Posts Tagged ‘GPS’

Global positioning devices are currently used and loved by commuters who want to travel safely through tangled and congested cities. Although, if you trace the earliest applications of global positioning devices, you soon find out that GPS devices were primarily used by hunters and other people enjoying the great outdoors who prefer to steer clear of getting lost. Once designers started advancing the technology for the newest GPS devices for drivers, the same advances were incorporated into the handheld GPS models also. These modern handheld GPS devices appear to be very much like mobile phones thanks to their silhouette and LCD screen. For your car, an excellent unit is the TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

Many of the GPS devices used in vehicles can actually be useful for outdoorsmen as long as they are at ease with the interface. The majority of the models marketed by TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan are diminutive enough to cradle in your hand or slip into your pocket. However for the job of using the device while climbing or using merely one hand, a dedicated solution might be appreciated. Here are a few products to think about.

Magellan Triton Series

The Magellan Triton series is a good set to explore seeing as all of the models from the least to most expensive all appear the same. The most affordable models come with a respectable 2.2” QVGA color display while a few of the more expensive models offer a slightly larger screen of 2.7”. Each of the devices have a resilient design which is waterproof, so you can safely carry them with you as you are crossing rivers or during downpours.

Some of the Triton series devices have the AdventurePack label attached to them which indicates that the devices are loaded with some particular software called the TOPO! Explorer. Extreme explorers ought to definitely consider buying these packages. The advantage with this lineup is that you can find a Triton device that fits your budget with so many different models to pick from. For your auto, a great option is the Tom Tom GO 740 GPS.

Garmin Series

Garmin has a wide range of handheld products and each different series is made for various kinds of navigation. Considering one case in point, the GPSMAP 7X series models are all marine-friendly and ideal for sailing on the open water, while the GPSMAP 6X series models have a more resilient construction for heavy duty navigation, yet are still relatively inexpensive and have a comprehensive set of functions such as microSD support and competent navigation.

The eTrex series are handheld GPS devices you ought to think about when budget is a serious factor. They are easy to carry with quite a few of them having a display wide enough to see with ease.

If you are a professional traveler in the market for something particularly durable and prepped with advanced applications, the Colorado or Oregon series will probably suit you. Both series offer a comprehensive touch-screen display, a function not included in other Garmin series, and they additionally come with different maps depending on the individual model you get. For a great gps unit in your car, consider the TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

Remember that any handheld GPS devices shouldn’t be used as you are driving unless your passenger is using it. If you don’t need any of the specialized applications and want one device that is able to help you on either the highway or the trail, it will likely be better to purchase a multipurpose unit that you can transport in an automobile or by hand.

The new GPS tracker device admits just anyone to track anyone else. Additionally almost all new mobiles have GPS tracking device built in to them. Few even have the power to send position information even with out the battery. All of which make one to wonder what happened to individual secrecy. The answer is that there actually is no secrecy.

There are basically two types of GPS tracking device technology available to the public. The simplest is called a passive or logger tracking device. This device is also the most difficult to detect and defend against. These devices can be as small as a matchbook and can be hidden just about anywhere. They are attached to a vehicle or individual and after a specific amount of time they must be retrieved. After retrieval the device is usually attached to a personal computer and the information is downloaded into a data base that is provided by the device manufacture.

Probably the best defense against passive/logger tracking devices comes in the form of a GPS blocker. These small units normally plug into your automobiles cigarette lighter port and provide protection for about 30 feet in any direction. Small handheld units are also available that run on batteries that also provide short range blocking. These units can range in price from $200 to $850.

The second type of GPS auto tracker or personal GPS tracking device are called real time tracking devices. These units do just as the name implies, provide current real time location information on the individual or vehicle that is being tracked. This accomplished through the use of cell phone technology. Recent technology improvements have greatly reduced the size and reliability of these tracking devices. You can purchase a battery operated unit the size of a small cell phone that will provide tracking information for up to a week before the battery requires charging. More commonly these units are attached to a vehicle and use the vehicles power supply to provide power to the tracking unit.

Real time tracking devices generally require the user to contract with a GPS tracking device service company. These companies frequently provide the tracking devices and the software necessary to track the device on your personal computer. Depending on the contract the information is uploaded to you at time specific intervals. The most common information uploads range from 5 to 10 minutes.

Defending against this type of tracking device is relatively easy with a combination cell phone/GPS blocking device. These units range in cost from $300 to more than $1000. Of course either a cell phone or a GPS blocking device may accomplish the same affect.

GPS receivers are quickly becoming the coolest gadgets around. Today’s GPS devices are nothing like their gargantuan predecessors; they can easily be held in one hand and even stuffed into the pockets of the tightest jeans. Some GPS receivers are even specially designed for vehicle use, and can give elaborate, real-time tracking to any destination.

For those who want to make the most of their GPS, it is necessary to load the correct GPS software into both the device and a home computer. Specialty GPS software is available to complement a host of pastimes.

GPS Software and Hiking

So you know your GPS can help you avoid getting lost, but did you know that you could also download software for your GPS that pre-loads topograpgical maps into your receiver? Specialty hiking GPS software contains detailed topographical maps complete with contour lines to show relief such as hills and valleys, as well as hiking trails, rivers, lakes, roads, and every other manmade or natural topographical feature. This GPS software can replace expensive hiking maps, which can cost up to $5.00 each and are hard to find. For lightweight backpackers covering a long distance, this type of GPS software is especially attractive, and can save pounds of backpack weight, as it eliminates the need for bulky sets of maps.

GPS software containing topographical maps is also useful when geocaching. Geocaching is a hobby where participants hide and search for caches all over the world. Using GPS coordinates, the game is like a huge version of hide and go seek. While traditionally geocachers would have to search for coordinates to these treasures online, there are several applications now, such as the Geocaching GPS software for the iPhone that allows users to download these coordinates directly to smart phones and other handheld computers.

GPS Software for Fishing and Boating

Garmin is one of several software providers that sell a suite of GPS software that includes maps of U.S. waterways, including rivers, lakes and coastal waters. This GPS software also shows fishermen where to find the best fishing hot spots. Garmin GPS software does not have to be loaded on a boat-mounted system, and can instead be carried in the same handheld device you use for huking or driving.

GPS Software for Driving

Many GPS software applications make driving a breeze. This GPS mapping software literally contains all of the large and small roads of a country, and also includes major landmarks, even waypoints for businesses, such as restaurants and stores. Using GPS software in your car guarantees you will never get lost.

All you have to do to use this software is enter an address where you want to go. The GPS software does the rest. Using the GPS receiving function, it automatically calculates your current position, and leads you to your destination. If you do happen to make a wrong turn, or if construction blocks your route, the GPS software automatically calculates a corrected route, allowing you to get where you are going safely.

Many companies provide free or cheap GPS navigation software. Free GPS software applications include OpenStreetMap, Freedrive, MapMonkey, and Google Earth. Pay software offers even more options than free GPS software and tends to be kept much more up-to-date. These applications include the Garmin suite, TomTom Navigator, Nav N Go and Microsoft Streets and Trips.

You know that you can use the best gps navigation system to get you to wherever you need to go. You can put it in your car and get turn by turn directions to any destination. However, there are also gps tracking systems that also utilize satellite technology. These don’t give you turn by turn directions but they do track whatever you want tracked. What could these be used for? GPS tracking systems can be used for a multitude of purposes. For instance, you could track a child to see where he or she goes when out with friends, you can track your car in case it’s ever stolen, a computer or anything else that has the gps transmitter attached to it.

New Car

One of the most popular reasons for having a gps tracking system is in the use of tracking cars. When you buy a new car you are often given the option of getting a gps tracking system attached to it. This isn’t to track where you go in the car, and it’s not so that you can track where your loved ones go in it, it’s to track your car in case it’s ever stolen. Think about how useful a gps tracking system would be in a car that was stolen. The police would be able to find your car in a heartbeat because all they’d have to do is follow a little blinking dot on a screen instead of looking all over town for you car which may look like a hundred other cars just like it.

Laptops

Gps tracking systems are also often sold with new laptops. When you have a laptop, you store very personal information on it. You may store banking information on it, you may have pictures that are very personal to you and you may have other information stored on it that’s just not replaceable. Sure, you’ve heard it a hundred times that you’re supposed to back all that stuff up but oftentimes, if your laptop is stolen, it comes at a time when it’s too late to do anything about backing up information. That makes it very useful to have a gps tracking system in your laptop. If it’s ever stolen, you’ll be able to track it the first instant it’s turned on.

There are many other uses for gps tracking systems. The bottom line is that it will track anything you want tracked and that can be useful for a wide number of things. There are also nefarious reasons for having gps tracking systems but most uses are for good; or at least we would hope.

Handheld GPS devices, although, are devoted entirely to navigation and are most oft used by trampers, mounters and mountain bikers. Users interested in buying a handheld GPS device should first learn how GPS technology perform and become companion with the capacities and features of most handheld GPS devices so that they can detect a device that best suits their requirements.

Function & Benefits of Handheld GPS Device

All GPS navigational devices use the Global Navigation Satellite System made and kept by the United States Department of Defense to measure a user’s position via satellite. The basic operation of handheld GPS devices, also called as "receivers," are to give users with the exact coordinates of their present position and to help them navigate tracks and roads using coordinates consumer input into the device.

The most important benefits of handheld GPS device are their movability and strength. Though other GPS devices, such as those in cars, are normally more potent, their size and power need make them impossible for use in outdoor actions. Other handheld electronics that contain GPS technology, such as mobile phone, are not produced for energetic outdoor use, as are handheld GPS device, and are used only for road travel.

Features & Considerations

Many handheld GPS devices are durable and waterproofed. All are fitted with a screen, with some providing color screens, and most commonly have a backlighting for comfortable use at night. Every handheld GPS receivers also have a set quantity of memory space for putting in maps and other details. One of the most significant features of a handheld GPS device is its antenna, which is gets signals from the satellites. Aerials can be outside or inside and may be a flat-patch aerial or the more high-tech quadrifilar helix antenna, which is perfect for navigating areas with heavy trees.

Before purchasing a handheld GPS receiver, users should find what, if any, accessories are included with the model. Most do not contain cords, add-ons or extra map software that may be important for best use. More costly handheld GPS receivers will contain add-ons, such as hardware and software needed for using the device for road mapping and traffic functions, and may also have Bluetooth capacities.

Relying entirely on a handheld GPS device when tramping or biking in big areas can be unsafe. These devices should be taken only as one part of a bigger navigation program. When preparing any outside action outdoorsmen should forever bring a published map and compass in case the handheld GPS device misfunctions, becomes broken, or drains of battery power.

To see how this may impact your insurance have a look at instant car insurance quotes. When you are traveling, you would always find it ideal to bring the least amount of things with you.  As much as possible, you would want to stick with the essentials.  This rarely happens, though, especially if you would be traveling in a strange territory.  Aside from the essentials, you would have to bring with you a large map and a few navigational equipments.

After the introduction of Global Positioning System technology, however, carrying maps and large navigational devices while traveling became unnecessary.  Instead of these devices, a traveler may just carry with him a GPS receiver.  GPS receivers are electronic devices that can calculate one’s precise location on earth by decoding the information they receiver from GPS satellites.  And with the aid of some other electronic products, a GPS receiver can accurately pinpoint your exact location in a map. 

For increased functionality and convenience, GPS receivers are often used with other mobile devices.  One of the most popular mobile products used for this purpose is the PDA.  With a colored screen that can clearly display maps and some hard drive space for map storage, PDAs make a wonderful partner to Global Positioning System receivers.  And what makes PDAs more popular among navigators is their lightness compared to other mobile devices like laptops and notebook computers. 

There’s one problem, however, with using a PDA as a GPS device.  The problem is integration.  Global Positioning System receivers are usually connected to PDAs using either a CompactFlash (CF) card or USB wires.  Some Global Positioning System receivers are quite large that when you attach it on your PDA using CF, your navigation device becomes very bulky.  Using wires, on the other hand, can be very inconvenient and can limit the functionality of your navigation device.

So what can be a possible solution to this problem?  A Blue Tooth Global Positioning System receiver!

The Blue Tooth Solution

The Bluetooth wireless technology is an open standard for wireless communication.  Using Bluetooth technology, two electronic devices can communicate with each other (i.e. send and receive signals, transfer data, etc.) without using wires for as long as they are within some 10 meters from each other.

Blue Tooth GPS Receiver

Simply stated, a Bluetooth Global Positioning System receiver is a receiver that makes use of Bluetooth technology or Blue Tooth electronics to transmit Global Positioning System data to a mobile device capable of handling the same technology.  So if a Blue Tooth GPS receiver would be used with a PDA, the PDA must also have a built-in Blue Tooth capability.

Blue Tooth GPS receivers, when use with Blue Tooth capable PDAs, offer a lot of advantages over using an ordinary Global Positioning System unit that would be connected to the PDA using CompactFlash or USB wires.  Among these advantages are:

Wireless connection

Without wires to limit the position of the Bluetooth GPS receiver relative to the position of the PDA, you can mount the two components on the most strategic locations.  When used in a vehicle, for example, you can position the Blue Tooth Global Positioning System receiver in a spot where it has a clear view of the sky.  As for the PDA, you can mount it on the dashboard where it can provide optimal screen visibility.  And because no wires are used to connect the two components, there is no way that their positions would hamper your driving.

More use for the CompactFlash slot

Because the Bluetooth Global Positioning System receiver won’t need the CompactFlash slot, you can use it instead for storing maps and other software needed to optimize Global Positioning System navigation.

Aside from these two, Blue Tooth Global Positioning System receiver units still have other advantages to offer, although most of the added advantages are brand or unit specific.  In general, however, modern Blue Tooth GPS receivers would feature pre-stored US maps, a points-of-interest (POI) database, and route recalculation functions.

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