1GPS | Global Positioning Systems

Lost About GPS? Heres Some Direction!

If you've been confounded by all the technical jargon and hype surrounding GPS, confusing what's turning out to be a very useful tool, allow me to shed a little light on your roadmap to deciding whether or not this technology is for you! Originally designed with military applications in mind, the technology was made available to mere mortals in hte 1980's for the many and varied uses we've found so far for these special tools. Not only handy for auto navigation, GPS units have made their way into maritime navigation, backcountry uses, and much, much more!

How does GPS work? GPS (which stands for Global Positioning System) allows you to pinpoint your position anywhere on the planet to within an average of 15 meters, with some units doing much better than that. Twenty-four GPS satellites, paid for and placed in orbit by the Dept. of Defense courtesy of your tax dollars, send signals back to terra firma 24/7. These signals are retrieved by your handy dandy GPS receiver which uses three sources (satellites) to triangulate this information and compute your actual position. If there are four data sources, even altitude can be determined. Since there are normally eight satellites in line of sight from anywhere on earth, the opportunity for accurate positioning exists. Other things that can be determined besides latitude, longitude, and altitude would include things like speed, sunrises and sunsets, bearing, distance and more. While they will work in any weather, some hindrances would be electronic interference, buildings, and certain terrain. A good rule of thumb is that the units will generally not perform underwater, indoors, or underground. There are currently two Global Navigation Satellite Systems in use. Besides GPS, there is the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) Protocols are constantly being refined to enhance the abilities of these systems. A bright light on the horizon is Galileo, scheduled to go online in 2008, which promises even greater accuracy and functionality.

So how do I know which GPS unit is for me? Quite a few choices now exist for consumers in the GPS marketplace. Whether you need a handheld unit for backpacking or boating, or one for your automobile (they are becoming an attractive option!) or for one of a myriad of uses, there are several reputable manufacturers of quality GPS units out there to help you find your way through the maze of choices. Names like Magellan, Garmin, Rino, Etrex and Meridian lead the market, and are readily available. Take your time, check out the various features each has to offer, and get yourself outfitted with one of the more useful and efficient navigational tools out there today!

Keith Thompson is the webmaster at Best GPS Review where many resources and information on GPS can be found.

Golf GPS Products



Click the little box...very cool!
Mister Linker

Sexy Hot Rod Market - GPS Products for Cars

Garmin Magellan TomTom

MORE GPS ARTICLES:

Easy Navigation in the Woods or on the Water with the Garmin eTrex GPS Handheld
I am an expert navigator with a map & compass but neither is as effective or as easy as the eTrex.I highly recommend the Gramin eTrex as a basic navigational aide.

Types of GPS (Global Positioning System = Tracking Systems) Available For Your Vehicle
Traveling around new places has become a great deal easier with the advent of Global Positioning System (GPS) Earlier, when we planed an excursion to a new destination we were often concerned about navigation our way in the unknown vicinity

SysLOCATE Announces Launch of S3000i GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit
SysLOCATE adds an internal antenna to their GPS vehicle tracking unit. This allows dealers to install a GPS unit in all their cars and be able to track and recover a stolen vehicle. This is especially helpful for dealers that provide financing at their location (buy here, pay here) as the default rate on loans is over 30%.

GPS Rating Systems - Read GPS Reviews Before Buying Your GPS Device
A full review of General Positioning Satellite (GPS) review is required in order to buy the best possible GPS device Due to the wide options offered to you, choosing one GPS device can be a daunting experience

Download Free Maps GPS - Enhancing Your GPS Device With Additional GPS Maps
Several General Positioning System (GPS) maps are already provided with your GPS device when you buy it Because these maps are offered for free, there is an overhead in getting them

GPS System Tracking - Applications of GPS Tracking System
The General Positioning System (GPS) tracking system is the latest breakthrough of the technology aiming at improving people?s lives The GPS tracking system is reported to be used as a travel guide and as a tracking device of vehicles

GPS Tracking Equipment - An Overview of the GPS Live Vehicle Tracking Equipment
The GPS live vehicle tracking equipment is just an outstanding state-of-the-art electronic equipment By making use of signals from satellites in the space, with the advent of the General Positioning Satellite (GPS), it is now possible to know the position, direction and speed of any car in real time with the GPS live car tracking tool

Real Time Gps Vehicle Tracking Devices
A real Time Gps vehicle tracking device is a gift of 21st century. Gps tracking device uses satellite network to track a vehicle on real time. Gps tracker can be installed to a vehicle, and it always keeps in touch with a network of satellites to pinpoint a vehicle.

GPS Tracking and Vehicle Tracking Leader Incorporates Google Maps Into Web Tracking Software
Global Tracking Communications, Inc., a leading North American supplier of GPS tracking equipment and web enabled software, announces they will incorporate Google Maps into the latest version of their Globaltrack web tracking and reporting software service.

InSight USA Announces Advanced GPS Navigation Interface with Latest Release of StreetEagle GPS Tracking Software
Combining advanced GPS tracking with Garmin in-vehicle navigation, route dispatching, and customized two-way messaging, InSight USA announces the latest release of the StreetEagle GPS tracking software with Garmin Fleet Management Interface.

Map For GPS Handheld - Getting New GPS Maps For Your Handheld Units
A lightweight and handheld General Positioning Satellite (GPS) device with the highest number of GPS maps installed is always helpful Ideally, all these maps should be as accurate as possible with the most detailed information available for your trips so that it will become your perfect travel companion

Falcon GPS Tracking Announces Internet Global Positioning System (GPS) With Internet Based Vehicle Tracking Capabilities
New GPS tracking system offers a new avenue to parents seeking to keep their teenage drivers safe.

Groundbreaking Technology in Global Positioning System (GPS) Internet Vehicle Tracking Now Being Sold to the Public at JRM-GPS.com
JRM-GPS.com Website Offers a 15% Year-End Discount

DriveOK Inc Launches Light-Duty GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit
DriveOK is launching an inexpensive GPS vehicle tracking unit designed for light duty fleet and consumers. This is the perfect GPS tracking device for parents with teen drivers. With more than 60,000 units in the field DriveOK has found a way to bring a quality unit at an affordable price.