Posts Tagged ‘Gps System’
How to Choose a GPS Navigation System
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).
The GPS and Smartphones: Reinventing the Tomtom
How many times have you had that annoying voice tell you that you’ve just missed your left turn, but then it very kindly recorrects and adjusts for your missed turn and tells you how to get to that Krispy Kreme in Richmond that you just need to have? Or maybe that was just me, but most people who have GPS/portable navigation systems in their cars have managed to settle down to having a small, inexpensive TomTom or other form of nav system that sits on their dashboard and is kind of small and petite.
While these things are incredibly valuable for when you’re lost somewhere, the fact is that the most recent iPhone and Smartphone is about to make GPS systems in cars obsolete. Yup, you read that right. Obsolete. In fact, the current iPhone has a function that allows you to find out just about your exact location, due to a nicely-tuned program with Google maps in that little beauty. The current iPhone will triangulate your position with a ton of different Wi-Fi hotspots in the area and attempt to pinpoint your location from there. Thing are about to get even more complicated in the business market, though, as the brand new Apple iPhone, the one that Steve Jobs is going to reveal in just a few days, is going to have an entire GPS system right inside that little machine that would all but destroy the market for GPS systems.
Not that the iPhone didn’t have enough bells and whistles to really get your techno-motor going, but with this nice little GPS system, you’ll be able to find out where you need to go no matter what way you’re traveling. This way, if you’re a pedestrian who’s trying to figure out where to go, rest assured that your iPhone can tell you. The new smartphone is also amazing in it’s navigation system.
And if that isn’t good enough for you, apparently, these plans have officially scared the life out of the manufacturers of the TomToms, S-Dals and many other GPS automotive navigation systems. The fact that the iPhone is going to be with their customer all the time will essentially eliminate the need for a dash-board navigational system, since they can just pull it up on their phone and keep driving, which, many people still seem to do.
The only problem with this entire thing will be having people learn how to adjust to the smaller screen of the iPhone without creating an unneeded distraction while driving. The smartphone offers a better screen that can make it easier to use.
GPS Sport Watches
People often question how much GPS functionality can be jam-packed into a wristwatch form factor. Some even question if they would be able to use the positioning figures to get information to their desired location.
The Global Positioning System or GPS is currently the only fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System. Utilizing a group of at least 24 medium Earth course satellites that sends out precise radio signals, the method enables a GPS receiver to determine its location, speed, and direction. GPS is free for casual use for the good of the public, and these days one can find GPS incorporated in watches, cars, digital maps, etc.
People frequently wonder how much GPS practicality can be crammed into a wristwatch. Will it be possible to download maps and watch the progress?
GPS technology is a wonderful feat of human advancement, which is readily available in your local electronic stores. This allows anyone to determine his or her exact time and location in seconds. Get this information continually by buying a GPS watch.
GPS has developed into a broadly used aid in direction finding worldwide, and a helpful tool for map-making, land surveying, commerce, and scientific uses. GPS also provides a specific time location used in many applications as well as scientific study of earthquakes, and synchronization of telecommunications networks. It may be remarkable to note that the cost of maintaining the GPS system is approximately US$750 million per year, including the replacement of aging satellites, and for research and development. The satellite assemblage is managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing.
Purchasing the best GPS watch for you would be easy by following these 5 simple steps:
Step 1: Know what you require in a watch. Uses of GPS are limitless! Decide whether you want to use your GPS watch for training, sports, navigating or locating. You’ll have your options by cutting them down once you already know what you need.
Step 2: Evaluate the prices. Online sites make prices of different brands available for comparison. Compare prices of GPS watches to others before you buy one.
Step 3: Check for its availability in stores. Some of the best GPS watches are being sold in large chain stores. Even if they don’t have it on stock, they can order it for you. Call ahead or check online to make sure they have what you’re looking for.
Step 4: Look for a good deal. You may be able to order the same watch at a lower cost. During the holidays, you may catch these prices being marked down.
Step 5: Talk to the agent. Make sure you have someone to ask questions to before buying your preferred GPS watch. Know what’s the most popular or the most raved watch from sales representatives.
With these 5 Steps, you’re on your way to getting the finest piece of technology around your wrist. With a GPS wristwatch you will never go astray, and you will always be on time.
Here is one of the best GPS sports watch.
X9i Black Suunto GPS Wristwatch
Suunto X9i is best for camping and hiking having a compass, alarm, chronograph, altimeter, dual time, and is water resistant.
Fully fitted with GPS, a compass, barometer, altimeter and chronograph, Suunto X9i has everything you needed for a successful journey. Apart from whether you’re hiking, skiing, climbing, or going on a fishing expedition, Suunto X9i will ensure you get through even the knottiest situations.
Product information:
Altimeter- altitude, altitude alarm, vertical speed, thermometer
Compass- Bearing, bearing tracking, graphic compass rose
Watch- Calendar, dual time, three alarms with date feature, stopwatch
GPS- 12 channels, Resolution 1meter/3 feet
Barometer- weather alarm, absolute pressure, temperature, sea level pressure, weather movement graph
Menu-centered user interface just like cell phones
Power supply- USB cable and a universal power supply
Water resistant upto 10 bars
PC interface software + USB cable
Part #: 5216-SS012029110 / Suunto RCO5388
Sellers Found: 3
Available Since: Jul 18, 2006
Lowest Price: $399.20
Color – Black
UPC
045235400768
Motorcycle Gps. What is it and Why Would You Want It?
GPS is the new wave of navigating, and motorcycle GPS is no exception. But what exactly is GPS and why would you want it on a motorcycle?
GPS stands for global positioning system. It’s a high tech way of saying that it tell you where you are on the globe, and if you’ve got a motorcycle GPS system it tells you where your motorcycle is.
A GPS, including a motorcycle GPS, works by receiving radio signals from a series of satellites that are positioned in orbit around the globe. By cross referencing these satellite signals your motorcycle GPS unit can work out, to an accuracy of around 6 meters or less, exactly where you are.
In order for your GPS to work you need to be in a location where you can pick up the radio signals from a number of different satellites so that they can be cross referenced. Too few satellites and the accuracy goes down, none, or one, and it’s useless.
Early GPS systems, whilst accurate, had limited usefulness for the motorcyclist or car driver because they gave you your position on the globe in latitude and longitude. Whilst it was accurate, it wasn’t really user friendly, because you couldn’t really use it to plot your position on a map unless you were extremely map savvy and had the resources to do so. However modern motorcycle GPS systems have advanced way beyond this, and the best motorbike GPS units have now become a total motorcycle navigation solution.
The GPS technology has been combined with modern mapping software to eliminate the problem of being given only a latitude and longitude. Now you have a visual display that shows you exactly where you are on the map. So at a glance you can tell where you are.
And where you are wanting to go. Because high quality modern motorbike GPS systems are sufficiently high tech to allow you to rely on them 100% for your complete navigation needs.
So along with a map display showing you where you are you are also able to ask your motorcycle GPS to tell you how to get to where you want to go. It will do this with extraordinary accuracy, and will do so with both visual map pointers and voice prompts via bluetooth technology direct to your motorcycle helmet.
A good GPS motorcycle unit will come preloaded with a massive number of maps, and so you can navigate your way right across the country with the maps supplied. It should also have points of interest loaded as well, so that you can ask it to tell you the nearest fuel stop, motel or food stop.
And a dedicated motorcycle GPS unit should come with a properly designed handlebar mount so that you can mount it right there in front of you on the handlebars. However you shouldn’t need to look at it regularly, this isn’t safe, it should tell you direct to your helmet when you need to turn right or left.
It will also be able, if you have the correct subscriptions, to tell you when there is a traffic problem up ahead, and also tell you how to navigate your way around it. So by relying on your GPS navigator you should save both time, fuel and frustrations.
And make phone calls or listen to music along the way too if you wish.
A modern motorcycle GPS unit is one of the best tools a motorcyclist can have if he or she likes long rides. It does away with the need to carry, and consult, maps, and makes navigating a breeze.
And then at the end of the day you can download your ride and store it to recreate in the future. Or share it with your friends.
An Introduction to GPS Navigation
Copyright (c) 2008 Kentaro Konika
GPS simply stands for “global positioning system”, and GPS navigation is a program by which maps are created to guide you towards your destination. But the benefit over a traditional paper map is that this is an electronic device which can offer your other functions besides simply telling you where you are.
The technology has come a long way in recent years, and has greatly grown in popularity. This is due to the fact that it is extremely useful for getting places you are unsure of, for anyone who travels for work or holidays.
It works by connecting the electronic device to satellites. These satellites send signals to the devices, which then decode them to discover the exact location of the user. Not only this but the device will also tell you the speed in which you are travelling and how long it should take you to reach your destination.
Whilst it has become popular in mainstream use, it was once only used in the military in the mid 1960s though has steadily evolved to become a way for anybody to find where they are getting to easily and without stress.
Why might you need a GPS system? Well in today’s modern life many jobs call for travel to different places by car, and this can become especially stressful if you don’t know exactly where you are going. Stopping to ask people for directions can be difficult and time consuming, so knowing exactly where to go will really help to save you some time and make things less stressful. It will tell you exactly how to reach your destination, and how to get back again once you have finished.
When looking for a GPS system there are many you could choose. This will all depend on your specific needs. Some devices are cheaper than others and require less technical experience to use. Others will have more features, meaning it might take a while for you to get used to them all.
If you want unit with all possible features then you will have to opt for a more expensive unit. This will be well worth it if you travel a lot or are planning a driving holiday. They will provide you with a digital display that shows approaching roads as well as the traffic condition in certain areas, and will usually even include a voice prompt to tell you out loud (if you wish) where to turn and when to watch your speed (and so on). All of these features work together to make it extremely easy to reach your destination.
They are not only used for reaching your destination but they are also used for tracking, which is why it is more and more commonly seen in mobile phones. This helps people to be located if they become lost. Whatever you want it for, you should do some research into the machines that fit your individual needs. Once you find a system you will wonder how you ever did without it!
How to Trace a Cell Phone Location
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
GPS Tracking Solutions: What are the Main Components of a GPS Tracking System? Part 2
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.
GPS Is The Perfect Automobile Accessory
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?
GPS in the Nokia N82
f you are love traveling and on always on the run, N82 is one of the gadgets that one must have along with the travel gadget for you. You don’t have to buy expensive global positioning system or GPS because most of the phones in the market offer navigation toolkit.
The intensive features of phones such as N82 phone would allow the user to enjoy its multifunctional system. N82’s design is for those who want trendy and bulky hand phones and not suitable for those who wants sleek and comfy designs. But overall, the disadvantage from its size outweighed by its numerous advantages.
N82 is so dependable for those who want to stay in action and access to Internet anytime because of Wi-fi enabled system. Wherever you are, it would be great that your phone would allow you to make a voice or video call. To make a video call, you have to enroll your handset to a dependable carrier to avoid problems.
If you and your friends loves to go on hiking, N82 is a must have because of its features that would surely help you go around. You could never tell if some problems will be encountered whilst in the middle of your trek. The GPS or the global positioning system would be a handy tool to trace your exact, precise and absolute location to allow rescuers to salvage you and your friends from possible danger.
Simply only the best for traveling and choose a handy phone that carries every thing that you would need on the road.
Guidelines Before Purchasing Bluetooth Cell Phone
The invention of Bluetooth phone may be a boon for those entire people who are used to by their cell phone while driving car. You can see many people busy either in dialing a number or talking on phone keeping one hand near ear or holding it with proper co-ordination of shoulder and neck, and other hand on the steering of vehicle. Instead of talking in such an uncomfortable way, now the Bluetooth phone can be used in a varied way while you are driving your vehicle at ease. It has solved the query or problem of all.
Bluetooth phone avails different features like hands free, wireless and GPS navigation just by installing compatible Bluetooth system in your car.
Bluetooth phone is a secured single custom prevailing in the market. Bluetooth comes with feature like long battery life, remarkable functioning of connectivity & communicating and transferring of data along with voice. It consumes low power because main point was to design specification of Bluetooth phone within short-range only. Even while driving you need to use or keep the cell phone with you as the purpose can be solved by Bluetooth phone. Just place the phone anywhere in a car, and with the help of Bluetooth phone you don’t have to dial the number. All you have to do is just speak up the number or the name of the person whom you want to contact and it will be automatically dialed form your phone. Bluetooth headset enables you to talk hands free.
Buying of Bluetooth cell phone will make you to purchase a Bluetooth kit for your car for unprecedented integration. It will keep your entire device to stay tune with one another limiting short-range only. Having a Bluetooth GPS navigation system in phone enables you to read your GPS profile from your phone. Bluetooth phone comes with one limitation that it’s of short-range distance so for all time it cannot stay connected with your device if you walk out from your car & go to your workplace or leaves your car to buy something from a shop.
Important thing is using of Bluetooth phone in a most useful way which helps you to increase your productivity o the road and makes you a safer driver by keeping away from accidents. Using of Bluetooth phone helps to keep compatible integration with all other electronic devices or gadgets to feel the count of access and communicating with others alive. The net worth of investment in Bluetooth phone and various other accessories of it will make you light hearted when the productive returns you will earn. Thus, the existence of such electronic market will surely make you’re life simple, easy and fast.
What’s Hot in Motorcycling? Motorcycle GPS
Anyone who has used a great GPS system, including a great motorcycle GPS system, will know how user friendly and useful a good GPS can be. With modern GPS technology coming of age and modern digital mapping technology improving, a great motorcycle GPS can turn a ride into a pleasure.
What is GPS? For those who don’t know, GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a navigation and positioning technology pioneered by the US army, that has been taken to it’s ultimate and turned into a complete user friendly modern navigation solution. Whilst in the past GPS was really just the province of the military, the technology is now so good, and so cheap, that anyone needing the ultimate in navigation can afford it.
That includes motorcyclists, modern motorcycle GPS has also come of age.
Basically GPS works by cross referencing the signals from a number of satellites above the head of the user and using those references to plot the user’s position on the globe. It will only work where there are available satellites, so if you can’t pick up the signals your GPS won’t work.
Modern GPS is accurate, depending on the number of satellites available, to within less than a yard. So anyone seeking to navigate by use of a GPS system can obtain extremely accurate positioning. And this is now user friendly. In the past this information was only available as a longitude and latitude figure. This was only really useful to someone with the technical expertise to actually use this to plot the position on a map.
However now modern GPS, including high quality motorcycle GPS systems, can combine digital mapping technology with GPS positioning to produce an extremely user friendly outcome. Basically the position plotted by the GPS can be overlaid onto a digital map to show the GPS user, including the motorcyclist, their exact position on a digital map, and tell them how to get from where they are to where they want to go.
So motorcyclists can now buy dedicated motorcycle GPS systems that they can use as a total navigation system. There are various ways they can do this. It’s quite possible for the motorcycle rider, who may also, for example, be a keen hiker, to get a handheld portable GPS unit that can be taken anywhere, including mounted on a motorcycle. Download and install some maps that cover the area you want to navigate in and portable GPS can be used by just about anyone just about anywhere.
There are, however, some drawbacks using portable GPS for a motorcycle GPS system. When mounted on a motorcycle a GPS unit needs some special qualities. It needs to be vibration resistant, as a motorcycle has vibrations. It needs to be weather resistant as any equipment on a motorcycle will be out in the weather, including the rain. And it needs to be readable in all conditions, including direct sun.
And a motorbike rider needs to be able to program or use it whilst wearing heavy motorcycle gloves.
Luckily there are some excellent GPS manufacturers who have come to the rescue of the motorcyclist by manufacturing dedicated motorcycle GPS systems that combine all these features and more. The GPS mounts are designed to allow mounting without the problems of vibration, and the GPS units are vibration resistant, waterproof and can be read, and used, by the motorcyclist.
And even better, the best motorcycle GPS units can be used without the need for reading the screen. With bluetooth technology built in they can send directions by voice direct to the helmet of the motorbike rider, so the rider doesn’t need to take his eyes off the road.
Program in where you want to ride and it will take you there every turn, turn by turn. Ask it to and it will tell you all the places of interest along the way, like food or fuel stops, and accommodation. With the right extras it will even tell you in real time where the traffic jams are and how to ride around them. This saves you both time and fuel.
And along the way your motorcycle GPS unit may even allow you to play your favorite music or do the odd phone call or three.
And a good motorcycle GPS system should set you back less than $1000. It’s money extremely well spent for a motorcyclist who likes long, hassle free rides.
So if you ride a motorbike, and have a lazy $1000, you can’t do better than spending it on a quality motorcycle GPS system. It will repay you over and over.
The Amazing GPS System
The AMAZING GPS system.
Every where you turn, there is another GPS system. They have put it in cell phones, hand held units for wilderness treckers, boats, trucks and cars. Some of them have voice instructions. One poor slob in a car was told by his GPS “Turn left” so he did. Right into the traffic going the other way. He just didn’t wait till he got to the next left turn intersection. They all come with some kind of map scheme. Some of them you can put in your destination and you just follow the directions. What an incredible device that you can know exactly where you are within a few feet. One drawback to a lot of these schemes is that it only works where you are.
Well, a small company in Tempe, AZ came up with a fantastic addition to a GPS system. They found a way to use digital communication links which works with all the cellular phone systems. They combined that with a GPS system to give visual precise map locations and the crowning addition of satellite pictures which can identify the exact position of a vehicle in a crowded parking lot. What is even more amazing, they combined all this on the internet. All you need is a computer with internet access and you are able to track your vehicle wherever it goes. The radio link works on a digital signal method which has much greater range than standard voice communication. This means virtually no blind spots in coverage.
The value of a system like this can be seen in the fact that it started in a small way in the USA, but has now spread to more than 180 countries world wide. There many advantages in being able to locate a stolen vehicle in minutes. Professional thieves do not have time to strip it for parts or remove a valuable cargo from a truck before you can direct police to the location. There are many other very useful built in capabilities. For instance, the peace of mind the private car owner has when teenagers or elderly parents borrow the car and are out late at night. The company that owns a fleet of trucks can really do a lot to improve it’s profitability, for instance:-
• There is a way to ensure your fuel costs are reduced
• It is possible to tell when your vehicles are making unauthorized side trips or speeding.
• When one knows where the vehicles are at all times, it is possible to reroute more efficiently to meet late breaking requirements.
• If there is valuable cargo or expensive equipment for the job, then one can track those valuables for the police to recover it and catch the thieves
• Some of the insurance costs can be reduced.
Other features allow for ignition disable, door unlock, warning if a vehicle is moved beyond a preset geometrical distance, warn when a set speed has been exceeded, and check on mileage versus fuel costs. As examples, a company in Anaheim with a truck fleet had drivers leaving for work at 4.30 am. The empty freeways had them hauling at over 70 mph , but with this monitoring system, they could be checked. The result was consistent 55 mph and a reduction in fuel costs from $12.000 to $9.000 per month. Another company found it protected it’s employees as they were accused of being late for scheduled installations. Records showed that they arrived on site on time. One of their employees said “If you feel that GPS is an invasion, then there’s something you have to hide”.
That same company recovered their investment in GOS technology within 3 months just by routing their drivers more efficiently, and by checking mileage traveled against fuel purchases. Another Florida truck was stolen in the far southwest of the state and the owners worked with several police departments further north. The truck was finally located in the far north of the state by the Suwannee County sheriff’s department based on the GPS data from the owners. The deputies were able to arrest five transients from the Bonita Springs area, only one of which spoke English. In another case, a small business trucker was virtually put out of business when his truck was stolen. When found, all the valuable cargo was stolen. If he had had one of these systems, the perpetrators would have been found and arrested.
It has been reported that it was installed in a school bus system somewhere in Minnesota. This enabled the school operators to check on bus locations and to defuse irate parents who accuse the bus of arriving early and not picking up their kids. It is used by ambulance services, plumbing contractors, long distance and short haul truckers, particularly those with valuable cargos. Some police and fire departments also use this system. And of course, people concerned about teenagers and elderly parents get peace of mind, as well as those who own mega expensive classic cars in which they have invested thousands. If you know anyone who could use a system like this, where they would be able to save money, have better control of their business and the peace of mind that that brings, then have them call me for more information. My name is Keith Pomeroy and you can reach me at 1-800-548-6098.. Ext. 103. If I don’t answer, leave a message and I will call you to answer any questions you may have.
Know Where Your Dog Is At All Times With Dog GPS Tracking
Dog owners have a special bond with their dogs, which is very similar to the connection people have with their very own kids. Kids today, often are given simple cell phones to help parents keep track of them. There are no similar products out there for Dog owners in the form of a GPS dog collar. I’m sure you’ve felt the terror when your dog goes missing. You don’t have to feel that terror any longer since GPS dog tracking systems are here to save the day. Another great use for these collars is keeping track of your dog while you are off in the brush hunting.
It was only a matter of time before the GPS technology got small enough that it could be placed into small places such as a dog collar. The devices have got so small that you can even get such collars for cats. Many of us are familiar with GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System which many of use in our cars today. As of recently people have started using mobile units for trekking and hiking. These dog GPS collars use the exact same technology and work exactly the same.
The dog GPS tracking system consists of two different parts. The first part is very small and attached to the dog collar. The second part is a unit that you have that let’s you know where your beloved dog is. There are also units available that make it possible to dial a number from your cell phone and get texted with the exact location of your dog. This is a feature that is only available on the more expensive models. These high tech dog collars are able to give the owner tons of detailed information including how fast your dog is running and in what direction. As you can imagine this is all very helpful information and eliminates the feeling of terror when you have no idea where your dog is.
One of the biggest problems with these dog GPS Tracking systems is if the device looses contact with the satellites. You must make sure that you get good coverage in your area before spending a good chunk of change on a GPS dog collar. If your dog happens to get into an area where the GPS looses signal than the user will still have the location of the dog where it last had signal. There are several brands out on the market so it would be smart to do your research and find the product that has the features you require.
Features To Look For in Your Handheld GPS System
Todays electronics world presents a host of new devices for Global Position System (GPS) options. The advantage of a handheld GPS system is that it is usually lighter and can be held in one hand, is portable and doesnt need to be installed to connect with automotive wiring. This innovation is the equivalent to the distinction between the car phone and the cellular phone of the mid 1990s, but the only difference is that the car phone wasnt in any way superior to the hand held device. With GPS systems, its a trade off. Installed units are more expensive, but usually have substantially more features in addition to just a larger screen.
When selecting a handheld device, you may want to consider how often you use the unit and how many features you will truly need to satisfy your demands. One consideration would be how large of a unit are you willing to tolerate. Something pocket size might be acceptable, but might trade off on screen size. Another would be choosing a system that can give you the distance and direction to where you are going based upon your current reference point.
A system that uses multiple parallel channels assures you that multiple satellites are verifying your position to give you the most rapid response time on fixes of your current location. The number of markers, or way points, is another prime consideration. A system should use UTM grid maps or local maps which are quite common. Having a system that can store multiple routes is also a plus.
Physical features that are important, other than size, are whether or not the system is waterproof or how rugged the system is. Accidents do happen, so if a bottle of water or merely dropping the device one time is going to make the unit inoperable, a more durable model may be necessary. Having a backlit display is a must if you are driving in low light conditions such as nighttime or if you are under lots of vegetation. Because backlighting consumes considerable amounts of power, battery life has to be a prime consideration prior to purchase. Lastly, have the person selling you the device show you how to use the device as many are not that self explanatory.
Many units also incorporate dead reckoning which uses the distance between sensors, often cellular phone towers, calibrating signal loss to determine the speed and direction of a moving vehicle.
The History of GPS Technology
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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