OK so you finally have gotten around to that vacation you’ve been planning for months. You’ve saved up some cash and want to go on a grand road trip or trek through out the jungles of the amazon.
The problem is you don’t know your way around your own backyard! How on earth will you be able to enjoy yourself if you are fumbling around with your map and compass!
Though GPS will not transform a directionally-challenged individual into a master outdoorsmen, it will certainly help those who use it correctly to get from one location to another without a hitch.
Imagine for instance if you are planning on going to on a vacation around a certain themed area- let’s say Mount Rushmore for instance. Not only will you be able to get to Mount Rushmore, but you will see instantly what other attractions are within your traveling range!
Imagine finding other attractions and public spectacles that are already in and around what you had set out for? Or if you want to go travel interstate around Mount Rushmore to see other locations and interests, a GPS device will help you get there quite simply! So it is very possible to travel to the surrounding states and attractions within the same amount of time that you normally would spend at a single attraction.
Many GPS providers come with preloaded destination settings that provides directions to not only attractions, but important pitstops such as gas stations, hotels, motels, and lodges.
This is THE way to travel. I am sure once you try GPS on one of your vacations, you will NEVER leave home without it!
By: Simon Wyryzowski
Posts Tagged ‘Amount Of Time’
GPS: Your Virtual Tour Guide
January 8th, 2010Using Vehicle Tracking GPS Technology
December 2nd, 2009
Managing your vehicle resources is a lot easier these days with vehicle tracking GPS technology. Whether you are a fleet manager who manages a hundred vehicles or an individual who has a nspecial car, GPS tracking technology will help you keep track of your vehicle assets.
Basically there are two types of GPS tracking technology used to track and manage vehicles. The cheapest and also the one that has been around for the longest period is called “GPS Logging”. GPS logging units are generally placed in a vehicle for a set amount of time and then are retrieved. The unit is normally attached to a computer where the logging software up loads the data into a data base. The information is displayed in map and table form for analysis and use. Logging GPS units are useful due to the fact that they are generally small and inexpensive. They also are very reliable. The major drawback to these vehicle tracking GPS units is that the information is old. Never the less you can make management decisions based on the information loggers provide.
The second and newest type of vehicle tracking GPS technology is called “Real Time” GPS tracking. Just as the name implies real time GPS tracking provides relatively current tracking information on each vehicle being tracked. These tracking units are generally larger and more costly than logger units. They are comprised of a GPS unit and a communication unit. In addition you will have to use a GPS tracking Service Company to access your tracking information. Tracking information is uploaded using standard cell phone or satellite phone technology to the tracking service company which in turn makes it available to its customers.
The service company normally charges a monthly fee for this service. Many service companies provide the tracking equipment and do the vehicle installations. However you can purchase the vehicle tracking GPS equipment and do the installation yourself. If you choose this route you will have to do maintenance and repair work yourself as well.
The real time tracking information is uploaded at different intervals specified by the customer depending on their need. Cross country trucking firms normally have tracking information uploaded every 30 minutes where as a delivery service may need uploads as frequently as every 5 minutes so as to respond to customer pickup orders. As a general rule the more often you require an upload the more the GPS tracking Service Company will charge.
The service company will provide a number of mapping and data base services to the customer including the standard mapping with speed, direction, time stopped and time en route. Advanced vehicle tracking GPS systems provide information on the fuel use, engine performance and fluid levels. Other services such as geo fencing which sends an alarm when a vehicle leaves its assigned area or is being used outside of normal working hours are also available.
Again whether you are a business with a large fleet of vehicles or private citizen, vehicle tracking GPS technology will help you keep track of and manage your vehicle resources.
By: Jim Kesel
How To Detect GPS Tracking Units
November 1st, 2009
The new GPS auto tracker technology allows just about anyone to track anyone else. In addition almost all new cell phones have GPS tracking capabilities built in to them. Some even have the ability to transmit location information even with the battery removed. All of which make you wonder what happened to personal privacy. The answer is that there really is no privacy. Granted there are legal restrictions as to how and when you can use the new tracking technology however detecting GPS tracking units can sometimes be difficult.
There are basically two types of GPS tracking device technology available to the public. The simplest is called a passive or logger tracking device. This device is also the most difficult to detect and defend against. These devices can be as small as a matchbook and can be hidden just about anywhere. They are attached to a vehicle or individual and after a specific amount of time they must be retrieved. After retrieval the device is usually attached to a personal computer and the information is downloaded into a data base that is provided by the device manufacture.
Probably the best defense against passive/logger tracking devices comes in the form of a GPS blocker. These small units normally plug into your automobiles cigarette lighter port and provide protection for about 30 feet in any direction. Small handheld units are also available that run on batteries that also provide short range blocking. These units can range in price from $200 to $850.
The second type of GPS auto tracker or personal GPS tracking units are called real time tracking devices. These units do just as the name implies, provide current real time location information on the individual or vehicle that is being tracked. This accomplished through the use of cell phone technology. Recent technology improvements have greatly reduced the size and reliability of these tracking devices. You can purchase a battery operated unit the size of a small cell phone that will provide tracking information for up to a week before the battery requires charging. More commonly these units are attached to a vehicle and use the vehicles power supply to provide power to the tracking unit.
Real time tracking devices generally require the user to contract with a GPS tracking service company. These companies frequently provide the tracking devices and the software necessary to track the device on your personal computer. Depending on the contract the information is uploaded to you at time specific intervals. The most common information uploads range from 5 to 10 minutes.
Defending against this type of tracking device is relatively easy with a combination cell phone/GPS blocking device. These units range in cost from $300 to more than $1000. Of course either a cell phone or a GPS blocking device may accomplish the same affect. In addition if you feel that you are being tracked illegally you can contact your local law enforcement agency and let them do a scan of the vehicle or personal effects in question. Many small law enforcement agencies do not have this capability and in that case you have the option to purchase a scanning unit and do the scan yourself.
A word to the wise if you are involved in a criminal enterprise. Much of what we have outlined here will not prevent US government agencies from tracking you and your vehicles.
In most cases it is illegal to track just about anyone without their permission. However given the fact that is so hard to detect many tracking devices it is likely that illegal GPS auto tracker and personal tracking device technology will continue to be used.
By: Jim Kesel
