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Satellite technology has made possible Global Positioning Systems, also known as GPS. They are guided by 24 satellites placed by the U.S. Department of Defense, originally for military operations. In the 1980′s, the U.S. government opened up the system for civilian use. Global Positioning Systems have become increasingly popular for numerous applications since that time.

GPS technology works in almost any location, at any time and under all weather conditions. Since GPS depends on signal reception, it does not work inside caves, tunnels, buildings or under water. Using it does not require a subscription fee or setup charge-it’s available free to anyone who wants to use it.

Applications

Many automobiles now have built-in GPS. Garmin and other GPS manufacturers build auto GPS units with emergency assistance, location and direction information. GPS use for consumer applications continues to increase. It has increased the efficiency and decreased the cost of surveying by reducing site setup time and dramatically improving accuracy. Foresters and farmers use GPS. The precise locational information is very useful to biologists, geologists, surveyors and other scientists. Commercial fishermen, and professional mariners use GPS.

Drivers and dispatchers use it to improve customer service and fleet tracking. GPS is an essential component of emergency response, disaster relief and public safety. In the air, GPS improves pilot communication, navigation, and hazard avoidance. GPS is also revolutionizing space exploration.

Recreational uses of GPS navigation systems continue to expand. The technology is used by hikers, snowmobile drivers, boaters and hunters. In fact, anyone who wants to keep track of where he or she is or figure out how to get from one place to another will find a GPS useful. Without GPS the worldwide activity of geocaching would not be possible. Even golf has not been left unaffected by GPS as it tells golfers how hard they have to swing for reaching the holes.

Equipment

GPS receivers range from relatively small, portable, and reasonably priced handsets for recreational use to an innovative technology developed by NASA for high Earth orbit missions. Enhanced technology is making GPS more available within heavy foliage environments. Another popularity boost for GPS is its integration into cell phones, which has enhanced emergency response.

The newest auto GPS units are both more sophisticated and more user friendly than earlier systems. Manufacturer support services enhance the accessibility and availability of the technology.

Vendors and distributors provide guidance on which GPS systems are best for specialized applications. To purchase a new or refurbished receiver, one can turn to the Internet which is a authoritative resource for information on GPS technology. For this growing technology that is fast becoming part of every day life, many scientific websites are dedicated to educate the public.

Michael D. Torc has written numerous articles on auto GPS units. For top of the line automotive GPS, visit his website: http://www.auto-gps-units.com.

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Technorati Tags: Electronics, gadgets, navigation, Technology, wireless

GPS handhelds also benefits those who are fond of water activities like boating and kayaking. They can experience the basic features of waterproof GPS handhelds like calculating how far one location from another is, and displaying the latitude and longitude coordinates in a map.

This is all possible because GPS is already made waterproof for practical navigation and sports. Though they were originally intended for land use in military and government applications, technology enabled GPS to be functional in water despite its electronic components.

Though they used to be expensive, waterproof units are now available at an affordable price. For sea kayakers, it provides accurate data about their path in the middle of the sea. Bikers can also benefit from waterproof units because they encounter varying weather conditions aside from moist and humidity. It is also portable and easy to use, making it an indispensable navigational tool for sportsmen.

In buying waterproof GPS handhelds, some characteristics should be understood because they often appear in specifications sheet and are good measures when comparing units. The following terms are also applicable for non-waterproof GPS.

POI or Points of Interest: Aside from maps, GPS features setting of POIs or waypoints along the course taken by the user. Such waypoints can be a public restroom, campsite, or coordinates where they changed directions. It helps travelers and sportsmen to remember important spots and make their way back. Some models allow log tracking and sharing of waypoints between handhelds.

Topographical Maps: Most GPS can electronically display 2D or 3D maps, but older models do not. For such models, plotters will be required to have a printout of the map. Advanced models can go beyond normal topographic information by implementing Digital Elevation Model technology, commonly called as DEM. It is a feature to have better visualization of contours at different zoom levels. Moreover, handhelds can store new maps by accessing data cards and compact discs.

Wide Area Augmentation System: Commonly known as WAAS, augmentation system corrects the signal received by the GPS for distances beyond 10 feet. Enabling WAAS can increase accuracy up to five times.

Touch screen and switching between urban driving, hiking, and water sports are some advanced features of waterproof GPS handhelds. It can also have memory slots and digital compass. Since its main feature is usability in water, new models also show sea depth, docks, and other related information. Its package was designed to float to get it easier when dropped in water. Some units have built-in radios to provide communication within 5 miles, as long as there will be corresponding FCC license.

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Technorati Tags: boating, Electronics, fishing, GPS, hiking, hobbies, hunting, navigation, outdoors, recreation, security, sports, Technology, tracking

Take a minute and remember the last twenty years of your life. Technology has literally transformed the way we live so much, that most of the things available are or will become a necessity. A good example of this is a GPS system that you find in your mobile phone. Most of these tiny little pieces are situated inside the SIM card and can keep track of your location. It’s an amazing feat, when not too long ago cell phones looked like huge walkie-talkies.

Even though all mobile phones still don’t have a GPS feature, most of them are equipped as long as you have access to a 3G network. It is said they can do many of the same things a stand alone can do, but that’s simply not the case. You’ve probably heard of big names like Garmin who use stand alones in the car. However, their product is geared towards a true GPS system, while cell phones have several different features like cameras, Internet, ring tones and MP3 players.

Since mobiles are so spread out, they can’t focus on the best product of one feature. Plus, having a stand alone like the ones you see in cars are much safer when driving. Granted you may have a passenger to help you, but in most cases using a cell phone for GPS purposes could leave you in an accident or worse. If you are using a stand alone the only time your eyes are off the road is to glance over or use the voice directions option.

So the stand alone unit is better for the car. But then again, when you park the car, you take the pink mobile phones with you while you are not likely to lug both the phone and the GPS, unless you have a lot of pockets. And cargo pants are just not in this year.

Right now, both the cell phone and the GPS markets are growing. The problem for the GPS manufacturers is that if customers had to choose only one, they would certainly choose the cell phone and more and more phones are being offered with GPS capabilities for no charge. That means that consumers will only buy a GPS unit if the one on their Sim free mobile phone is not good enough. And for many people it will be just fine.

Market analysts say that the stand alone GPS market will continue to grow for a few more years as the prices are lowered, but that it will drop off drastically as people upgrade to the latest generations of smart phones and the 3G network coverage is completed. At that point the cell phone GPS systems will be improved enough to compete with the stand alones in all but screen size. And the negative for the phone there is countered by its portability and multi functionality.

It’s a great example of how the world turns, and when one product comes out there is always another one in the works. The end result is great for technology, but bad for the companies that spent millions manufacturing obsolete products.

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Technorati Tags: car gps, GPS, gps systems, mobile communication, Mobile Phones, navigation, pda, PDAs, pink mobile phones, sat nav, satellite navigation, sim free mobile phone, sim free mobile phones, slide mobile phones, unlocked mobile phones

If you have been looking for a Garmin handheld GPS, you should take a look at the Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS Navigator. This is the perfect device for the outdoor enthusiast who is serious about their sport. It also comes at a very reasonable price.

The Garmin handheld eTrex H gps is a very durable and rugged gps device that you can hold in your hand. It is small enough to be comfortable to hold and strong enough to get through whatever you put it through. This device is very sensitive and will keep an accurate lock on the gps signal while you are out enjoying your outdoor activities.

Like all Garmin Handheld GPS units, the eTrex H is sensitive and accurate at all times. It gives accurate readings and lets you enjoy your adventure.

All outdoor adventures aren’t out in the wide open and the Garmin eTrex Handheld GPS helps compensate for the less than ideal conditions. This gps unit operates and gives accurate signals under trees and in deep canyons under most all conditions.

Operation of the Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS unit can be operated with one hand with the five buttons located on the side of the unit. The bright color of the eTrex H allows you keep track of it with ease. It is waterproof and if dropped in water will still operate. The eTrex H is not meant to be submerged for long periods of time.

The Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS unit has a feature called TrackBack. This feature is exclusive to Garmin products and it allows you to go back to your starting position by back tracking your trip if you become lost.

The Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS operates on two common AA batteries for a full seventeen hours. It is shipped with user manual, wrist strap and a user guide to get you familiar with it’s operation.

The Garmin eTrex H handheld gps makes an excellent gift for the outdoor enthusiast on your gift list, even if that enthusiast is you. The price is affordable so that you could afford to pick up a couple. It is a great safety device to take with you when you are hiking unfamiliar trails. While you should never hike alone, you should also have the latest technology to help you find your way in the event that you become lost. The screen is easy to read. You shouldn’t have any problem understanding how to operate the device and the quick start guide will get you up and running in no time.

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Technorati Tags: camping, Electronics, fishing, gadgets, geocaching, GPS, gps receiver, hiking, navigation, outdoor, outdoors, Recreation Sports

Although the GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) system was originally designed to aid U.S. military forces in their movements around the world, it has quickly found it’s way into everyday life. Many commercial and personal uses for GPS tracking and navigation have been developed and new uses and benefits are continually being discovered.

One of the early examples of how GPS could benefit commercial interests was in the construction of the “Chunnel” a tunnel that crossed beneath the English Channel between Great Britain and France. Using GPS technology the constructions crews dug the tunnel from both ends at the same time and were able to meet perfectly in the middle. The type of use has grown and GPS is used in the operation of many mines and other underground operations.

GPS systems have been used in many emergency situations for locating people who are lost or trapped. Some emergency response services have integrated GPS receivers into their response systems that tell them which police car, ambulance, or fire truck is closest to the emergency location so that they can respond as quickly as possible. They can also use aircraft that are equipped with positioning equipment that allow them to quickly update maps of forest fires for those who are directing the fire crews on the ground.

What is quickly becoming one of the most common uses of GPS technology is automobile navigational systems. Once the domain of airplanes and ships on the ocean, now GPS units are small enough and inexpensive enough to be standard equipment in many car and truck models. This modern convenience has proved tremendously beneficial when traveling through unfamiliar territory or when in need of emergency assistance.

With the reduction in size and price of GPS devices transportation companies and public transportation departments have begun to install tracking systems that monitor company vehicles, trains and buses. This allows them to track shipments and improves their efficiency, scheduling and safety.

Truck drivers are not the only beneficiaries of this technology. Some larger farms have begun installing sensors on their tractors that allow them to work at night or in situations where visibility is low. They can also tie these into sensors that monitor soil samples to map out areas in the field that need attention.

The field of science has also seen their share of benefits from the development of the first satellites systems to more recent improvements. Biologists have been using these tools to follow herd migrations and study endangered species. Archaeologists have been assisted in locating and charting ancient ruins. In addition, GPS devices have been installed on buoys in the ocean to track the movement of oil spills and on balloons in the atmosphere to check air quality and monitor the ozone layer.

Price and size factors have also allowed these devices to be used for more personal applications. People can carry hand held devices as a safety precaution when going into wilderness areas and pet owners can now have a chip implanted in their pets so that if they are lost they can be easily located. A new hobby called Geo-caching has also originated from the technology as “Geo-cachers” use GPS devices to hunt for treasures hidden by other hobbyists. One thing is certain. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg on how this technology may affect our lives.

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Technorati Tags: Electronics, gadgets, GPS, gps devices, gps navigation, gps reviews, gps systems, gps tracking, mapping, navigation, Technology