Verizon Wireless EZ Navigator Traffic Enhanced GPS W755

I recently opened up my own Verizon Wireless account. After carefully choosing a cell phone that best suits my needs and the service contract I was ready to go. I purchased a W755. It has only been out about a month. I also choose the unlimited calling plan for 99.99 monthly access. When signing up I was informed that I was going to receive a free month of EZ Navigator. If I decided that I liked it there was a monthly charge of 9.99.

I decided that I would give it a try. If I could justify the extra 9.99 a month I would go ahead and add it to my plan.

I quickly started using the program. I live in the Metro Detroit area. I have been here almost 3 years. This product would have been more useful to me then. I will explain why.

I had to go to 8 mile. Yes, 8 mile in the ghetto. I found a car that I wanted to buy. Having been a car sales woman in the past , I knew that it didn't matter where I bought the car as long as it ran good. I specifically needed a Bonneville with the 3800 motor.

So I went into the VZ navigator application to plan a trip. I entered the destination. It is sort of like using MapQuest or Google Maps. I choose the fastest route.

The Navigator doesn't realize time of day. The Navigator picked a route that would take me right into rush hour traffic. I decided to stay on track with it to see how my first use of it went.

I entered a destination. The GPS navigator doesn't pick up on rush hour traffic. Only accidents and major delays.

The route had been calculated. The cell phone screen shows me that I am on my street with a big "X". I then hit the "talk" button. Keep in mind that the EZ Navigator voice is female. She also alerts you as you get close to each step. It does get annoying. You don't have a choice of male or female. But you do have the choice to turn the voice off and just read the directions. I wouldn't suggest that since it could cause an accident.

The GPS Navigator doesn't necessarily know the "fastest" route. GPS will give you the easiest route. Less turns, streets and cities.
I could have avoided traffic and delays by getting off on Telegraph as said before. The way we were told to take got us there without any problems. I found that Verizon EZ navigator was more accurate than MapQuest.

Now here is the irritating part of this Navigator. Unlike the navigation of a Cadillac STS, the EZ navigator does not like to reroute you if you change your route. The STS navigation will automatically start to reroute you should you change your direction.

The next day we were going to pick up the Bonneville. We choose to take the easiest/fastest way. We headed north on Telegraph. The EZ navigator picked up the change via GPS but DID not want us going that route. Telegraph has a lot of those wonderful Michigan left hand turns. Every left hand turn we approach she would guide us to turn left at Telegraph to head South back to I-96 east. After 3 unsuccessful attempts she gave up. She then recalculated our route. The EZ navigator was quickly able to pick up our signal to recalculate. Nonetheless, we arrived at our destination. A lot quicker than the day before.

We also found that if the EZ Navigator was trying to pick up your signal and you are not at a cross road it is unsuccessful. That is only while your vehicle is moving.

A friend and I went to the MGM Grand in Detroit the next day. Thank God for the Navigator. When we left it was dark and rainy. We were unable to see where to go to get back to the freeway and away from the ghettos of Detroit.

So, if you travel a lot to strange areas this is for you. You might want to do a few trial runs to get the hang of it. The 9.99 would be justifiable. Yet, if you are like me and just want to play around with it and really have no need it is a waste of 9.99 a month. Your best bet is to stick to MapQuest or Google Maps. The chances of you getting really lost is slim to none. Don't waste your money on it. Ask directions from your friendly gas station attendant. Or just print the pages that Mapquest or Google has you print. It is a lot cheaper than 9.99 a month