Month: November 2017

GPS Travel Tips

They may be promoted as relationship spouses, and based on who does the navigating when you’re on holidays this might be correct. However, a GPS not only gets you from A to B with the minimum of hassles, but it may also make your vacation come alive; with strategies to plan your itinerary, track down the best restaurants, and make your vacation hassle free. We asked our experts from Hitachi, Nokia, Mio, TomTom, and Pioneer to share their secrets on getting more from your GPS when travelling the planet. No doubt if you are heading abroad, it is best to do your research and check that the GPS brand that you’re considering has maps available for the countries that you’ll be travelling to. Plus check out the price of the overseas map you desire to purchase as map costs vary considerably based on the GPS you buy.

Once you have your own GPS, ensure you have the correct mapping for the country you’re visiting and that it is in real time GPS tracking. Check that you can navigate between states where applicable. Maps may come as a joint pack or individual countries based on the brand you buy. Remember overseas mapping needs to be the exact same brand as the device you’re going to use, rather than all mapping is configured in exactly the exact same way. It is important to note that if the supplier does not have the mapping of the country you need, you can’t use another brand’s in your device, so best to do your homework before buying. Some GPS providers also have city guides you can download for free, and some even have vehicle GPS tacking in real time. However, they do provide useful tourist information on the city of your destination. If you’re downloading these while overseas it is ideal to use Wi-Fi since it is going to be more affordable.

Make certain you install the maps before travel. This will let you navigate and test the maps before embarking on your journey. The GPS may navigate you to use motorways, toll roads as well as ferries in overseas countries. Ensure that you are knowledgeable about the route calculation settings of your device. Also check the path the unit is indicating before driving to make certain you know what you’re getting yourself into. Points of Interests (POI) are convenient when in new cities or if you want petrol or any other information including tourist points. You can check that at the listings before leaving to get accustomed to what is and isn’t listed. Plus, if you browse through the Points of Interest, then they can offer you ideas of things to see and do, from beaches to cafes, stores to amusement parks in the areas you want to go to.

When browsing to a location, it may be easier to search for a location by name as opposed to address. By way of instance if you would like to see the British Museum in London you can find it listed under museums as a point of interest as a way to browse there without knowing the precise address. All GPS versions need to be charged, so make sure you pack a universal adapter on your luggage. Battery life of GPS devices change, therefore it’s important to get a cigarette lighter charger since you don’t need to run out of juice when you’re on the road driving. It is also useful to buy a case to protect the GPS and a travel charger with overseas plugs to maintain the device powered up when you return to your accommodation. Ensure you have the sound guidance on when driving as you may keep your eyes on the street and be more attentive when driving in a foreign city. Do not ever underestimate using your own commonsense when using a GPS device. Sometimes conditions may change because the mapping has been developed, as an example, road works begin, or two-way roads become one way.

All of us like to minimise our travel accessories. Some GPS models include a 2Mp camera, in addition to telephone and PDA capabilities. Some premium GPS units double up as MP3 players helping you to leave behind your digital audio player. So one device solves three demands and makes for lighter packing and simpler functionality between devices.

 

The Best International Off-road Trails

As anyone who manages to head offroad even occasionally will tell you, an adequate 4WD and a will to explore are all you need to get out there and see places most people never dream of.

And if you are a genuine offroad nut, then there really are few better places on earth to be born than Australia. What other nation is home to landscapes as varied as Cape York’s tropical beaches and jungles, the High Country’s arctic ridges, the Kimberley’s majestic contrasts and the primitive beauty of the red center? It is also worth mentioning that there are mind-blowing offroad destinations available on every continent on earth. While the logistics of moving 4WDing overseas are certainly tricky, remember that nothing is impossible if you want it enough, just take a look at all the backpackers that make the pilgrimage to our beaches every year.

Take a peek at these epic offroad destinations from around the world, and get motivated to tick a few of them off some day.

USA, MOJAVE ROAD

This 225km track runs from Bullhead City in Arizona into Newberry Springs in California and has been initially blazed by Mohave Native Americans. The desert track has been followed by European colonisers, Spanish explorers, and generation after generation of offroad pilgrims, searching for their own truths in the desert. It is tough, dusty and dry, and there’s lots of wildlife to look out for, but you will notice a side of America you won’t find anywhere else unless you go off-road.

ICELAND, GOLDEN CIRCLE

Iceland’s the property of Viking mythology, the Northern Lights, and the world’s most gorgeous women, who knew it was also home to an epic 4WD destinations? The Golden Circle is a 300km loop from the funds of Reykyavik into fundamental Iceland and back, seeing amazing national parks, geothermal valleys and the famous Geysir and Strokkur geysers.

MOROCCO, MARRAKECH-DADES VALLEY

The gateway from Europe into North Africa and the Middle East, Morocco’s a meeting and melding of cultures. The Dades Valley is located 350km inland in the funding of Marrakesh, also is one of the most popular offroad destinations in the nation. Plenty of tour operators provide day trips from the capital to visit the surreal landscapes of the Dades Valley and nearby Atlas Mountains.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, DUBAI-WADI AL FAYA

The UAE are one of the largest markets for LandCruisers in the Earth, and for good reason because the terrain is tough on the market. The Wadi spans UAE’s western deserts, towards the border with Oman and is home to archaeological remains well over 100,000 years old. There is plenty of desert dune driving to be performed, so a dependable 4wd with a nudge bar and knowledgeable guides are an essential.

USA, COLORADO ALPINE LOOP TRAIL

This 100km offroad alpine trail traverses Colorado’s San Juan Mountains and crosses two 3,600m passes. The trail passes by many deserted ghost towns while also offering panoramic views reminiscent of Australia’s Victorian High Country. The trail can be closed over winter during poor weather.

However, even when off-road driving internationally there are some things you need to remember.

It’s one thing to respect nature while you’re out and about in it, however don’t think that just because you have your own cruise control on, your 4-wheel drive engaged with all your 4wd accessories, along with a high driving position onto your side you are able to arrive safely at your event no matter what comes your way. You are never bullet-proof, either on- or off-road, and driving safely to an event is as important as driving safely while you are off the beaten path.

With driving safely goes an appropriate choice of vehicle. It should go without saying, but make sure you have a car that can perform the job. Don’t head out at a convoy of contemporary, stylish and technologically innovative four-wheel drive cars and trucks and think that the decked-out Land Rover can perform exactly the same task as those that are designed for the rough terrain.