ViaMichelin Navigation 7 Analisis
Normally when we tested a GPS analyze both the hardware device functions such as software. But this time we will focus only on the software: the ViaMichelin Navigation Version 7 is announced with many new features that we found in six of their devices.
The manufacturer has integrated the full range version “New Edition” of GPS. These comments concern the following models: X-960 Spain, X-960 Europe, X-970 Spain, Spain X-970T, X-970T Europe and X980T Europe (versions ‘T’ include RDS TMC). The design has sought to offer better ergonomics, with shortcuts to frequently used features and interface enhancements to make it easier to use. The goal is to make the GPS devices are safe and contribute more to driving safety. So too have integrated a series of precautionary warnings that the user can enable or disable at will:
Dangerous Curves: issuing a voice alert when approaching a dangerous curve, taking into account the vehicle speed and the amplitude of the curves.
Notice of schools: during school hours an audible warning when approaching a school.
Sign in bad condition, a beep warns dirt roads or in poor condition.
Safe overtaking: alerts in areas with two lanes in each direction.
Rest periods: after two hours drive alerts the need for a break.
Tunnel Mode: When you lose the GPS signal is understood to have entered a tunnel and not reduce the brightness to dazzle and simulating the route you took to avoid embarrass the driver lost track.
Probably the most novel are the last three. Tunnel mode is especially useful seems to us, like automatic switching to night mode that can be programmed to select the hours you want to avoid glare to the screen. As for safe overtaking warnings would be even more useful that the notice was given in the safe areas of one-way roads, ie those without additions and side bends and properly marked, as are those in which more accidents produced by overtaking. When used in combination with the Michelin guides, employment is provided through the use of pictograms identification, allowing access to any point of interest in just three steps. During the tests we have a browser in which we could compare The new version 6.05 to version 7. Nothing more to start with the most recent card the difference is obvious. The application is intuitive and easy to use and easier to visually identify each element, partly because they used much more colorful icons and colors that are more easily recognized, but also because the functions are better organized and more accessible. A new features, which in turn Navman introduced as hardware buttons are two shortcut icons to the nearest gas stations and car parks, but are still required too many keystrokes to qualify as a function that can be used safely while driving. Another function that the software (if the hardware supports it too) is the recalculation of routes according to TMC information is received via radio and can allow courts to avoid traffic jams and road point. The system itself is very effective, but always depends on the quality of the information transmitted by radio stations, which in turn depend on what the General Directorate of Traffic and the various municipalities to do to get there. Currently the information is much improved over what existed a few years ago, and we can say that is becoming a really useful system in Spain. Also hope that their quality improves as drivers go with having more GPS receiver TMC. On the other hand, the browser can act as hands free bluetooth for phone, thereby reducing the number of devices installed in the car. Also uses the connection to the phone to enable GPRS download via a series of services such as weather forecasting, or access to all addresses and routes saved in My ViaMichelin. It also has MP3 player functions. In Ile de France (Paris and surrounding areas) can also receive information on free parking spaces, a feature which we hope will soon implant in major Spanish cities, where you find parking in certain times can be really complicated. Also be updated once a month, the information on the location of safety cameras although this is also possible by downloading it free from the ViaMichelin website. The voice prompts are really well made, but we detected anomalous intonation bearing confusion, and to facilitate understanding at all times. One of the clearest examples is the case of roundabouts, which indicated “at the roundabout go straight ahead, second exit” instead of giving only the number of output as do other models, which require greater attention the driver. The same goes for security advisories, with which he hears phrases like “250 meters speed limit” or “excessive speed” instead of blank sounds. The goal is to get the driver needs to look at the screen as little as possible enough with the voice instructions and being able to concentrate on the road. However, we detected a couple of frequently used commands have not been translated into Spanish, which sometimes surprises us with an English instruction. Probably this is resolved in Release minor updates. We can not conclude without recalling that the driver should never manipulate the browser while driving, as the attention it needs to introduce a figure represents a high risk of accident. Currently est & aacut
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