GPS, or Global Positioning System has been operational since December 1993, but its history lies much further back to the 1940s when ground based navigation systems such as Decca Navigator began. This, while it planted the seed of inspiration would not take another step forward until the 1957 launch of the first Sputnik by the Soviet union showed that satellites were a possibility.

In the beginning the system was only intended for military use, but that changed in 1983 when a Soviet interceptor plane shot down a civilian aircraft in restricted Soviet space killing all on board, after the craft had mistakenly wandered off course. This was something that GPS could have prevented, and so President Reagan soon announced that GPS would be available for all once it was complete.

GPS is a satellite controlled navigation system that is used by the military and general public alike. For the general public it is a useful tool, a step forward from the one dimensional and none interactive maps that some people find difficult to read and follow. There are many different brands of GPS receivers, and they each offer different features, some of which may not even be related to GPS.

Prices for GPS devices start at around $100 for a basic device that is monochrome and hand held, and increase to more than $2000 for a larger, colour device with a greater number of features. At it’s most basic however, GPS is not a stand alone, or navigation aid.

The lower level devices would be a hand-held GPS navigation tool, such that might include preloaded maps of the country of purchase, be waterproof and have a backlit LCD screen. Or for similar pricing a basic GPS device with colour screen, voice guidance to tell you when to take what turns and onto what streets, the power to add new maps, and may have a choice of languages and choice of the voice that the GPS uses.

At around $200 you add in features such as a touch screen to your GPS device for inputting addresses and accessing menus as well as blue tooth capability. Another step up and you see features such as AAA tour books added in and automatic redirect; and important feature for a GPS navigator because you can never be sure when you will miss a turn and need to get back on track via an alternative route.

At the top end, GPS devices include such things as voice recognition, allowing you to speak your start and end points, and any points of interest in best. They might also include non-GPS features like DVD players, iPod docks and even give you traffic updates.

Indisputably, Garmin is the world’s biggest manufacturer of consumer gps and the name has almost become synonymous with the product. The company has a long and envious history of producing quality and versatile GPS. Garmin has produced many kinds of GPS – some for automobiles, hikers, etc. Within each category there are different models to suit every activity.

For example the Garmin StreetPilot c340 has a text to speech functionality. So you have the added advantage of hands free operation and then the ability to concentrate on the road whilst driving and not looking at the GPS display to see what is written there. This mode of operation can take complex commands such as Turn Right at Next Intersection. This feature is a big plus for people who need to keep looking ahead on the road whilst driving fast.

This device can also be fitted with a traffic receiver so you can get real time traffic information. With this
feature, you can avoid traffic jams, road, diversions etc so you can reach your destination quicker.

Garmin also has the Nuvi 200 which is quite basic compared to others by the same manufacturer. But they come with some interesting fittings such as the unit converter. For those who want enhanced functionality, you can subscribe to travel information services.

This low cost range has some good features too such as the SD card slot to allow for the installation of add ons like extra maps.

The favorite in the 300 series of the garmein GPS is the Garmnin. 396. This product is an improvement over the 200 series as it displays information on satellite weather, has colorful maps and displays terrain warnings. Perhaps the biggest feature is the ability of the 396 to warn the user of any disturbances in the area of approach. For example if there is war or a conflict, you are informed accurately. The 396 also deserves some commendation for its crystal clear images which are visible in even poor light.

Magellan Review:

Magellan GPS is the preferred navigation system by many people because of its high adaptability. You can use the Magellan GPS as a portable hand held device or mounted permanently in your vehicle to give weather, traffic and road directions.

The uses of the Magellan GPS are beyond description. As a navigation system you can use it to find your way in unknown cities – saving the time you spend asking people for directions and sometimes getting lost due to poor descriptions and cardinals. Aside that, the Magellan GPS can be used as a car tracker. If you had you car stolen, you can use the signals beaming from the system to track the location of the car.

Magellan GPS come in various models and each has its specialties. The Magellan Triton displays full color maps and data with excellent graphics. This product is very rugged and is waterproof. The Magellan Maestro is ultra slim and touch screen enabled. You can see your maps in 2D or 3D modes as you want.

This unit also has voice alerts so you do not need to read the instructions on screen.

The Magellan CrossoverGPS is pocket-sized but has all the advanced features of the car and hand held types. It is good for hiking, camping, fishing or other personal outdoor activity.

The Magellan RoadMate has thousands of road maps and Point of Interest data. So you never get lost with this device. You have both audio and visual road directions. The outstanding feature of the Magellan crossover is the Integrated Receiver Feeds LIVE incident reports that brings you real time update of road conditions.

The eXplorist can save tracks and other Points of Interest in a more versatile way than the others. The map can be expanded and has been designed for both right and left handed people. You have one touch access to all other features and the menu of the system. The backlight makes the display readable during day and night without trouble. Most importantly, you can customize the screen to display only the information you want.

Can you remember taking trips by car trying to read those directions while trying to drive? Or perhaps you carried a bulky atlas or relied on your own intuition to get you where you wanted to go. Fortunately, your driving experience can be better now.

Times have changed and GPS automobile navigation systems are readily available and perfectly capable of taking you wherever you want to go. Newer automobiles come complete with GPS systems built in but you can purchase a system separately for any vehicle you own.

Before even pricing a system, you’ll want to look into how easy a system is to use. If you find a system that’s too complicated to use, you’ll never be able to operate it within your vehicle, especially when driving. Nothing is more dangerous than trying to program your GPS system while on the fly. Try to find one you can use easily and that can be programmed with just a few touches of the buttons. A GPS system with a big display is important, too. If you find that the display is too small or the directions too complicated, this won’t be a user-friendly GPS system and you’ll want to look for another one.

GPS systems vary in the degree of precision they offer. You’ll want to find a system that gives precise directions that will take you where you want to go and that will update itself whenever new roads are built or when construction will change your driving route. Check to make sure that your system is capable of receiving regular updates and turn down one that isn’t capable of updating changes over time. You may find a system that receives regular updates or choose one that updates manually – such as before you start your trip.

GPS navigations systems are available at specialty stores, electronic stores and online. Make sure you shop around for a price you can afford and ask questions about your new system before you actually buy one. In some cases, there may be a monthly or yearly fee for updates and other services and you’ll want to know about those kinds of things in advance. Some models have extras, including mp3 players and the like. Look to see if the model you’re interested in has any of these types of extras. Check out how accessible the directions are and whether the GPS system you’re evaluating gives voice directions as well as visual directions. Often the screen is not visible in direct sunlight so the voice directions may be all you have to work with. Some models have different screen modes for daylight and nighttime viewing.

Some cell phone services offer the option of getting directions to wherever you want to go right on your phone and you may not choose to spend your money on a separate GPS system you don’t really need. The cell phone service often costs extra but it may be your best option if you don’t do a lot of traveling and only need to find your way occasionally.

If you have installed a GPS auto navigation system in your car, then you should follow a few simple rules when driving in order to maximize your safety on the road. It doesn’t matter whether you are a long distance driver using the GPS auto navigation system to plan the most efficient route possible, or just using your satellite navigation system to find a route around the traffic problems in your home town, the rules for using GPS systems safely are the same.

The first thing to check before you set off on your journey is to make sure that the GPS receiver is firmly mounted. If you have a windshield mounted receiver that uses a suction cup to hold it in place, make sure that it is firmly attached, while if your GPS receiver is mounted on the dash, check it to ensure that it is not going to fall off.

There is nothing worse than the unit falling off its mounting while you are driving, and this is a very dangerous thing to happen, especially if you start to reach around and try to reattach it while you are driving. If your system is removable, you should take it out of the car whenever you leave it parked in order to remove any temptation for thieves who might otherwise try and steal it off you.

Once you have started on your journey, and set the SatNav system up to plan your route, you should not touch it again. The SatNav should be there to assist you, not to distract you. Ideally, it will give you information about directions through the car’s audio system, and you will not need to look at the screen too often when you are driving, as this means that your attention will be diverted away from where it should be – the road.

It is important to remember that the advice given by a GPS auto navigation system is not infallible, and it is not a substitute for common sense. If you feel that you are being misdirected, and the route that you are following is wrong, do not be afraid of ignoring the advice and following an alternative route.

When used properly, and safely, an GPS auto navigation system can provide you with all the information that you need in order to get to your destinations quickly and easily, with a minimum of fuss, and managing to avoid any traffic problems.

By behaving sensibly with your GPS auto navigation system – making sure it is well fitted, leaving it alone when you are driving, and paying attention when you need to – you will have a safer, quicker and more enjoyable journey than ever before, and never need get lost again.

By now, you’ve likely heard about this hot new technology called GPS. Handheld GPS receivers are popular items that are being used by everyone from outdoors enthusiasts to average drivers. But, how many of us really understand the technology behind these modern-day marvels?

There is a whole lot of power and capability packed into a GPS receiver. They are linked to complex satellite systems in outer space, providing a reliable navigational system to users on earth. Many new cars have GPS receivers included as standard equipment. Hikers use them to find their destinations, and treasure hunters rely on them for Geocaching excursions.

Simply, a GPS is an electronic device that can determine one’s precise location on earth. The entire system is anything but simple; and the GPS receiver is but a single and minute part of this immense network. GPS is the short form of Global Positioning System. This very large navigation system was developed and implemented by the United States’ Department of Defense (DOD). The system is composed of a network of 27 satellites, various ground stations located at points throughout the world and individual GPS receivers. Most of the 27 satellites in the GPS are active, and continuously send radio signals. GPS receivers use these signals to determine their geographical location.

Function
The primary function of a GPS receiver is to pinpoint its actual location on earth using the signals it intercepts from GPS satellites. To do this, the GPS receiver must be able to locate and intercept signals from three or more GPS satellites. After intercepting the signals, GPS receivers use basic principles of mathematics called triangulation or trilateration to compute its actual position. Before any triangulation calculation can be implemented, however, the GPS receiver must verify two points:

1- The positions of at least 3 satellites
2- The distance between each satellite and the receiver.

GPS receivers decode the signals in order to determine the locations of at least three GPS satellites. The signals transmitted by GPS satellites are radio signals, and each contains three different bits of information: ephemeris data, almanac data and a pseudorandom code. The ephemeris data is the information that the GPS receiver needs to be able to determine the actual position of the satellite transmitting the signal.

The distance of a GPS receiver to a satellite is measured using the signal’s speed, or the time delay from the initial transmission of the signal, to its reception by the GPS. From this speed or time difference, the GPS receiver calculates the satellite’s distance.

With information about the location of at least three or four satellites, along with their individual distances, a GPS receiver utilizes the basic principle of triangulation to calculate its actual position in terms of altitude, latitude and longitude.

Accuracy
GPS receivers are incredibly accurate, usually to within twenty meters of radius. It is possible, however, to increase this accuracy level using supplemental technologies. Some GPS receivers using multiple parallel channels can achieve an accuracy level to within fifteen meters. More complex systems such as DGPS (Differential GPS) and WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) can reduce this range to an impressive three meters.

Despite the use of these supplemental technologies, there are still many factors that can cause even the best GPS receivers to broadcast inaccurate locations. Among these factors are:

* Number of visible satellites
* Radio signal delays caused by the passage through the ionosphere and troposphere
* Signal multipath (bouncing of the signal as it hits an object)
* Inaccuracy of GPS receiver clocks
* Ephemeris errors (inaccuracy of the satellites’ reported locations)
* Poor positioning of satellites (i.e.: satellites in a linear position, or in a tight grouping)

Some, but not all, of the GPS errors caused by these factors can be remedied by the software that is packaged with personal GPS receivers. If you are having difficulty with the accuracy of your GPS receiver, check your user guide or refer to the software to see if the problem can be fixed.

Technology has given us wonderful gifts and powers beyond imagination. A GPS receiver is one technological wonder that is so accessible, many people use them on a daily basis. If you travel locally or across country, or enjoy exploring the great outdoors, pick up a GPS receiver and you’ll always be able to find your way home.

Garmin, established in 1989, has lead the way when it comes to creating the most innovative GPS products. The first Garmin GPS unit was geared towards a specialized group of consumers: mariners. The next Garmin GPS units created were designed for military use.

Then came the GPS unit marketed and designed for ‘average’ consumers: the Forerunner. Worn on the arm, the Forerunner allowed runners to track their progress. Now, Garmin GPS have expanded their market including all sorts of navigational GPS units that can be of interest to anyone interested in any amount of traveling or sports. This article will discuss the types of Garmin GPS units currently available.

The first category of Garmin GPS products are those designed for use on the road. These products include: automotive GPS units, motorcycle GPS units and traffic receivers. The automotive GPS and motorcycle GPS units work the same way; they are used to help navigate the driver through whatever area they desire to go to. This is done through maps and directions, which are provided right on the Garmin GPS screen. The traffic receiver is an add-on for Garmin GPS motorcycle or automotive products. It outputs traffic information onto the screen.

The second category of Garmin GPS products are those that Garmin categorizes as being for ‘on-the-go’ use. These include: GPS products for mobile phones, laptops, PDAs and Garmin GPS personal assistants. The Garmin GPS products designed for mobile phones, laptops or PDAs are basically add-ons that give these devices navigational capabilities. The add-ons for mobile phones or PDAs contain a special suction cup that allows the device to be put on the windshield, to allow for easier use in the car. The Garmin GPS personal assistant, on the other hand, is a completely separate device. It offers navigational capabilities along with other features typical to an electronic assistant, such as a calculator, world travel clock and currency converter.

The third category of Garmin GPS products are those designed for hiking, hunting and other activities that involve wandering around. The simpler of these units can be described as an electronic compass. The hiker enters in where they want to go, and the unit basically ‘points’ them in the proper direction. The more sophisticated Garmin GPS hiking products do this along with providing mapping information. Some also include walkie-talkie features. There is even a unit that allows hunters to track their dogs.

The fourth category of Garmin GPS products are those designed for general fitness. For runners, there is the above-mentioned Forerunner, which is basically a Garmin GPS wristwatch. Bicyclers can use The Edge, a Garmin GPS product that can attach in the middle of the bicycle’s handlebars. Both the Forerunner and the Edge track how far a person as traveled in addition to other things essential for fitness, such as calories, speed and heart rate.

The fifth category of Garmin GPS products are those designed for individuals traveling on or in water. These include Garmin GPS chartplotters, marine handhelds, fish finders and radar devices. GPS chartplotters offer navigational information pertinent for marine purposes while Garmin GPS marine handhelds offer this and can be used underwater, (making it useful for divers). Garmin GPS fish finders help fisherman locate fish. Finally, Garmin GPS radar devices help boaters see how traffic is on the water.

The sixth and last category of Garmin GPS products are those designed for use in the air. These devices can be actual cockpits or other types of avionics equipment or portable GPS devices. The portable GPS devices in this category can be used for navigation not only in the air but also at sea or on land.

In conclusion, Garmin GPS products allow all kinds of individuals the ability to know exactly where they are going. If one is an owner of any of the products discussed in this article, never again should they have to worry about having to use the term ‘lost.’