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Copyright 2006 Keith Thompson

If you`ve been confounded by all the technical jargon and hype surrounding GPS, confusing what`s turning out to be a very useful tool, allow me to shed a little light on your roadmap to deciding whether or not this technology is for you! Originally designed with military applications in mind, the technology was made available to mere mortals in hte 1980`s for the many and varied uses we`ve found so far for these special tools. Not only handy for auto navigation, GPS units have made their way into maritime navigation, backcountry uses, and much, much more!

How does GPS work? GPS (which stands for Global Positioning System) allows you to pinpoint your position anywhere on the planet to within an average of 15 meters, with some units doing much better than that. Twenty-four GPS satellites, paid for and placed in orbit by the Dept. of Defense courtesy of your tax dollars, send signals back to terra firma 24/7. These signals are retrieved by your handy dandy GPS receiver which uses three sources (satellites) to triangulate this information and compute your actual position. If there are four data sources, even altitude can be determined. Since there are normally eight satellites in line of sight from anywhere on earth, the opportunity for accurate positioning exists. Other things that can be determined besides latitude, longitude, and altitude would include things like speed, sunrises and sunsets, bearing, distance and more. While they will work in any weather, some hindrances would be electronic interference, buildings, and certain terrain. A good rule of thumb is that the units will generally not perform underwater, indoors, or underground. There are currently two Global Navigation Satellite Systems in use. Besides GPS, there is the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) Protocols are constantly being refined to enhance the abilities of these systems. A bright light on the horizon is Galileo, scheduled to go online in 2008, which promises even greater accuracy and functionality.

So how do I know which GPS unit is for me? Quite a few choices now exist for consumers in the GPS marketplace. Whether you need a handheld unit for backpacking or boating, or one for your automobile (they are becoming an attractive option!) or for one of a myriad of uses, there are several reputable manufacturers of quality GPS units out there to help you find your way through the maze of choices. Names like Magellan, Garmin, Rino, Etrex and Meridian lead the market, and are readily available. Take your time, check out the various features each has to offer, and get yourself outfitted with one of the more useful and efficient navigational tools out there today!

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Keith Thompson is the webmaster at http://www.best-gps-review.com , where many resources and information on GPS can be found.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System and was initially designed to be used by the U.S. military and is operated by the U.S. Defense Department. This system consists of 24 satellites, these satellites are 12,000 miles above us, are constantly moving in a precise orbit, have an atomic clock, and are solar powered. They do have a battery backup so they will continue to run in the event of a solar eclipse, and each satellites has a small rocket booster to maintain their orbit. The first satellite was launched in 1978 and it wasn`t until 1994 when there were a total of 24 satellites. Each satellite has a life expectancy of about 10 years, so new satellites are constantly being built and launched. Each satellite weighs about 2,000 pounds and is approximately 17 feet in width when the solar panels are extended. In the 1980s the GPS became available to the public, and although it is still maintain by the U.S. Defense Department there is no charge for its usage by the public.
These 24 satellites orbit the earth twice a day and continuously sends the location of the satellite. A GPS system can tell how far a satellite is away by comparing the time difference between the time a signal was transmitted and the time it was received, the longer it takes the signal to be received by a receiver, the farther away the satellite is. If a GPS is receiving signals from three satellites it can calculate latitude and longitude. Altitude can be determined if the GPS is receiving signals from four satellites.
GPS can be used for navigating your car through traffic day-to-day or tracking a fleet of vehicles. Not only can a driver use a GPS for directions the main office knows where that vehicle is and the speed of the vehicle. GPS can be used while on vacation for activities such as hiking, camping, or hunting. Is your passion fishing but get frustrated trying to find the fish? With a fish finder which uses both GPS technology and sonar you`ll know exactly where to go to find those fish. GPS technology is also being used as a way to track your pet if he wanders off or to safeguard a pet from being stolen.
Another use for GPS is as a child finder with a receiver in a child`s cell phone or wristwatch to ensure a child`s safety. It can be used in a teenager`s car in order to both know where they and how fast they are driving. This could also be used to keep track of someone who tends to `roam` but is not capable enough to find there way back; i.e. someone with Alzheimer`s disease.
As GPS technology improves, it uses will increase. Who knows where it will take us next?

Vacations are times to relax and enjoy, not worry about finding your way around. Are you flying, or driving? Are you going somewhere that you know well or somewhere totally new? Are you renting a car if you`re flying, or are you going to depend on taxis? If you are traveling by taxi do you know if a `shortcut` the taxi driver suggests is really a shortcut or possibly are you being scammed to increase your rate. What are your plans once you get to your destination? Are you going backpacking, hunting, or fishing, or do planning a trip to a resort and plan on lying by the pool and just relaxing? Wouldn`t it be nice not the have to worry about finding a location, or a good restaurant. Your visit would be much more enjoyable without this concern.
Is it possible that you will be off in your own airplane, with a GPS you can create your flight plans and get automatic calculations of headings, winds, time, and fuel or recalculate your heading. Are you driving or plan on renting a car once you get to your destination? Do you know the route well or is this a new adventure? Whether this is a trip that you frequently make or not a GPS can be indispensable. What if you get detoured due to an accident or road construction, what if you run into a large traffic jam do you need to sit and wait, or is there possibly another route you could take? Have you ever wanted to get off the beaten path and explore somewhere new but were afraid of getting lost? Wouldn`t it be nice just to take off to somewhere new without the fear of getting lost? Do you plan on going fishing? Wouldn`t it be nice to know where the fish are, so you can spend your time catching fish, instead of spending your whole vacation with the possibility of catching nothing?
Have you planned a trip to visit a foreign country but were afraid you have trouble getting around when street signs are in a different language? With a GPS you put in your destination and find the location that you would like to go to. There is also translation software which can be downloaded to your PCA.
Are you going backpacking, hiking or camping, or even plan on taking a bike ride, with a GPS you have the added security of knowing if you get lost you can find your way out. Is there an area you always wanted to explore, but was afraid of not finding your way back.
Vacations are too far apart (2-3 weeks a year?) and are planned, paid for and anxiously awaited for to have to worry about getting lost. Whether you plan on lying by the beach or pool all day, you might want to find a certain restaurant or shop, or hiking through the forest a GPS can take the worry out of traveling and allow you to enjoy your trip.

Years ago, driving across the country meant one eye on the road and the other fixed on a heap of tangled, shredded paper covering the dashboard – otherwise known as a map. But in today’s interconnected world, even when you’re lost, you’re not really lost.

GPS devices are no longer reserved for outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers, skiers or geocachers. Trip navigators, like the Garmin Street Pilot help road trippers navigate through just about any city, state and province. Take a wrong turn, no problem. The device automatically plots a new course based on your current location. Whether you want to spend a few hundred bucks or reign in your budget, a GPS device can be your best friend.

Pinpointing precise locations is as easy as turning on your device, but making your GPS work smarter takes some time, skill and a PC. It’s all about customization.

Connecting Your GPS Device to Your Computer
Anyone can buy a GPS, enter their starting point, begin wandering and find their way back again. No special skills required. You don’t need a PC to use your GPS device, but connecting the two allows you to customize your routes.

• Before you begin, connect your GPS device to your PC. Decide the area you want to explore and load the appropriate maps (additional software you’ll need to purchase beforehand).
• When you begin your adventure, your GPS device will show your exact location on the maps you’ve uploaded.
• Set your initial location as your home point.
• Begin wandering or follow the route you’ve mapped out. Enter waypoints along your route.
• When you return home, connect the GPS device to your PC again, upload waypoints to your PC to track your routes for future use.

There’s a GPS device for every trip you’ll take this year. Just make sure the one you buy is the one you really need. If you’re a wilderness adventurer, you’ll likely want a high-end and more expensive GPS device than if you’re an urban trekker who wants to track a route from Boise to Fort Lauderdale.

For the road tripper, consider a large enough screen that you can quickly glance at but won’t cause you to take your eyes off the road for long. If you’re a hiker, get one that fits into your hand (or on your wrist) comfortably. Protect it in a plastic cover in case you drop it in the swamp.

Navigating has never been easier, or for tech lovers, more fun.

One summer a friend told me to get lost – so I did. I piled a few friends into my car and drove aimlessly until horses outnumbered people and gas stations became as frequent as views of the Loch Ness monster. As we watched the gas meter sink dangerously below empty, we realized we were hopelessly lost – and in trouble.

Road trips make the perfect occasion to get out and see the country; places you’ve never been before, learn a few things and maybe visit an old friend or two. GPS devices make the perfect traveling companions on a road trip – nothing’s worse than getting lost without gas, food or lodgings anywhere in sight.

But since everyone knows a road trip is the best way to get nowhere fast, your GPS device can help you source out restaurants, hotels, great coffee shops – so you can stay nourished and safe while exploring.

GPS devices help you navigate unfamiliar streets and reorients you if/when you make a wrong turn.
GPS devices let you find familiar restaurants and new ones you’ve never tried – plus they provide step by step directions, so getting lost is not an option.
GPS devices allow you to add in waypoints for future trips to the same locale.
GPS devices can introduce you to places you’d never heard of before – helping you make the most memories on your road trip.
GPS devices help you plan pit stops so you spend less time looking for public restrooms and more time checking out more interesting sites.
GPS devices can act as a cell phone allowing you to keep in touch with those at home during your road trip.
GPS devices are so easy to use you hardly have to crack open the user’s guide.
GPS devices are cool – which means your kids can help you navigate instead of whining about how long it is to the next pit stop.
GPS devices will never fall asleep on you, unlike some road trip co-pilots.

Next road trip spend less time scanning coffee-stained maps and more time enjoying your surroundings. GPS devices can help you get there faster, and permanently chart your path for future explorations.

GPS fanatik and travel writer, James W. Coates, seeks every possibility to set unique way points on his own personal travel maps. Read his Blog and share your stories with him and like-minded nomads at www.nomadik.com.

Commuters braving rush hour know all too well how traffic jams can quickly tack on extra drive time. In an instant, a long string of red brake lights raises frustration levels that can pile extra stress onto an already hectic week. That’s why real time customized traffic data streaming to your on-board GPS only makes sense.

Like having a traffic reporter seated in the car next to you, on-board GPS units offer detailed traffic data and freeway speed information. As alternative routes are proposed, many devices automatically calculate the estimated driving time and any additional mileage a driver must take to avoid bottle neck situations. When merged with Bluetooth technology, drivers can call home to give the family their estimated arrival time.

Higher end models such as Garmin’s StreetPilot 2730 GPS Receiver offer larger screens that are easier to read, even in bright sunlight, and include convenient voice recognition.

Text to speech capabilities permit the unit to decode and pronounce street names, meaning that as the vehicle approaches a designated turn, the unit prompts drivers to turn left onto Bay Street, for example, instead of simply ordering them to turn left (without naming the street) as most basic models do.

While all GPS Units have the capability to constantly seek out alternative routs and subsequently avoid traffic jams, higher end models double as satellite FM radio broadcasters. These models allow you to listen to your favorite commercial-free music as well as real time traffic reports and weather forecasts while commuting home or to work. Other models are even capable of playing the MP3 format giving you the added freedom to listen to your music collection or favorite audio book.

Commuters who travel with their laptops may opt to transform their computers into GPS units byway of special navigational software. Just remember than since you can’t mount your laptop to the dashboard, frequent glances to a screen in the passenger’s seat could prove dangerous in heavy traffic situations. However a laptop screen is much larger than those on most GPS devices and most software includes voice recognition, still only available on higher end GPS units.

Given the many options, the best advise is to shop around and decide which model suits your needs. Then you’re halfway on the road towards less wearisome commutes.

Navigating wastelands pose numerous problems – even with a GPS device. Scarce landmarks mixed with undulating sand dunes challenge even the best navigators attempting to chart a course. In addition, the underlying danger of hidden canyons to navigate around heightens the degree of difficulty.

Luckily GPS devices can help you navigate a clear path through the desert. Since vegetation is sporadic, your device will have continuous communication with satellites – unlike trekking though densely covered forests that block signal paths. Using waypoints, one can easily chart distances in the desert which can then be indicated on maps that truly reflect the landscape.

Distances are difficult to judge in the desert since usual points of reference (steep drop-offs, unusual tree formations, etc.) are all but absent. To get around this, identify any landmark that is easily distinguished from the background and indicate it as a waypoint on the GPS unit. Seek out one more and indicate that point as well. From those two waypoints distance can be calculated. Judging distance with the naked eye alone can be deceptive.

Since desert topography shifts more than forested areas, maps can contain erroneous information. Nevertheless, using a paper map and a GPS unit allows you to indicate on the paper map the locations of erratic landscapes and places to avoid on the way back, which leads to a safer crossing of the desert.

Taking along a GPS can save your life if used wisely. But it can also carry a false sense of security. Bring your GPS unit but also remember to do the following:

• Always check weather conditions and routes thoroughly before setting off into the dusty horizon. Conditions can change rapidly so check them often..
• If traveling by car, remember to check the oil and gas at the last stop.
• Bring road and trail maps that correspond to your GPS maps and waypoints.
• Bring at least a gallon of water per person per day.
• Never set off into the desert alone. Use the buddy system and inform others of your whereabouts.
• Bring extra batteries for your GPS unit – its not just your body that can become overheated.

Since most areas in North America have been explored, finding a detailed GPS map to bring with you for any of the four major desert systems causes no problem. However, even if you have all the necessities for your trek into the barren lands, remember each desert is different and contains unique dangers.

James W. Coates has trekked across deserts in India and Africa and knows the importance of sticking to the beaten path – sometimes! Join him at and share your desert stories.

Step outside your own front door and in all likelihood Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have impacted on your daily life in some way. It could be that rush hour taxi ride across town or perhaps that weekend fishing trip. Originally developed by the US military, GPS tracking systems have a wide array of practical uses for the consumer. In general terms its two main functions are positioning � instantly locating a person or object and navigation. That may be fine for a police manhunt or a round the world yachtsman, so what can GPS do for the average consumer?

This technology can offer enhanced reassurance for worried parents. Do you really know where your teenage son or daughter goes at night? Perhaps a GPS tracking system device can help ease parental anxiety. There are units available that can specify a certain locality to monitor, so if your child strays outside this area an alert will be sent to your device. He or she will then be tracked for the remainder of their journey continually relaying data back to your device or the Internet. These units can take the form of hand held equipment, a mobile phone or a watch. There are even tiny pet tracking receivers available on the market for use on a dog collar.

The leisure industry has long since adopted GPS tracking system technology for use in outdoor pursuits. For hiking, mountaineering and deep sea fishing there are specialist devices available offering tailored functionality. A diver can safely assess how long he or she can remain at a certain depth while heart rate and blood pressure is being monitored.

In car units have become the most widely used of GPS devices as the plain old road map becomes consigned to history. Drivers have the capability to plot complicated itineraries down to the minutest detail. Cost and time savings can be made as congestion black spots and uneven terrain can be avoided with ease. Most importantly emergency services can accurately pinpoint the location of a vehicle instantly when involved in breakdown or accident. In fact a GPS tracking system can actually save you money. Most insurance companies reduce insurance premiums for vehicles with tracking capabilities. Business has also recognized the cost savings and increased efficiency that GPS provides which is often used to track and monitor individuals as well as vehicles.

Consider carefully your reason for purchasing a GPS tracking device and its usefulness to yourself, your family or business. This sophisticated piece of hardware is by no means a substitute for plain common sense. Life`s risks and hazards still exist out there. What it can provide is a heightened sense of wellbeing and security for you and your loved ones and help you better manage your time in work or play. With prices starting at under $100 GPS tracking systems are within most budgets so do a little research and seek advice to determine the best options for you.

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Step outside your own front door and in all likelihood Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have impacted on your daily life in some way. It could be that rush hour taxi ride across town or perhaps that weekend fishing trip. Originally developed by the US military, GPS tracking systems have a wide array of practical uses for the consumer. For more information see www.21tip.com

Are you an old pro at driving or are you just gearing up for your first long trip, getting a GPS unit can be worth its weight in gold! GPS stands for “global positioning system,” and with one in your car or in your bag, you`ll always know where in the world you are.

A GPS uses the coordinates from Air Force satellites to triangulate its location; after the GPS receiver figures out how far it is each from each satellite, it can figure out your location within about ten to twenty-four meters. With this powerful tool at your disposal, you`ll never have to worry about bad directions and highway detours again!

There are plenty of jokes about people not wanting to ask for directions or people who give poor directions, but getting assaulted while asking for directions is no laughing matter. Far too often, motorists are assaulted or targeted when asking for directions in an unfamiliar area or while they are distracted.

When you ask for directions from a stranger, you are showing that person that you don`t know where you are, that you are unfamiliar with the area, and that you are possibly disoriented. When we get lost, we are confused and frustrated, and there is a good chance that our internal warning systems are not working; we may end up asking for directions from people who make that internal warning bell go off.

Even if you don`t ask for directions, fumbling with a map can be a dead giveaway. How many times have you gotten out of your car to spread the map out for better visibility? When you are distracted with your map, you are extremely vulnerable. Having a paper map out and fumbling with it makes you a target.

There are also places where you just don`t want to get lost. Several cities have bad neighborhoods that are easy to stumble into but harder to get out of, especially if you are driving in the dark. A GPS unit can make sure you get to where you are going without having to spend a stressful few hours trying to get out of a dangerous part of town.

Even if you don`t do a lot of city driving, there are still areas where you want to avoid getting lost. If you`ve ever driven cross-country, you know that some states, like Texas and Oklahoma, go on forever without a lot in the way of landmarks. You can lose hours of time and hundreds of miles before you figure out that you are lost and running out of gas on a desolate part of the highway is highly problematic. If you have young children in the car, this situation can become quite dangerous; children especially become dehydrated easily.

If you are driving in an area that you are not familiar with, a GPS unit can be instrumental in getting you where you need to go. Don`t forget that because the highway commissions are constantly building new highways and closing others for construction or repairs that the maps you buy at gas stations are not always reliable. When you are driving in an unfamiliar area, there is a chance that you will be forced off the highway and into a confusing residential area. When this happens, a GPS unit can help you get back on track, and in fact, might have been able to find you a route that you wouldn`t have had to leave in the first place.

Much as cell phones have become part of our world, GPS units are quickly becoming an essential part of travel. They are compact convenient, and they can make your driving experience a lot safer. You can purchase one for a teenager who`s not so sure about the driving geography of her own town, or you can purchase one for yourself if you`re going to be driving in an area that you are not familiar with. For both individual travel and family vacations, a GPS can give you a great deal of peace of mind.

No matter how old you are, or where you are planning on driving, a GPS unit can make sure you get there safely. When you purchase a GPS unit for your car, you`re ensuring that you never have to worry about getting lost again!

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The Global Positioning System, commonly known as the GPS, was developed by the US Defense Department for military functions and is definitely a much up-to-date approach to navigation. It is able to locate the exact location of the globe with the help of a network of satellites circling the planet. The best GPS for Hiking can either be a 2D fix or a 3D fix. The former provides an exact position on the globe and is made using the triangulation of three satellites, while the latter uses four.

What are the things to consider if you have the GPS receiver? Make sure that the trees, buildings, and any other obstacles are not block obscuring the signal to the satellites you`re using. You also need to bring extra batteries with you and remember to secure the device from harm. And remember, even the best GPS for hiking will not be enough so you still need to bring a map, compass, and other navigational tools.

The GPS displays your exact location on the globe. However, having a topographical map is still a must so you can convert the coordinates into a position in your map. The best GPS for hiking can sometimes give you incorrect readings, but then it should still be able to provide you your position within a margin of 100m.

There are several possibilities your any best GPS for hiking can provide you with when plotting lines. First, you can program different way points into it go you can track your way back. It can also act as a digital compass as it allows you to track anything the same way you do with a compass. Lastly, trails and maps are also available for download in the Internet and load them into the device. With the help of the maps and the same way a GPS for cars work, you can recognize your way and the device will give you signs so you can track your course.