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Don't Get Lost In Your Mercedes

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

Ahh, GPS systems are so passé all by themselves. Why bother with all that programming when you can simply send the directions to your car from Google or Yahoo! Maps?

Mercedes-Benz appears to be the first automaker to implement the idea, which simply involves sending the directions to your car, pressing the i-button and either loading up the directions or saving them for later via the Mercedes-Benz Tele Aid System.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the Search & Send is available starting on the 2007 S-Class, CL-Class, and 2008 C-Class with the Multimedia Package and Navigation System.

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Tags: google, gps, maps, mercedes, navigation, yahoo

Pioneer AVIC-D3: In-Dash Everything

by Anton Friant (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Despite rampant reports of careless drivers placing complete trust in their in-dash navigation systems (like wrapping their shiny new ride around a tree or driving uninhibitedly into a construction zone), the market for GPS directions is expected to grow over 163% next year. Pioneer's AVIC-D3 will pack a whole host of entertainment features to its 6" touchscreen, but the real kicker is the unit's complete iPod support and Bluetooth capabilities; even if you're streaming video from your iPod and following directions at the same time, the unit will put everything on hold to tell you that you have a call from your mother reminding you to pick up a gallon of milk on your way home for Thanksgiving dinner.

The AVIC-D3 will be available in March 2007 with a retail price to be determined at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show.

[via BornRich]

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Tags: AVIC-D3, bluetooth, gps, iPod, navigation, pioneer

Bimmer Traffic System

by Trey Evans (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Cars & Autos

My buddy Ben and I were driving to Dave & Buster's earlier this summer trying to get onto Loop 12 from I-20 in Dallas and Spur 408 was closed, so I had to pull over, and ask my nav system (Lexus won't let you do anything in the nav if your car is moving) to reroute me. Bimmer has solved this seemingly trivial issue by sending real time traffic updates to owners of certain models' GPS systems. If there's a wreck or a traffic way closure, you'll know and can plan accordingly or have the guidance system take you around the problem. Pretty cool.

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Tags: bmw, navigation, traffic

Even Luxury Yachts Can Sink

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Shortly after setting out with their brand new Fairline Squadron 58, a 60-foot luxury yacht, two Norwegian men ran it into some submerged rocks and it sank. The men abandoned the sinking ship in the rubber lifeboat, which also started to sink. The Norwegian rescue crews believe that the men were relying too much on their electronic charts and it was an error in navigation (either an error in reading the charts or in the charts themselves) that caused the boat to hit the rocks. The yacht was valued at $2 million and featured four bedrooms, with room for 10 people.

The lesson learned here is that, while fancy electronic equipment is great in a yacht, it's also good if you know how to sail before you set out. And that it's probably a good idea to check the condition of the life boat, just to be safe.

[Image Aftenposten]

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Tags: boat, cruise, fairline, fairline squadron, luxury yacht, LuxuryYacht, navigation, norway, norwegian, sail, sailing, yacht