Archive for June, 2009

Know More About the GPS Unit: Its Uses and Benefits

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Global Positioning System is another remarkable yet useful product of technology. It works for our own benefit,. There are many sad tales of being lost btold too many times. With a Global Positioning System unit, one can now where he or she is and can easily be located if lost.

The creation of the Global Positioning System was inadvertent, because its original function was not the one that is being utilized now. Global Positioning System was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

One thing good is, there are no subscription fees or setup charges to use Global Positioning System.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. 

Take an initial glimpse on some facts and uses of the Global Positioning System unit:

-  Global Positioning System is funded by and controlled by the U. S. Department of Defense (DOD). While there are many thousands of civil users of Global Positioning System world-wide, the system was designed for and is operated by the U. S. military. 

-  Global Positioning System provides specially coded satellite signals that can be processed in a GPS receiver, enabling the receiver to compute position, velocity and time. 

-  Four GPS satellite signals are used to compute positions in three dimensions and the time offset in the receiver clock.

Now, to give you the overview on how the Global Positioning System works, 

Global Positioning System satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very exact orbit and transmit signal information to earth. Global Positioning System receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user’s exact location. Most importantly, the GPS receiver compares the time and signals that was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user’s position and display it on the unit’s electronic map.

Aside from that, A Global Positioning System receiver must be locked on to the signal of at least three satellites to calculate a 2D position (latitude and longitude) and track movement. With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can determine the user’s 3D position (latitude, longitude and altitude). Once the user’s position has been determined, the Global Positioning System unit can calculate other information, such as speed, bearing, track, trip distance, distance to destination, sunrise and sunset time and more.

To answer any uncertainties regarding the accuracy of the Global Positioning System unit and to gauge how precise it is: 

Today’s Global Positioning System receivers are extremely accurate, thanks to their parallel multi-channel design. New Global Positioning System units have 12 parallel channel receivers that are quick to lock onto satellites when first turned on and they maintain strong locks, even in dense foliage or urban settings with tall buildings. Certain atmospheric factors and other sources of error can affect the accuracy of GPS receivers. Latest Global Positioning System units are accurate to within 15 meters on average. 

If you are thinking of the best choice in choosing the kind of Global Positioning System unit you want to have, it’s all up to you! Just as there is no “best choice” of an all around vehicle for flying, marine use, road driving and moving across rough terrain,  there is no “best” unit for these multiple applications in the GPS department.  “BEST” is highly dependent on your application, money you want to spend,  and the features that you need and want.

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Affordable Garmin Nuvi for your car

Global Positioning System or GPS is used to pinpoint the location of people, possessions, services, vehicles and other things in real time. What used to be only the stuff of sci-fi films can now be placed right inside your car and this is what Garmin Nuvi 255 is all about.

This gadget’s capability goes way beyond impressing the technogeeks. It has found its use in security, travel and general ease of navigation. The device can give anyone thorough information about a location. It can also give you the overall mileage traveled over by your vehicle as well as its speed and even allows you to monitor your car’s speed limits. With all the GPS devices that are available in the market, choosing the cheap GPS is not easy. Worry no more because with the Garmin Nuvi 255, speaking geek and getting ripped off should be the least of your concerns.

Garmin Nuvi 255 will lead your way literally. It can give you turn by turn directions complete with voice prompt. It has wide-ranging maps from Europe to North America, so you can practically navigate major tourist destinations without the fear of getting lost. Its text to speech tool allows you to keep your eyes on the road so that you can avoid accidents. The Garmin Nuvi 255 has wide screen in full color. Simply touch the screen when you want to enter your preferred destination and optional 2D and 3D maps will readily appear to guide you. This Nuvi shows you the distance and the direction of your turns as well as the name of the road that you should steer to. This GPS device also displays how long it will take you before you reach your destination along with the speed limits in a certain place.

Garmin Nuvi 255 has now the cutting edge technology feature called HotFix, which enables your unit to predict where the satellites are so that your device will work quicker. This means lesser time for you to wait for the directions of your destination. You will also benefit from the 3D terrain maps, which tells you when you can expect the mountains, hills and natural features to show up. Additionally, you can also enter custom points of interest or POI including school zones, restaurants and gasoline stations

With all these top of the line features, who would imagine that you can get this unit for a very reasonable price? The sleek and slim Garmin Nuvi 255 is a perfect for your car and your pocket. You can have this technology-enhanced GPS unit without worrying about the cost and the tech talk involved. Know where you are at all times with the Nuvi 255 from Garmin.

To read more GPS articles and reviews visit the GPS Blog.

Garmin Nuvi 1250: Portable and Affordable

Garmin is known as the world’s best manufacturer of GPS devices and they have not let us down. With the Garmin Nuvi 1250, they have redefined portability and affordability in navigation. This mega thin device is 25% slimmer than its predecessors. What a great way to travel when you have a reliable companion with you. Just slip it in your pocket or purse and go wherever you have to. The long lasting battery will allow you to reach your destination without losing information on directions.

When you are traveling by foot and you need some assistance regarding public transportations, Garmin Nuvi 1200’s Public Transit feature eliminates guess work from your lifestyle. By car, it is as effective, making you feel like you have an amicable co-driver sitting right next to you. Additionally, there are 2D and 3D street maps along with almost six million points of interest of POI that can be upgraded to custom POIs.

Adventure lovers who make trekking and hiking their habits will find the Garmin Nuvi 1200 very useful. The elevation maps complete with views of the surrounding terrains with high zoom levels and contour shading. The new and improved interface lets people navigate easily on the colored touch screen. Now, if you are in a hurry, you will get your details quicker and more comprehensive thanks to the HotFix satellite prediction feature.

Garmin Nuvi 1250 helps you estimate which is the shortest possible route so that you can save time, money, effort and fuel. It really doesn’t matter whether you a national or international explorer because this device has excellent elements such as world clock and currency converter. You can ease up your browsing through downloading some images. With various features that have been proven useful for anyone on a journey, you won’t forget to bring your clever ally, Garmin Nuvi 1250.

To read more articles or reviews visit GPS Blog.

Garmin Zumo 550: The Motorcycle GPS

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You may already know how GPS or Global Positioning System works. It locates a subject by cross referencing the satellite signals to plot the position of the user on the globe. But not all GPS devices are created equal. Some are made for the army and some are made for you. Take in for example the waterproof and ultra-modern Garmin Zumo 550; this one’s for the free-spirited rider!

It is not always so easy to navigate when you are riding big bikes because of the risks involved. There is the stopping in the high way and then taking out the map to have a look at where you are. This is a big problem especially when it is raining and when you are really in a hurry (not to mention it really destroys many biker rules as well as the idea of riding free of worries). With the Garmin Zumo 550, you can take all of these concerns away. This quality designed is not created for a motorcycle but for the motorcyclist himself. The touch screen allows the biker to operate the device even while riding and with the large icons, you can still use it even when you have gloves on.

Unlike cars, motorcycles do not protect you from the sun’s glare and while other GPS units hinder you from reading the display, the Garmin Zumo 550 is very readable even on bright sunlight. Plus, it is UV friendly so you do not have to worry about the sun damaging your precious device or your eyes. The Garmin Zumo 550 is waterproof. Since you will be riding your bike for a long time and you may not have the inkling that rain will occur. This device will never surrender to rain. Bring on any storm and your Garmin GPS will still function. Ride like the sun won’t shine anymore because Garmin Zumo 550 will never give up on you.

The Garmin Zumo 550 also comes with its own mount for the motorcycle handlebars. This GPS unit is fuel and vibration resistant too. Ever since the birth of these systems, many bikers have had an issue regarding with the need to look down just so they can read the directions. This won’t be a problem with Garmin GPS units. Zumo allows you to listen to the directions with the help of Bluetooth technology letting you know where you should go and turn without having to look down at the device. Make your motorcycle navigation a breeze with the waterproof Garmin Zumo 550 GPS unit.

To read more GPS articles and reviews visit the GPS Blog.

Do You Need A TomTom GPS System?

It is no secret that having your very own personal navigation system is the new in thing. On the other side of the fence though there are people who think that they would have no use for a TomTom GPS navigation system.

This is not true, because there are so many reasons why one would need to have a GPS. Nowadays, an old fashioned map book is an antiquated way of getting around. Fumbling through pages and pages that seem to jump from one part of the book to the other can be very frustrating. This is especially disconcerting if you are already lost, and, even worse, do not know how to read a map book.

A GPS system can be extremely helpful, because it not only shows you the map and where to turn on the screen, but also has voice navigation, which also comes in 30 different languages. If you are driving to a destination that you do not know, it is much safer to be able to listen to someone directing you, rather than scanning a map book, or even having to watch the GPS screen. The lovely thing about these TomTom GPS systems is that they can be easily mounted onto your windshield, or even your dashboard. This makes it easy to look at whilst you are driving, without being distracted from the road.

A TomTom GPS system will direct you to any address, and because it is navigated through satellite systems, there is almost nowhere on earth it will not be able to find! GPS systems are extremely useful for people in the sales and delivery sectors. This means that you will be able to find any address you put into the system. It also saves a lot of time in traveling, as you are able to work out the quickest route to your destination. You are even able to avoid high traffic areas. Another fantastic thing is that a GPS system will pick up police activity.

Choosing Between A Passive Or Real Time GPS Vehicle Tracking System

Vehicle tracking is an excellent method for monitoring fleet. Through rapid advances in technology, managers are now able to track where their drivers are, what speed they are travelling at, the fastest routes for them to travel from A to B and, as well as cross check over-time claims, unscheduled stops and the causes of any accidents. All these features enable businesses to improve their efficiency, customer service and fuel consumption. With two different vehicle tracking systems available to buy, it’s worth taking a look at the benefits and any potential drawback of each, to help you decide which is right for your business. Go to GPS for more information.

The two types of vehicle tracking systems are Real Time and Passive, each offering a very different level of service.

A Real Time vehicle tracking system allows you to locate a vehicle at that actual moment, by logging on to a website at any time of the day or night. The location you identify will be the exact location of that vehicle at that moment in time.

Aside from the location, you’ll also be able to read the speed the vehicle is travelling and its direction of travel. Having the chance to identify exactly where your fleet are at specific times has a number of benefits. It allows you to plan your routes more effectively and identify where the closest vehicles are to particular landmarks. For example, if a taxi company receives a call from a customer asking to be collected from the town centre, the real time GPS vehicle tracking system would allow those coordinating the taxis’ to identify who is closest to that location and who should make the collection. Not only does this allow the business to look more efficient, it also provides a better degree of customer service.

Real time systems are also beneficial when it comes to tracing any incidents. If a member of staff is caught speeding, involved in an accident, late for a delivery or clocking up lots of additional overtime or mileage, this can all be tracked quite easily.
To use this real time technology you will need to pay a monthly subscription, of which can vary from company to company so shop around. Normally, like buying a mobile phone, your subscription will be purchased at the time of buying your GPS tracking device.
Refer to Vehicle tracking device for more information.

Passive GPS tracking systems on the other hand, don’t meet the level of sophistication as the real time systems however still operate as a great alternative.

Passive tracking devices are self-contained compact units that are placed inside a vehicle to record its location, movement and speed. While the data collected is highly useful still, these tracking systems are restricted on how long they can record data, due to the memory storage capacity of the unit.

To access the information after it’s been recorded, the unit needs to be removed from vehicle and then connected to your PC or laptop through a USB port. The data can then be downloaded on to your computer. They do not record live. Instead you can track where the vehicle has been in intervals of approximately 15 minutes. Passive vehicle tracking systems are easy to setup and easy to use and are a great cost effective option for many businesses that don’t need the sophistication of a real time device.

The best thing to do is to decide what you want to achieve from using this GPS technology and how you wish to analyse and store your findings. Depending on these two factors, will help you decide whether to purchase a real time or a passive vehicle tracking system. Visit fleet management for further information.

The Benefits of a Car GPS System

Most people know in today’s day and age what a car GPS system is, but few people are aware of just all the great benefits that the best car GPS has to offer. Especially if you do a lot of traveling for personal or professional purposes, you are going to want to make sure that you have a GPS system in your vehicle.

Benefits

One of the greatest benefits of a car GPS system is that when you have it installed in your vehicle, you know that you are always going to be able to make it to your destinations on time, every time. Not only that, but the GPS system is going to be able to tell you what the quickest route is going to be for you to take to get to your destination.

So especially if you are using the vehicle for work, let’s say that you are an irrigation technician trying to get to your next job or you are delivering pizza, you will always be able to get there taking the fastest possible route.

Another great benefit offered by car GPS recervers are that you will never have to worry about getting lost. There are some people who are just not able to find their bearings and find it hard to get around from one place to another. If this sounds like you, then you are going to want to get a car GPS system.

All you have to do is enter in the address of the location that you need to get to, no matter how close or far it may be from your present location, and your GPS system is going to direct you exactly how to get there.

The car GPS system is a really great feature to have in any vehicle, and almost all vehicles on the market today come standard with this feature. It is definitely something that you are going to want to make sure to get included if you ever buy a new vehicle, because it is going to come in handy no matter who you are and what you do for a living.

There are lots of great options that you have for navigational systems in the car, so if you do purchase one on its own to get for your vehicle, make sure that it comes with the features that you need because each is different and so you want to find the one that is best suited for you.