I remember driving around not wanting to stop at the corner store and get directions. Ahh, the good ole days.
That is exactly what they are becoming thanks for GPS car navigation devices. Unless you just got of the boat from Antarctica then you are fully aware of just how cool these devices are.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. This is a system developed by our friends at the Department of Defense. It uses a grid of many satellites to triangulate positions anywhere in the world.
Our tax dollars really did the trick this time too because these devices can put you within 10 feet of the exact location. Pretty amazing.
Now, GPS car navigation devices come in different sizes and have different features. Most commonly you have the systems that come built-in to your car when it was made. Those usually have a larger popup screen and cost a lot more money.
The other is the portable kind. These devices and have a decent size screen and can literally fit in the palm of your hand. The great advantage to this is that they for one are inexpensive, and two can plug into any car using the cigarette lighter.
Now a days $150 gets you precise GPS navigation… instantly!
The benefits to having a GPS car navigation device are plain to see.
It can save you a ton of gas. All those U-turns and miles going in the wrong direction are not exactly free. Last time I checked it cost me money for every mile I put on my car.
It can also save you a ton of time. This not only translates right back to saving you money, but also a lot of frustration. Having the route mapped out in front of you makes driving more pleasurable. Not to mention that shorter routes are often figured out for you.
Lastly, it can help you avoid traffic. These slick little units can spit out alternate routes in about 10 seconds. Dodging all that accident traffic has never felt better or been so easy.
For the cost they are today I would highly suggest picking one up. It is quickly becoming one of those items that we will all wonder how we lived without years from now. Remember life before the microwave?
By: Cathy Seiler
Posts Tagged ‘Cigarette’
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
