Suggestaholic!

I recently signed a two-year contract extension with Verizon Wireless, and was given the opportunity to choose a shiny new phone “free of charge,” in exchange for my promise to send them a wheelbarrow full of cash for 24 months in a row.

I went with the LG enV, and so far I like it.  The lacquer-like finish on the thing collects fingerprints and ear grease, which kinda bothers me.  But overall, I’m pleased with my choice.  It opens sideways, and reveals a laptop computer-like situation that’s proven to be more convenient than anticipated.

But with fancy-ass new gadgets, usually comes an attempt to up-sell you fancy-ass new optional services.  Like, for instance, turning your phone into a GPS device.

Even though I have almost no use for such a thing (I already know how to get to Wendy’s), I’ve toyed with the idea of buying a navigation system.  It’s a sickness, this lust for fresh electronics…  Will somebody please hold me?

So, when Verizon began providing me information about their VZ Navigator service, I was intrigued.  It costs $9.99 per month or, if you only need it occasionally, $2.99 for 24 hours.  I had to give it a try, and decided to go the ala carte route on a recent day-trip to New York City.

We’d been there several times before, and pretty much knew where we were going.  But it gets kinda hairy at the end, and we always end up clinging to our MapQuest directions with a sweaty death-grip, until we’re actually landed.

So, we weren’t going into it completely blind, but, at the same time, could use a little help.  A perfect formula for a VZ Navigator test-run.

My wife plugged in the address of the park ‘n’ ride where we like to leave our car, before we’d backed out of the driveway.  And about ten seconds after she initiated it, the service had its bearings and a female voice was telling us how to drive through our town.

Immediately I noticed our new electro-friend was using actual street names.  “Take the next left, at State Avenue,” etc.  I know some of the lower-priced Garmins and Tom Toms don’t offer that feature, they only tell you to take the next left “in 50 yards.”  So, the Verizon service was already impressing us.

Also, while we were on the interstate, the woman would occasionally warn us of traffic congestion ahead.  She always made it sound much worse than it actually was, but it’s another feature you’re not going to get on an entry-level model.

The service worked almost flawlessly.  We even negotiated the confusing part near the end, with ease.  She told us to stay in the left lane during a certain part of it, and that made all the difference.  Pretty cool.  It was like having our own super-informed, non-judgmental traffic steward with us.

There are a few minor complaints, though, with an emphasis on minor. 

Our friend usually warned us of upcoming turns, only about a half-mile in advance.  I would prefer a mile.  When moving along at 80 mph, or so, you sometimes need a little extra time.  Especially when an exit turns out to be on the left, and you need to cut-off several tractor trailers not to miss it.

Also, the volume is a little low.  On the interstate, with all the road noise and whatnot, you basically have to hold the phone up to your head like you’re making a call.  Not a big deal if you’ve got a passenger with you, but it might become an issue when traveling alone.  Perhaps a set of earbuds would take care of it?

I’m sure the maps are ridiculously small on the cell phone screen as well, but who uses the maps?  I don’t.  I do much better with verbal commands, like a trained spaniel.

And this might just be paranoia, but it seemed like our new friend would get irritated with me whenever I veered off her prescribed course.  We stopped for a pee-break once, and I thought I could sense a slight edge to her voice.: recalculating!  Man, I work hard, and don’t need a bunch of gadgitude at the end of the week.  I told her she could kiss my ass.

OK, I’m only joking about the last item.  But I would like the option of changing voices on that thing.  I might want to mix it up, and go with a British accent next time, or a Southern belle, or a breathtakingly profane inner-city street criminal.  I think I’ll send Verizon a letter about it.

Overall, however, I was fairly blown away by VZ Navigator.  It’s a full-service navigation system, for a relatively small amount of money.  For a person like me, who might only need such a thing five times per year, it’s close to perfect.

Supposedly a person can even use Navigator to locate ATMs, restaurants (by cuisine!), gas stations (with current prices!!), etc.  But I didn’t do any of that stuff, I only used it to go to New York.

And it surpassed all expectations.

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