Gps Units | GPS Compare and Save

GPS Tracking Devices – Choosing the Right Model For Your Needs

Global Positioning Systems, also known as GPS tracking devices or simply GPS’s, have become an integral part of our lives and are changing the way we get around. They are some of the most versatile and useful consumer technology products available in the marketplace today.

Whether you are driving, running, boating, hiking, or even just camping out, you may find a GPS tracking device indispensable. With real time GPS tracking device you will no longer have to worry about getting lost in the woods or when driving to an unknown destination. Your GPS device will tell you exactly where you are at all times, sometimes saving you hours of frustration.

There are many types of GPS tracking devices on the market today, with many features and accessories. Choosing the one that fits your needs can be overwhelming when you first start trying to figure out which GPS tracking to buy.

The two most common types of GPS units are small portable GPS devices that you can carry around with you or wear as a wristwatch, and GPS auto navigation systems for your car. As GPS technology is developing, more and more variations are becoming available for almost any situation imaginable. Many auto GPS models have a pedestrian mode, which means they can used as handheld units when walking around. There are special models for bicycles, motorcycles, and boats; there are GPS/PDAs hybrids, GPS sport watches for running and other activities (they can even record your heart rate); GPS collars for pets, GPS cell phones, GPS walkie-talkies, and even GPS devices for tracking fish or hunting dogs.

Before you buy a GPS tracking device, consider how often and how far you travel, and which means of transportation you use most frequently.

If you are mainly using your car to travel your best bet is the auto navigation system. If you want a GPS device that isn’t limited to the car, you may want to consider a handheld GPS unit. If you spend a lot of time fishing, then you should probably consider a marine GPS or GPS fish finder. These units are specifically designed to be on and around water. If you don’t travel much and need directions only occasionally, choose an inexpensive model in the $100-$250 price range. If you expect to use it daily to get to clients or for service calls, you may want to invest more and purchase the best model you can afford.

As useful they are, GPS tracking devices are not for everyone. If you are not a person who travels to new places, and you know your way around well, there is no point in spending money on something you will never use. However, if you like exploring new places, by car, bike, boat or on foot, a GPS will make your life much easier and safer.

Whether you are looking for a handheld, auto or marine GPS, GPS accessories, cellular GPS, or if you are considering to use a small portable GPS tracking device to track a person, the GPS Tracking Device blog can be a good source of information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joanna_Roberts
http://EzineArticles.com/?GPS-Tracking-Devices—Choosing-the-Right-Model-For-Your-Needs&id=2254509

GPS Changed My Life

What is a GPS

For those that do not know what GPS actually is… in a nut shell… a tracking system created by the U.S government for spying that finally in the 80s was opened up to the public to use. It consists of three parts, satellites that orbit the Earth, Monitoring stations and the actual GPS unit.

There are many providers for GPS units and two of the most recognized would be

Garmin and Magellan

OK now here is what I really think about them

Every time I go out of my driveway with my GPS I know that it is ready and willing to take me to my final destination, eventually. But, also at this time I start to feel the added anxiety that the GPS has created in my life. Not only do I have the daily stresses of live, I now have the GPS to add even more to it. I shutter to think how smart these GPS really are and how much they are beginning to take over many peoples lives.

Having the opportunity to almost feel like you have been given your own crystal ball and you can see into the distance. Knowing what streets are coming up gives you some kind of superpower. It makes me wonder what our forever getting lost parents were actually missing. Although some seniors do have GPS (most were given by there tech driven kids) most seniors still believe that they ‘got by before and sure don’t need any direction gizmo now’ or ‘I’m getting too old to have to learn something new’ either way both may be correct.

Can you imagine if our parents would have had GPS when we were growing up? “Pull over and ask someone” my mom would say or “look there’s a gas station! Stop!” or even better “we could have been there if you would have only stopped a half hour ago to ask someone”, all of us kids always fully agreed with mom. It might be the actual reason we would start out at the house and ask “are we there yet?” had we had GPS we could know that Dad was not just getting us lost… again.

I remember a time when my parents had purchased a new cottage about an hour and half from our home and invited all of us up there to see their new place and have Thanksgiving dinner. We headed out with the instructions given by my parents. Somehow we got lost and my now ex husband insisted that he would find the way there, even though he had never been in that area but his psychic ability would lead the way.

It unfortunately was long before GPS and cell phones existed. It took almost 8 hours and past dinner time before he would finally give in and get proper directions, ok yes I am still a little bitter about that one. More for the fact the kids in the back kept saying “are we almost there”, and he would answer ….Soon!

The best part of having a GPS is you don’t feel like you are driving alone. You actually get verbal instruction as to how to get to your destination either ‘in the shortest time, shortest distance’ or probably the most used best one most use of highways’, which one should Not consider necessarily the quickest route. If you go online you now also have new saying that can now be downloaded to your system. This could offer many interesting instructions to make your drive even better at least to humor yourself.

Putting a GPS in your car is also like having a backseat driver without the aggravation of them yelling ‘where are you going’, ‘pull over and ask how to get there’ or ‘watch for that car’… yadda, yadda. Many times I find myself yelling at the GPS, but I can actually do that knowing that I don’t have to worry about hurting its feelings.

GPS has changed my life and not necessarily for the best. The anxiety that comes from knowing that at some point in my day I am going to be faced with the impeccable, “Recalculating route! Or “When possible make a legal U Turn”. All I can say is “Not again! I was sure I turned at the right road” …but yes each and every time I venture out I know that it’s going to find out that I am semi-lost again.

Sometimes it’s not always my fault. How many times I have turned at a street before or even worse right after. The ding, ding, ding of the GPS meaning here’s your street NOW, NOW turn quick, sometimes doesn’t happen until you get right into the middle of that intersection. I have also heard it tell me to also turn before I should have. There are also many times that I am actually smarter then my GPS and know a route that it just doesn’t want to acknowledge.

It’s always good to know that your system will start talking to you when you have three miles until your turn, but that just means for the next three miles I am going to be stressed knowing that I am going to have to make a turn and possibly get lost again.

Recently we traveled to Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, I am not sure how we managed it but it was almost like our GPS was on holidays. Over and over we missed streets, went in the wrong direction and wanted to throw the unit in the Bay. I have never heard so many swear words at a piece of technology that we all still believe we now need. Somehow we even managed to get to Baltimore as I said I think the GPS was sightseeing.

Remembering the rule of quickest time, most use of freeways, shortest distance according to how birds fly are not always easy to decide which one to take. What I really wish my GPS would be able to do is read my mind, to somehow know and warn me that the directions that I put into my system were actually wrong before I headed out late the next morning.

I also wish that it would pretend that I made the right travel decision for a change when the family is in the car and not let them know that I am a GPS idiot and lost again, or if I am going to get lost I would hope that it would take me to somewhere interesting… wait that did happen, we did get to visit Baltimore.

I love when you finally reach your destination and it tells you “You have arrived!” it’s like a huge weight is finally lifted from my head, but them I realize there is still the return trip and What is going to be the shortest time now?

Yesterday I was sitting in the living room and programming the GPS trying to figure out which way I was going to go to get me to my appointment the next day. Everything was quiet and I was not moving at all when all of a sudden the GPS says out loud “Keep to the Left!” I couldn’t help but laugh hysterically with my husband as we both looked at the unit and shook our heads… I said “Now do you see the problem”. It really is not my fault the GPS has its own agenda. I then realized my GPS stood for (Getting People Somewhere!) … now where that’s another story.

Terri MacKinnon
Catch my Passion! Let me inspire you!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terri_MacKinnon
http://EzineArticles.com/?GPS-Changed-My-Life&id=1528047

Other Uses For GPS Besides Navigation

Wondering what that expensive piece of technological equipment is good for besides “turn left here?” How about a lot. There are several variations of GPS (global positioning system) today. Most familiar is the mountable GPS for marine and land navigational use. Don’t get stuck up these two uses as being the primary use for GPS, they once were, but now with the introduction of new non-mountable GPS they have taken a back seat to the new recreational uses.

That’s right, GPS’s new primary use as a whole has shifted. Collectively all the recreational and non-navigational uses have boosted GPS sales to over twice what they once were. Innovations in GPS technology has allowed for newer, smaller, portable handheld GPS, including a GPS chip that can be used and put just about anywhere.

They new GPS chip allows for such things as “GPS collars” which have been a hot commodity for pet owners who are concerned about their pets where-a-bouts. The collars are relatively inexpensive for the services they offer. Along with the GPS collar the new innovative GPS chip have give allowed several parents to be at ease when it comes to their children’s where-a-bouts. Small children can give parents the biggest scare of their life if they were to wonder off, with the new GPS technology there is no need to worry. The chip can pin point a child to within 3 meters!

As far as recreational use, the newer, more portable, handheld GPS have offered hobbyists a variety of new activities to partake in. One of the fastest growing hobbies/sports in the world is geocaching. This is basically a world wide treasure hunt. Using a handheld GPS one can go online and get clues and waypoints to a hidden treasure in the area. It really has taken the GPS community by storm.

The second popular recreational use for GPS is working out. Yeah, that’s right working out! With new wrist mounted GPS units you can track where you are, how far you have gone, how far you have to go, and much, much more. These new wrist mounted GPS units have taken working out to a whole new technological level.

The 60CSx Garmin is rated as todays top handheld GPS. Click the link for a full review.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Asbury
http://EzineArticles.com/?Other-Uses-For-GPS-Besides-Navigation&id=823729

Interesting Facts About GPS

GPS is getting to be more a part of our everyday life all the time. If you buy a new car, there is a good chance that an option is available to get a GPS navigation system with it. It is only a matter of time before GPS navigation becomes a standard feature in every new car that rolls off the assembly line. Cell phone GPS is also growing by leaps and bounds. Right now. if you make an emergency phone call to the police or fire department from a hard – wired telephone the police know exactly where you are calling from. But not so with a mobile or cell phone. That, however, will soon change. Virtually, all new cell phones will soon have a GPS inside somewhere. Even photography is getting into the act. Some new cameras have a built in GPS so when you take a photo it tells you the latitude and longitude of where you were and stamps that information on the photo.

We tend to take GPS for granted in the same way we do the Internet. We assume it is almost free for everyone and available everywhere but that really isn’t true. GPS was first developed in the 1970s and is owned, operated and controlled by the United States military. If the US military wants to cut off or control your access to the GPS system they can. In fact prior to May of 2000 all civilian GPS units had limited access to the GPS system called Selective Availability. Prior to that date your GPS would work just fine, but would not be as accurate as military GPS units. Normal GPS accuracy is greater than 20 meters but with Selective Availability it is only 100 meters. Today however, all GPS receivers – military or civilian – have the same accuracy. So at the moment, GPS is free for everyone around the world. But in the future, if a terrorist group or country were to get access to GPS guided weapons, the US military could cut off their access to GPS by encrypting the signal.

The GPS system is made up of 24 military satellites circling the earth at an altitude of 11,000 miles such that at any given time and location a GPS receiver gets a signal from at least 6 of those satellites at a time. They are set up in 6 orbital paths with 4 satellites spaced evenly in each of the 6 orbits. Signals from these satellites are available anywhere on the earth, 24 hours a day and are not affected by the weather. Older GPS receivers just had one channel so they had to cycle through the 6 or more satellites one at a time but newer units have 10 parallel channels or more so you get faster more accurate information.

The biggest headache for GPS systems is the time it takes for the signal to get from the satellite to your receiver. The 6 satellites you get signals from will all be at different distances from you and are rotating the earth at high speed. So the signals your GPS receiver gets will not automatically be time synchronized. Because of this problem, the military has limited civilian GPS units so they don’t work if they are moving faster than 900 knots or above 60,000 feet in altitude. But most non-aviation GPS units will give error messages if you are moving faster than 90 miles per hour. Clearly, if you are standing still, a GPS will be a lot more accurate.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to GPS

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Interesting-Facts-About-GPS&id=497928

How to Choose a GPS

The first thing to decide is how you plan on using a GPS, and the second is how much you plan on spending on a GPS. Do you plan on using it in your car, for hiking and backpacking, or for hunting and/or fishing? Current GPS receivers are limited as to what they can do and are optimized for a specific purpose. There are GPS specifically for flying, others for hunting and/or fishing, and others for car navigation. A few are just an electronic map that shows your position on the map screen. Others have no maps at all and can be just fine if you just want to know your longitude/latitude.

If you plan on using your GPS in an automobile, there are several choices: a basic or mapping handheld receiver; a dedicated automotive receiver; a GPS with a PDA; or a Laptop GPS.

Although handheld units can be used in a car there are several disadvantages-the screen can be hard to see due to its small size and some units need to be placed forward on the dashboard where they can get a better signal. With a basic (non-mapping) unit you can tell where you are, as long as you have a paper map with you, to interpret that data.

A mapping unit is the more useful choice considering driving usually involves roads. A dedicated automotive receiver is larger than a handheld in order to accommodate a screen large enough to be seen while driving. They are powered by the car’s electrical system and because of this; they can only be used in a vehicle. Automotive units usually have voice instructions to allow you to navigate without taking your eyes off the road. Prices start at about $500 US.

A GPS with a PDA needs clear access to the sky for satellite reception. Some receivers have the antenna built in or have the capability for an external antenna. An antenna on the seat of your car may or may not work. The console is the next best place – reception may be questionable. An air vent mount is better and a windshield mount or the antenna placed all the way forward on the dashboard is better yet. The most reliable place is for an external antenna to be attached to the roof of your car.

A laptop GPS requires a CF with an external antenna, a Bluetooth GPS receiver, a mouse-type GPS receiver, or be connected via a cable to a handheld GPS unit so the receiver can be placed in a position for good reception. Of course a laptop is large, but the main advantage is a very large screen for maps. If you have a need for a laptop in your car, this may be the best choice and a mouse-type receiver is inexpensive.

If you plan on using your GPS for hunting or backpacking there are three choices, a basic handheld receiver, a mapping handheld receiver and GPS with a PDA. It is also recommended that in addition to your GPS, you should take a paper map, and magnetic compass, and extra batteries. Weight and size need to be considered when deciding which GPS to choose. A basic receiver does not have mapping abilities, however it will display your location in a format that you choose, and most likely latitude/longitude. Providing your paper maps have your chosen position format marked on them, your GPS will allow you to find your location on the map. If your maps don’t have the position format grids marked already, this is something you’ll want to do yourself. These are going to be the least expensive choices for GPS, often less than $100 US and are as accurate as more expensive units; they just don’t have as many features. The main feature they lack is mapping capability.

For hunting or fishing many handheld models include best hunting and fishing times for a given location and date. Mapping handheld receivers are often larger, heavier, and/or have shorter battery lives than basic units. Shorter battery life means carrying more extra batteries adding bulk and weight. With a mapping handheld unit you will have the benefit of having the maps displayed on your GPS. These also include other benefits such as a barometric altimeter, an electronic compass, games, and a calendar and you can plan your route ahead of time on your PC and upload it to your GPS. These units display pre-loaded maps and map detail is reflected by the size and resolution of the screen. This means that mapping units are generally larger than basic units. The downside of a GPS with a PDA is that it will drain your battery quicker and it also of the top of your PDA. Mapping units are more expensive than basic units; prices start at about $150 US unless you get one with Bluetooth capabilities which are more expensive. For fishing a chart plotter/GPS or a GPS sounder are also available. The chart plotter/GPS and GPS sounders usually have a lot of features and start at about $400 US.

Angela Carter is writer and senior administrator for CartersGPS.com, which sells quality gps systems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angie_Carter
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Choose-a-GPS&id=254195

GPS Compare and Save

Tracking the Best Prices on GPS Navigation Systems

GPS Tracking Devices – Choosing the Right Model For Your Needs

GPS Changed My Life

Other Uses For GPS Besides Navigation

Interesting Facts About GPS

How to Choose a GPS

Pages

Recent Posts

GPS Navigation Systems