It is strange to be the only person in the car and have to quiet competing voices. My iPod runs through my car audio system (thanks to a clever bit of Soundgate wiring) so I can pause my iPod from my steering wheel when my car GPS system gives me instructions. There is an easier way to listen to audiobooks while driving through unfamiliar territory. With Audible ready GPS devices, the GPS software automatically mutes the audiobook while audio directions are being given.
How do Car GPS Systems Play Audio?
At first the idea of a car GPS device playing an audiobook seems dubious. Will the sound pipe through the little GPS speaker? Are the words read by a sat-nav voice? Neither. The audiobook runs through the car speakers by wirelessly transmitting through the FM radio or through a jack, so it is the regular audiobook performed by the regular reader.
When the audiobook is going through the FM transmitter, the quality can be diminished. Pay attention to the audiobook formatting when downloading books from Audible. The E (enhanced) audiobooks are the highest quality, and they have the richest sound. Not all of the Audible ready GPS devices are able to handle E audiobooks.
Audible Ready GPS Systems
Many Garmin gps navigation devices can play Audible audiobooks, but not at the same quality level. Because Audible files are protected, it is important to have the right device or the enhanced files won't play at all, which is a problem with Audible files and 1st and 2nd generation iPod Nanos. There are four gps systems that can play enhanced audiobooks.
- Garmin Aera 500 Series is for planes and cars. The GPS system has two modes, and the audiobooks play when the Area 500 is set for cars.
- Garmin BMW Navigator IV is a motorcycle GPS system. It can be used in cars with the proper mounting kit, and it can run through motorcycle speakers as well as through a bluetooth headset.
- Garmin Nuvi 7x5 isn't for planes or motorcycles, just cars. The Nuvi series includes the 765T and 785T, which have bluetooth transmitters.
- Garmin Zumo 660 means you can listen to audiobooks on a motorcycle or in a car with a car kit. The Zumo 660 wirelessly transmits through a headphone. It only handles level 4 files and enhanced audio files.
Of the four GPS units able to play enhanced audio, only the Garmin Nuvi is in a typical price range for a car navigation system. The rest are well over $500.
A list of all the US Audible ready GPS systems can be found from Audible.com, The Audible.co.uk site has a a simliar list of UK Audible ready GPS devices. They list all the formats that can be used on different devices, but remember that the lower the number, the lower the quality of the files.
Sources
Information about which devices are Audible compatible was accessed on Audible.com and Audible.co.uk on September 5, 2010.
Information about Garmin GPS navigation systems was accessed on Garmin.com on September 5, 2010.
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
