
Winner will receive a Magellan SmartGPS {RV$249.99}.
Giveaway ends October 3rd at 11:59pm, open US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.
Organized by Mom to Bed by 8 and A Medic’s World. Co-hosted by My Dairy Free Gluten Free Life and Capri’s Coupons.
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