Garmin nRoute Scripts.

If you buy the GPS 18, it is recommended that you buy the USB version so that the sensor can draw its power through the USB cable from your laptop. Be sure your purchase includes a DVD with the nRoute navigation software, and City Navigator which is a large map data base. If your laptop doesn't have a DVD drive, it is still possible to install the software, see the nRoute Scripts help file for details.

Besides the DVD, the GPS 18 package contains a 3 inch disk shaped satellite sensor that is connected to a 6 foot USB cable that you connect to your laptop's USB port.

Note: The GPS 18 is not recommended for navigating city streets on foot. It is unwieldy to carry the setup of a laptop, cable and sensor around with you, and it is difficult to type on a laptop keyboard unless you are in a sitting position. Also, your position determined by satellites is accurate only to within 10 to 50 feet, and be aware that it can't do what a guide dog does well such as locating sidewalks, crossing safely at intersections and hazard avoidance.

The nRoute software uses a clear female voice that is slightly louder than the JAWS voice. This voice is announced over your laptop's speakers and it announces some status messages and turn by turn directions. However, there is a wealth of additional information available on the nRoute screens which can be accessed and spoken by JAWS through the nRoute Scripts. The overall accessibility of the nRoute software with the scripts is very good, and the scripts work with all versions of JAWS from JAWS 5.0 to the present.

The nRoute Scripts can speak the following information while you are navigating in your vehicle.

• The description of the next maneuver such as "Turn left on Maple Street".
• The distance to the next maneuver.
• The time to the next maneuver.
• Your vehicle's speed.
• Your elevation above sea level.
• JAWS can automatically announce your elevation whenever you arrive at the elevation that you specify in the elevation increment (between 10 to 1000 feet or meters). For example, if you select an elevation increment of 100 feet, JAWS will announce your elevation when you arrive at 100 feet, 200 feet, 300 feet etc.
• Your compass heading such as north or southwest.
• JAWS can automatically announce whenever your vehicle turns to a new compass heading.
• Your compass bearing such as 285 degrees.
• The name of the upcoming crossstreet if one is nearby such as "Main Street ahead".
• JAWS can automatically announce all upcoming crossstreets.
• Your approximate street address. This address will change as you proceed down a street.
• JAWS can automatically announce the street name whenever you turn onto a new street.
• Your current latitude and longitude.
• Whether or not satellites have determined your 2D or 3D position on the earth.
• The accuracy of the satellite position.
• A list of all satellites that are above the horizon and their acquired status.

Note: Garmin has released a new version of nRoute that has not yet been tested with the scripts, however you may still use the old version of nRoute with the new map CD. You may download the old version. Contact Accessible Programs if you are interested.

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