Auto GPS » Gps Navigation Systems

GPS Navigation Systems – A Quick Guide

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:58:07 +0000

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

GPS Ionospheric Delay – The Problem and Solution

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:37:00 +0000

GPS ionospheric delay is one of the most common issues with the gps navigation systems. Inconsistencies of atmospheric conditions affect the speed of the GPS signals as they pass through the Earth’s atmosphere and ionosphere. Correcting these errors is a significant challenge to improving GPS position accuracy.

These effects are smallest when the satellite is directly overhead and become greater for satellites nearer the horizon since the signal is affected for a longer time. Once the receiver’s approximate location is known, a mathematical model can be used to estimate and compensate for these errors.

Because ionospheric delay affects the speed of microwave signals differently based on frequency – a characteristic known as dispersion – both frequency bands can be used to help reduce this error. Some military and expensive survey-grade civilian receivers compare the different delay in the frequencies to measure atmosphere dispersion and apply a more precise correction.

This can be done in civilian GPS receivers without decrypting the P(Y) signal carried on L2 by tracking the carrier wave instead of the modulated code. To do this on lower cost receivers, a new civilian code signal on L2 called L2C was added to the satellites. This new signal allows a direct comparison of the L1 and L2 signals using the coded signal instead of the carrier wave.

The effects of the ionosphere generally change slowly and can be averaged over time. The effects for any particular geographical area can be easily calculated by comparing the GPS-measured position to a known surveyed location. This correction is also valid for other receivers in the same general location.

Several systems send this information over radio or other links to allow L1 only receivers to make corrections. The date is transmitted via satellite system and transmits it on the GPS frequency using a special pseudo-random number so only one antenna and receiver is required.

Humidity also causes a variable delay resulting in errors similar to ionospheric delay but occurring in the troposphere. This effect is more localized and changes more quickly than ionospheric effects and is not frequency dependent. These traits make it much more difficult to make precise measurement and compensation for humidity errors than with the ionospheric effects.

Changes in altitude also change the amount of delay due to the signal passing through less of the atmosphere at higher elevations. Since the GPS receiver computes its approximate altitude, this error is relatively simple to correct.

GPS signals can also be affected by multi-path issues where the radio signals reflect off of surrounding terrain such as buildings, canyon walls, and hard ground. These delayed signals can cause inaccuracy as a well.

To correct these errors, many techniques have been developed. How these techniques work depends on addressing the long delay multi-path or shorter delay multi-path. To know more on the solution on problems with gps system, please visit GPSAutoTracker for more tips on how to maximize the use of your gps system.

By: Audrey Ly

Garmin GPS Systems – Your Complete Guide

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:05:29 +0000

So you have decided to buy one of the many Garmin GPS systems available. You’ve spoken to everyone you know, and now you need to start getting information together – how much do you want to spend on your Garmin GPS system? Where will you be putting your new Garmin GPS system? Which one of the Garmin systems are you going to pick?

First, you need to undertake various Garmin GPS comparisons. There are many versions available, for many types of vehicles and requirements. When comparing Garmin GPS navigation systems, it’s best to go with what is best for you, not what someone else has or what might seem the best simply because it is the most expensive. For example, you may have been recommended a Garmin GPS handheld unit by a friend who does a lot of bushwalking, but as a boating person, a handheld unit would not be as useful to you. Similarly, a Garmin portable GPS system is great for someone who is in and out of a car, as they need to take it with them to prevent theft. However a fixed Garmin global positioning system would be better for someone who has no need to be removing it from its mounting all the time (or someone, like a courier, who is in and out of their vehicle more times than they care to think about!). You definitely don’t want your Garmin GPS system to be a hindrance!

Compare Garmin global positioning system prices, and see if it might be cheaper to purchase a Garmin GPS system online. Many places sell Garmin global positioning systems online, so be sure to have a look around as it may be cheaper (even taking into account postage) to buy your Garmin GPS system from an outlet that does not have the overheads a physical shop-front might have. The issue with shopping online is, of course, not being able to ‘play’ with your new Garmin global positioning system. But a trip to the local GPS shop may fix that.

One of the Garmin GPS systems available is the Garmin 2720 GPS. This particular Garmin GPS system offers many features, including the ability to program points of interest (such as speed cameras and school zones) so you need never be caught out again. The flashy Garmin 360 GPS doubles as a personal assistant, boasting facilities such as MP3 players, a translator, and Bluetooth capabilities enabling you to make hands-free calls. Another good pick is the Garmin c530 GPS – ready to go straight from the box, this unit is a good pick for those needing an ATM or petrol station quickly – just touch and go!

Garmin GPS systems offer it all; the hardest part is picking which one you like. Read some Garmin global positioning systems reviews, which are usually unbiased and give both pros and cons for each model. With a Garmin GPS navigation system, you can’t go wrong!

By: Chaz Newman

Marine GPS

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:23:45 +0000

Marine GPS systems have become most boaters’ best friend. Depending on the reasons you need GPS Navigation, they can make it easy to find your way back to shore in unknown waters, navigate at night, and find large fish or avoid debris. History of Marine GPS: While it wasn’t that long ago that boaters or mariners consulted star charts and latitude/longitude numbers to figure out their way back to land, Marine GPS navigation changed the need for the inaccurate tracking system that some could not figure out. GPS or global positioning systems came into vogue after the launch of satellites that could send a signal of latitude and longitude locations to figure exactly where anything was back on Earth.

This principal has been used in fishing sonars and marine GPS systems, that use anywhere from 12 to 24 satellites to figure out positioning. Why Using Marine GPS Navigation Systems? The answer is simple, it is more accurate, less hassle than previous methods to find out where you are on the open sea or any body of water for that matter. Also, the most important reason is for safety. Not only can it keep you from getting lost, but you can chart ways around tropical storms at sea, or alternate routes, for whatever reason.

The Future of Marine GPS: These GPS systems continue to get more sophisticated, and come in hand-held models, all the way up to marine GPS navigation lap top computers. Depending on the functions you want, you can find a marine GPS that can do whatever you want it to, when it comes to navigation, topography in foreign water bodies, or take it hiking and camping with you, if it is a hand-held portable marine GPS. Some of the larger cruisers and yachts use it to “auto-pilot” a ship, and navigate back to port in the dark of night. Advice On

Buying a Marine GPS: Be sure and research all of the models and functions for the type of Marine GPS navigation you are going to be doing. In other words, certain factors, like whether it will be for river fishing or ocean adventures can determine the model you need and the number of functions. If you are looking for a fish finder, you may not need an expensive Marine GPS system with all kinds of bells and whistles. Commercial fishermen, for example, would need them to not only get them back to shore, avoid the paths of storms, and find fish, but might need alarms for shallow reefs or other alarms where a normal recreational fisherman might not need these features.

Marine GPS navigation systems have gotten to be almost a requirement for all types of water navigation, and finding a marine GPS unit is easy at retailers, but especially online, where the choices are unlimited. As more manufacturers have gotten into the GPS systems, even cell phones are GPS capable now. It’s all a matter of the number of functions you need for what you are going to be doing, when it comes to marine GPS navigation.

By: Alexis Kenne

Using GPS Auto Tracker Technology

admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:39:24 +0000

If you are a fleet manager for a corporation or a small business that that has delivery or service vehicles on the road each day then GPS Auto tracker technology applied correctly will save you money every day. Ever wonder why one vehicle has almost twice the miles and maintenance costs of the average vehicle in your fleet? How about a particular delivery route whose driver takes longer and has more employee overtime than then it probably should. In each case these situations are costing you money in terms of fuel efficiency, overtime and maintenance costs. So how can I better manage my transportation costs?

The answer to your questions may come from using GPS auto tracker technology. Basically there are two types of GPS tracking technology on the market today. One is commonly known as passive or logger and it has been around the longest. Passive tracking units are placed in or on a vehicle and as the vehicle travels on its route the information is logged on the unit. It basically works just like the GPS navigation systems that are so popular with the public these days. However unlike your cars navigation system GPS tracking units, Logger GPS devices record the information on to a data base. To access the information the unit must be retrieved from the vehicle and downloaded to a computer for viewing. Logging units are relatively inexpensive and are available in very small sizes that are easy to hide. They do a very good job of telling you exactly where your vehicles have been, their speed and stopped time. The problems is that the information is not in real time and you have to assign someone to collect the units and download the data then return the units to their assigned vehicles. On the positive side you have total control and access to your tracking information.

Real time GPS tracker technology is a great alternative to logging systems. Just as the name implies the information provided is relative” live” and can be view as the vehicles travel on their routes. If you are a fleet manager this has far reaching advantages. Real time GPS units use existing cell phone technology to upload the data from the vehicles tracking device to a GPS auto tracking service provider. The provider then sends the current information to your office to be viewed on a computer. Depending on the plan you have subscribed to uploaded data is updated at different time intervals. Basically the more frequent the information the more costly the service. Businesses with delivery services that also do pickups frequently ask for tracking information to be updated every 5 minutes while fleet managers that manage cross country transport only need tracking information every 30 minutes.

As a business owner or fleet manager you can quickly see the advantages to the system. Remember the vehicle that had high costs and maintenance, well the driver was using the truck for his own after hours business. The route driver that was taking so much time to complete his route and was accumulating lots of over time was spending his afternoons parked at his house. These types of problems although rare can cost business lots of money over a year. Additional advantages come in the form of dispatch efficiency. The dispatcher has a map on his or her laptop with the location of every company vehicle. If a pickup of a part or customer return pickup needs to be made, a quick look at the map will tell you what vehicle can best make the stop. It will not take long for the data to tell you how to better set up your daily delivery routes so as to save fuel and time.

On the down side the service provider has control of your fleet information including where your customers are located. A good GPS tracking service company will do a very good job of safe guarding your information but just like anything else kept in computer data bases there is a real risk to your business. It is very important to carefully select your service company and get to know them in detail. In addition if your service provider does not provide tracking devices you will find that real time GPS auto tracker devices cost more than the older logger units.

GPS auto tracker technology is a great tool for business transportation managers. Over time you will save fuel, maintenance and employee costs that will more than pay for the cost of the GPS auto tracking devices and service fees as well increase your company’s bottom line.

By: Jim Kesel