There was a time when traveling from point A to point B was a relatively simple affair. Back then, one would look up at the daytime sun to figure out what direction they were headed in and then hike or sail onward. As you can imagine, this wasn’t the most accurate way of getting around but it was the only way at that time. Then the automobile appeared on the landscape, and things quickly became complicated. Paved interstates, bridges, roundabouts, dead ends - you name it. All sorts of things added to the stress factor of the trip experience.

So what’s an RVer to do when all he has is a dated road map, the local news radio station and his companion in the passenger seat telling him where to go? This is where the CoPilot laptop navigation system comes in. This one-stop-shop, one-size-fits-all GPS system has so many features that if you get lost—well, you must have subconsciously wanted to.

Start with the street-level maps of the US and Canada featuring over 750,000 miles of updated byways and 60,000 miles of new ones. There is a 3D map display with mileage markers and moving maps and a 2D map auto-zoom feature that can zero in on your next turn, next stop or any point that is close to your current position. CoPilot also contains listings of over six million points of interest with phone numbers and allows you to customize your own database for personal contacts, favorite haunts, what have you.

Plus—and this is what you will really love about this marvel of modern software—CoPilot includes a real-time traffic feature that helps you avoid hateful traffic jams. Also, it has an RV routing setting with 12’6” and 13’ height clearance options, so you’ll never again have to guess whether you can make it under an overpass or through a drive-thru.

You say how much more help could one possibly need? Well, the system also offers voice-guided directions to any address and allows you to customize the voice you’re listening to. This voice technology is two-way, meaning it not only gives instructions but will also respond to your commands. Nice!

But wait. There’s even more. Fact is, the CoPilot engineers have thought of everything. The system’s advanced features include toll road alerts; highway-level information for Mexico and Puerto Rico; automatic route recalculation, in case you miss a turn; and routing options so that you can decide whether to take the highway or a local road, for an RV as well as for autos. It even offers toll avoidance routes.

More so, the almost obsessively detailed program lets you know what side of the street your destination is on and issues lane change warnings to let you know about left lane exits, allowing plenty of time to exit safely. There’s even a scenic routing function featuring over 500 beautiful drives encompassing more than 40,000 miles of U.S. roadways!

How do I sum it up? With the CoPilot laptop navigation system you can relax and enjoy the ride. After all, isn’t that what RVing is all about? For more information visit www.alk.com.