I am currently employed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in south Florida. My current position requires me to travel all over south Florida.
I was interested in purchasing a GPS unit for my rental vehicle until I checked into the price.
A co-worker mentioned to me that I could obtain software for my notebook computer and use that in my vehicle as a GPS unit. I checked into the price of the software and a USB GPS receiver and was happy to find the cost very affordable. Naturally the next step was to purchase a power inverter to power my notebook computer. I responded to my local discount store and they had in stock a 200 watt power inverter that plugged into a cigarette lighter and the cost was $39.95.
The software, USB GPS receiver and power inverter cost a total of $170.00. This was several hundred dollars cheaper than a dedicated GPS unit for my vehicle. Plus I was able to travel with my notebook computer and enjoy the hundreds of songs I have stored on it.
I am using a HP zd8000 notebook with a 17 inch widescreen. Being in the over 40 age group, the widescreen makes it easy to see while driving.
Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your prospective, I burnt up two of the local discount stores power inverters. I did my research on power inverters using the web and located Inverters R Us. On the front of their web page was an Aims 400 watt power inverter for $34.95. I immediately ordered this inverter and installed it in my rental vehicle. It powers my notebook computer without evening working hard. I have plenty of power leftover for the second ac outlet on the inverter. I have not found a full time use for the second outlet yet, but its nice to know its there.
Just last week my boss and I traveled the southeast area of Florida to include Fort Lauderdale and Miami to check eleven (11) seperate sites for FEMA. We used my notebook and Aims power inverter to map out our route and travel from one site to the next in the most profecient way. We were doing fine until the mapping software directed us to a deadend street, showing it as a through street. Now I don't know if you have ever been in this area, but it can get confusing. Fortunately the Aims inverter worked flawlessly and I was able to re-route us with the mapping software and successfully complete our mission.
My boss has since purchased the Aims 400 watt power inverter from Inverters R Us and is adapting his notebook computer to use in his vehicle as a GPS unit.
