GPS With No Screen: Ideal For Motorcycles? |
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File under Gadgets GPS
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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French Kapsys  have released a credit card size GPS with no screen. The GPS is driven by vocal commands (from and to), and interfaces with mobile phones and Bluetooth headsets.
Kapsys's Kapten is meant for any form of transportation, from pedestrian, to bicycle, to motorcycle, to cars (you tell it which). Its built-in battery will last 6 hours. The Kapten also sports a MP3 player and FM radio. Stick the unit in your shirt pocket, slip on a Bluetooth headset for helmets (any should do), climb on your motorcycle, and listen to the unit guide you to your destination.
If along the way you find a Point of Interest (POI but called K-tags by Kapsys), press a button to mark the location. Then speak the name of the place and store it. You can also make a photo of the POI using your mobile phone and transfer to photo to your unit. Later, at home, you can upload your locations to the Kapsys social website, sharing interesting locations with other users.
Using the Kapsys is done via voice. Speak the name of the street, or location (like "Nico's Pizza at Main street") and the GPS will guide you there. While you riding your motorcycle (or bicycle, car or rollerblades) to the destination, you tell the Kapsys to turn on the music, either stored MP3 or FM radio. You've got 4 Gb to store your music, so enough to get you to your destination.
Mobile Phone
Your mobile phone rings while riding? You can answer it using your GPS, and talk to the other party (remember to pull over, since it's dangerous to ride & talk).
A list of compatible mobile phones can be found on their web site.
Maps
So far, the unit only has France preloaded in its memory, and can probably only understand French commands, but I presume that may change. You can purchase individual city maps for major European cities for €4.90 per city.
Audio Guides
You can use the GPS also as an Audio Guide. For example, while riding (or walking) through the Left Bank of Paris, take the guided tour of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, listening to its history, and being pointed out the landmarks while you pass them (the advantage of GPS). Audio Books cost €4.90 per guide.
The Kapten GPS can be very interesting for motorcycle, riding in a city where they need to find a certain address. Having a GPS screen on your handlebar, though easy, can be a major distraction, and prove to be dangerous. Using vocal commands can certainly be an advantage.
Price: €179.
Click here for more information (in French, of course)
Click here for an informative website about the unit (still in French though).
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