Becker Sat Navs

The town of Karlsbad, in the Black Forest area of Germany, saw the establishing of the Becker Company in the later part of the forties. The company was originally a family enterprise but in the last 60 years it has grown to become a major supplier of car audio systems and Becker satnav devices to big manufacturers in Europe.

Becker Company is now a subsidiary of Harman International Industries Inc and is known now as Harman/Becker Automotive systems, which is a US based company.

Becker SatNav systems

Becker offers a wide range of car based products including in car Becker sat nav devices, which is the satellite navigation area it specialises in. To provide users of Becker satnav with products that are easy to set up and easy to operate it provides a huge range of features that makes the Becker sat nav a pleasure to use.

To ensure super-fast positioning of your vehicle as soon as you start planning your route the GPS receiver found in Becker sat nav devices is a SiRf InstantFix II™, which works out the position and patterns of GPS satellites that are available as much as three day ahead. This also makes the plotting of your route even faster and the Becker sat nav devices will be able to recalculate the route you need to use should you stray from the planned route. All route information on the Becker satnav is provided with both Visual and verbal directions of where you need to go and it also has the facility to view your route in a turn by turn listed format. The Becker satnav displays its maps on the screen using the standard slanted 3D layout that can be found on almost any satnav system and it also has a 2D top down bird's eye view if you are looking for a simplified view of your map.

What is the current Becker sat nav product range?

There is an excellent range of Becker sat nav systems available ranging from the low-cost entry level Becker sat nav models to the top of the range model that has a higher price tag but is beautifully designed and offers loads of features that will help to plan even the most complicated route with the minimum of fuss. The number of Becker sat nav systems available will mean there will be something to suit every individual taste and requirement, like the following Becker sat nav:

Becker Z101<\strong>

This Becker sat nav device is one of the entry level models in the range but it still comes packed full of superb features including a 4.3” TFT colour touch screen, route options that can be selected individually, and turn by turn directions that can be accessed in a list format and have any section of the route you want blocked. This Becker satnav also provides the following features

4.3-inch TFT Colour / Touch Screen – The large screen on this Becker sat nav allows for easy viewing of the map and provides day and night modes so that you can see your map on your Becker sat nav at any time of day.

2D/3D/zoom functions – The option of viewing methods on your Becker sat nav will ensure that your screen layout can be displayed in a way that makes it easier for you to see where you are going.

Split screen – In this format you can set your Becker sat nav up to show your made on the right of the display and your directions on the left, which will also show distance, altitude difference, driving time and arrival time

turn-by-turn instructions – This option allows you to view the route to your destination on your Becker sat nav in a list format so you can check your route prior to leaving and if necessary remove parts that you don’t want to have displayed.

Points of interest along the route – The Becker satnav stores a massive number of locations including car parks, hotels, petrol stations, restaurants, and many great places you may find interesting, which means you will be able to find all the facilities you require when planning your journey on your Becker satnav

Lane Info – This facility will provide you with advanced warning of lane changes and will also advise you of motorway exits on your Becker sat nav, which means you will have plenty of time to get into the right lane even on the most complicated routes.

Navigation in 40 European countries – The Becker sat nav holds a huge range of map for European countries so you will be able to find your way around even when you are driving outside the UK.

Sat Nav News

Do you trust your sat nav?

Whilst many drivers in the UK have sat nav devices in their vehicles the results of recent research have shown that only a minority of drivers actually trust their sat nav systems.

Over recent years sat nav devices have become increasingly popular in the UK, and more and more people have started to use sat navs in order to get around with speed and ease. These devices are now used by regular drivers as well as professional drivers, and there are many different makes and models of sat nav available with prices to suit a range of different needs.

However, whilst sat nav devices have proven very popular amongst many drivers recent research has shown that only a minority of drivers really trust their sat nav devices. The research was carried out by Manheim Auctions, and as part of the survey three thousand drivers were polled about how much they trusted their sat nav devices.

The survey results showed that over one third of the drivers polled had got lost as a result of following instruction from their sat nav devices. Around fifteen percent of those responding also said that they blamed their sat navs for making them late for important events such as weddings or job interviews.

Around thirty percent of respondents said that their sat navs had caused them to have arguments with fellow passengers, and only one in eight of those surveyed said that they actually trusted their sat nav device. However, many experts are concerned about how reliant many drivers have become on these devices, with many failing to use other tools such as traditional road maps or an A-Z.

Source - Pocket GPS World

Sat navs directing lorries through village

It has been reported that sat navs are directing lorries through a village and are causing damage to a bridge and to properties as a result of this.

Sat nav devices have become increasingly popular over recent years, and many people have become reliant on these devices in order to get around with ease, speed, and convenience. These devices are used by the general public when driving as well as by those that drive for a living, such as lorry drivers, as it makes their job considerably easier.

However, there are concerns that sat nav devices may be sending some lorry drivers through a village, and causing damage to properties and a bridge in the area. Reports claim that lorry drivers going through the village of Beddgelert in Gwynedd are simply ignoring warning signs and are instead simply following their sat nav instructions and continuing on through the village.

One guest house owner in the area explained how the lorries had damaged her property, stating: “As a lorry came down it caught my building. It came round the corner and it actually pushed one of the windows in. I’ve got some guests in that room. It’s been pushed in a good six inches or so but it’s not collapsed.”

Another guesthouse owner claimed that her property was being damaged on a regular basis by lorries that were passing through because they were following instructions from their sat navs. She said: “Our house was built 150 years ago and I think the wall was built at around the same time. The wall is being knocked by large lorries coming round that have lost their way, shall we say, with sat-nav.”

Source - BBC

Why use handheld sat nav devices?

Whilst the benefits of having an in-car sat nav device may seem quite obvious many people may not be aware of just how useful having a handheld sat nav device can be.

Many drivers these days have become reliant on their sat nav devices in order to get around and find their way to their chosen destination easily, quickly, and conveniently. In fact, sat nav devices have become so useful that many drivers would not imagine going anywhere without one, and a huge number of drivers now no longer bother with A-Z atlases and maps, preferring instead to use their sat nav devices.

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TomTom One IQ Routes Europe can make ideal travelling companion

More and more of us these days are using sat nav devices to make travelling easier, and the TomTom One IQ Routes Europe could prove to be the ideal travelling companion for those that travel both in the UK and in other parts of Europe.

There are many sat nav systems and manufacturers on the market these days, and one of the most well known manufacturers is TomTom, which is known for its innovation, affordability, and high quality when it comes to sat nav devices. The manufacturer offers a range of sat nav systems within its range to suit a wide variety of needs and pockets, and one of these systems is the TomTom One IQ Routes Europe.
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GPS smart phones rivalling sat nav devices

According to a recent report high specification smart phones that come with GPS capabilities are increasingly competing with traditional sat nav devices

Many drivers these days have a sat nav device that they rely on to get around, and the sat nav devices that are available these days offer all sorts of features from lane assist and specialist features for HGV drivers to points of interest and much more. However, despite the evolution of the trusty sat nav there is a chance that the popularity of these devices could wane as a result of theavailability of GPS features on smart phones.
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