Looking for a change in your road travel experience? Need guidance getting from one location to another seeing as though you are “directionally-challenged?” Want to throw away that paper map once and for all? You can do all of these things and more by simply taking control of your navigation experience with a handy gadget created with this purpose in mind. Lot’s of other people before you have falling victim to the peer pressure, only to be happy that they did. So what are you waiting for? It’s time for you to learn the four reasons why we all need GPS systems.
Safety and Convenience
One of the most cited reasons why we all need GPS systems is the safety and convenience they provide. Whether you’re traveling across the country, or across your city, it is good to have the added assistance of an accurate, always predictable, electronic device to help guide you on your journey. By getting your hands on one of these units, you never have to worry about pulling out your paper map again, as the virtual map gives you up-to-date information on where you’re traveling in 2D or 3D viewing options. When was the last time a paper map did this for you? With this type of device in your corner, you get a convenient driving experience with the added assurance that you and your children a safely traveling from point A to point B.
Never Get Lost
If you very often point left when you’re speaking the word “right” then it is possible that you are directionally challenged. But that is okay, because one of the reasons why we all need GPS systems is that these handy devices are never confused and can guide you across the country when you can’t guide yourself out of a paper bag. A navigation system in particular is perfect for those needing turn-by-turn instructions to their location – the entire way. The way it works is very simple. Once you enter the “to and from” locations, the device simply will guide you by voicing instructions like “in 500 feet, turn right.” Once you get to the point of needing to turn, the system will voice the words “turn right.” With this type of hands-on instruction in your corner, you simply can’t go wrong. Just make sure when the system tells you to turn right, you turn right.
Finding Businesses and Other Addresses is a Breeze
Another one of the reasons why we all need GPS systems is the POI (point of interest) database that allows you to locate businesses and other addresses by simply scrolling through listings that may be over a million deep. So let’s say for instance, you want to dine at a specific restaurant in your area, but when you get there, you find out it is closed for remodeling. At first, you’re disappointed, that is until you remember that your friend had gone to another great restaurant and had been trying to convince you to go for a long time. You want to call your friend for directions, but he is traveling overseas and can’t be reached. Instead of giving up on this tasty experience, you can visit your POI database to find a listing for the restaurant. After you’ve found it, you simply map out directions, have the system’s navigation guide you, and enjoy the best dining of your life.
That’s definitely one of the benefits of these databases, but many devices take their POI feature even further to offer some variation of proximity alerts, which let you know when you’re within a certain distance of a POI – especially if one is a school zone or safety camera. It will let you know to slow down in time with both visual and audio alerts, then rest when you can regain your normal speed.
Download Great Software
One of the reasons why we all need GPS systems is that, in addition to getting to take advantage of all of the extras that come with most systems, you can also download more great stuff. There are websites all over the Internet that offer free software for better mapping options, more detailed navigation features, and even programs that allow you to share your road trip experiences with others.
Found enough reasons why we all need GPS systems in our lives? If this list isn’t enough for you, there are many more where that came from. But if you think about it, the benefits listed here can definitely improve your quality of travel many times over. So think about this when you’re looking for more reasons why we all need GPS systems. You’ll find that if you just think about it, you already have every reason you need.
By: Jeffrey Meier
Posts Tagged ‘Navigation System’
4 Reasons Why We All Need GPS Systems
March 2nd, 2010Posted in Article
Tags: Added Assistance Added Assurance Convenience Driving Experience Electronic Device Experience Need Falling Victim Getting Your Hands Gps Systems Guidance Handy Devices Handy Gadget Journey Map Navigation Experience Navigation System Peer Pressure Road Travel Travel Experience When Was The Last Time
Using a GPS Database and Other Technologies in Law Enforcement Software
February 4th, 2010
A GPS database can be used for a variety of different purposes and is an important part of law enforcement software. Primarily, database-driven GPS (Global Positioning System) devices are used for navigation and tracking in the civilian world. But, other data can be included in devices designed for police officers, detectives, parole officers and 911 operators.
For example, historical crime data can be stored in the devices available today. Although neighborhoods can and do change, identifying the trends (crime rates, incidence of violent crimes, incidence of hate crimes, etc.) and making the information available to officers and detectives patrolling the area can help them do their jobs.
Practically anyone would agree that the people responsible for keeping us safe should have access to the latest technology. A municipality or local government might not think that a GPS database is an essential or a worthwhile investment, but it can save lives.
Most police forces are already able to track vehicles in real time. They can determine the location of a car quickly. 911 operators, with the proper equipment, can see which cars are closest to the scene of a crime and dispatch them accordingly.
Other types of law enforcement software allows officers to access an individual’s arrest record from their vehicle. In the old days, an arrest would need to be made and a person would need to be taken into custody, before information concerning their records could be accessed. If it happened at night, a lot of waiting was involved.
During a chase, it may not be possible to use a navigation system, but once the chase is over, it can be used to find the quickest way back to the station, from wherever the officer may be. Paper street maps are relatively obsolete. Without a navigation system in their vehicles, officers could ultimately be “lost”.
Another type of law enforcement software that is being used more frequently combines GPS database technology with telemetry or telematics. Most people are familiar with ankle bracelets used to keep track of persons on parole or house arrest. GPS and telematics technology were used to create the bracelets.
The technologies are also being used in high crime areas, specifically in areas where there is a great deal of car theft. Bait cars can be equipped with cameras and tracking devices and placed in locations where theft can be expected. When the vehicle is stolen, officers can use the law enforcement software not only to find the vehicle, but also to deactivate the engine and lock the doors.
There are many other things that a GPS database can be used for. With a good designer and a little imagination, the possibilities are practically unlimited.
By: Tom Gruich
Posted in Article
Tags: 911 Operators Arrest Record Crime Data Crime Rates Databas Detectives Global Positioning System Gps Database Hate Crimes Latest Technology Law Enforcement Software Municipality Navigation System Parole Officers Police Forces Scene Of A Crime Street Maps Types Of Law Violent Crimes Worthwhile Investment
Understanding GPS Technology
December 3rd, 2009
Do you know what GPS is? It stands for Global Positioning System. It is a satellite based navigation system. This system consists of twenty four satellites. If you really want to truly understand how GPS works, you may want to go back to the reason it was first created.
Did you know that GPS was first created by the United States Department of Defense back in the 1980’s? The system was to be used for military operations. Over time, the Defense Department realized this Global Positioning System was much more valuable and could do much more than they first believed.
Soon it was allowed to be used by civilians. Plus, people could use it without paying for a subscription fee.
GPS can work in any weather condition. It also can be read anywhere in the world, twenty four hours a day.
How do these satellites actually work? Twice a day they orbit the earth. As they are orbiting, they can locate where each GPS device is being used. This means that the satellites can actually find the location of the device anywhere in the world. This allows people to find other people, as well as other objects that are lost or stolen.
The satellite is able to read the GPS’s signal. That signal can be compared by the time the GPS receiver sends an additional return signal. This time difference is then read and compared between the distance of the GPS and the satellite. This gives a distance measurement. Then more distance measurements are read from the other satellites and the GPS is located.
Many objects have GPS capabilities. Some of the most popular of these being: automobiles, boats, trucks, etc. Plus, GPS devices can be built into such items as: cell phones, laptop computers, stereo equipment etc.
Some people will actually buy what is referred to as GPS tracking devices which are used for the sole purpose of tracking a person. These products are often placed on the automobiles of suspected cheating spouses or the automobiles of teenagers, when parents are concerned about their safety.
Many parents have even bought some nifty GPS tracking devices that can even allow them to know what speed their teenager is driving. This is especially nice for the parent of a newly licensed driver.
New and well equipped laptop computers are generally always equipped with a GPS tracking device. The device can be triggered once the laptop is reported stolen. Then when the stolen laptop is placed online the GPS is able to track the location of the stolen merchandise. This is a great insurance to many business people that stores important information on their computers.
As the computer and electronic world keeps growing, so will the use of Global Positioning Systems. It is evitable that we will need these systems not only to monitor our belongings, but to help keep our world a little safer. For these reasons we all should, at least have a basic understanding of GPS’s and understand that they can benefit us more than help predict our weather.
By: Jeffrey Meier
Posted in Article
Tags: Cheating Spouses Distance Measurement Global Positioning System Gps Capabilities Gps Device Gps Devices Gps Receiver Gps Tracking Devices Laptop Computers Military Operations Navigation System Return Signal Sole Purpose Stereo Equipment Subscription Fee Time Difference Twenty Four Hours United States Department United States Department Of Defense Weather Condition
