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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Motorcycle GPS Anywhere - Go Places You've Never Been Before, Like Mongolia

I've written before about the advantages of having a good motorcycle GPS unit mounted on the handlebars of your motorcycle. Motorcycle GPS navigation technology has revolutionized modern navigation systems, and that includes motorcycle navigation.

Navigation has always been a problem for the traveler. In the past navigation for motorcyclists wasn't easy. Maps weren't accurate, and even if they were weren't easy to follow, and even if they were then it wasn't easy to do when you're riding. And it's raining. And it's windy. And so on. Navigation on a motorcycle could be a pain.

So the advent of motorcycle GPS, well GPS in general, was a revolution in navigation for the average motorcyclist. And walker, and car driver and so on.

GPS itself wasn't the only technology that achieved this, GPS alone isn't such a great navigation tool for the average person. For the army maybe, but not for your average motorcyclist. Because GPS on it's own just gives you a latitude and a longitude. And having a latitude and a longitude isn't all that user friendly unless you have a great map and know exactly how to use the information.

However modern technology has come to the rescue and made huge gains with adding more functional technology to GPS technology to make a GPS navigation system much more user friendly.

The big breakthrough was modern digital mapping software combined with GPS technology. A good motorcycle GPS unit now tells you exactly where you are and where you're going, and exactly how to get there, all on a map that anyone can read. And it will tell you how to get there with voice prompts along the way if you're a motorcycle rider who doesn't want to look down at a critical time. It all goes straight to your helmet.

OK, so motorcyclists can rely on a good motorbike GPS unit to get themselves around the US right? But what about elsewhere. Will it work in, say, Australia if you want to ride around Australia? How about New Zealand? How about..........

Mongolia?

Mongolia? Surely motorbike GPS units can't work in an out of the way place like Mongolia? After all, have they even heard of technology in Mongolia? Let alone GPS technology.

So I was very interested to watch a video today about motorcycle navigation by GPS in China and .... inner Mongolia. Yes it works. You CAN navigate in Mongolia by use of good modern GPS technology. And in the video they tell you about how they do it. I was so stunned by the video that I put a copy of it on my website.

Believe me, this is a major advantage for anyone wanting to do a remote motorcycle trip. I say believe me because I've lived in China. It's madness on the roads, there's no road signs you can read, there's no maps you can read, and I wouldn't have even tried to ride anywhere without some way of finding my way around.

Now good motorcycle GPS can get you around, almost to the yard.

So yes, motorcycle GPS works a treat, in the US, but if you don't have one you can still get around fine. But it is an essential tool in places like China, and inner Mongolia. In fact I'd say if you're going to ride through places like this, don't leave home without your motorcycle GPS system mounted right there on your handlebars.

For a website totally dedicated to motorcycle GPS systems visit Peter's Website Motorcycle GPS Deals and find out about Tom Tom motorcycle gps and more, including motorcycle gps mounts.

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