What are all ‘the bells and whistles’ - getting the most out of your Navman: Safety Features – Part 1
We’ve been designing, developing and building the best satellite navigation systems for more than 15 years. In those early days our navigation and safety alerts were good but admittedly fairly basic and over that time we’ve brought out new features onto different devices as technology has evolved, processors have sped up and drivers have wanted better guidance, and more safety features.
We’ve been asked by some members of the Navman user community to go into a bit more detail (than they find on the box) about what each of the features or alerts does. So, if you’ve ever wondered what they all do and how to get the most out of them, read on!
Speed Limit Alert
What is it?
Your Navman displays a speed limit sign (like an actual speed limit sign on the roads) which tells you the current speed limit for the road you’re travelling on. This display appears on the bottom left hand side of the map screen of your GPS.
How does it help?
If you’ve ever had a speeding ticket you’ll know this warning is literally worth its weight in gold. It uses the road signs along your route to provide you with alerts about changing speed limits.
And because your Navman uses GPS to determine your location, it will give the most accurate measurement of the speed you are travelling and sound a warning (ding) when you are driving over the speed limit.
Navman models with this feature: ALL
Premium Driver Alerts
What is it?
Premium driver alerts give you advanced warnings when there is a change in the road ahead. For example, if there’s merging and overtaking lanes ahead, or hairpin bends, or if the road will be narrowing. It will also alert you of high wind zones, if there are steep hills and more. Your Navman will make warning sounds when approaching one of these and the top bar of your Navman’s map screen will also state what change lies ahead.
How does this help?
Don’t you hate it when you are driving along and suddenly your lane has to merge with another and there are cars all around driving very fast? Having the heads up that there are changes to driving conditions ahead better prepares you, giving you time to slow down, switch lanes or just be more alert. It keeps drivers feeling in control, more confident and may even prevent accidents from occurring.
Navman models with this feature: ALL
Spoken Safety Alerts
What is it?
When you are approaching areas where you need to take extra care, your Navman will actually tell you what is coming up, not just sound a warning. Navman will say that there’s a “school zone”, “speed camera”, “red light or combined camera coming up”, as well as areas known for mobile speed cameras, accident blackspots and even railway crossings. School zone alerts are only given when school zones are in effect, so you won’t get these alerts on other times.
How does this help?
It’s all too easy for your mind to wander or get distracted when you are driving, particularly when you know where you are going, so Navman’s spoken safety alerts are reminders to keep your attention is on the road in important areas. Aside from saving you from expensive fines and loss of demerit points, they even more importantly draw your attention to areas where you have to be more alert, like where there are children about. It’s one of the reasons we recommend turning on your Navman for every drive, even the route you travel on every day.
The speed camera warnings will only warn you if you are travelling at a speed close to or over the marked speed limit for that road. It won’t warn you if you are travelling at a safe speed , it know’s you are being a good driver so no need to tell you your about to get a ticket!
Navman models with this feature: All My Series models and Drive Duo models
ADAS Safety Features
What is it?
This is a feature you will see in some new cars or luxury cars , A combination of voice and sound prompts, Advance Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are driving alerts to help prevent accidents. Forward collision warning sounds an alert when you are too close to the car in front of you. Depending on your speed, your safe stopping distance changes and the device is smart enough to do the calculation for you to warn you if you are travelling at a distance that won’t give you enough stopping space if something happens to the traffic ahead.
The lane departure warnings will let you know when you’ve veered off from your lane, particulalry helpful on those long family drives when your mind may wander or you get tired. The alerts are only available on GPS devices which have a Navman MiVUE dash cam built in.
How does it help?
Accidents can happen in a moment, so these warnings are there to help you to be a safer driver on the road. Whether it is from distraction or loss of concentration on your part or the driver next to you, these alerts bring your attention to situation before an accident happens. Audible prompts means you can keep your eyes focused on the road.
What you need to know:
In order to provide the best ADAS warnings, you need to make sure you position the device in the right spot and calibrate it. the device needs a clear view of the road ahead. You can find easy to follow instructions in your device’s packaging or on the Navman website.
Navman models with this feature: Drive Duo, Drive Duo SUV, Drive Duo 2
Advanced Lane Guidance
What is it?
This is a small graphic on the top bar of your Navman’s map screen (left corner) which shows you which lane you need to be in, states in writing whether you are going straight or turning, and how far away this upcoming junction is.
How does it help?
We take in information in different ways – some of us are more visual, others prefer audio – and many like the combination of both. This feature gives visual cues so you have confidence about the next navigation you have to make on your route, even if you missed the spoken guidance. It also gives you ample warning so you have time to prepare, and feeling sure about the lane you need to be in for an upcoming turn off or junction.
Navman models with this feature: ALL
3D Junction Views
What is it?
Driving in many major cities and towns today can involve crossing four lanes or more to get to the spot you really need to be. Even for the most seasoned driver, this can be tricky. As the name suggests 3D Junction Views provides a visual guide of the junction as it appears through the windscreen with arrows pointing along the lanes to guide you to exactly where you need to be.
For major turn-offs, particularly on motorways, your Navman will display graphics (drawn images) of the road you are travelling on with clearly marked yellow lines guiding you in the lane you need to be in, as well as the correct highway sign highlighted in colour ( for instance “Rockdale, Wollongong A1”
How does it help?
This gives you clear, full screen navigation guidance that is easy to understand and follow, particularly if you are a visual person. Being on a multiple lane road with very fast traffic can be stressful if you don’t know where you are going, so by giving lots of advanced warning, this feature can help minimises stress and gives you confidence that you are on the right path.
Navman models with this feature: ALL
3D Junction Views With Real Signage
What is it?
At some major intersections, your Navman’s screen will switch to a realistic 3D display of the junction you're approaching and feature overhead street signage and arrows to point you in the right direction.
How does it help?
This makes navigation instructions at important turn offs even more clear, easy to understand and follow. Like the 3D junction view, this is another feature to help minimises stress and give you more confidence that you are on the right lane for important junctions and turn offs.
Navman models with this feature: All My Series models and Drive Duo models