Having a GPS Navigation System in Your Car
June 14th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
|
Average Customer Review:
 (659 customer reviews) |
The invention of the GPS navigation system is not as new as most people believe; they have been around and used ever since the first GPS satellite was launched into space back in 1978. Global positioning satellites have many civilian and military applications, but one of the most pervasive is aviation navigation.
However, using a GPS navigation system inside an ordinary automobile, is somewhat different than using it on airplane. Transportation by car is dependent on the roads that are traveled. In reality, GPS readings alone such as longitude, latitude and altitude are for all practical purposes useless when you’re driving to Aunt Mabel’s house. When driving an automobile you can end up going through urban canyons and tunnels, where satellite singles cannot get through. So a different type of GPS technology is needed for automobile GPS navigation systems.
People have seen the potential for automobile GPS navigation systems for years, and have tried various ways to implement them. In 1983, Honda released an automobile navigation system that was based on an accelerometer, not on GPS. It wasn’t until 1990 that an automobile GPS system was released by Pioneer. Automobile GPS Navigation systems still didn’t really come into use until Magellan released its version in the US in 1995. Since the more portable GPS systems have been develeped for greater ease of use for people.
Automobile GPS Navigation System Components
An automobile GPS Navigation System requires a GPS receiver and a map database. Some systems also have drive train sensors to supplement when GPS signals are blocked for brief periods. The map database converts the portable GPS systems coordinates into map locations, such as street names and addresses. Some map databases contain GPS coordinates for specific locations, such as points of interest or rest stops. It’s the information in the database, however, that directs you to your location either visually or by voice. Which means your GPS navigation system is only as good as your GPS car systems map database.
Commercial Applications
Many corporations and businesses use GPS navigation system within their vehicles to dispatch and track vehicles. In various cities throughout the US, taxis come equipped with a GPS navigation system. Dispatchers at the taxi company Know where all the taxis are located at any given point in time, and can dispatch them more effectively than before.
Commercial shipping companies find GPS navigation systems indispensable. In addition to being able to track where the trucks are whenever they want, they can also give the customer a tracking number, and then the customer would have the ability to track their individual package themselves.
Technorati Tags: Garmin StreetPilot c330, gps car system, gps navigation, GPS navigation system
Related Tags: Garmin StreetPilot c330, gps car system, gps navigation, handheld GPS, Magellan SportTrac
Handheld GPS devices - What Are They and How Can They Help You?
May 28th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
One of the greatest assets a hiker has is a handheld GPS unit. Any experienced hiker realizes that having the ability to know where you’re going, particularly in the wilderness, is important. Most experienced hikers also realize that the most important challenges when it comes to hiking in the deep woods are how to locate the head trail and after that how not to lose your way when you’re hiking. One of the benefits that a handheld GPS device can give you is the freedom to experience and explore hiking in uncharted wilderness areas that have not been attempted before.
A basic handheld GPS unit gets its power from regular batteries and is about two to three inches wide and four to six inches long. GPS handheld units usually have a small screen with an icon which represents both your pre-plotted locations and your current location. Additionally, different models have detailed maps indicating streams and roads, typography, etc..
An exceptional GPS navigation systems manufacturer is the Magellan GPS company. Magellan GPS systems invented a unique GPS handheld unit which is the Magellan SportTrac Map. This particular handheld GPS device is lightweight, compact and sturdy which gives outstanding performance for outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, the Magellan SportTrac map has a 2 MB European mapping database and is accurate down to 3 meters.
The engineers went into great detail when constructing the Magellan sport Trac map. One notable feature is that it has a memory capacity of 6 MB for storing street-level maps. The SportTrac map has seven very large graphical navigation displays so hikers can clearly and fully view all the particular details stored in it. These exceptional displays suit the needs of even the most avid outdoor adventurers.
Handheld GPS unit benefits
The benefits of using a handheld GPS device are considerable. Depending on your needs for a GPS device you may very well find a GPS handheld devices will be better for you than a portable unit (car gps systems) would be.
There are various reasons why you should purchase a handheld GPS device. Some are:
- - Very simple upgradeable path on a PDA
- - The ability to use add-ons offering more capabilities after your initial purchase
- - Ease of transport of the device
- - Excellent for situations such as emergency vehicles breakdowns (when you need to go for help on foot)
- - The capability to transfer maps and images to and from PDAs, laptops, and more.
It is up to the individual as to whether or not they want to purchase a portable GPS unit (auto) or a handheld GPS unit. The advantages of either device are clear with the exception being that a handheld GPS device is one level more portable.
Technorati Tags: GPS navigation system, handheld GPS, Magellan SportTrac
Related Tags: Garmin StreetPilot c330, gps car system, gps navigation, handheld GPS, Magellan SportTrac
