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 ‘Gps Devices’
GPS Navigation
March 4th, 2010Posted in Article
Tags: Alternate Routes Car Navigation Devices Cigarette Decent Size Department Of Defense Exact Location Frustration Global Positioning System Good Ole Days Gps Car Navigation Gps Device Gps Devices Gps Navigation Last Time Navigation Device Palm Of Your Hand Popup Screen Satellites Tax Dollars Wrong Direction
GPS Navigation Systems – A Quick Guide
February 25th, 2010
If you are a technology and gadget addict, you’ve probably heard and seen and experienced the power of GPS navigation systems! Today, GPS navigation is becoming quite common and GPS devices are all the rage. These small sized systems stored a whole lot of information and can prove to be very helpful, especially if you visiting places you’ve never been to before.
More than that, GPS navigation systems make for excellent gift choices. Trust me, if your partner or friend travels the world, a GPS navigation device will be the ideal gift on their next birthday. Packed with incredible features, these devices are easy to use and fun. However, due to the numerous models and designs available, choosing a GPS system can be very confusing. So, sort through this mess with this quick guide and pick the best GPS navigation system for you.
The GPS navigation systems market is a very competitive one. You can give models with similar features from different manufacturers and at different prices. Typically, the price for these devices ranges from $150 to almost $1000, depending on the features. GPS systems come with a wide set of technology driven features that can make choosing the best one in your budget a challenge. While most manufacturers offer features like FM transmission, Bluetooth, multiple route numbers, live weather, traffic updates, losing yourself in this sea of complexity can be overwhelming, especially to a relatively less educated buyer. So let’s start by understanding these complexities one at a time.
Now, like most appliances and gadgets there are several players in this field too. However, it’s best to go with the bigger and more reputable manufacturers as you can sleep peacefully knowing that your device will be supported and serviced. The biggest players in the GPS navigation systems market are: Garmin, Tom Tom, & Magellan.
Garmin GPS navigation systems are known for their wide range, their superior quality, and excellent technology. Tom Tom is a relatively new entrant in the market and has managed to capture a sizable chunk in this space by offering competitively priced, quality products. However, it is Magellan that was the pioneer in the GPS industry!
So what about their features? Broadly speaking, all GPS devices come with a touch screen interface, voice directions, a database of ‘points of interest,’ auto-calculate the distance facility among other things. So, if this is all that you demand from the GPS device then you can pick one up for around $150 from any of the biggies.
However, if you want a more feature packed device then you’ll also have to pay more. By spending a couple of hundred dollars more you can get an integrated Bluetooth feature for hands-free voice calling, extensive maps, real-time traffic and weather conditions and a bigger points of interest database.
Finally, GPS navigation systems that calculate the distance between multiple destination points on different routes are the most expensive devices in the market. So depending on your budget and requirements, you can easily buy a GPS device for around $350-$400 and never be lost in a new city again!
By: Hayi Mansoor
Posted in Article
Tags: All The Rage Complexities Driven Features Excellent Technology Fm Transmission Garmin Gps Gift Choices Gps Devices Gps Garmin Gps Navigation Device Gps Navigation System Gps Navigation Systems Gps System Magellan Gps Reputable Manufacturers Route Numbers Similar Features Tom Tom Traffic Updates Weather Traffic
GPS Devices – Don’t Get Lost
February 24th, 2010
Mobile GPS devices are becoming more and more popular each day, for they allow great portability. Most consumer GPS devices can be easily fit into the palm and are not that heavy as well. It can also be clip to a pet’s collar or fit into a cell phone. The basic concept behind GPS unit is quite simple. It includes a radio emitter that works with a clock, and together they work with Satellite that are located in the space. And now with the booming of technology, we have GPS device installed in many laptops computers, cars and even at seat back television screen of airplanes.
While the GPS technology does not really need a lot of space, the software that adds the functionalities expected by the consumer, actually does. The software once created, gets improved by getting smaller. The fact that not all GPS features are required by the customers, allows for smaller GPS devices.
How does a GPS device work? As already said, the GPS device requires a radio emitter and a clock to work. The emitter sends the time of the clock to the satellite overhead. The satellite then calculates the amount of time it took for the radio signal to reach them and then figures the distance from that. Three or four satellites compare their location and the time involved. They then show the location within about six inches depending on the accuracy of the unit’s clock.
Portable GPS device can be of many use. Besides plotting navigation or tracking objects and living things, it can use the data as information in applications.
Many mobile devices are GPS enabled in the present times. One of the most talked about, is the GPS navigation system of Nokia N95 and the Nokia 6110 navigator. The GPS of these devices are very user-friendly, and designed to meet the requirements of the modern users.
By: Alice Erin
