When dealing with anomalies like tunnels, heavy foliage, and heavy urban areas with tall buildings, the PNA also does very well. This is due to the high quality 12-channel receiver built into the unit, which many handheld GPS units and PDA GPS accessories lack. When you're in a tunnel, you lose GPS coverage, but this navigation software is able to compensate by locking onto the GPS signal when you emerge and putting you back on course.

If you miss a turn, you can hit the Re-route (F2) key and the PNA re-computes your route based on your current position. I've done this going 65mph on Interstate 287 in New York. I inadvertently missed an exit, and the PNA compensated just fine and generated an alternate course to my destination. This also comes in handy when I drive into Manhattan during rush hour and have to make choices concerning alternate routes into the city depending on traffic reports (such as determining whether or not to take the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel when approaching the New Jersey Turnpike).

While you're driving you can access additional information about your calculated route by pressing Route Info (F3). The Route Info screen displays your speed, elapsed time since the beginning of the route, distance you've traveled from the start, and distance remaining to your destination, as you can see in Figure H. Meanwhile, at the same time you're viewing this screen, all turn-by-turn voice instructions continue to be spoken as you drive.

FIGURE H


The Route Info screen displays your speed, elapsed time since the beginning of the route, distance you've traveled from the start, and distance remaining to your destination. Roll over picture for a larger image.

At any time, you may press the Map/Nav key to display a detailed street map of your current location, as shown in Figure I.

FIGURE I


At any time, you may display a detailed street map of your current location. Roll over picture for a larger image.

The white arrow on the screen indicates your current position on the map and points in the direction you're heading. The PNA includes multiple map viewing options, including multiple zoom ins and zoom outs, show the entire route, show just the remainder of the route, zoom to the start location, zoom to the destination location, and zoom to the current location. Although the map is small in size, it's particularly useful in giving you a visual idea of your route before you start driving or a diagram of your next few upcoming turns.

Useful tool or yuppie toy?
All of this stuff sounds well and good, but is it worth the expense? If you drive a lot, and are frequently in situations where you need directions, it's a fantastic product. It works as advertised and is perhaps the most impressive example of automobile navigation technology on the market.

The PNA doesn't come cheap, however. On the average, a PNA setup will run you between $1,200 and $1,800, depending on the size of the memory card needed. You also have to factor in the expense of quarterly updates and a laptop computer or PC equipped with a PC Card reader. Keep in mind, however, that most dedicated navigation systems will run between $3,000-$5,000, and your basic AutoPC equipped with GPS and CoPilot will run you anywhere from about $1,500 and up. So, at an average of about $1,500 for a PNA, it's not a raw deal. I expect that with advances in data storage miniaturization, near-future implementation of third generation wireless networks and the increase in demand for these types of products, the cost of similar units will drop down to under $1,000 over the next few years.

Jason Perlow is a contributing editor with Windows CE Power Magazine. When he's not recompiling his Linux kernel or scouring the net for great Linux software, he can be reached at perlow@hotmail.com.