8. Configuring System Options

Figure 58: System Settings Main Menu

Pocket LOOX allows you to configure many aspects of its navigation software. To access the system settings menu, shown above, tap on the Options button -> Settings.

Let's take a look at the "Basic Settings" first:

Figure 59: Basic Settings, Page 1 of 7

The navigation application's "Basic Settings" are divided up into seven pages of options. Page 1 of 7, shown above, allows you to configure the following settings:

• Navigation View - Used to select your default map view for navigation. 2D displays the more traditional 2-dimensional map. 3D shows the 3D driver's view.
• 3D Autozoom - "Autozoom" automatically changes the map scale depending on your driving speed. Drive slowly and the scale decreases; drive faster and it increases.
• 2D Autozoom - Same as 3D autozoom, but for the 2D map view
• Zoom Factor - Determines how autozoom should be activated by default for the map in 2D view. Available settings are "Smaller Map Section", "Standard", and "Larger Map Section"

Figure 60: Basic Settings, Page 2 of 7

Page 2 of 7 on the Basic Settings menu allows you to configure the following options:

• 3D Map: Show Street Names - Determines whether street names are displayed when the map is in 3D view.
• 2D Map: Show Street Names - Determines whether street names are displayed when the map is in 2D view.
• 2D Map Orientation - Configures the map orientation in 2D view. Can be set to
  • "Direction of Travel: the direction in which you are driving appears at the top of the screen
  • "Always North: magnetic north appears at the top of the screen
• Show Attitude and Speed - Enables/Disables the displaying of attitude and current speed

Figure 61: Basic Settings, Page 3 of 7

Page 3 of 7 on the Basic Settings menu allows you to configure the following options:

• Display Compass - Determines whether a small compass should be displayed during navigation (Yes) or not (No).
• Show Remaining Distance - Displays remaining distance to destination and, if applicable, interim destination.
• Show Duration of Journey - Displays remaining travel time to destination and, if applicable, interim destination.
• Show Time of Arrival - Displays arrival time at destination and, if applicable, interim destination.

Figure 62: Basic Settings, Page 4 of 7

Page 4 of 7 on the Basic Settings menu allows you to configure the following options:

• Info When Crossing Borders - Displays local speed restrictions when crossing a national or country border.
• Show Signs - Displays highway signposts on the map.
• Show Lanes - Displays the preferred lane on the map.
• Show Speed Limits - Displays speed limits on the map, or only displays the speed limit if you are exceeding the limit.

Figure 63: Basic Settings, Page 5 of 7

Page 5 of 7 on the Basic Settings menu allows you to configure the following options:

• Warnings Within Urban Areas - Despite sounding like the much rumored "Ghetto Avoidance" feature, this setting actually determines the excess speed at which you would like to be warned in populated areas.
• Warnings Outside Urban Areas - Determines the excess speed at which you would like to be warned outside populated areas.
• Warn Against Certain Speed Limits - Do you want to be warned of speed restrictions that apply in special circumstances (rain, snow, certain times of day, etc.)?

Figure 64: Basic Settings, Page 6 of 7

Page 6 of 7 on the Basic Settings menu allows you to configure the following options:

• Distance Unit - Determines whether distances should be shown in Kilometers or in Miles.
• Time Format - Determines whether times should be shown in 12h (am/pm) or in 24h format.
• Coordinate Format - Allows you to specify whether decimal coordinates or coordinates in minutes and seconds should be displayed.
• Brightness Day - Sets the degree of brightness (1 to 8) for the display in "day" mode.

Figure 65: Basic Settings, Page 7 of 7

Page 7 of 7 on the Basic Settings menu allows you to configure the following options:

• Brightness Night - Sets the brightness (1 to 8) for the display in "night" mode.
• Speed-Dependent Volume - Automatically increases the volume as your speed increases.
• Show Demo - Sets the time interval after which a product demo appears in cases where the navigation system is not being used.

Figure 66: Configuring POI Settings

The POI Settings Menu, shown above in figure 66, allows you to configure the following POI-related settings:

• Categories Shown - Configures which of the 26 available POI categories will be displayed on the map.
• Direct Access 1 - Used to set the category that should be available in the quick link 1 and for the POI on your route function
• Direct Access 2 - Used to set the category that should be available in the quick link 2 and for the POI on your route function
• Direct Access 3 - Used to set the category that should be available in the quick link 3 and for the POI on your route function

9. Routing Engine Performance

I tested the Pocket LOOX in several trips along the Northeast between Washington and Boston, including trips in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. Routing engine performance was acceptable but not outstanding. Once an address or POI was input as a destination (no small feat, considering the horrible address input / search system), Pocket LOOX did successfully route me to the destination. Routing was on par with TomTom's systems, lagging behind Garmin, Magellan, and LG.

Pocket LOOX lacks text-to-speech technology, so you won't hear actual street name announced while driving. Nor does Pocket LOOX announce what side of the street the destination address is on - both features found on similarly priced competitors.