For those of us in the military, the humble gps unit is far more than a luxury, in fact gps is a necessity. GPS units allow soldiers and officers to get accurate and timely data such as location, altitude and time. In many cases, these rudimentary pieces of data would be almost impossible to obtain without the help of GPS technology, and can prove invaluable in real time scenarios, albeit training or the real deal.

GPS units have become an especially valuable tool in the context of indirect fire support. The ability to coordinate artillery and fast air support has been greatly enhanced with the advent of GPS. This is primarily due to the fact that GPS allows men in the field to accurately reference their position and hence calculate their proximity to targets. Essentially, this greatly reduces the inherent dangers of being on the ground during live firing.

Another aspect of GPS technology is that is has greatly increased the potential for command and control of soldiers. Real time LocStats and the ability to de-conflict a battle space are just two of the giant leaps that have been made possible by GPS. Many of the other benefits lie in target acquisition and the adjustment of offensive fire. Furthermore, GPS is quickly reducing the need for human adjustment of artillery as the combination of laser and GPS begin to realize their potential. The interfacing of these two tools is resulting in a degree of speed and accuracy that can scarcely be matched by humans.

One major criticism of the use of GPS has been the loss of field craft within the military. Due to time constraints and ease, the skill of navigating by map and compass is slowly being lost. The theory is that GPS units are used as a secondary tool to traditional navigation techniques, although in reality handheld GPS units have become a primary means of navigation for many soldiers. Simply walking in the direction that an arrow on an LCD display is pointing is becoming more common, but perhaps this is the face of progress. Moreover, in a game of life and death who can blame people for choosing speed and accuracy over tradition.

The author is a regular contributor to http://www.thegpscentre.com and permission to reproduce this article is given only on the basis that all links remain active and intact.

Enjoy The Outdoors? Take Your Mio A201 GPS Walking, Camping, Mountain Biking or Motorcycling…

Fitting neatly into the palm of your hand, the Mio A201 is a truly portable GPS and PDA rolled into one. With its rotating GPS antenna, the Mio A201 allows you to navigate in both portrait and landscape positions; offering you flexibility and comfort depending on your choice of activity.

The PDA is an integral part of the Mio A201, and since it’s supported by Windows Mobile 5, you can choose from a variety of navigational software. This is the beauty of this product. The Mio A201 is just as at home on a mountain bike and in the countryside; as it is in the car. Unlike previous PDA’s from Mio Tech, the Mio A201 has a new removable Lithium-ion 1200mlAh battery. With over 4.5 hours of operation from one battery, and the ability to double, or triple its operational life, this is the perfect GPS device for the off-road navigator.

Forgotten your compass? Mio Tech have also developed their software, Mio Map V2, to accommodate all you hikers and cyclists out there. The GPS receiver computes the direction of travel as part of the GPS solution, giving directions relative to true north.

Prefer Warmer Climates? Take the Mio A201 on Holiday With You… (you could even use it on your plane)

You go on holiday to have fun and relax, right? Well, what can be more frustrating than being in a country you want to explore, unable to find anywhere, without following a tourist bus to make sure you don’t get lost (again).

Hiring a car on holiday need never be troublesome again with the Mio A201. The Mio A201 operates perfectly with the TOMTOM Navigator 5 Software & Maps of Western Europe (Including GB), offering you as many hassle-free excursions as you want, within Western Europe. And don’t overlook the use of the Mio A201 GPS in finding your car in a busy city. Long-stay car parks, particularly those at airports, display an endless wave of parked cars. By simply marking your location as you leave will help you avoid any embarrassing situations.

If you prefer to explore new cities and towns on foot, thanks to Mio’s adoption of the new SiRF Star III chipset , you will find your Mio A201 will have no problems maintaining accuracy in the hustle and bustle of new city centers.

Traveling to your destination on commercial flights can sometimes become a bit tedious. With its improved accuracy and flexibility The Mio A201 can brighten up your journey; informing you of your ground speed, distance to your destination, real altitude and direction, and also your location on a world map.

All Work, No Play? The Mio A201 Gives You Both…

Unprepared for your meeting? Travel to and from work a lot? As a pocket PC, the Mio A201 can offer you the opportunity to catch up on work anytime, anyplace (if you really want to). With a generous 192MB of memory, the Mio A201 provides the latest version of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Media Player 10. You can even prepare a powerpoint presentation on the move.

If you’re visiting clients all day, the Mio A201 PDA has the ability to synchronize with Microsoft Outlook on your desktop, so your calender and contacts can go with you. What is really handy is; to make client visits quick and easy, you can plan your journey direct from your contact list in Outlook, rather than looking up the address on the navigation page.

When you’re ready for a break, you can relax and listen to your choice of music on its integrated MP3 Player, or browse through your album of digital photos. Sporting a 320 x 240 pixel colour LCD touch screen the Mio A201 ensures pictures and games appear vibrant, and maps easy to read.

If you have a travel companion, the Mio A201 can enable you to exchange files, photos, and music wirelessly via its built in Bluetooth connectivity.

Always Running Late? The Mio A201 can calculate your quickest route, and bypass those traffic queues (all within the speed limit)…

Of course , it is almost guaranteed you will hit a traffic snarl up when you’re running late.

On board re-routing options are a key feature for any GPS navigational system, and the Mio A201 gives you just that, with the addition of quicker route planning and calculation with its generous 312MHz processor and 64MB of RAM. Accompanying this, Mio Tech. have teamed up with the Traffic Message Channel (TMC), to provide you with free, up to date traffic data via your Mio A201.

Encouraging you to drive safely (and not only when there is a speed camera around), the latest Mio Map Software incorporates a pretty impressive feature enabling you to take note of the speed limit for each road you drive on. By activating this option, your Mio A201 will remind you to ease off your accelerator as your speed creeps above the speed limit.

Book a Table at a Restaurant, or a Room in a Hotel. With More Than 750,000 Points of Interest (POI) at Your Fingertips, You Can Prepare Your Day on The Move…

Whether you’re in a new city, or on a long journey, it’s very handy to know where the next petrol station or service stop is. If you tend to be a more organized person, it can be convenient to have contact details of your favorite restaurant, or hotel at your fingertips, so you can book in advance.

Having an on board database of POI, and an ability to view contacts which are in the vicinity of your location, or across a region, the Mio A201 caters for both the prepared, and unprepared driver.

So, with the ability to connect your Mio A201 wirelessly with a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone, and transform your GPS/PDA into your very own hands-free kit, why not start planning your day, on the move?

If you want to see the Mio A201 GPS full specification, or read about a variety of GPS systems and features visit http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk.

With GPS systems becoming mainstream, Tracey Simpson has wrote this article to help readers understand what GPS systems can offer. Please visit http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk to read about a variety of GPS systems and features.

A GPS system for your motorcycle can turn your journeys, into adventures. Opening up a whole new experience, you can find amazing places to explore by planning your trips at home, and downloading your routes to your GPS device. New landscapes, destinations, and road trips await; with the security and confidence of never getting lost again.

A GPS system for your motorcycle can also help to make your journeys as comfortable, and stress-free as possible. If you fancy a break, or you’re running out of petrol, your GPS can help. More importantly, your GPS unit can guide you back to safety when you get lost, or accidentally take the wrong turning. With voice guided directions, and software brimming with points of interest (POI), such as petrol stations, restaurants, service stations, and hotels; your GPS can guarantee you a journey of uninterrupted enjoyment.

Sound like the perfect toy? Well, with GPS systems becoming mainstream, and new features and models endlessly hitting the shelves, it can be a hard task deciphering which GPS device best suits your needs.

To help you out, it’s worth considering the following points before you go ahead and purchase your first GPS for your motorcycle.

What Type of GPS Do You Need For Your Motorcycle?
Are Its Reception Capabilities Suitable For Your Needs?
Does the Battery Life Of Your GPS Suit Your Needs?
How Resistant Is Your GPS To Vibration & Hard Ware?
Do You Want 2-Way-Communication?
How Easy Is Your GPS To Update?
How Easy Is Your GPS To Update?
What Price Is Suitable?

What Type of GPS Do You Need For Your Motorcycle?

There are 3 types of GPS units for motorbikes; portable outdoor units, GPS units designed specifically for your motorcycle/ scooter, and GPS/PDA hybrids.

If you also enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain biking, rambling, or even camping; a portable GPS that can be taken anywhere with you would be ideal. As well as navigating your off-road persuits, versatile Sat Nav’s, like the Garmin Quest 2, operate in any vehicle. As well as motorcycling, you can take it in your car, on your boat, or even on a plane with you.

GPS devices designed exclusively for motorcycles can offer you some very impressive features. Especially designed with you, the motorcyclist, in mind, units like the TomTom RIDER have tough, weather-proof casing, touch-screen options for gloves, and anti-glare screens. One of the latest features introduced by TomTom for effective communication, is a system which transmits your spoken instructions via a built-in Bluetooth audio system, using a headset that sits inside your helmet.

The final type of GPS device that may appeal to you is the PDA/GPS hybrid. Although these devices have been designed primarily with portability in mind, most come with the added bonus of having a large screen. So, like the hand-held outdoor GPS units, this type of GPS would be ideal for those of you who enjoy a range of outdoor activities. With an integrated PDA on top of this, GPS/ PDA devices, like the Mio A201 for example, can be handy for work and play. With features like Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, you will be able to catch up on work anytime, anyplace. If you prefer to listen to music on the move, play games, or store digital photos, a GPS device like this one is an ideal choice

Does the Reception Capabilities of Your Motorcycle GPS Meet Your Needs?

When selecting a GPS for your motorcycle, it is worth thinking about how accurate you want your satellite signals to be, in pinpointing your position.

A lot of GPS units available today have an accuracy of approximately 6-8 meters. However, many of the newer GPS models are designed with a WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability, resulting in accuracies of 3-4 meters 95% of the time. The Garmin Quest 2 for example, has a flip up external antenna equipped with a 12-channel WAAS GPS receiver; supplying position accuracy of up to 9 feet.

If you enjoy riding in dense woodlands and urban areas, it is worth noting that GPS devices incorporating the new SiRF Star III Chip Set, are units to look out for. This high performance, low power consumption chipset has superior sensitivity in high foliage surroundings. It is also worth noting that GPS units with external powered antennas are great in maintaining a signal in deep woodlands.

Does the Battery Life of Your Motorcycle GPS Suit Your Needs?

With the freedom to ride just about anywhere with a GPS; battery life is an important component to consider. Most GPS units use 2, 4, or 6 ‘AA’ batteries, which can last up to 6 hours. GPS units with integrated rechargeable batteries are the ideal choice if you occasionally lose track of time. With GPS systems like the TomTom RIDER, you can charge your battery at home, while planning your next route, or continuously keep topped up with power, by charging your GPS directly from your bikes battery.

How Resistant Is Your Motorcycle GPS To Vibration & Hard Ware?

With the freedom to ride just about anywhere and not get lost, it is guaranteed your GPS will get a great deal of use (and reverberation). So, it is important to consider how durable your GPS is, in withstanding such conditions.

GPS devices designed exclusively for Motorcycles, like the TomTom RIDER have been designed with this in mind. Not only weather proof, its tough outer case and rugged shock proof mount has been designed to absorb any external friction.

Although most GPS devices come with a mount, it is an absolute must that you use a vibration isolated mount if your GPS will be used regularly on your motorcycle. The RAM mount by NPI, which is fast becoming the industry standard, manufacture anti-vibration ball and socket mounting systems allowing you to mount practically anything, anywhere with vibration protection and durability. This would be an ideal addition to the Garmin Quest 2 GPS if you were purchasing this portable GPS for a lot of use on your motorcycle.

Do You Want Your Motorcycle GPS To Have 2-Way Communication?

Some of the most recent GPS systems to be launched for motorcycles have taken 2-way communication to a whole new level.

If you own a GPRS Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, it is worth knowing that many Sat Nav’s, like the TomTom RIDER, have incorporated a Bluetooth receiver, amongst their many features. With the ability to connect your phone via Bluetooth, and receive incoming phone calls through your GPS and Bluetooth headset, you need never have to take your gloves and helmet off to answer your phone again.

You could even use your Bluetooth enabled phones’ wireless Internet, and with certain models of GPS, receive real time information on traffic conditions.

Enjoy riding in groups? It is worth knowing there are some recent hand held units that can offer built in radios that will not only allow you to communicate with other members of your group, but will also display everyone’s location on your screen.

How Easy Is Your Motorcycle GPS To Update?

With Roads constantly changing, the ability to update your device easily, and at a reasonable cost, are very important factors to consider when selecting your GPS.

It is important to realize that each type of GPS will be updated in a different way, and so you need to choose which process is better for you.

Those which are attached to a PDA, like the Mio A201 for example, are usually updated via a PC, whereas dedicated in-vehicle units tend to be updated via a CD. These have to be purchased from the road map data supplier.

Some specific software vendors have solutions for preparing maps which can be downloaded to your GPS unit. Most notably, TomTom operate the TomTom PLUS service.

The Choice: Budget Considerations

In essence, your choice can be reasonably simple: Buy the most expensive GPS that you can afford, that suits your needs.

It is important, using my pointers above, to decide which features are most important to you. If you want an up-to-the-minute GPS for your motorcycle; with features like real-time, on demand traffic information, hands-free calling, turn by turn voice instructions via bluetooth headsets, alerts for speed camera locations, plus thousands of useful points of interest, GPS sytems like the TomTom RIDER start from approximately £550 inc. VAT.

If, however, you are looking for more of a toy to play with, and a GPS that will simply get you from A to B, then a hand held device could be a better choice. With a range of features, like simple voice guidance, compass mode, MP3 player, and essentially portability, GPS devices like the Mio 268 and the Garmin Quest 2 are ideal for motorcycles, and a range of outdoor activities. The Mio 268, and hand held GPS units with similar features, start from approximately £250 inc. VAT.

To browse a variety of discount GPS Sytems For Your Motorcycle, or Accessories & Software For Your Motorcycle GPS Systems, visit http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk.