For drivers in North America who are tired of staring at maps and pulling into gas stations to get directions the new technology of GPS may be the answer. GPS or Global Positioning Systems are an inexpensive and reliable way of finding your exact position on the globe at any given time. For the driver this can mean never having to look a road map again. This is a brief introduction to the major brands of GPS units and some information about each.
Garmin offers two different types of GPS units and many models for each type. The larger of the two the Streetpilot is meant to be mounted in your car and provides street to street directions map and much more useful information during you trip. Some of the more recent models of the Streetpilot offer voicecapabilities and will vocally give a driver directions. The Quest offer many of the same features as the Streetpilot but it comes in a smaller handheld size and is battery powered. The Quest may be a better option if you often find your self leaving the car behind and need directions on foot.
Magellan is one of the oldest consumer level GPS manufacturers and they are still one of the finest. The Roadmates line of GPS units have been around for a while and the newest models are still in competition for the highest in quality. The newest models of Roadmates provide turn by turn directions to your destination with its internal speaker. This line of GPS units are powered by the cars cigarette lighter and mounts easily to most automobiles. The Roadmate 800 provides color 3-D maps on its 3” screen.
The newest brand of GPS unit comes from Tom-Tom. The Tom-Tom Go700 provides directions on it’s 3.5” screen which gives its display in 3-D. The Go700 can give vocal directions in dozens of languages. The most interesting feature about this unit is it’s Bluetooth capability allowing it to connect to cell phones to give weather, traffic and road conditions for your trip.
By: David Stone
Posts Tagged ‘Gps Manufacturers’
GPS Buyer’s Guide
March 19th, 2010Top Causes of GPS Interruption
February 8th, 2010
One of the first reasons you might suffer from GPS interruption, is the U.S. Government. They perform interruption tests on GPS systems quite often and there is really nothing you can do about it. You might experience interruption in the following places:
China Lake, CA Lax, CA Cedar Rapids, IA White Sands, NM Cape Canaveral, FL Patuxent River, MD Rancho Bernardo, CA Nellis AFB, NV
Another cause of interruption is shutdown of two Wide Angle Augmentation System satellites. This system is used as a no-cost differential correction signal for GPS. They are maintained by the FFA or Federal Aviation Administration, but are also available to civilians. The reason for this error is because some systems require the WAAS correction to operate properly. If you think you are experiencing this problem, you need to update your GPS system software. Most GPS manufacturers have information posted on their websites about firmware updates that fix problems just like this.
One of the most common reasons is objects blocking a GPS signal. An expert was quoted saying, “anything that can block sunlight can block GPS signals.” This could be anything from a building, tree, bridge, or even a vehicle. The only way to solve this problem is to move to an open location that can receive a signal.
Additionally, signals can be interrupted by disturbances in the atmosphere where they must travel, and the ionospheric layer is sensitive to solar disturbances which are currently at a solar maximum of an 11 year cycle. One could certainly expect frequent interruption for several years before a lull in the cycle.
By: Chaz Newman
What is the Best Portable GPS System?
November 16th, 2009
For some, GPS systems are not limited to the car dashboard or even on the steering console of the boat. But rather carried with them wherever they go! GPS manufacturers have taken notice of how popular their systems are with avid outdoors men and nature enthusiasts and have focused on developing many rugged, durable and water-resistant handheld portable GPS tools.
When it comes to which brand makes the best portable GPS system, the jury is still out. However, one of the most popular portable GPS systems is made by Magellan. Though they are not the most familiar name in GPS technology, Magellan has held their own in the industry for some time. For those who love the outdoors and have a larger then average budget, portable GPS systems don’t get much better then the Triton 2000.
The Triton 2000 includes seemingly endless functions. Some of the most important being a wide variety of built in maps, an easy-to-read compass function, voice recorder and handy flashlight. Due to the fact that the Triton 2000 was designed for the outdoorsmen, it is designed to be quite a bit more durable then other GPS systems, and is completely waterproof as opposed to water resistant.
For those who like to take their adventures and discoveries one step further, the Triton also offers the ability to upload topographical maps, marine cartography and even National Geographic TOPO!
However, it is also important to mention that the Triton 2000 is by no means inexpensive. Most retailers will mark this handy tool at around $499.99, making it one of the most expensive portable GPS available. When compared to other GPS suppliers such as Garmin or TomTom, the Magellan Triton 2000 may seem steep for the functions offered.
But it is important to remember, when purchasing a portable GPS to take while camping, hiking or rock-climbing it is vital to purchase a product that is as rough as the terrain! There is little point in buying a less expensive system, just to purchase a second when it breaks or becomes damaged by water!
By: N. L. MacDonald
