Posts Tagged ‘Gps Devices’

Effective GPS tracking devices are great tools to help you keep track of your loved ones, employees, products and equipment. Since these GPS tracking devices are so prevalent today, you will be able to find a suitable solution that fits your budget. Installing a GPS tracking device is a good financial and management decision. It is difficult to imagine running a business today without a GPS tracking device. Just imagine the manual communication and tracking overheads that will be required to track where your company’s assets are and whether your customers are being serviced effectively. You will need to make frequent phone calls to keep track of everyone and to ensure that the entire business process flow is working well.

With the amazing advances in technology, GPS tracking devices have made things like tracking of employees and vehicles much easier. There are sufficient proven advantages in installing a GPS tracking device. Some of these are:

1) Monitor and plan the movement of your company’s vehicles

With a GPS tracking device, you can easily plan an efficient delivery route without much time or money being wasted. In the past, before the introduction of GPS tracking devices, it would be almost impossible for you to realize if some of your employees have been skiving on their job with the company’s vehicles in tow.

However, things are different now with GPS tracking devices being installed by more companies. You will be able to figure out the real-time location of your driver and if the travelling time to the planned destination took as long or longer.

2) Recover stolen goods

It is nearly impossible to predict when a company vehicle will be stolen. So installing a GPS tracking device ahead of time is smart. Without a GPS tracking device, it will take the police a longer time to track down the stolen vehicle. In that critical lost time, both the vehicle and its precious content may be disposed off.

With a GPS tracking device installed, it will be of great help to the police as the time taken to find the vehicle will be greatly reduced.

3) Ensure the safety of your employees

GPS tracking devices can improve the safety of your employees. Employees are exposed to the danger of piracy or highway robbery if crooks realize that they are delivering goods that are of high value. Since GPS tracking devices can help keep track of your employees in real-time, you can offer help quickly and minimize their risks if should they meet with any danger.

A Portable GPS Helps You Get Around

Having a portable GPS tracking system with you when you are out on your trip is always advantageous. A portable GPS tracking system can help you find your way around in various circumstances. It can help you if you are on a jungle trek. It can also help you if you are trying to make your way around busy city centers.

In the old days if you were preparing for a trek, you would need to find an appropriate map that covers the region where you plan to explore. You run the risk of venturing off into areas that are not covered by the paper map. It is unlikely that you will bring enough maps to cover all possible contingencies. Your planned route may be blocked by fallen trees or landslides. The area may have been flooded or waterlogged. The detours that you may have to take may heighten the chances of you getting lost. Your map may also be damaged by heavy rain if the map is not well protected in a waterproof sheath. If it gets dark and you are unprepared, you may not be able to read your map. Getting lost in the woods or the jungle can be a harrowing experience. If you need a search and rescue mission to get you out of the situation, this may take time. A rugged portable GPS device may be a real lifesaver in these situations.

The portable GPS device can easily indicate to the user their position with just a click of a button. From that position, the user can try to find a way out of the area and the chances of getting lost are greatly minimized. You do not need lots of space in your luggage to accommodate a portable GPS.

It is generally quite easy to use a portable GPS as you can get instructions that appear on the screen’s display. Moreover, most models now come with a voice sampler that provides you instructions clearly instead of reading them off the screen. This allows the user to understand the portable GPS device in a more interactive way.

Basically, a portable GPS is a fantastic way for determining your location with the help of the voice sampler and allows the user to find their way through unfamiliar places with ease. In many cases, the use of a portable GPS system helps to avert the user from getting into difficult or dangerous situations.

Choosing a GPS navigation device can be a daunting process especially if you have never used a GPS device. GPS devices can get you from point A to point B with almost no thinking, just enter a starting address and a destination then let your GPS unit talk and visually guide you. It’s that simple. Before you just run out and pick up any GPS Navigation System there are a few features or aspects you need think about.

1. Accurate Navigation is the most important part of your GPS device. All GPS devices will tell you they are extremely accurate, this isn’t always true. Online User groups are great way to find out how accurate a GPS device is because most groups give unbiased advice.

2. Your GPS unit should be easy to use. Go to your local electronics store and test several devices. Make sure the interface is easy for you to operate. Lower priced GPS units have a bare bones interface that can sometimes be clunky and slow.

3. Long Battery Life. Trust me here, the longer the battery life the better. Getting a GPS unit with long battery life can really increase the price tag but it’s worth it, especially if you are not near your car charger. Most GPS Units have an additional charging port on the side to plug in another device such as a cell phone. Bigger batteries also mean less clutter in the car because you won’t need to pull out that charger. My last point on getting a better battery is that you can load your routes with having to be plugged into an external power source.

4. Named Streets. You’re going to pay more for this, but it’s worth it if you are in an unfamiliar city. So, instead of your gps device saying “turn right” it may say “turn right on Big St”.

5. Real-time traffic stats. Most GPS devices will ask you how you want to get to a location (either shortest or quickest route) but very few consider if there is traffic on the chosen route. Real-time traffic stats are usually reserved for the most expensive GPS devices. If you’re rich, then this feature is for you.

6. Consider the GPS size and weight. When you go to your electronics store make sure you can pick up the GPS unit to feel it’s weight. Also, screen size is very important if you have trouble seeing because your GPS device may be mounted a foot or two from your eyes.

7. Screen and audio clarity. Make sure you can see everything clearly on your GPS device especially in direct light and in the dark. Most GPS devices feature night illumination controls which really help for all you night drivers. The audio should be crisp, clear and very easy to understand. If you like to listen to the radio while using GPS navigation make sure your GPS unit has a load speaker (or good audio out).

When a technology becomes the “IT” product of the holiday season, there’s bound to be some misinformation out there. This year’s hot product is the consumer GPS – and it can truly do some amazing things, including: provide directions with real-time turn-by-turn navigation, help you avoid traffic and even make hands-free cell phone calls with Bluetooth. But there are also some things about GPS that just aren’t true. Here’s a look at some of the biggest myths about GPS technology.

5 Most Common Misconceptions about GPS:

Myth #1: The weather can affect your GPS

Fact: Cloudy or rainy conditions have nothing to do with the performance of your GPS device. Think about it like this: airplanes using GPS devices to navigate through cloudy conditions thousands of times a day. Last time we checked, the commercial aviation system was running without too many GPS-related problems. Well, the same technology they use is found in your car’s GPS devices. The only thing that can truly keep your GPS device from operating at peak performance are tall buildings, mountains and other large structures that may block it’s signal.

Myth #2: The government can track you because of your GPS device

Fact: It is true that some commercial grade GPS devices send out a signal about your whereabouts, the consumer GPS devices sold by Garmin, Magellan and other companies only receive information from satellite systems. While this news will be no doubt disconcerting to conspiracy theorists, the rest of us can breathe a little easier knowing that our whereabouts are private.

Myth #3: GPS devices mean you don’t have to watch the road

Fact: Just because you have a helpful GPS device in your car doesn’t mean you should be any less vigilant as a driver. It is important to watch the road and always pay attention to where you are in journey. In fact, some directions provided by your GPS device may take you through areas in which you don’t want to travel. It is always important to use these directions in conjunction with what you can see with your own eyes, and of course, common sense.

Myth #4: GPS devices don’t work outside of a local area

Fact: The beauty of GPS devices for your car is that they work almost anywhere. That means you can take your family for a cross-country drive and the GPS will provide with information every step of your journey. In fact, many GPS devices can help you find local points-of-interest along the way including parks, museums, restaurants and more.

Myth #5: GPS devices are too expensive

Fact: Of all the falsehoods out there about GPS devices, this one might be the most out of touch. Currently, there are more inexpensive GPS devices out there that at any time in the technology’s history. Even the high end models from Tom Tom, Garmin and others are reasonably priced, and the “basic” units (which are still packed with features) are affordable enough for almost any budget.

If you want to keep tabs on someone, such as a significant other or a child, you may be interested in how to trace a cell phone location. Since people today almost always have their cell phones with them, the idea is that they can be used to hone in on the specific location of a persona at a given time. While many cell phones today do include GPS equipment, you are more likely to get answers by doing a reverse lookup for the number than relying on this technology.

There are limitations to the GPS devices in phones for the type of tracking and tracing in question here. While the phones can be used to locate a static location, you can rarely use the GPS system in the phone to find that person because they need to have the service turned on to permit tracking. This might work well in phones designed for children to make tracking by parents easy but it’s not an effective answer to how to trace a cell phone location with other people.

The better choice is to check the phone number being used or phone numbers being called by the phone through a reverse search service specializing in cell phones. This way you’ll be able to identify the possible location for the person in question, as well as other methods of contacting them. This also means you don’t have to worry about being tracked via your cell phone either and that should give you some sense of privacy.

To perform a reverse cell phone search, please visit Simple Reverse Lookup, all you have to do is Click Here

In the first part of this series of 10 articles I explained the differences between GPS Navigation Systems and GPS Tracking Systems, and how they are two completely different of implementations of Location Based Services. In this second article I will develop some additional concepts related to the elements that constitute a GPS Tracking System. There are 3 main parts to a GPS Tracking System:

- A GPS device or GPS Tracker, which receives the location information and then delivers it to a software application.

- A data transmission system, which takes the information provided by the GPS Tracker, and delivers it to the software application.

- A Software Application, which presents to its users the data recollected by the GPS Tracker in several formats including maps and reports.

This article will present the main components of a GPS Tracking Solution, and will start expanding on the first component: GPS Trackers. It will take me this article and the next one to go in detail over GPS devices.

GPS Devices

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In this section I will define what a GPS Device, and how they work; after that I will present the types of GPS Trackers, including most of the features that these devices offer, and my opinion in regards to each type.

At its simplest definition, the GPS device, or better the GPS tracker, is the component in charge of receiving the information about the location of the vehicle, and providing this data to the GPS Tracking Application through the Data Transmission System (which will be explained in coming articles). GPS Trackers are usually small boxes (metal or plastic) that can be the size of a man’s wallet, or a little bigger. All of them need at least one antenna (GPS antenna), and most of them need an additional antenna to enable the data transmission module. So this leads to a first classification of GPS Trackers:

-Full satellite trackers. This type of trackers will use satellites to receive and transmit data.

-Hybrid trackers. This type of trackers will use satellites to acquire location (we will see some variations here later in this article), and another method to transmit the data (a data modem, a data port to download the data, etc).

On the next article I will expand on these concepts.

So, the main task of a GPS Tracker is to provide information of the location of a vehicle or an asset, or a person. The location of the units is usually acquired from the GPS satellites, but there is another method based on triangulation with cell towers to calculate locations. Getting the location from satellites is the most accurate mechanism, providing a minimal margin of error most of the times (from 2 up to 50 feet). GPS location can be acquired anywhere in the world. The only down side for this location technology is that the GPS antenna has to have a view to the sky. For example, if the vehicle gets into a garage, most probably there will not be GPS locations available.

Getting the location based on a triangulation with the cell towers (those that are also used by our cell phones to transmit voice and data) has a bigger margin of error (up to a few hundred feet), making it a not very accurate location mechanism. This type of location also requires the presence of the named cell towers to work. The upside of this mechanism is that it will perfectly work within buildings, which is not the case for GPS satellite location. Some GPS Trackers are designed to work with both location mechanisms, creating a new concept called Assisted GPS (AGPS).

There are mainly three types of GPS Trackers: Passive Trackers, PING Trackers, and Live Trackers. Also, there are some GPS Trackers that have more features than other – not just a location of the vehicle.

In this article I have dissected a GPS Tracking solution into three main components: a GPS Tracker, a data transmission system, and a GPS Tracking application. I have also started exposing the details of GPS Trackers, specifically the two main ways to locate a vehicle. Finally, I introduced two more elements to consider in GPS Trackers: types of trackers and advanced features of a GPS device.

Honey, are we lost? Just maybe, with the right GPS system, you will never have to ask for directions again or hear the dreaded question. Your male ego might just stay intact and save your marriage at the same time.

Does this scenario seem familiar to you? Have you entered the twilight zone? It is time to drive to a new destination and all too many times you find out your map is outdated, the roads are torn up by construction, or you find your self seeing some new parts of the country that is no way related to where you are suppose to be going. Again, I ask, does this scenario seem familiar to you when you have had to drive to a new destination? Take heart, new knowledge is here to help us destination challenge individuals. Having the right Garmin GPS Navigation System, getting from point A to point B (and beyond) no longer has to be an exercise in frustration. No more “going where no one has gone before”.

What does GPS stands for? Global Positioning System is a worldwide radio-navigation system of 24 satellites and their earth stations on earth. Airplanes, astronauts, hikers are using this great GPS devices. The satellites are used as orientation points for locations on earth. By measuring the distance from three satellites, GPS devices can triangulate a location anywhere on earth. That is pretty cool if you think about it.

Where did GPS come from? GPS is funded by and controlled by the U. S. Department of Defense (DOD). Can you believe that? While there are many thousands of civil users of GPS world-wide, the system was intended for and is operated by the U. S. military. GPS provides specifically coded satellite signals that can be processed in a GPS receiver, enabling the receiver to compute position, velocity and time. Four GPS satellite signals are used to compute positions in three dimensions and the time offset in the receiver clock. This is really a very neat product that provides an exceptional reliable service.

GPS is speedily becoming an integral component of the up-and-coming Global Information Infrastructure, with applications ranging from mapping and surveying to international air traffic management and global change study. The growing demand from military, civil, commercial, and scientific users has generated a U.S. commercial GPS equipment and service industry that leads the world. Augmentations to enhance basic GPS services could further enlarge these civil and commercial markets.

GPS is managed by the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee, supported by the PNT Executive Secretariat. The PNT manages GPS and U.S. Government augmentations to GPS, reliable with national policy, to sustain and augment U.S. economic competitiveness and productivity while shielding national security and foreign policy interests.

The essential GPS is defined as the assemblage of satellites, the navigation payloads which generate the GPS signals, ground stations, data links, and associated command and control facilities which are operated and maintained by the Department of Defense; the Standard Positioning Service (SPS) as the civil and commercial service provided by the basic GPS; and augmentations as those systems founded on the GPS that provide real-time accuracy better than the SPS. GPS permits land, sea, and airborne users to determine their three dimensional point, speed, and point in time, 24 hours a day in all weather, everywhere in the world.

Mom and Dads are putting in GPS vehicle tracking systems in their children cars so they can make sure they are staying away from places they shouldn’t be visiting. Trucking companies are installing GPS fleet tracking systems to resolve where there trucks are at all times. Naturally some privacy issues can occur with this capability to keep an eye on movement but the payback definitely over shadow the concerns. Hiking out in the wilderness is much easier and now safer with the GPS handheld units.

Where can you find GPS systems? A good place to start is the internet. Not only is the internet a good source to start where but also you can learn more about GPS and how it works. All the major retail stores carry the major brands such as Magellan, Garmin GPS Navigational System, TomTom, DeLorme, and Lowrance. There are handheld GPS units, dash mounted automotive GPS units, fish finders GPS, and even GPS for PDA’s and cell phones.

The United States Government has acknowledged that GPS plays a key role around the world as part of the global information infrastructure and takes sincerely their accountability to provide the best possible service to civil and commercial users worldwide. This is as true in times of conflict as it is in times of peace.

The U.S. Government also upholds the capability to prevent hostile use of GPS and its augmentations while preserving a military advantage in a theater of operations without disrupting or degrading civilian uses outside the theater of operations. The believe they can ensure that GPS continues to be available as an invaluable global utility at all times, while at the same time, protecting U.S. and coalition security requirements. Who said the U.S. Government didn’t care?

Map Capabilities

Most GPS models come with internal map capabilities. Manufacturer provides maps with details up to street level in the hard drive. The menu option enables you to access the desired data. Comprehensive street level maps can help you identify the coordinates of the destination on the map by using just the name, or locate the destination on map by giving the coordinates. For some models you will have to subscribe to a plan to update the maps on an annual basis. Check out some models with internal map capabilities at: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?mapCapabilities=Internal

Some models provide map information in memory cards having detailed information of a particular region. Thus you will need extra cards if you have to store information for more coverage. Map cartridges are more flexible but can prove to be expensive. Check the few models at: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?mapCapabilities=Map+cartridges+%2F+Data+cards

Models which enable one to download the latest maps are also available. Check such models at:

http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?mapCapabilities=Download+maps

Some brands provide map information in CD-ROM, DVD-ROM discs. Check out one such model at: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?mapCapabilities=DVD

Receiver type

There are 24 GPS satellites in six orbits around the earth. GPS receivers track these satellites to compute the information of your location, the bearing, distance and time left to reach destination and other route options. Since there are 12 satellites at a time in view, each of them is tracked continuously to generate the information. Latest GPS receivers marketed today are commonly 12 parallel channel receivers. You can find some such models at: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?receiverType=Parallel-Channel+%2812%29

The associated advantages of tracking more satellites are:

faster cold start

regular initialization

better reception

do not require an external antenna if you are in an open vehicle

Other receiver types are:

20 parallel channel receivers http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?receiverType=Parallel-Channel+%2820%29

16 parallel channel receivers http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?receiverType=Parallel-Channel+%2816%29

14 parallel channel receivers http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?receiverType=Parallel-Channel+%2814%29

Display size

Large displays are a visual treat when you consider buying TVs but not the same when it comes to buying a GPS. The map on the display gives you information regarding:

current location

where next turn is

name of street you are turning onto

estimated time of arrival

While driving, casting your glance away a second longer can prove to be risky, hence a device with a smaller screen will be advantageous. The display should be easy to read irrespective of surroundings. The navigation aids come in various sizes. Some units with screen size as big as 7in. (http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?displaySize=7+in.) enable you to get connected to external video devices. Some hand held ones are as small as 1.5in.X 0.9in. (http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?displaySize=1.5+in.+x+0.9+in.) Some of the convenient, easy to read GPS are:

3.5 in. (http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?displaySize=3.5+in.)

2.8 in. x 2.1 in. (http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?displaySize=2.8+in.+x+2.1+in.)

Resolution

Screen resolution decides how clearly you can see and read in broad daylight. Color, glare free LCDs are soothing to the eyes. High end models have color screens which gives information about weather and terrain. Some GPS units with different resolutions are:

320×240 http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?resolutions=320+X+240

480×272 http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?resolutions=480+x+272

PC Interface

The portable models have a USB or serial ports which gets you connected to a PC. It enables you to download latest maps and system software. GPS units with USB and serial ports can be found at:

USB: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?pcInterface=USB

Serial port: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?pcInterface=Serial+RS-232

Bluetooth GPS that communicates with mobile device wirelessly are also available. Some can be found at: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?pcInterface=Bluetooth+Wireless+Technology

Built-in memory

With larger memory space one can store more route information and waypoints. Units with software that can transfer data from the unit to a PC can be used to gather more data than it can hold. So depending on how much map data and information you wish to store, you can select the units with the required memory space. You get various models with wide range of built-in memory space.

1 to 30MB http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?builtInmemory=1-to-30

30 to 512MB http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?builtInmemory=30-to-512

512 to 2500MB http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?builtInmemory=512-to-2500

2500 to 40000MB http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?builtInmemory=2500-to-40000

Antennas

External antennas are used when stronger signals are needed. If in a vehicle the system cannot be placed near the window, external Antenna hookups can prove to be ideal solution. Choice of external hookups is most practical for hiking under heavy tree cover, under tall buildings or in any place which doesn’t have a good view of sky. GPS devices with external antenna hookup can be found at: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?antenna=External+Antenna+Hookup

Built-in antennas are less prone to breakage and can communicate with more satellites. Some such devices are available at:

http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?antenna=Built-in

Quadrifilar Helix- This is also an external antenna useful for situations where open sky is limited. Check the models at:

http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?antenna=Quadrifilar+Helix

Flip up antennas too give strong performance. Some such models are : http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?antenna=Flip-up

Price

This is one factor not to be compromised on, if you don’t wish yourself or your loved ones to get lost in the maze of roads. The technology in this field has developed rapidly and the old models which are cheaper may have crowded maps, or confusing menu options. Latest models high on price have more detailed maps. Of course, lesser the features lesser will be the cost. If you don’t need features like live traffic data or weather data, don’t invest money in models offering these features. Features like speech recognition for hands free operation, 3D maps, and information on fuel prices all come for additional price.

Under $200- http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?Price=59.5-to-199.99.You get good light weight portable navigation units in this range. Maps look great with reasonably timely route recalculations. Good value for money! Those of you looking for more memory space may check out models at higher range.

Between $200 to $312- You get better performance and features like anti glare, touch screen with good resolution. You also get good in-built memory space and battery life. http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?Price=199.99-to-311.99

Between $312 to $416- Good screen settings, voice guided directions and overall good performance. http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?Price=311.99-to-415.45

Between $416 to $1172- Accurate route guidance, easy to use and compatibility with Bluetooth cell phones are some attractive features of devices in the price range. http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?Price=415.45-to-1171.78

Brands

There are various manufacturers manufacturing GPS units with different features to suit a wide range of customers. The major brands available today are:

Garmin has many models of handheld and mounted types. Check its models at: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?BrandName=Garmin

Magellan: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?BrandName=Magellan

Mitac: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?BrandName=Mitac

Lowrance: http://www.reviewgist.com/gps-devices-reviews?BrandName=Lowrance

When you’re rushing from a late meeting to your child’s t-ball game, you need to know exactly where you are going or you could miss her getting her first hit or catch. You may not have GPS in your car, but you do have a PDA – a personal digital (or data) assistant. Shouldn’t your “assistant” be able to help you get there? Now it can!

There is a new kind of PDA with GPS embedded which can not only keep your schedule, but also help you navigate to the places on your schedule. Not only can it tell you where you are supposed to be and when, but how long it will take you to get there. In fact, with new technology, a GPS enabled PDA can even factor in the amount of real time traffic in giving you an estimate of your travel time or actually advising you about when to leave. They can also give you alternate routes where there is less traffic on the fly.

These PDAs with built-in GPS come preloaded with up-to-date maps of your country, and give both text- and voice turn-by-turn directions. This way you can both see and hear the directions for maximum safety while driving (In fact they can sometimes project the voice directions to your car stereo so you will hear them loud and clear). They also can navigate you to points of interest such as gas stations and stores along your way.

Some things to look for in a PDA with built-in GPS include the ability to automatically update your device through a computer so you get the latest changes in roads and routes, and good service coverage so you are never almost there when your map blacks out. You should also look for a system that allows you to do two things at once – like making a speakerphone call while you are driving without losing your route.

Another new GPS enabled PDA technology allows you to share information with others who have GPS devices. You can send a colleague or family member in another car the same directions, or traffic information, or information about where to find a gas station, while you are driving as easy as making a phone call.

Imagine what your new, more powerful handheld assistant can do for you right now: Tell you how to get where you are going, when to leave so you are on time, where you can stop along the way to bring something to the meeting, and whether there is traffic in your way!

Founded on the principles of innovation, convenience, performance, value, and service, Garmin products are today known for their excellence. The company has a very simple goal of creating navigation and communication devices that can enrich the consumers’ lives. What began as a brainstorming session of a handful of engineers around a card table in 1989 has evolved into a worldwide collaborative effort involving thousands of colleagues. The innovative products span various areas including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation and wireless applications.

The secret to the success of Garmin isn’t even that much of a secret. From the time that the founders focused on selling their first product using GPS (Global Positioning System), Garmin has hired and surrounded itself with creative minds and passionate spirits.

Garmin’s GPS systems have found a vast range of users since their introduction to the public in 1989. Widely used as Vehicle tracking devices, they can let you know where you are going, where you are presently and how to get to a certain destination. Garmin’s hand-held GPS systems are among the top liners in GPS systems. Its products like panel-mount GPS, moving maps, and GPS/cellular phones are the talk of the town these days.

On the road products used in automotive, motorcycles and traffic receivers help drivers reach their destination effortlessly while getting the most out of the journey. Marine units supplement detailed charts with essential data. Aviation technology provides everything pilots need at a glance. On the fitness front the devices make every step of the workout more efficient. Wireless applications bringing the power of Garmin GPS devices to the smart phones are most popular ones.

From aviation to marine, automotive to fitness, wireless solutions to outdoor recreation, Garmin devices are in the air, on the water, in the woods, behind the wheel and on the run.

Too often a child goes missing after getting lost, or a teenager crashes a car after a party he was not supposed to be at, or a small child wanders off in a public place. Hopefully, new and exciting GPS technology can lower the chances that this will happen. In fact, there are already cases where bad endings have been prevented by GPS chips.

In the past, GPS transmitters were large and bulky. You could not carry them around except in a backpack or large briefcase. However, as GPS technology becomes more advanced, transmitter chips and GPS trackers are getting smaller and more powerful. This new generation of GPS devices can help you track your child with devices are as small as a paperclip. Some can even be put in a piece of jewelry or stitched into clothing.

A recent survey found that a large majority of parents would buy a device to trace their child’s movements. There are many reasons a parent would want to do this:

1. To find a small child who tends to wander off in public places.

2. To track their teenager and make sure she’s going where she says.

3. To allow a young teenager the freedom of going out without adults present.

4. To give a nervous child piece of mind in public.

The way the GPS chip works is that it gives off a signal that can be read by a global positioning satellite, which in turn transmits the subject’s location to a central receiver. A parent can then easily log onto a website, call a phone number, or even go to a site on a web-enabled phone to check their child’s location to within a few feet. When a parent suspects that something is wrong, with the push of a button the child’s location can be sent to local police with an alert.

GPS chips can provide a parent with a sense of security and comfort, but they should never take the place of all other preventative actions one would take to ensure their child’s safety. These GPS chips might augment what you already do, but they should never take the place of your current methods of watching over and protecting your child

The GPS (Global Positioning System) is probably one of the greatest inventions created in the 20th century. It is a method that finds a receiver (whether on earth or outer space) to inform you of your location and give you directions where you want to go. Today, its functionality is used in varied ways and new technologies right now are being developed to maximize its use.

How it works

GPS devices work by decoding signals from satellites. These satellites orbit the earth and pass their signals to inexpensive aerials, which is then passed to your GPS. The information received by the GPS will be used by its dedicated software. Through different signals from various satellites, your GPS software now analyzes your position in terms of longitude and latitude.

Furthermore, the software in your GPS is so advanced that it can even identify the specific satellite that passed on the signal – its location and the exact calculation of the signal’s travel time.

Mapping

When the GPS receives the signal and identify its location, it will then compare it to a map and analyze possible routes to follow. This is the reason why a GPS device is so expensive. Of course this map has to be regularly updated to make it accurate.

Different maps are used for varied users:

· Drivers need to have maps that contain accurate data of road systems in the region. They do not necessarily need the land layout.

· Hikers do not need detailed road information. Instead, they require specific data of tracks or trails, water spots, or local terrain.

· Sailors need navigable channels, sea bed data, and other information that would allow them safe sea travel.

· Fishermen need to use a marine GPS to track fish movements and predict where they need to fish the following day. This made cooperative fishing easier, as the boats relay their location to one another while they look for a good fishing spot. In fact, there are other features like “fish finders” where the GPS uses sonar functions that track movements of fishes in real time. The marine GPS even stores detailed fishing data as well as maritime information.

How to Get Started

You can easily avail of GPS devices designed for your specific need. In a car, it could contain features like route calculations, voice guidance, and even map upgrade.

If you enjoy outdoor activities, you can get hold of GPS devices such as Magellan and Garmin which is a rugged handheld GPS device with a map.

As months flash by, it seems science and technology is lessening the gap between imagining and inventing. Some 15 years ago, GPS devices were unthinkable. When risking it in a new strange place, the norm was to simply get a map and know how to interpret latitude from longitude. But in times this is really no cause for knitting eyebrows, as there is a electronic gadget named Global Positioning System navigator.

GPS devices are really a hot item when it comes to automobile features, and it is practically a standard. Some people would rather drive around without intrusive GPS devices in their rides, but most people are impressed and fascinated with this electronic and sometimes, “speaking” version of getting to your destination.

Prior to GPS, the biggest thing must have been Mapquest. It was good while it was unrivaled. Soon what it lacked became apparent. People on the fly, and who know that there are faster ways to organizing a trip, will have doubts about the need to map routes and print them before leaving. Experienced users of in-car GPS have long ago ditched the hassles. They just punch in their destination address once the car has been started, and there you go, your directions come at you step-by-step; sometimes there is the safer option of not having to stare anymore at the screen since most GPS units give you the directions orally (with the choice of a voice that sounds like your favorite movie star).

Heavy dependence on GPS devices in your car also has its downside. Aside from the power issue which is one big headache should it strike, GPS counts on wave-signals that your GPS car receiver gets, the idea of which is not different from imagining the signals that your cell phone gets. Anyone can relate to the sick feeling (and it’s not the good sick) that arises from being deprived a cell signal. Now I’m not going to preempt here which is more important to you: not being able to make a phonecall due a signal drought, or not having a GPS to tell you where to go?

Overtime, things are bound to get stabler anyway. As more and more consumers put their faith on the GPS devices revolution, technology will get cheaper and will improve, making possible the GPS’ basic functionality even with weaker signals. At the same time, more and more signals will be sent out to GPS units, similar to more and more cell phone towers being added in remote areas. But while such a scenario is still somewhere in the horizon, stay happy and content with your car’s GPS system and enjoy the freedom it allows you.

With GPS devices now in millions of cars, cell phones and purses around the country, it is hard to imagine that only a decade ago, the technology was used almost exclusively by large corporations and the military. But time has moved fast for Global Positioning Systems, which makes sense given that the story of GPS’ history begins with a measure of time.

It all starts with TIME

GPS technology exists today because scientists sought a way to measure time more accurately than it had ever been measured before. And so, they developed the Atomic Clock, a super-accurate device that measure the time within a billionth of a second.

But the Atomic Clock was not created in order to keep scientists from being late for dinner. They used the accuracy of the clock to test Einstein’s theory of relativity as it pertained to time and space.

Using Atomic Clocks to measure time and space

With these atomic clocks, scientists and engineers discovered that there were slight discrepancies in time around the globe. They began to position the clocks everywhere from Mount Everest to the Gobi Desert and then looked for tiny differences in the time in each of the locations. This information helped confirm Einstein’s view of the universe and would soon become a key part of satellite technology.

Sputnik and the creation of a military GPS system

When the Russians launched Sputnik in the 1950’s, scientists quickly learned that the satellite could be used to track locations on the ground by beaming a signal up to the satellite – and having a response returned to Earth. How that message traveled determined the location of the satellite relative to a point on the planet.

The US Navy soon began launching satellites of their own, and used them in key military actions to help troops engage in the proper battle locations and assist large ships circumnavigating the globe.

After a time, Navy engineers realized that enough satellites, placed in very specific positions with an orbit around the earth, would create a clear picture of our planet – and that this “picture” could be used map out individual points around the globe with stunning accuracy.

Completion of the System

In 1993, it all came together. The United States Navy launched the 24th of 24 carefully placed satellites into orbit – and the Global Positioning System was born. The satellites are positioned in such a way that now anyone with an inexpensive GPS device can locate their position (or another location) anywhere on the planet. And to think, it all began with Einstein and a group of scientists who wanted to find the ultimate measure of time.

Today GPS devices are a useful tool for many Americans. The technology has become very affordable and helps individuals obtain proper directions to their location while using a minimal amount of gas or time. And if someone had told you twenty years ago that GPS technology would be a “hot Christmas gift”, chances are you wouldn’t have given them the time of day.

For reviews, prices and product information about the latest GPS devices for the car, cell phone and more, visit www.gpsviews.com. At www.gpsviews.com you’ll find unbiased reviews, side by side product comparisons and everything else you need to make an informed purchase – and get the most out of your GPS device.

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You don’t have to be a fan of the X-Files to believe that the government is listening to us and watching our every move. Discoveries about the level of wire-tapping in the United States in recent years have reached a high enough frequency to where every American has to stop and wonder about the nature of their privacy.

Now, many people have begun to focus their privacy concerns towards the growing consumer GPS industry. With GPS devices for your car and cell phones, the ability for satellites to locate your whereabouts has grown exponentially. In fact, it is this capability that makes the GPS such a useful device in the first place.

GPS devices transmit a signal out to the satellites that make up the global position system. While it is highly unlike that you will be tracked without your knowledge, it could happen, provided the tracker was equipped with some very high level technology.

But face it, GPS devices are great, and many people would never give their’s up – having grown accustomed to the convenience of never getting lost, always knowing the best routes to take and having a friendly voice in the car with them at all times.

In the midst of this double-edge sword are two sides of the privacy debate. On the one hand, you have those individuals who have no problem sacrificing a portion of their privacy in the name of convenience, while on the other hand you have those who are genuinely concerned about the state of their privacy.

Consider the following laws and rulings:

· A recent ruling in New York City made it OK for police to plant a GPS device in the car of a suspect to help making trailing them easier. While most people will say that you haven’t done anything wrong, you don’t have anything to worry about, it still creates a slippery slope.

· Some states now allow law enforcement and other government officials to activate the GPS devices inside cars or cell phones with a warrant.

Both of these cases have been challenged, but are expected to be upheld by the Supreme Court.

Taking concerns about their privacy to the next level, some people have even gone so far as to purchase “GPS Jammers” for their systems. These devices plug into the side of the GPS device and block communications between the satellites and your car. The result? You won’t be able to use your GPS while the jammer is in place, but there will be no way to monitor your signal either.

As the “War against Terrorism” rages on, and the popularity of GPS devices continues to grow, expect the privacy debate to drag on as well. In the meantime, it is safe to say that the individual, law-abiding user of consumer GPS technology has little if anything to worry about in term of government satellites or stealth helicopters tracking their every move. Simply enjoy the flawless directions to the restaurant and everything will work out fine.

Very few new cars these days are sold without a GPS device included. The popularity of these devices has increased exponentially since they were introduced earlier in the decade, with motorists really giving the thumbs up to a method of navigation that has allowed them to concentrate on the important parts of driving without having to stop to look at a map every few miles. With a GPS device installed, all you need to do is punch in the information and it will find the destination for you and tell you how to get there. GPS devices are so popular that now, like with so many other technological advances, they come in many forms and go from cheap, simple units to more technologically advanced ones that cost a lot more.

One element of the popularity of automotive GPS devices is in their ease of installation. Many of them can be installed by means of a suction cup that allows them to attach to the windscreen. Although this is illegal in some states, the majority of states do allow it and it makes both attaching and detaching a perfectly easy process. Some of them can also be mounted on the dashboard, which has the advantage over suction-mounted devices of being positioned further forward, and is therefore less obstructive to a driver’s view.

Many of the newer forms of GPS device are portable. These devices can be easily detached and used in different cars, making them beneficial if you are required to hire cars frequently for work or any other reason. Not every rental car will have a GPS system and the chances are that if you are hiring a car you will be somewhere relatively unfamiliar – thus with all the more need to have a GPS system installed.

The other major advantage of a portable GPS device is that it can be used as a handheld satellite navigation system that can help you find your way on foot to somewhere simply by punching in the information required. If you are on a business trip, then, and are unable to park near to where you are going for the day, the GPS becomes doubly useful in allowing you to find your way to a parking lot and then to get from that parking lot to the office building where your meetings will be held.

Many of the newly sold cars on the market these days actually have a GPS component in the dashboard. Unlike the above kinds, these GPS systems cannot be transferred from car to car nor used as handheld devices. To their advantage however, they are run from the car’s battery and therefore are unlikely to cut out at inopportune moments – they are also easily programmable and will store journeys that you make frequently.

These GPS devices also operate as early warning traffic alert systems, and can be used as an integrated mobile phone speakerphone system to allow you a total hands-free phone experience. If your way home is likely to be blocked by traffic jams or road works, a GPS system will allow you to spot this and will help you plan an alternative route.