A Glance at PND-K3 Portable Navigation System

Although not a popular name in the GPS business outside America, Alpine is well known for their quality car electronics. The company is offering a nice user interface GPS device called the PND-K3. Alpine's PND-K3 portable navigator features a bright 4.3" widescreen display so you can get a good look at the preloaded maps of Canada and the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Search among 6 million points of interest for quick access to restaurants, attractions, hotels, and other important stops in your area. The GPS comes with a database with 6 million POIs, and you can have up to eight categories displayed on the map. With this, you can enter a specific address, intersection, or coordinates; choose a point of interest (POI); select from a list of previously visited locations; or navigate to a programmed home address. The K3 supports multi-destination trips, allowing you to add numerous waypoints along your route. The PND-K3 offers Bluetooth connectivity so you can make and receive hands-free calls with your compatible phone. You can transfer your phone's address book and call history to the K3. The Alpine PND-K3 features text- and voice-guided directions in English, Spanish, or French. In addition, the unit has text-to-speech functionality so you'll hear actual street names instead of generic voice prompts. Maps are presented in 2D or 3D view, and while driving a specified route, the map screen will show you the distance to and direction of your next turn as well as the street name, your current driving speed, estimated time of arrival, and other useful information.