During the last two decades, Panama City has had an explosive urban growth. The changes have been so dramatic that the metropolis has changed its physiognomy completely. When I go out and drive through the city, I think I’m somewhere else. It’s not the same city I’ve known since I arrived here in 1962.
In order to avoid confusions entering or exiting the fast lanes known as the Corredor Norte and Corredor Sur, I decided to acquire a GPS device. According to what I’ve researched about the gadget, it will guide me effectively and efficiently through the jungle of concrete and steel of Panama City, Panama. The model of the GPS device is the Garmin Nüvi 50. If you like techie stuff, here they are for your full enjoyment.
- Unit Dimensions: 5.5W x 3.44H x 0.70D inches
- Display size: 4.4W x 2.5 H inches, 5.0 inches diagonal
- Display resolution: 480 x 272 pixels
- Display type: WQVGA color TFT with white backlight
- Weight: 6.3 ounces
- Battery: rechargeable lithium-ion
- Battery life: Up to 2 hours
- Ability to add maps other than Canada or the United States
- Topographic map compatible
- Street map compatible
- System requirements: This USB mass storage device is compatible with Windows XP or newer and Mac OS X 10.4 or later
- Speaks street names, (e.g., turn right on Elm Street in 500 feet)
- Automatic routing (turn-by-turn routing on roads)
- Custom Points of Interest (ability to add points of interest)
- Where Am I? feature (find closest hospitals, police and gas stations, nearest address and intersection.)
- Touchscreen
- Speed limit indicator
- Garmin Garage vehicles compatible (download car icons)
- Garmin Garage voices compatible (download custom voices)
- USA maps preloaded street maps for the lower 49 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico
The Nüvi has a big 5″ touchscreen display, more than 8 million points of interest (POIs) and spoken turn-by-turn directions. There’s no more guessing which lane you need to be in to make an upcoming turn. Available in metropolitan areas, lane assist with junction view, guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. It realistically displays road signs and junctions on your route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation.
Its touchscreen screen is easy to look up addresses and services and to be guided to your destination with voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions that speak street names in Spanish, English and other languages. Nüvi 50′s speed limit indicator shows you haw fast you can go on most major roads in your country.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
The orange envelope contain the map of Panama embedded in a micro 3D 2GB SD card which is inserted into one of the sides of the Garmin Nüvi 50. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Snapshot of the open box containing the Garmin Nüvi 50. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Snapshot of the Garmin Nüvi GPS device in the middle of the picture together with the plastic mount and cradle towards your left and the power jack towards your right. You can recharge the battery by plugging a power cord to your auto lighter inlet. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
I took the puppy out for a ride this morning when I went for a hair cut. It worked well and I could see the names of the streets and a map of Panama City while I drove to the barber shop. There wasn’t much I could do, because I haven’t read the owner’s manual yet. Will get acquainted with the device in the upcoming days. Needless to say, I’m very excited with this new electronic toy.
Oh, before I forget. The device can be had for $199.97 and the micro CD card with the map of Panama for $99.97. You also have to pay a 7 percent VAT tax to the Panama government. The total expenditure for being able to drive safely in the ever-expanding city was $320.94. As you can see, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Good Day.
Reference: Instructional Videos on the Garmin Nüvi 50 GPS Device - GPSCity.com
