News: Car Renters Find Direction Via Satellite

[dbaker]

Car Renters Find Direction Via Satellite

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Satellite-based communications devices providing everything from roadside accident assistance to directions are slowly making inroads into the rental car market.

Hertz, for instance, says 40,000 of its vehicles -- or about 10 percent of its fleet -- are now equipped with ''NeverLost,'' a fixed on-board system that gives drivers precise route directions and corrects those who stray off course with computer-generated verbal instructions.

10%, sigh.

[dbaker]

Car Renters Find Direction Via Satellite

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Satellite-based communications devices providing everything from roadside accident assistance to directions are slowly making inroads into the rental car market.

Hertz, for instance, says 40,000 of its vehicles -- or about 10 percent of its fleet -- are now equipped with ''NeverLost,'' a fixed on-board system that gives drivers precise route directions and corrects those who stray off course with computer-generated verbal instructions.

10%, sigh.

[businesstraveler]

Check out the GPS V and StreetPilot from Garmin

Rand McNally and Delorme offer GPS units for the Palm.

Powerloc offers the Destinator for the PocketPC.

[Nugget]

It's not the 10% figure that I find so demoralizing, it's knowing that "10% of our vehicles" really means "A lot of our Grand Marquis vehicles and a few token SUVs for good measure" leaving most of us screwed.

I don't want to have to rent a damn land yacht just to get the GPS.

[BuffaloNY]

I don't know if this is just because I'm Gold Club, but I was given a brand new Camry with Neverlost on a recent trip BUF - BWI. I didn't ask for it or reserve it. I never tried Neverlost before and can attest to the fact that it's really quite helpful.

I never once had to open a paper map while in DC - which, although a grid, is a big grid that is hard to master on one's first trip in a long time. I was able to simply find my hotel via the yellow pages listing on Neverlost, and I got audible commands that brought me right to the front desk.

In fact, the chime would tell me to make a required turn at almost the exact moment I put the signal on. Quite remarkable and helpful.

[Nugget]

Yeah, I've got to agree. Having the NeverLost in a car is a real benefit even if one is generally handy with directions and navigation. I particularly like the ability to set a destination by establishment name, instead of simple street address -- it's a feature I use often to find my way to the nearest Steak 'n Shake when travelling. (which, in RTP, means Greensboro 80 miles down the road).

[adammike82]

Originally Posted by BuffaloNY

I don't know if this is just because I'm Gold Club, but I was given a brand new Camry with Neverlost on a recent trip BUF - BWI. I didn't ask for it or reserve it. I never tried Neverlost before and can attest to the fact that it's really quite helpful.

I never once had to open a paper map while in DC - which, although a grid, is a big grid that is hard to master on one's first trip in a long time. I was able to simply find my hotel via the yellow pages listing on Neverlost, and I got audible commands that brought me right to the front desk.

In fact, the chime would tell me to make a required turn at almost the exact moment I put the signal on. Quite remarkable and helpful.

Hi,
Did you get the chance to access the exact signal? Well i tried also, its really works after 2nd try