Guide in Choosing Car GPS Systems

The global positioning system (GPS) is a piece of equipment that uses satellite technology to provide data for maps and positioning at any time of the day. Quite a number of new automobiles come with GPS systems. Other GPS systems can be bought online or over-the-counter and installed or used as a portable device. Technological advancements help GPS systems to be developed updated continuously. The devices are getting smaller in size as they also become more powerful and more accurate. A GPS works as a mobile map that helps one know their exact location and guides one in the best routes and nearby establishments.

Choosing to have a GPS vehicle tracking system installed in one's car will save one from the hassle of being lost and asking for directions. To be guided in selecting the right GPS vehicle tracking system, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Frequency of Use

In looking for the best automotive GPS systems, one should have figured out or estimated how often one is going to need it and use it. If one is not going to need it very often, it is recommended to consider the inexpensive automotive GPS systems available. On the other hand, if one expects to use it very often, it would be better to find automotive GPS units that are user friendly.

Kind of Tracking Systems

There are four major types of GPS automobile tracking systems that one can choose from, the car navigation GPS system, the portable outdoors GPS unit, the marine GPS unit, and the PDA/GPS hybrid. Overall, one could find the in-car GPS navigation system the most useful when you want to know your exact location when you're driving without a map.

Car Positioning

In choosing automotive GPS systems, one should consider the car's layout. Most GPS units have monitors that display directions and maps on them. Usually, these monitors are placed on the dashboard or on an attachable pedestal from the dash. Some vehicles do not have the space and capacity to hold GPS units and that can block important vents for air or make it uncomfortable for a person in the passenger seat.

Multi-Functions

Every client or buyer's first priority in purchasing an item is its functionality. In choosing an automotive GPS system, it would be better to have a GPS that has multiple functionalities. Quite a number of automotive GPS systems provide directions by an address back, an address typed in, a location selected on a map, or even by the nearest intersection.

Real-Time Tracking Updates

Another feature that should be considered in looking for a GPS automobile tracking system is its ability to provide a "real-time" wireless network that can help process information through visual representation. This is very helpful in verifying if one is going the right way and making the correct turns.

Audio Instructions

One should also consider looking for a GPS automobile tracking system that is capable of giving audio instructions while driving. Several models only provide visual location maps which might not be useful when one is driving alone.

Price

When one has decided on the kind of GPS system and the features it has, one's budget should also be considered. The differences in pricing usually depend on the number of features the system provides, however there are less expensive models that have enough features for most users. Prices for GPS units range from under $100 for the Garmin Nuvi 200 through Home Depot to nearly $400 for the Magellan Maestro 5310.

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GPS Accessories - Where to Find Affordable Motorcycle GPS Mounts

If you plan to do any traveling on your motorcycle, you will undoubtedly want to purchase a GPS unit. GPS (Global Positioning System) is a navigation technology that provides precise time and location data by using 24 NAVSTAR satellites. GPS units have become an important electronic device for just about anyone on the road today. Even motorcycle riders have started to see the benefits of having a GPS unit attached to their bike. Whether you are cruising around the city or taking a drive across your state, a GPS motorcycle mount is a handy accessory.

You will need to find a GPS mount that works with your bike if you want to attach your GPS to your motorcycle. There are many places where you can find these types of mounts. Depending on the type of GPS you own, try visiting the website of the manufacturer of your GPS. Both TomTom and Garmin are GPS manufacturers that have websites where you can easily find a GPS motorcycle mount that will work.

If you are like the majority of people, you will want a good deal on a GPS motorcycle mount. There is no better place to find affordable motorcycle mounts than eBay. Many people think that eBay is a place where people sell only used goods, but this is simply not the case. You can find both new and used motorcycle GPS mounts on eBay that will work with your specific GPS model. Because eBay offers sellers a cheap place to sell their goods, you can always find affordable GPS mounts. For buyers, you are protected by eBay's buyer protection program, which helps buyers and sellers resolve transaction problems. With this added protection, you should feel comfortable with purchasing items on eBay.

Now that you know where to find the perfect GPS motorcycle mount for your bike, it is time to hit the road and explore the world.

Alex McGaw writes about saving money shopping online. For more tips on buying cheap GPS accessories or Motorcycle GPS Mounts, please visit TomTom GPS Deals The TomTomGPSdeals.com website offers you the lowest prices on GPS units, GPS cases, GPS chargers and other accessories. Because of their large selection, TomTom GPS Deals can always offer you the best deals. This site is a great place to start your search for motorcycle GPS mounts.

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Preventing GPS Disasters

If your GPS device told you do drive off a cliff or ford a raging river, would you do it? You may respond, of course not, that's stupid. Unfortunately, many people substitute technology for common sense, often with tragic results.

Satellite navigation systems are changing the way in which we navigate from place to place by land, sea or air; in remote wilderness areas or through congested urban streets. The GPS system has been called the greatest advance in outdoor navigation since the invention of the compass and has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, a useful tool for map-making, land surveying and recreational navigation. An estimated 50 million navigation devices, including in-car systems, handheld or portable units and smart phones, will be in use in the United States this year.

Whether you're prospecting, hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, or taking a hike in the back country, a GPS receiver can help you reach your destination and return safely - but only if you know how to accurately use it and recognize its limitations.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a complex network of more than 30 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. The GPS network, also called NAVSTAR, was originally intended for military applications, however when Korean Air Lines Flight 007 was shot down in 1983 after straying into the USSR's prohibited airspace, President Ronald Reagan issued a directive making GPS freely available for civilian use as a common good. The GPS works all the time, in any weather condition, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

Powered by solar energy, the numerous satellites that make up the GPS space segment orbit at approximately 12,000 miles above the earth. Moving constantly at speeds in excess of 7,000 mph, the satellites each make two complete orbits of the earth in less than twenty-four hours. The GPS satellites are kept on track by small rocket boosters. Primarily operated on solar power, the satellites also employ backup batteries in anticipation of power loss during a solar eclipse.

The first GPS satellite was sent into orbit in 1978, with a full constellation of satellites achieved in 1994. Weighing approximately 2,000 pounds, each satellite is about 17 feet across with the solar panels extended and is built to last about ten years. Replacement satellites are constantly being built and then launched into orbit.

GPS signals can be affected by multi-path issues, where the radio signals reflect off surrounding terrain such as tall buildings, mountains or large obstructions. This increases the travel time of the signal and can cause inaccuracy. The number of satellites visible, or the more satellites a GPS receiver can "see" will also affect accuracy. Electronic interference, buildings, terrain or sometimes even dense foliage can block the signal reception and cause positioning errors or prevent a position reading at all.

Anomalies like high static discharge during lightning storms, humidity, ionized air and barometric pressure can definitely cause false information, data error or miscalculations. A satellite signal slows as it passes through the atmosphere. Ionosphere and troposphere delays may cause distortion. GPS units normally will not work indoors, underground or underwater.

In automotive GPS receivers, metallic features in windshields, such as window tinting films or defrosters elements can degrade reception inside the vehicle. Receiver clock errors are also common. This type of error occurs because a receiver's built in clock is not as accurate as the atomic clocks onboard the GPS satellites and will reflect varying timing errors. These distortions can result in positioning errors of hundreds of miles.

Unreliable data is also a major contributor to GPS errors. With an incalculable number of roads and millions of miles of ground to cover, it is impossible for any data system to be 100% accurate. A road network is a constantly changing entity; roads are diverted or closed, construction reroutes traffic while weather affects road conditions. The data feed used in GPS units is dated. Fresh updated content may not be available for several months. It is important to remember that this data is updated quarterly at best and in some cases only released twice a year.

Although GPS Navigation is becoming increasingly popular, these units have the ability to highlight human error. A GPS devise will attempt to advise you depending on the destination your have entered. An incorrect address or a mistake in spelling are common errors. Instead of making our lives easier, some of these devices are so technologically enhanced they are very difficult to use. User mistakes account for the majority of GPS errors, however a GPS receiver has no way to identify and correct these mistakes.

GPS technology isn't perfect! It's imperative to pair its directions with a healthy dose of common sense. Many drivers exhibit a surprising willingness to rely on gadgets instead of experience. They are finding that satellite navigation may replace paper maps, however following the GPS's not always reliable directions, many users are getting hopelessly lost, hitting dead ends or road closures and even swerving into oncoming traffic.

Even if you are not blindly following erroneous, computer-generated instructions, research studies tell us that "using GPS while behind the wheel is actually more distracting and less safe than unfolding a paper map and using it to find your way". A large portion of drivers, according to the study, relied exclusively on their GPS unit for directions, "rendering them completely oblivious to the world around them."

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WAAS - Enabled GPS System

WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) was developed by the Federal Aviation Administration to augment the Global Positioning System to improve its accuracy, integrity, and availability. WAAS was originally intended to enable aircraft to rely on GPS for all phases of flight, including the precision approach to airport's within its coverage area. The WAAS system typically provides better than 1.0 meters laterally and 1.5 meters vertically throughout most of the contiguous United States and large parts of Canada and Alaska. This accuracy is capable of provideing aircraft with the precision needed for safe approaches and inflight navigation for all weather conditions. Integrity of the WAAS information is no more than 3 seconds of bad data per year allowing the system to be considerd safe by the FAA for instrument flight rules.

Although orignally developed for aviation, WAAS is not just limited to the aviation industry, any GPS receiver that is capable of receiving the WAAS signal will be able to benefit from it's correction data, making the GPS positioning more accurate. In fact a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can even give you directions right down to the lane your car is traveling in (as long as the maping program supports "lane assist" directions). Because the Wide Area Augmentation System is quickly becoming standard in the GPS industry, most new GPS receivers today are WAAS-enabled. Just like with the conventinal GPS, the WAAS system doesn't come with any extra cost or fees to use. All that is required is that the GPS receiver be WAAS-enabled so it can receive and decode the data then be able to apply corrections to it's position. Currently the WAAS service is limited to the U.S.A., Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. Although independant from WAAS, Europe and Asia are working on their own supplemental GPS correction systems. Europe has the  "Euro Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service" (EGNOS) and Japan is working on their "Multi-Functional Satellite Augmentation System" (MSAS) .

How The WAAS System Works

WAAS uses a network of approximately 25 ground based Wide-area Reference Stations (WRS) in North America and Hawaii, to measure small variations in GPS satellite signals in the western hemisphere. These precisely surveyed ground stations monitor and collect information on the GPS signals and send their data to the three Wide-area Master Stations (WMS). The WMS's generate two different sets of corrections: fast and slow. The fast corrections are for errors that are changing rapidly and are a primary concern to the GPS satellites instantaneous positions and clock errors. These corrections are user position independent, which means they can be applied instantly by any receiver in the WAAS broadcasting area. The slow corrections are for long-term ephemeric and clock error estimates and ionospheric delay information.

Once these corrections are generated, the Master Stations sends them to two pairs of Ground Uplink Stations (GUS) that transmit the correction messages to a series of geostationary satellites that broadcast their correction data back to earth. Then WAAS-enabled GPS receivers use this information to make corrections to the original GPS signial, giving WAAS-enabled GPS receiver a more accurate position. GPS receiver's use the information broadcast from each GPS satellite to determine their location and the current time. Depending on the GPS device, a GPS receiver only needs to receive a signal from 3-4 satellites (out of the 31 satellites currently transmiting a signal for civilan users) to be able to calculate it's position. In addition to the GPS signal, a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can also receive the geostationary WAAS satellite signal.

The two different types of correction messages from the WAAS system (fast and slow) are used by  the GPS receiver in different ways. The fast type of correction data includes the corrected satellite position and clock data to determine its current location using normal GPS calculations. Once an approximate position fix is obtained the GPS receiver begins to use the slow corrections to improve its accuracy. Slow correction data Includes the ionospheric delay. When the GPS signal travels from the satellite to the receiver, it passes through the ionosphere. The receiver calculates the location where the signal pierced the ionosphere and, if it has received an ionospheric delay value for that location, it corrects for the error  that the ionosphere created. Unlike the fast data, the slow data doesn't need to be updated frequently because the ionosphere conditions don't change rapidly. While the slow data can be updated every minute if necessary, they are only updated every two minutes and are considered valid for up to six minutes.

Limitations of the WAAS System

(1) The WAAS system is currently only available to United States and large parts of Canada and Alaska but there plans to expand the system to other countries and continents.

(2) Because the WAAS broadcasting satellites are geostationary  causes them to be less than 10° above the horizon for locations north of 71.4° latitude. This means aircraft in areas of Alaska or northern Canada may have difficulty maintaining a lock on the WAAS signal.

(3) In order to calculate an ionospheric grid point's delay, that point must be located between a satellite and a reference station. The low number of satellites and ground stations limit the number of points which can be calculated.

(4) Aircraft conducting WAAS approaches must possess certified GPS receivers.

Jeff Sanders

Garmin GPS Navigation Systems [http://www.gpsfrontier.com]

[http://www.gpsfrontier.com]

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How Does GPS Work: A Look at GPS and Outdoor Activities

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a network of 24 satellites orbiting earth at 7,000 miles an hour. The satellites were launched and are maintained by United States Department of Defense for the benefit of military applications. The Satellites orbit the earth twice a day at about 12,000 miles above the planet. Considering there are no obstructions, no matter where you are on the planet earth there are at least 4 GPS satellite signals visible to GPS receivers at all times making it accurate and a huge benefit for people who enjoy the outdoors.

How Does GPS Work

The idea of GPS originated in the 1960's, but the first satellite was not put into orbit until 1978. The 24th satellite was launched in 1994 completing the mission and enabling the military to calculate positioning around the world extremely accurately. The Satellites are designed to last about 10 years, so there is constant upkeep and launching of new satellites regularly.

GPS for Civilians

GPS was not made available to the rest of the world until the 1980's. After that point, anybody was allowed to use the data available through a GPS receiver to accurately pinpoint their location, elevation, and distance traveled, among other things. Obviously though, technology was not there to make much use of civilian GPS and the benefits associated with it. GPS receivers at the time were expensive, big and clunky, and required substantial amounts of power to run them; at least more than a few batteries could provide.

It was not until the 1990's that technology caught up and the average outdoor enthusiast began to realize the benefits of GPS and how it could aide in their outdoor adventures such as hunting, hiking, and driving. Since then, GPS receivers have grown tremendously in popularity and are now available in compact sizes and can be run off small amounts of power offering hikers and hunters extremely accurate information on their whereabouts and travel information.

How Does GPS Work?

The Global Positioning System transmits signals from the satellites down to earth. A GPS receiver then picks up that transmission and analyzes the data that was sent. Mostly, the GPS receiver gathers the exact position of the satellite and determines the time it took for the signal to reach the receiver. The signal travels at the speed of light (186,282 miles per second) so we are talking about a very short amount of time. With the distance measurements of several different satellite signals, the GPS receiver then uses the mathematical concept of triangulation to compute the exact location of the user.

To accurately determine 2D information (longitude and latitude) a GPS receiver needs to be receiving signals from at least 3 satellites. To determine 3D information, the receiver needs to be picking up signals from 4 or more satellites which will enable it to determine more information such as exact location, elevation, altitude, distance traveled, sunrise and sunset, as well as many other useful concepts to hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Accuracy:

GPS receivers are quite accurate, especially if you have an unobstructed view of the sky in all directions. There are factors that can throw off a GPS, but for the average outdoorsman, even with these factors, the accuracy is more than close enough with the average accuracy of 15 meters handheld models built for the average outdoorsman.

There are, however, units that can determine location with much greater accuracy than the standard outdoorsman model GPS. These are used by surveyors and other emergency equipment. Surveyors can actually determine elevations and distances to hundredths of an inch or better. How do these GPS work so accurately? They use land towers to correct any time issues and other things that can throw them off.

The Benefits of GPS in the Outdoors:

GPS can tell a hunter or hiker exactly where they are as long as they can get satellite signal reception. This is an obvious benefit for the outdoorsman as it will assure that a person will always have a good idea of where they are and how they can get where they are going.

After ending up in locations that were not my intentions while hiking and hunting the backcountry of Western North America, I finally broke down and bought a Garmin Rhino with a built in 2 way radio. I could not talk myself into buying a less expensive model that offered only GPS, as I and the people I spend time with in the outdoors rely on communication as well. It was one of the best investments I have ever made and still have it today working perfectly.

A hunter or hiker can mark a waypoint at the beginning of the journey. They can then mark places along the way that they might want to come back to in the future. Then for their return trip back to the starting point they can let the GPS tell them the exact direction and distance to the starting point. A hiker does not even need to pay attention to where they are heading and can still find their way back with great confidence. I do suggest however that you are always aware of where you are going and make sure you can get back, as you never know when your equipment is going to fail you. This would most likely be due to the unit breaking or running out of power. Rarely will it be due to the GPS receiver leading you in the wrong direction. If you are unsure, always trust what the GPS has to say as it will most times be much more accurate than a human being.

Getting the Right GPS for Your Situation:

Now that we have answered the question of how does a GPS work, you can make an educated decision about what the best GPS for the outdoors is as well as which one is best for you specific situation. At the webpage in the next link you will find a list of what are determined by outdoorsman, hunters and hikers alike to be the best GPS broke down by price range so you can find the GPS receiver that fits your budget. You can see them by clicking here: http://www.bestforhunting.com/?page_id=180

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Handheld GPS Devices - Analyze Your Needs Before You Purchase!

Handheld GPS devices represent a special category of all available GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver units used in various situations and for different applications. The major applicability or usefulness of handheld, portable GPS devices can be divided into two distinctive categories, i.e. for outdoor leisure and sport activities like hiking, trekking, climbing, camping and running and, secondly, for industrial applications like land surveying and position measurements at construction sites. Utilizing the GPS navigation satellite system, correct location of the GPS receiver can be determined by retrieving exact longitude, latitude and altitude coordinates. Today, most GPS receiver units, whether handheld or not, communicate through radio signals with at least four GPS satellites, whereby three satellites determine the exact location of the receiver and the fourth satellite is used for correcting the receiverâEUR(TM)s clock. After the Selective Availability regulation, which provided certain accuracy reservation for military use, was ended in 2000, the precision of civilian GPS improved from about 100m to about 20m.

Handheld GPS devices provide tremendous flexibility and convenience for the user. Not only can the user continuously monitor his, or her, exact and current geographical location and path of travel, but handheld GPS devices can be fitted for relaying with central offices or base stations that can track or follow the user for security and safety reasons. For example, GPS devices that can communicate with and supply coordinates to a central station are very popular by mountain climbers and hikers. As the GPS system has developed and improved over the past years, many new applications have emerged for the users of handheld GPS devices. Not only can users determine their current location, but also obtain a multitude of additional and supportive information through geographical maps, inserted in the GPS receiver units, such as precise navigation, locations of restaurants and hotels, weather reports, tourist attractions, etc. Currently, there are a number of companies producing and offering many different handheld GPS devices. Some of the best known include, Garmin, Magellan and DeLorme. The devices have a broad range of features, attributes and, of course, price tags. Before selecting a particular handheld device, it is important to know what you will be using it for. For example, a GPS device used for hiking may be less applicable for mountain climbing or, even less, running. Obviously, devices for industrial applications have particular requirements and qualities. If you are looking for a handheld GPS device that can be used in different circumstances, a multipurpose unit could be the answer. Furthermore, you need to have an idea of what features you are interested in or require in addition to the standard GPS and mapping functionality, e.g.:

Touch screen window
Color screen or black and white
Built-in camera (like in mobile phones)
SD (memory) card expandability
Voice recorder
Built-in electronic compass
Barometer
MP3 Music Player
External antenna connector
Etc. etc.

Obviously, as the feature list increases, so does the price. Another important thing to keep in mind is considering what geographical maps may be included or applicable to your needs, e.g. outdoor and recreational maps, street maps or marine maps. Most handheld GPS devices come with some pre-loaded or built-in geographical maps, for example a base map of the USA and Canada containing major highways, city centers, bodies of water and more. You need to find out whether you need additional detailed maps that can be added to the handheld device, for example detailed cartographic maps, topographic maps, and more.

Still another important issue to keep in mind is the GPS software that is normally included with the purchase of a new handheld GPS for uploading GPS data to a computer. By that you can conveniently view all your maps, waypoints, trails and routes from your computer screen. Many other interesting advanced features and possibilities can be implemented with an appropriate handheld GPS receiver including, playing "hide-and-seek" and "treasure-hunting" through geocaching or importing your tracks, waypoints and routes into Google Earth for tracking and monitoring. In short, handheld GPS devices offer a plethora of wonderful possibilities and options.

For maximizing its benefits, you should carefully consider your needs and requirements before you actually purchase a new handheld GPS. Common retail prices for handheld GPS devices range from $100 up to $800USD depending on built-in or available features and attributes.

Olafur Ingthorsson is a Consultant and an Internet Marketer. His passions include IT and Communications technologies, including handheld GPS devices, the outdoors and triathlon sports.

Handheld GPS Devices

Analyse Your Needs Before Purchasing a Handheld GPS Device

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Tips While Selecting a GPS

GPS (Global Positioning Systems) devices have become extremely useful in today's fast paced life and are used for various applications whether you are driving your car or on a boat. It doesn't just guide you to the location and indicate the exact position where you are but can also help you find restaurants, gas stations, pharmacies, roadside assistance and even play games. Not just this, but GPS will help you if there are any traffic jams or listen to the satellite radio.

When you go to buy an auto GPS device do look for the number of points of interests it has to offer. A certain number is considered good and below that will be frustrating for you. Now a days more advanced GPS systems are available which include more features and good functionality. Basically the GPS systems perform same things.

This system shows the location on electronic map and will plot route for you wherever you want to go. The GPS navigation systems should also be checked for their screen size ranging from 2.1 inches to 7 inches. Now GPS that comes with good functionality will allow you to switch maps or find the points of interest from its large database with the click of a button. The advanced GPS has MP3 player, Bluetooth capability and satellite radio.

GPS systems are available for different types of users; hikers, marine and aviation techies or simply drivers. Or if it is to be fitness based or site navigation for geocatchers. GPS system will also provide its user with the calculation of the shortest possible route or the best route along with the touch screen and the regional maps in it.

You will have to keep in mind while buying a GPS system that how often you will be using it and for the automotive GPS device you will be required to keep in mind the layout of your car or vehicle.

A GPS system should be able to give you multiple ways to get where you are heading so make sure that it is equipped with this feature also.

The GPS system should have vocal and graphic directions both so that the concentration is not lost while on the road. Another very important feature would be to keep in mind the installation time of the GPS system you plan to buy. If the automotive GPS takes longer time to install then it means more cost. Another thing to be taken into consideration is the battery life.

When you are planning to buy a GPS system then check for the option of conserving power of by hibernating when not in use. A good GPS system should come with the above mentioned features and functions depending on how you have to use it and the affordability factor should also be kept in mind. The customized options, the zip code search function, text to speech feature, multi dimension routing, lane assistance, reality view maps and also the ability to search for the POI (points of interest) close to your current location.

The portable GPS systems will cost less giving you the option of moving them between vehicles or taking them with you whenever traveling. There are also built in systems available. If you plan to use your GPS while walking, you'll want something smaller. Prices differ depending upon the brand and the features of the GPS system. So with all these useful different features and functions you should be able to find the GPS best suited for your requirement. But with more advanced features and better technology you would want to go for the most sophisticated GPS system.

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How Does a GPS System Work? Where to Get the Best GPS Systems For Your Needs

Basically a GPS System consists of 3 parts.

1. The Satellite System,

2. The Ground Station and

3. The GPS Receiver

Satellite System:

The SPS satellite system consists of 24 satellites operated by the United States Airforce and is called NAVSTAR. They are solar powered and have backup batteries to keep working during eclipses. Each satellite orbits the earth twice every day. Together the 24 satellites cover the entire earth from their various high orbits. They are designed to orbit in such a way that at any point of time any GPS system on earth receives signals from at least 4 satellites. These satellites have atomic clocks aboard them which keep accurate time.

The Ground Stations:

These stations keep sending up signals to keep the data on the satellites accurate. Sometimes, the satellites go out of orbit or data on them is outdated. The master ground station continuously monitors the signals and sends up corrected information so the data aboard the satellites is accurate all the time. So, when a GPS system logs on to these signals the data is always accurate.

GPS Receiver:

GPS receiver is the device you use to find your way around anywhere on Earth. The receiver GPS device receives the data from the satellites and calculates its position on earth. For the GPS system to find the location accurately it needs to receive signals from at least 4 satellites.

The GPS satellites emit low power radio signals of two frequencies. One is intended for military use and the other frequency L1 is for civilian use. There are 3 bits of information transmitted by the satellite which is used by the GPS system to make simple calculations to find the location on earth.

The principle on which GPS system works is very simple. At every moment the GPS receiver calculates the distance between itself and a satellite from space. You can be anywhere on a sphere defined by this "distance" as the radius. The GPS receiver does this same calculation for four satellites. The intersection of the 4 spheres gives your coordinates on earth.

GPS Systems Can FAIL:

But for this to work the GPS receiver needs to be in the open with a clear view of the skies where it can get uninterrupted low power radio signals from the satellites. It won't work indoors - inside buildings, homes and offices. It does not work underground. It does not work in caves and mines. It does not work when there are tall buildings or thick foliage like in a dense forest. It does not work underwater. In short ,it does not work where you can't get clear satellite signals so make sure you are in view of open skies before you try to determine your position. Else, you might get faulty readings from your GPS Systems that can endanger you.

How to buy the best GPS systems? How to select the right GPS system for your needs? Find the answers to your questions about GPS receivers, navigational aids, handheld GPS and much more at best GPS systems reviews

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GPS Watches For Fitness and Outdoors

GPS watches are specialist tools that have burst onto the market on the crest of the wave of popularity of consumer GPS devices over the last five or ten years. Do you like to exercise off the beaten track and would like to keep track of your travelled routes and other details of your adventures as well as the times and statistics of your workouts? You would not be alone in the desire for an outdoor tracking tool that can track and store this sort of information.

Many fitness enthusiasts and athletes have turned to a specialist tool that can accommodate these needs and have started utilizing a GPS watch for their workouts and outdoor adventures. By simply setting up some features on the watch, you can track a ton of workout information in terms of both your times and workout segment as well as speed, pace, distance travelled and even the saving of your routes in three dimensions.

What is a GPS watch?

A GPS watch utilizes GPS technology to lock onto at least four of the 12 GPS satellites thereby obtaining the ability to keep track of changes in your position to determine information such as speed and distance travelled over time. In the leading GPS watches, the GPS receiver is mounted in the wrist watch itself making it convenient to just pick up and wear.

Why Use a GPS Watch?

A GPS watch offers what many athletes have been seeking for a long time, namely the ability to track your speed in real time, record route information including horizontal distance travelled and changes in elevation over the course of a run. Most modern GPS watches offer a lot of great sports features too, such as the ability to link up to a heart rate monitor chest strap, allowing you to tie in heart rate monitor features such as heart rate zones and alerts with the finest features of GPS.

The advantages are tremendous and as a result many athletes, outdoors enthusiasts and people who wish to track their health and fitness in much finer detail are turning to these highly functional wrist watches. Not only is a GPS watch convenient in that it can fit your wrist with ease, but has numerous features that can be tweaked to just about any fitness or performance goal.

What Products Are Available?

There are currently GPS watches offered by Garmin, Timex, Polar, Suunto, GlobalSat and others. A significant difference between GPS watches offered by watchmakers is that some require you to attach an external GPS device to your body which then communicates wirelessly to the wristwatch (much like a wireless heart rate monitor strap), whereas others like the Garmin Forerunner mount the GPS antenna in the wristwatch itself and thus offer you the ease and convenience of just picking up the watch and heading out the door, albeit in a slightly bulkier case.

The benefits of a GPS watch is considerable, whether you want to time your speed and distance or keep track of your running routes or with to keep track of your precise location on outdoor adventures. GPS opens up a whole new world of opportunity for navigation as well as tracking and monitoring your fitness statistics allowing you to set achievable goals.

Visit our website to learn much more about GPS watches including more information on the best gps running watch choices from Garmin, Polar, Timex and Suunto.

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How Does GPS (Global Positioning System) Work?

GPS (Global positioning system) GPS (Global positioning system) is a satellite sourced navigation system developed by the Unites States Department of Defense and is administered by United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. With technological advances in leaps and bounds, a system was developed specifically for army utilization which is now widely used as GPS for precise tracking and mapping purposes, it was made available to civilians in 1980's.

Worldwide positioning on your handheld does not put in the picture of how complex the GPS technology is. U.S. defense department spent $12 billion on developing this system which made Navigation and positioning a child's play.

It uses a constellation linking 24 to 32 satellites orbiting earth that transmit well defined radio wave signals, which allow GPS receivers to establish their existing location, the timings, and their speed.

GPS satellites GP system makes use of the information provided by the GPS satellites orbiting around earth twice in every 24 hours at around 7000 miles per hour.All GPS satellites are equipped with solar panels and thus make use of solar energy to power the resources. They have backup batteries installed onboard to keep active whenever a solar eclipse or any such event takes place. These satellites are provided with small rocket boosters which can be deployed when they deviate from their original path.

Satellite signals Each of these satellites recurrently sends signals to the receivers on the earth which work out all the information. Based on these calculations the exact position can be known. These signals give out the location, speed and time with use of accurate orbital information and relative orbit distances of GPS satellites. The signal comprises of three basic parts - a pseudorandom code, ephemeris data and almanac data .Satellites transmit 2 low powered radio signals L1 and L2, civilian GPS makes use of L1 signal which has a frequency of 1575.42 MHz in UHF band. These signals are thus unable to pass through solid buildings, mountains etc. The pseudorandom code gives the information about the satellite which is identified by a unique code. Ephemeris data gives an account of the satellite position and other related orbital information. Almanac data is provided at regular intervals and it contains the valuable information about the current date and time which is very important to determine the position of the receiver.

Trilateration The GPS concept is based on "Trilateration" or in simple words "triangulation". Trilateration is a method which uses the geometry of triangles to determine the relative positions. Computing the distances of different satellites we can determine the location of the receiver. Magellan and Garmin offer superior GPS receivers which are exceedingly accurate due to their parallel channel design. These receivers lock into satellites and maintain their link even in dense forest areas or regions which are highly populated and have large number of buildings. Certain atmospheric factors also affect the accuracy of these receivers. A GPS receiver locked in to 4 different satellites can accurately determine the three dimensions that is, the latitude, the longitude and the altitude. With a device locked into 2 satellites can conclude only 2d view that is, the longitude and the latitude. The GPS needs an highly accurate clock. The most perfect clock made upto date is the atomic clock. GPS makes use of this same clock in its satellites. But for the receiver end, installing clocks in the devices would have made it unaffordable so the developers came up with the idea of using a 4th dimension in determining the position. So a normal position can be easily established using signals from not three but four satellites.

MAGELLAN AND GARMIN Leading brands with GPS solutions, Garmin and Magellan have a variety of products on offer.

For portable and on board navigators such a nuvi and zumo series from Garmin and Magellan maestro and triton series offer exceptional on-road and off road coverage for all types of vehicles. These navigational handhelds and fixed navigators are best for hiking, biking and camping purposes around the world whether you are in a vehicle or trekking by foot.
Both Garmin and Magellan have equally competitive products for land, airborne and sea navigation, mining and agriculture machine products, vehicle navigation, and Aerospace solutions. They provide professional GPS solutions for avionics and safety, radars and autopilots, marine networking, sensors and boards for surveys and recreational application.
Blackberry and PDA's for Mobile and laptop integration with the GPS receivers is another range of products. Now you can have the GPS on the go with these revolutionary products on offer.
Customized software solutions from Magellan and Garmin GPS' handheld for topographic, marine and street navigation. Fully detailed maps with extensive coverage points including lakes, mountains, streets, monuments, parks and comprehensive range of addresses make these a world class navigational equipments.

Newer and more accurate technology is flooding the market such as the upgradation to differential global positioning system (DGPS) offered by Garmin is cuurently deployed by the U.S. coastal guard which gives an accurate account of position with a range of three to five meters. Recent Garmin GPS receivers are equipped with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) which corrects to the average of 3 meters by improving and transmitting GPS signals through beacon transmitters.

Limitations and error introduction in the GPS receivers

Delays in the atmosphere while passing through Ionosphere and troposphere introduces delay time errors in the signals.
Improper synchronization and correction of atomic clock time in satellite and receiver.
Ephemeris errors- errors due to incorrect location co ordinates of the satellite.
GPS does not work under water, under ground or inside the buildings.
Needs clear Line of sight from the satellite to the receiver. Any obstructions due to buildings and dense flora introduce erroneous results.

GPS has a widespread use and thus has innumerous applications. They can be broadly categorized to military and civilian industry. Whether it is land, sea or air GPS has become seamlessly important. Surveyors, mariners and aviation industry have become highly dependent on these technological wonders. Others active customers include the automobile clients and recreational sports activity patrons. GPS has undoubtedly transformed the way of living and taken it to new heights.

Written by [http://www.jhelectronics.com]

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GPS Tracking System - How Its Components Work

Born of the best minds from a concept so simple is an exceptional complex system, the GPS tracking system. It is made up of three components: satellites that orbit the earth, control and monitoring stations and the GPS receivers. It is a radionavigation system providing reliable positioning, navigating, and timing services not just for the military but also to civilian users as well in any part of the world. The GPS tracking system has drastically changed the world of navigation through land, sea and air, in all weather, 24/7.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based radionavigation system that provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to civilian users on a continuous worldwide basis -- freely available to all. For anyone with a GPS receiver, the system will provide location and time. GPS provides accurate location and time information for an unlimited number of people in all weather, day and night, anywhere in the world.

In the 1960s the U.S. Navy and Air Force worked together on a number of systems that would be able to provide a variety of navigation applications. In 1973 the Department of Defense aimed to direct the services in unifying their systems. The concept of the tracking system would be atomic clocks onboard satellites was tested successfully by an earlier Navy program called TIMATION. The Air Force would operate the new system called the Navstar Global Positioning System. From then on, it has since been known as simply GPS or Global Positioning System.

The GPS tracking System Satellites

Today's GPS Operational Constellation is funded and controlled by the U.S. Department of Defense and being operated by the U.S. Military. It is comprised of three major components: a "constellation" of satellites in Earth orbit, ground stations that controlled the system and receivers hand carried by the users. It was so designed so that these receivers could be made small and inexpensive and would not require atomic clocks.

The GPS tracking system is an aerospace technology comprising of at least 24 operational satellites at all times. Each satellite is on a circular orbit 20,000 kilometers above the Earth on a 12-hour period. In order to make sure that these satellites are detected from anywhere on the surface of the Earth, the satellites are divided into six groups having four space vehicles each. The six orbital planes completely surround the Earth, equally spaced 60 degrees apart and at an angle of about 50 degrees with respect to the equatorial plane. Each group is assigned a different path to follow. The orbit altitude is such, that the GPS satellites recapitulate the same ground track and configuration at approximately over any point each in 24 hours. The GPS tracking system's navigation message consists of time-tagged data bits that mark the time of transmission of each subframe at the time they are being transmitted by the space vehicle. A data bit frame consists of 1500 bits divided into five 300-bit subframes and a data frame is being transmitted at an interval of 30 seconds. There are three six-second subframes containing orbital and clock data. Precise clock corrections are sent in subframe one and orbital data sets or ephemeris data parameters for the transmitting space vehicle are sent in subframes two and three. Various pages of the system data are being transmitted in subframes four and five. So the GPS tracking system has an entire set of twenty-five frames or 125 subframes creating the complete navigation message sent over a 12.5-minute period.

The GPS Tracking System Equipment on the Ground

Ground stations are used so that each satellite orbit are accurately tracked. The GPS tracking system has ground stations which is comprised of a receiver and antenna, as well as communication tools to transmit the data to the data center. When the GPS satellites supply specially coded signals, the omni-directional antenna at each site picks up the signals and that is processed in a receiver. The receiver then separates the signals in various channels for a particular satellite and frequency at a particular time. Once the signals are isolated, the receiver now decodes them and splits them into individual frequencies to calculate position, velocity, direction and time anywhere on Earth.

At least four GPS satellite signals consisting of space segments are used in computing positions in three-dimensional locations - latitude, longitude and altitude - and the time offset in the receiver clock. All GPS tracking system satellites have synchronized operations so that the signals are transmitted at the speed of light to the equipment on the ground. Each GPS satellite broadcasts data indicating its location and current time.

Since the GPS tracking system sites are constructed throughout the world and are being monitored by different institutions worldwide, there are many different data center locations. The role of the data center is to both monitor and control the GPS tracking system stations. The data center uses an automated computer system in retrieving and analyzing data from the receivers. Once processed, the data, including the original raw data, are sent to scientists around the glob for use in various applications.

From laboriously built landmarks by our ancestors to shooting the stars to chronometers to satellites, our technology has evolved faster than we could ever imagine. The GPS tracking system is the most recent and significant advancement in navigation and positioning technology. This new constellation of artificial stars serves this important need for both the military and civilian users and is now fast becoming important in everyday life.

Abhishek is a passionate about Global Positioning Systems and he has got some great GPS Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 109 Pages Ebook, "GPS Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Auto-Whiz.com/12/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Portable GPS Trackers - To Know Where Your Loved One Is

If you want to know where your child is at all times, you should get a GPS tracker. You can get portable GPS trackers to track a certain brand of cell phone or even a tracker watch. You may find they use GPS to follow those that need to be tracked at all times. The one thing you should know about GPS trackers is to find the type that does not allow others to track you. Choosing the right GPS can be a key to knowing where a loved one is and where to go when driving.

GPS is the basic global position system that allows you to pen point areas you need to know where to get too. If you travel to other places, you will find that a GPS can help. The directions can be directly to the direct position you need to know. If you get a voice GPS, it can tell exactly where to go. Although, many can be a bit off on the turns, but that can be fixed with Internet updates.

Most GPS units contain a wireless Internet that keeps them updated with the latest traffic and new construction in the area. When you decide to get a GPS, you should look into the latest that's just came out.

You will find that there up with the latest technology and get you exactly what you want. The latest traveling gear starts with the GPS units. When you get your very own, you can place them on your belt or even on the steering wheel, which gives you easy access to the GPS.

Certain brands of GPS have touch screen abilities and updates on its own. If you want to get the right type that suits you, then you need to know that you are going to be pay a bit more on your GPS.

When you get a GPS tracker, you can get them equipped on your phone to track exactly where your kids are. This also can help you track them in school and to make sure there staying out of trouble.

Portable GPS trackers can help save your life or child's. If you have a cell phone that has built in GPS, then you will find that it tracks you all the time. When you go on a trip and need to keep up with your spouse or children at the mall, you can use a GPS tracker.

If you want to know where your child is at all times, you should get a GPS tracker. You can get portable gps trackers to track a certain brand of cell phone or even a tracker watch. More info now available on http://www.bigboxstore.com/car-accessories/gps-trackers/portable-gps-trackers

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Nuvi 255W GPS Compared to Nuvi 760 GPS - Be Surprised

On the day this article was written the Garmin Nuvi 255W was the number two selling GPS on Amazon and the Garmin Nuvi 760 GPS was in the number one position. The selling price for the Nuvi 760 was approximately $200 and for the Nuvi 255W, the price was approximately $173. Wonder why a discontinued unit like the Nuvi 760 GPS would cost $27 more than the current model widescreen Nuvi 255W GPS and still outsell it?

The Garmin Nuvi 760 may be discontinued, but it is the better GPS for the money than the Nuvi 255W GPS. Why? Two reasons: First, discontinued units are priced to clear inventory and this is the point in their product life cycle where you can buy them for the very best value. Second, the Nuvi 760 GPS has more valuable features than the newer GPS.

Let's go through a comparison of the features of the two units and see why this is the case.

Both of these units have the most important feature an automotive GPS must have and that is the ability to speak the street names of the streets on which you are going to turn.

Both the units are wide screen and are exactly the same size. Surprisingly, the Nuvi 760 GPS weighs a whole one ounce more than the Nuvi 255W GPS which is insignificant.

The Nuvi 760's battery lasts one more hour than the Nuvi 255W (5 hours versus 4 hours). This is rather insignificant too.

The Nuvi 255W GPS can hold up to 1,000 way points/favorites where the Nuvi 760 GPS can hold up to 500. Conversely, the Nuvi 760 can store up to ten routes and the 255W cannot store routes. Here you must decide which feature is important to you. My preference is route storage.

The Nuvi 760 will automatically take multiple destinations for a trip and calculate the most direct route to the destinations. The 255W does not have this capability.

Both of these units are FM traffic compatible. However, the Nuvi 760 has a built in FM receiver which is a major plus. This is an expensive add on. The Nuvi 760 also includes a starting subscription to the Clear Channel FM traffic network.

Two additional major advantages for the Nuvi 760 are the Bluetooth® wireless technology which allows you to connect to your cell phone for hands-free calling, and the FM transmitter that allows you hear the audio output from the Nuvi 760 GPS over your car stereo. This gives you improved sound quality. The fact that the Nuvi 760 has an MP3 player and an audio book player lets you enjoy the output from these features over your car stereo also. The Nuvi 255W GPS does not have these features. On the subject of audio, if you want to plug earphones into the Nuvi 760, you can do so. The Nuvi 255W does not offer this option.

The final options that the Nuvi 255W GPS has that the Nuvi 760 GPS does not offer are photo navigation where you can navigate to geo-tagged photos, and ecoRoute(TM) which calculates the most fuel efficient route.

In the final analysis, wouldn't you pay approximately $27 more for the Nuvi 760 with an FM transmitter to hear better audio over your car stereo, audio book player, MP3 player, the FM traffic receiver (including traffic subscription), Bluetooth® for hands free calling, and slightly longer batter life?  See the resource information below for a more comprehensive comparison.

John V. W. Howe is an entrepreneur, author, inventor, patent holder, husband, father, and grandfather. His degree in physics makes him curious about how things work and he was naturally fascinated with early GPS units and has followed their development.

His website, The-Best-GPS.com, helps readers identify the best GPS units. For a more detailed comparison of the Nuvi 255W GPS and the Nuvi 760 GPS, go to http://www.the-best-gps.com/Nuvi-255W-GPS.html

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What GPS Navigation Devices Can Be Used in Vehicles?

Recently, a reader wrote - I'm thinking about buying a GPS to assist me while traveling. But, I'm totally ignorant about how they work and how they can help me.

I have some basic doubts like "If I'm going to 3 different places - how should I tell this to my GPS. Do I have to pre-program the GPS before I set out to the three places or do I do them one at a time?

How are the addresses loaded into the GPS? Is there a input device like keyboard or pad?

Most GPSs look so small--how can I pay attention to them while I am driving?

What brand of GPS do you recommend that I should go for as a beginner with little technical or technological skills

What experiences have you had with GPS navigation and GPS devices in general?

I know I am asking a lot of questions. But I am lost, really. Thanks for your help in advance.

I will try to answer all your questions in the following paragraphs.

GPS - Your Questions Answered

First, using a GPS is quite simple and easy. Most of the GPS receivers have been designed to be intuitive. They are easy to use and operate.

Like for example entering your destination into a GPS unit is simple and straight forward. While the exact method varies depending on the GPS device you are using. For most devices, you just have to type out the address using an on screen keyboard.

Some have touch screens and others require key presses.

If you are going to more than one place some GPS receivers allow you to enter them at the start of your trip. While others you'll need to enter your next destination after you reach your first destination.

Again, it depends on the GPS device you are using.

First I would suggest you get comfortable with GPS receivers before you buy. Check out the various devices at your local store before you decide one.

Don't be worried about the size most have screens which are quite large enough to make out the destinations, maps, streets etc.

Most important point - you "don't have to look" at your GPS screen while driving. Your focus should always on the road and your driving. The GPS devices should not be a distraction while you drive.

For this very reason, almost all GPS receivers for cars come with voice commands. They will give your voice prompts about where you are where and which direction to turn at an intersection or which exit to take. The display typically show directional indications and limited map information.

This way they can be used for navigation while you focus on the driving. Apart from this the more advanced GPS devices even have information about hotels, gas stations, restrooms, and much more.

A word of warning here don't try to program or fiddle with your GPS unit while driving. You won't type a message to a friend while driving would you? Same thing here.

Try to enter your commands before your start for your destination and perform as few as possible commands on the device while driving.

If you have to enter your commands then stop your car.

Garmin's nuvi and StreetPilot range and TomTom systems are very good. Magellan also have pretty decent GPS systems for cars - they are the makers of the NeverLost system that are used in Hertz rental cars.

From my experience I would suggest you to get a GPS unit that not only gives voice prompts for directions, but also give the names of the streets. Instead of just giving directions like "go left","go right" or straight it's more helpful when you know the street names too. You know you are doing the right thing. Knowing the name of the street helps significantly to follow the directional information provided by the unit.

The low cost models only speak the directions you need to take.

Gowri is an avid blogger and writer. She loves technology and is a GPS fan. If you are looking for more information on GPS then best GPS systems is the place to check out.

Don't know which GPS is the right choice for you. At http://www.bestgpssystemsreviews.com we provide all the help you need to make the right choice.

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Automotive GPS and Other Popular Uses of GPS

A GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigational system. It is comprised of 24 satellites that the U.S. Department of Defense placed in orbit, originally for military operations. In the 1980s the U.S. government opened up the system for civilian use. Since that time Global Positioning Systems have become increasingly popular for numerous applications.

GPS works in any weather, in almost any location, and at any time. The only places where signals cannot be received are caves, tunnels, inside buildings, and under water. Using it does not require a subscription fee or setup charge-it's available free to anyone who wants to use it. GPS receivers are extremely accurate, often to within 15 feet or less.

The GPS consists of three parts: satellites that orbit Earth, control and monitoring stations on Earth, and receivers owned by users. GPS receivers pick up signals that satellites broadcast. The receiver provides latitude, longitude, altitude, and time.

Applications

Many automobiles now have built-in GPS. Some automotive GPS by Garmin and other manufacturers contact emergency assistance, while other systems also provide location and direction information.

Occupational applications of GPS continue to multiply. 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. Geologists, biologists, and other scientists use it for its precision timing capability and for accurate position information. Commercial fisherman, and professional mariners use GPS.

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

Recreational uses of GPS navigation systems continue to expand. Hikers, hunters, snowmobilers, fishermen, and boaters use it. 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. GPS has even improved the game of golf by telling golfers how far they have to hit their balls.

Equipment

GPS receivers range from relatively small, portable, and affordable 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. The increasing incorporation of GPS into cell phones improves emergency response and popularizes its technology.

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

Manufacturers and distributors provide guidance on which GPS systems are best for specific applications. With many choices of GPS receivers now available, consumer reviews also inform purchases. The Internet is a powerful resource for information on its technology, applications, and equipment and for the purchase of new and refurbished receivers. Commercial, governmental, and scientific websites educate the public on this growing technology that will soon become part of everyday life.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.

Learn more about Automotive GPS [http://www.actiongpselectronics.com].

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Three Popular GPS Running Watch Choices - Timex GPS Watches, Suunto T Series and Garmin Forerunner

The best equipment can help make hard physical training a little easier. While good training shoes and fabrics that breath can make exerting physical effort more comfortable, the best technology can handle much of the hard work in tracking and comparing results. For runners, cyclists and any sport that involves moving from point A to point B in quick time, a GPS watch can be a beneficial tool, providing you with valuable feedback on how you are performing and storing performance statistics for later comparison. As there are a various models of GPS watches on the market, lets take a look at a few of the popular ones.

At the cheap end of the price scale, you'll discover the Timex Speed and Distance watch. Timex GPS watches require an external GPS device be mounted on the wearer's body, which transmits data wirelessly to the wrist watch via a digital FM signal. The Timex Speed and Distance model measures horizontal speed and distance, but unlike the more expensive Timex Bodylink GPS system, cannot measure altitude. That aside, it has many nice features that runners need such as lap and target speed sessions, 100 Laps of memory and the famous Timex INDIGLO illumination lighting system for night time running. The GPS system also features auto-pause which stops the timers when you stop running and starts when you resume.

Another GPS watch system for runners is the Suunto Training series watches. The Training series watches is a series of three GPS enabled watches, the T3C, T4C and T6C. These watches also utilize an external, wireless GPS device and unlike the Timex watches feature "Training Effect", an accurate indicator of the actual fitness benefit of a workout. The pricier T6C can also measure EPOC and is packed with bunch of other analytical features, although these are mostly overkill to all but the most specialist runners and coaches. Only the T6C measures altitude, and utilizes a barometric altimeter which is more accurate than GPS.

The Suunto Training Series watches offer a different set of features to the Timex GPS system and any one of these might be considered one of the "best GPS running watches", but there is a more popular brand of GPS watch that is a clear favorite amongst athletes and runners everywhere. This watch would be the Garmin Forerunner line of GPS watches.

The Forerunner 305 is an older GPS system, yet is still amongst the most popular GPS system in existence. It was superceded by the Forerunner 405, which is sleeker and looks more like a watch, but stripped out were the navigation features that the Forerunner 305 could accommodate with its larger screen size. The 405 was then superceded by the 405CX which was essentially a minor upgrade. The 405 and 405CX are high tech watches that feature a touch-sensitive bezel and a wireless ANT+ transfer mechanism for transferring data to PC. Data can even be wirelessly transmitted between 405 watches. While the 405CX is probably the most popular running GPS watch, the 405 and 305, being older watches can be picked up slightly cheaper and still deliver a lot of bang for your buck!

These three watch brands all offer their advantages, but the best GPS running watch for you will depend on which features you need individually and what price you are prepared to pay. A GPS running watch is a tool highly worthy of investment. It will keep you on track and on time.

Visit our website to learn much more about running watches GPS systems and other GPS running watch choices.

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Truck Drivers and RV Owners Are Getting GPS Systems Just For Them

GPS for trucks are becoming more available and it's about time.

If any sector of the marketplace was in need of GPS navigational systems it is the trucking industry. Yet this truckers GPS potential market seems to have been ignored by the GPS manufacturers or at least until now. It's like someone turned on the light as there are now some really useful truck GPS systems coming on the market. Not only are these useful for truckers but they are also a great aide to RV owners as with a GPS for RV many of the requirements are the same.

These new trucker GPS units aren't just maps showing the route to a particular destination, but rather allow the vehicle driver to input critical data about the vehicle and its' load. For instance, the driver can input the length, width, weight and height of the load. In addition, most truckers GPS systems allow the trucker to input the Hazmat level of the load. All this information is taken into consideration when creating the route. Restricted roads show up on the map and are avoided by the routing system. In addition, many of the new truck GPS units warn of high winds, steep inclines, hazardous  turns and more. All these are extremely important to the driver and can save time and fuel.

For truckers making deliveries, there are systems that allow the driver to enter the addresses of all his stops and then the GPS will create the most efficient route for the driver to take, saving him valuable time and allowing the most efficient  use of the vehicle.

Like many auto GPS systems, many of the new trucker GPS units have traffic alert capability enabling the driver to avoid expensive traffic tie-ups and get there on time. In the trucking industry "time is money" is really true and these new units go a long way to help the drivers and their companies save both. 

If you are interested in truck GPS systems, check out http://the-portable-gps.com/gps-for-trucking.html where you will find a comparison table that compares the most popular truckers GPS and lists the features of each truck GPS.

http://the-portable-gps.com has an abundance of information on portable GPS systems and trackers from how they work to the various features provided by each individual unit.

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The Latest GPS Navigation Systems Are Equipped With Numerous Facilities Like 3-D Maps, Traffic Alert

Whether you want to visit your favorite deli or take a nice peaceful trip outside the city, your GPS navigator can effectively help you reach your destination faster without needing to sit in traffic for hours. Car GPS navigation systems can help you with maps, turn-by-turn directions and that's not all, it can also guide you towards multiple points of interest.

The latest GPS navigation systems are equipped with numerous facilities like 3-D maps, traffic alerts, easy touch screen, hands free calling etc. Some models also offer FM transmitters; this makes it easier for you to hear alerts and prompts through your own car stereo. Many navigators come equipped with theft prevention features, Bluetooth, and a couple of other helpful features to aid the driver.

There are many vehicles on the market that come equipped with a GPS navigator, however if your car does not come with a GPS navigator, you can consider buying a separate portable unit for yourself. This portable unit can be mounted on the dashboard or windshield of your car.

Here below are some of the features that you should look for when buying a GPS navigation system:

1. Accurate navigation is the most important feature that your GPS should offer; also, it is advisable to go for a navigator that recalculates routes fast.

2. A GPS screen should be easy to touch as well as read. Also, the displays on your navigator should be very clear and sharp. Preferably, pick a model that can be viewed in different lighting conditions, including daylight.

3. Voice command is offered by a few models, this can be helpful as it allows the driver to operate certain functions solely with voice.

4. If you like to do exploring on foot often, it is wiser to consider a lightweight GPS navigator. Although in most cases the cheaper models tend to be lighter, there are a few premium units that are lightweight and easy to carry.

5. Invest in a GPS navigation system that comes equipped with street-level mapping, updating your mapping software can be done for no extra cost.

6. Aside from the basic features of preloaded maps and driving directions, also look for features like Bluetooth and text-to-speech capability.

7. Additional features to look for would be real-time traffic support, FM transmitters and some new models offer MP3 playback for music on the go.

8. Make sure that the GPS has a long battery life, the longer the better. Although, a GPS unit offering a long battery life can be expensive, it will be worth every penny you spend.

9. Before making a decision make sure that the features the unit offers are in perfect working condition, for example it is very important for the pronunciation and sound of the device to be clear otherwise you would end up looking at the unit more often than the road.

Car GPS navigation systems can make car travel easy and hassle free. You no longer need to crack your brains on deciphering complicated directions and maps; you GPS navigator can help you get to your destination safe and sound.

There are many companies offering top-of-the-line products like TomTom, Magellan, Garmin and many more. With so many options, why not go ahead and choose one that suits your driving needs the best to make traveling easier and so much better.

SNS Designs, INC. owns a number of websites. They carry wide selection of Garmin GPS, Magellan GPS systems, Handheld GPS Units and Tom Tom GPS they offer the most popular gps navigation equipment for cars and mobile devices as well as computers for everyone.

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Why Use a Portable GPS (Global Positioning System) Device?

A handheld GPS unit not only saves you a lot of time but also makes your commuting process easier and simpler than usual. These devices guide your way to unfamiliar destinations without much hassles.

I have been using a portable GPS device for a couple of years now and believe you me, traveling has been way more pleasurable than what it used to be. No one likes to be lost and asking directions can be quite annoying at times. And printing pages after pages of maps can be an arduous task. A GPS navigation unit is probably the best answer to all such problems.

These gadgets are incredible devices that offer you a wide array of ways in order to get the best of them. Below we will discuss how best you can use these devices.

Driving: A GPS unit can be used in cars for an enhanced driving experience. The mapping software incorporated in the device helps you steer your way to a desired destination and back and that too by leading you through the fastest routes. These devices contribute towards efficient travelling by choosing the shortest routes and notify you of the current traffic conditions of roads you are driving on. Another interesting feature of these GPS units is that they come with a number of 'points of interest'. These gadgets are designed to inform you about gas stations, restrooms and the like while you are approaching them. Now that sounds good, doesn't it?

Boating: other than cars, a portable GPS device can also be used while boating. These devices help to point different stops like, fishing spots, great scenic view, and favorite landing points etc. and later in case you want to get back to these points, your GPS navigator will guide your way back to your desired spot.

In airplanes: GPS gadgets are also used while flying commercial airplanes. In this case, a GPS device helps you determine the distance from your destination, your current location, how high you are flying and at what speed.

Tourism and vacations: in case you are going to a new unfamiliar place for your vacation, your GPS device can prove to be a great help as it can locate places of special interest, to mark places that you may like to return to and also to find local restaurants.

Biking: regardless of the fact whether you are a casual or a serious biker, a portable GPS unit can be a great way to track your progress. It can record the distance you have travelled, your halt time, average speed, current speed etc.

There are several ways to use a GPS navigation device, abovementioned are just a few. There are various kinds of GPS devices with varied features that are found on the market. It is advisable that you do your necessary research and then purchase a device that will suit your needs the best.

So, to conclude, now that you have a fair idea about what GPS devices are and how to use them, feel free to go ahead and get your brand new portable GPS unit today and enjoy all that it has to offer.

SNS Designs, INC. owns a number of websites. They carry wide selection of Garmin GPS, Magellan GPS systems, Handheld GPS Units and Tom Tom GPS they offer the most popular gps navigation equipment for cars and mobile devices as well as computers for everyone.

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Portable GPS Map Units - How You Can Use Them

Portable GPS maps units can be helpful in a number of ways. If you have this wonderful handheld GPS tool with you, you can give free reign to the explorer in you and enjoy as many hiking and biking expeditions as you want. You can always depend on your portable GPS maps units to keep you on the right track. For this reason, you should be armed with a good variety of GPS maps that can help you to navigate the trip you want to undertake in your vehicle. It is also desirable that these GPS maps are accurate and detailed.

Your portable GPS unit may be pre-loaded with GPS maps, but very often you will find that the details you desire will be lacking in them. Your portable GPS unit could well prove to be a life saver in case you lose your way during your expedition. So acquiring detailed and accurate GPS maps for the portable unit is of prime importance. If you are heading towards an unfamiliar location and that location is not incorporated in the pre-loaded software coming with the GPS unit, you can well imagine the plight you will land in.

It is very easy to locate GPS maps for GPS units. If you will go to the internet, you will find many websites that will offer your free downloadable GPS maps. At the click of the mouse, you can download these GPS maps directly on to the hard drive of your computer and subsequently upload these to your portable GPS unit. A Google search on "GPS maps" will help you locate these places with various detailed maps for any number of destinations.

Actually, there is hardly any difference between the GPS portable maps and the GPS maps for regular GPS device which is mounted, except the fact that they exist in a smaller size in keeping with the smaller screens. Despite that, all the details that go in for a regular navigation system will be incorporated in the GPS maps for the portable units. These will contain all the specifics like the destination information keeping you on track and the information on the terrain of the area. This is a boon for bikers and hikers as it is relatively easy to lose your way in the woods. You have a fancy compass in the guise of your hand held portable GPS unit which can even communicate with you to guide you back on your track.

You may also opt for as many detailed and accurate GPS maps as you can for portable units so as to ensure your peace of mind while on your expeditions. Then you can leave your worries of getting lost in an unfamiliar destination way behind and enjoy your trip fully.

Abhishek is a passionate about Global Positioning Systems and he has got some great GPS Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 109 Page Ebook, "GPS Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Auto-Whiz.com/12/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Looking For a New Garmin GPS?

Deciding on which new Garmin GPS to buy is a difficult task. There are many kinds of GPS so in this article we will concentrate on portable automotive GPS units and leave the other types for another time. Odds are you were looking for an portable automotive GPS anyway.

For most people, the cost of the GPS is the first consideration.

A new Garmin automotive GPS will cost in the low one hundred dollar to the low four hundred dollar range (USD). As you would expect, the less expensive GPS will lack the advanced features of the more expensive ones.

Another selection criterion to consider is whether or not the Garmin GPS has been discontinued. If you are looking for a new Garmin GPS, I am assuming that you do not want a discontinued unit. As of the writing of this article, Garmin lists 26 current automotive GPS.

Garmin's newest GPS are the Nuvi 1200, 1300, and 1400 GPS series (9 GPS units in these series). However, these GPS have not gained the popularity of the Garmin Nuvi x5 GPS. To identify the x5 Garmin GPS models, look for the last digit in the model number to be a five (5). Examples: Nuvi 255W, Nuvi 755T, Nuvi 765T, Nuvi 885T.

The lowest priced new Garmin GPS is the Nuvi 205. It currently sells for approximately $125. The highest priced unit is the Nuvi 1490T that sells for approximately $410. (Note: prices are quoted are from Amazon).

As a word of advice, purchase a GPS that speaks the street name on which you will turn. Otherwise, you must to take your eyes off the road to read the street name on the display. Taking your eyes off the road for just an instant is extremely dangerous. The Garmin Nuvi 255 is the lowest cost, newest Garmin GPS with this feature.

If you are overwhelmed by all these GPS numbers and models, you may need some additional help to determine which are new, which are discontinued, which are current, and the basic features of each unit. Consult the resource information at the end of this article for additional help.

John V. W. Howe is an entrepreneur, author, inventor, patent holder, husband, father, and grandfather. His degree in physics makes him curious about how things work and he was naturally fascinated with early GPS units and has followed their development.

His website, The-Best-GPS.com, helps readers identify the best GPS units. To sort through all the Garmin models and find the right new Garmin GPS, use the Garmin comparison table at http://www.the-best-gps.com/Garmin-Nuvi-Comparison.html

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GPS Buying Guide

GPS makers offer a vast selection of models and features. It can be confusing and time consuming trying to find the model with the right features at the price point you want. This simple to follow guide offers some tips to help you get the best GPS for your money! Your first task is to decide on the most appropriate type of GPS for your use.

How will you use your GPS? Models are available that are made specifically for use in cars and trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and boats. Some smart phones also support GPS. If your GPS capable smart phone doesn't already have a built in GPS receiver, you can buy one that will allow it GPS abilities. There are also GPS units available for pedestrians, hikers, campers, and even for the golf course!

GPS units for hikers, bikers, and campers are portable by nature. For cars, trucks, and boats you have the option of buying an in-dash system or a portable system. An in-dash system is meant to be mounted permanently in your vehicle. A portable system, on the other hand, can easily be moved from one place to another. In-dash systems are generally more expensive but have more generous screen space than their portable counterparts. Portable GPS units can be more feature rich and cheaper than permanently mounted GPS units. Given their greater flexibility and cheaper price, a portable GPS is well suited for most people's needs.

Next you'll need to decide what selection of maps you want for your GPS. Most GPS units will include maps for at least the continental United States and many will also have maps for Canada and Mexico. Maps are also available for other parts of the world. These maps will usually include detailed road maps that note millions of points of interest like restaurants, hotels, gas stations, ATMs, and local attractions.

All GPS units have the basic functionality of putting your location onto a map. However, modern units offers additional capabilities so you'll need to decide what extra features you'd like for your GPS. Ever arrive late to an important meeting because of traffic? Many units offer local traffic conditions that can help you avoid pileups and pick the fastest route. This feature can prove very useful and save you dozens of hours of driving time each year.

Another useful feature is multi point routing where if you have multiple places to go on a trip it will place them in geographical order so you can take the quickest overall route possible. News, local movie times, and local gas prices are also available on some models. Text-to-speech is a feature where a computer generated voice will speak the directions to you and keep you well apprised of your route. Many models offer bluetooth so you can take cell phone calls (with caller info displaying on your GPS) through your GPS. You can also find units with media capabilities like mp3 and picture display.

Once you've found the perfect GPS model for your needs it's time to find the best deal on that GPS! Have a look around in the [http://www.dealslife.com] hot deals forums. There you'll find deals and helpful information about GPS units and you can even post a great deal yourself if you find one!

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The All-In-One GPS System - Pharos Traveler GPS 525

GPS systems are common, and typically only provide GPS technology. Pharos has taken a step ahead, in the technology market, and introduced a GPS system that not only offers GPS capabilities, but also includes many technologies offered on PDAs. Pharos' Traveler GPS 525 comes with everything you need to track locations and directions, along with the other great technologies.

The GPS 525 ships with a?PTL525 GPS receiver, windshield bracket mount, AC adapter, 12-volt car charger, USB SD card reader, headset, 512 MB SD card, navigation CD with U.S. maps and user's manual come with the unit.

In addition, the integration of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 gives users a GPS system that does more than give you directions. Because of the integration of Windows Mobile, users now have the ability to use applications, such as Word, Outlook, and Excel, from one unit. From your Pharos Traveler GPS 525, you can now synchronize with your system, with your Outlook contacts. Navigation and GPS positioning has never been easier.

Pharos' platform lays on a SC32442X 300 MHz processor, 64MB ROM, 128MB SDRAM, SiRF starIII GPS receiver, and 512 MD SD memory card - all of which offers great performance for its users. It also comes with maps for 50 major U.S. cities. If users were to load all of these maps, additional memory would be need for other functionality.

Preloaded maps are a grand benefit to consumers, but the points-of-interests, available through the GPS' mapping software, can be much more useful. Finding your favorite restaurant or bank has never been easier. With a couple clicks, or the use of your stylus pen, points-of-interest are easily accessible.

With measurements of 2.34 x 4.32 x 0.69 inches, the Pharos Traveler GPS 525 can easily slide into a pocket for easy travel. The average battery life, typically around 9 hours, gives you plenty of charge time on the new unit. Additionally, Pharos integrated VoIP technology, which allows you to use your GPS system as a phone.

The technologies, integrated into the Travel GPS 525, make this system function like a PDA. Because of the nature of such a unit, the price tag is usually around $600. This is obviously more than a standard GPS system and average for a smart phone.

The screen resolution, on the GPS 525, is 240 x 320, which tends to be a bit small for those attempting to view maps while they are driving. Additionally, there is no lock button on this unit; therefore, storing it in its travel case is highly recommended.

If you can get around the sticker price, and the fact that the screen is a bit difficult to read while driving, the functionality is impeccable. The only question to ask yourself, at this point, is do you want a PDA with GPS functionality, or a GPS with PDA capabilities. If you are looking for a GPS, which has a little more to offer than a standard GPS system, and you can get around the slightly elevated sticker price, then the Traveler GPS 525 is the decision.

About the Author: Matt Ryan can help you find a great deal on a Garmin handheld GPS. Visit MiracleShopper to research and get product descriptions, specifications and pricing on GPS Devices and more.

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