I recently got a new GPS device as a gift from Ramya. The gadget is the new Garmin i3 which is a small, portable GPS instrument that computes map data off a 256 MB Flash chip. The software that comes bundled along with the i3 allows users to download custom maps on the chip via a standard USB cable.

Before this acquisition, I have used Hertz’s popular Neverlost many times. In Hertz rental cars, the Neverlost system is usually located right next to the gear shifter and is a tad bit hard to look at. But it has a big screen and makes up for the inconvenience. The i3 can be positioned anywhere on the car’s windshield or the dashboard. I really would like to position it on the windshield, but Cali law prohibits any driver from hooking it on the windshield…so for now I just keep it in the cup holder. The screen is a bit small – but the clear audible prompts make it a non-issue. Assuming you are attentive enough to the prompts, there is no real need to look at the screen.

Each time I use the GPS – it amazes and delights me! This wonderful invention offers ultra convenience of not carrying paper based maps in the car anymore. Not to mention the amount of clutter, printer ink and paper it saves. It also offers a great deal of spontaneity on the road which otherwise would not be possible - unless one is familiar with the area being cruised around. Besides the fact that some satellite many miles up is having an active downlink to the little device gets me giddy each time I think about it!