Choosing The Right GPS Today

Best GPS? Don’t Just Buy Anything!

Finding the best GPS system can be as easy as going to the local office supply store and just buying whatever you can afford. But, how do you know if you are getting the best system for your needs? Do you need certain features such as hands free calling with Bluetooth™? How about real-time traffic reports? Is that something you need?

Most people find buying their first GPS system a daunting task. Once you start looking into the various systems, there are so many features to choose from. Also, the range of prices for GPS systems is huge, ranging from less than $200 on the low end, to almost $1000 on the high end.

You don’t want a system that’s too cheap, because as you use it you’ll start to wish you had the other features.

What you need is an understanding of what’s for sale and about how much the main features are going to cost you. That way you can make an informed decision.

How to Buy the Best GPS

The first thing to do is to establish a budget. Then you can group the available GPS devices and compare apples to apples.

At the low end, you can get a Tom Tom One, 3rd Edition for around $200. The 3rd Edition is a fabulous device! It works great and has a ton of features for the price. Garmin also sells a quality product for less than $200. The Garmin nuvi 200 currently sells for around $180. It does not have all of the features that the 3rd Edition has, but Garmin is famous for making a quality product.

In the mid-range, I would probably take a look at Magellan and Garmin. Amazon just published a list of their best selling GPS units for the year 2007. Which GPS system was at the top of the list? The Garmin nuvi 350, which currently sells for a little less than $300.

At the high end, you have several great Tom Toms, specifically the GO series. And, of course, Garmin. Both of these systems offer a ton of high-tech features and easy to user interfaces.

In Conclusion

Just as in buying anything, you need to understand what’s available and how much it is going to cost you. Then you can make an informed decision.

When it comes to purchasing a GPS tracking system, it is essential for you to make the right decisions. Although it is nice to see a beautiful unit displayed at your local department store and to just want to snatch it up, this can cause many problems for you in the long run. There are times when marketing gimmicks can make a standard product seems much more than it really is. If you are looking for quality and use of function from the unit, you must ensure that you make the right decision about the GPS tracking system that you purchase.

You can easily learn just about everything on GPS tracking system on the web. There are consumer reviews on GPS tracking system to assist you in comparing various options and choosing a suitable unit. The first thing to know is that the price tag does not necessarily reflect the value of the unit. When it comes to a GPS tracking unit, you will want to select the highest quality product rather than the one that has the biggest price tag on it. Now, that does not mean any unit with a low price is worth it either. In most cases, you are looking for a well-priced, high quality unit.

Instead of looking for the name brand that you have heard of, look at the features that the GPS tracking system has to offer. Does it have the right type of reception for your needs? Is it durable or waterproof? If you drop it into the lake when you are fishing, will it make it home still working? Can the GPS software be upgraded?

In addition, you need to consider the usability of the unit as well. Each and every one of the units on the market has a different look to it but each should be easy to use and benefit from. The ability to use GPS tracking units should not come too hard in this day and age. If you have used a computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, or other such electronics, you can easily move from one use to the next. If you have to pull out your user manual to determine how to navigate the menu, how likely are you to use it? Is it well-written, in good terminology that is easy for you to understand?

Some of the largest brand names in GPS tracking systems do cost a bit more but are well worth the price. You may have heard about Garmin or Navman. These are considered some of the best. But, you still have other options including Magellan, Mapopolis, AdvanTrack and Cobra GPS.

Once you have gathered the information that you need about these units and how well they fit within your life, you can move on to finding the best price. You must determine your needs, quality and usability of the product before you worry about the price. That is not to say that you should spend a small fortune on these products, but you do have to select the right product. Otherwise your money is wasted.

A GPS tracking unit is one of the best tools to have whether you’re a sportsman, runner or even just someone who needs a bit of help getting from place to place. When you take the time to find the best product for your needs, you can be sure that it is money well spent.

Copyright 2006 Alvin Toh

One of the hardest decisions you will face when purchasing a GPS Receiver is finding the right GPS Unit for you. There are many different types, from Garmin to Magellan. Choosing the right one can seem like an enormous task. However, it does not have to be difficult if you know what you are looking for before you buy.

You can ask both retailers and GPS experts what the best units are. However, when choosing a GPS Receiver, your needs may differ from the needs of another, so, you should determine which unit you want to use on your own, based on exactly what your GPS specs are..

For instance, depending on what suits you best, you may wish to use a handheld GPS Unit. If you want to take your GPS everywhere you go, then a handheld GPS Unit is a great option. There are various types of handheld GPS Units on the market, so once you determine what type of GPS receiver you want you may want to examine and compare the features of each unit. Garmin makes excellent handheld GPS Units such as the Garmin Etrex Legend CX. Magellan has its own variety of handhelds as well, including the Magellan Explorist XL.

The other option you can choose from is the Portable GPS Unit. Portable Units are the ones most people use in their cars. They are convenient because the can attach to the side of the dashboard or another nearby location. Some Portable GPS Units even have places that are built in to the cars, where they can fit during the ride.

Both Magellan and Garmin make Portable GPS Units. The differences are seen in the technology and sometimes the features. Depending on what you are looking for, you may want to go with a Garmin Portable GPS Unit such as the Garmin Portable StreetPilot C320 or a Magellan Portable GPS Unit such as the Magellan Roadmate 3050T.

How GPS Works

In order to understand what kind of GPS Unit you want a brief overview of how they work is necessary. A GPS receiver uses a triangular technique to pinpoint your exact location on a map. The triangular formation uses three or four satellites at one time to send a signal to and from the GPS receiver. It does not matter whether you are using a Portable GPS Unit or a Handheld GPS Unit, you will need to be able to make contact with the satellites in order for the GPS receiver to work.

Once the satellites and the GPS receiver send signals, the distance from each of the three satellites to the receiver is computed and a location is determined. This happens quite fast, since these signals travel on radio waves. In fact, it must travel as fast as a nanosecond in order to work sufficiently and alert you as to your exact location.

The receiver is able to save information and it offers the location in a convenient, easy to use way. Often, this may mean a map is displayed or directions are listed. Other GPS Units use palm pilots or PCs to display the location information.

GPS Receivers are designed to look familiar. The maps are displayed exactly as the maps you use online to receive directions are displayed. GPS Units sometimes include speedometers, which resemble those in cars. Some look like mini computers with an operating system type of setup. This makes GPS Units both appealing and easy to use, since you can mimic these applications when using them on your GPS.

Choosing Based on Features

The first GPS receivers were attractive to a wide variety of individuals and they all had the same or similar features. Now, GPS Receivers still cater to a wide variety of people, though rather than having to deal with every single feature you may not use in one GPS Unit, the GPS Units have been divided into brands (Magellan, Garmin, tomtom, etc.), types (portable GPS Units, handheld GPS Units, GPS PDAs, etc.) and uses (driving, hiking, etc.)

You may still want a universal GPS Unit or you may want to pick out a specific GPS Unit based on why you are using your GPS. If you want a portable GPS Unit you can use for driving, you may want to consider the Garmin StreetPilot C550. If you want to use a handheld GPS Unit for hiking, you may want to consider purchasing the Magellan eXplorist 200. Of course, if you prefer a GPS PDA, why not check out the Garmin iQue M3 Bundle w/2gb memory card?

When picking out a GPS receiver to suit your needs consider asking both yourself and your GPS retailer the following questions:

·What specs are you looking for, and does the GPS you want to purchase fit those specs?

·Is it easy to use and can you find exactly what you need?

·Does it have voice-controlled directions functionality (if this is something you want)?

·How often must you change pages?

·Is it easy to configure?

·Can you change formats?

·Does it allow for computer interfaces?

·Is the screen resolution to your liking?

·Are you going to need an external antenna?

·Is it waterproof?

·How long do the batteries last?

·Are the maps accurate?

·Can you upgrade your unit if necessary?

Does it use WAAS?

Today GPS devices are being mass produced, and people can customize how they work simply by adding some GPS accessories or options to their GPS devices. Selecting the right accessories when you purchase your GPS device will help you turn you GPS transmitter into a useful tool.

Choosing The Right GPS Accessories

How you are planing to use your global positioning system will determine which accessory you are going to need to get the most out of your GPS device. For example, if you’re planning on using the global positioning system when you go sailing, a waterproof case is an absolute must. If you purchase a case that allows the GPS device to float in the water, that’s would be an added bonus. Some of the more popular GPS accessories being used are mentioned below.

GPS sensors – Are available in various sizes, and they are the perfect solution if you are dealing with a limited amount of space.

Laptop GPS – With a USB device, you can easily transform your PC into a formidable street navigator. You can also add software that will give you turn-by-turn directions as well as voice prompts, so that you will never get lost again.

Cradles, converters and cables – These GPS accessories allow you to recharge your GPS unit in the car, receive live up-to-the-minute traffic updates and hook up your global positioning system to your computer, this allows to transfer data back and forth between your computer and your GPS device.

GPS mounts – There are special mounts for motorcycles, vehicles, bicycles, waistbands and boats. These allow people to use their handheld GPS units in their vehicles.

Cell phone systems – With this accessory your vehicles GPS system can become an extension of your cell phone. This GPS accessory lets your mobile phone use the GPS system’s speakers as a hands-free units.

Speaker systems – This also includes Bluetooth headsets.

Cases, screen protectors and covers – These GPS accessories will extend the lifespan of your GPS device.

Map and software data – This allows you to update your maps using software on a CD or pre-loaded memory cards that you can transfer to your GPS unit. Install this software on your laptop or PDA and presto! You’ve got a GPS tracking device.

There are a wide variety of GPS accessories available for practically every GPS device. The right combination of GPS accessories can determine how useful your GPS unit is and they can extend its lifespan.

The Global Positioning System or GPS is developed by the US Department of Defense. It is a constellation of twenty-seven earth-orbiting satellites, twenty-four of which are working; the remaining three serve as back up just in case one fails. It is a navigation system that enables one to determine location, time, speed and direction. It was primarily developed for military operations. It was in 1983 that the GPS application was made available for civilian use through a directive issued by the former President Ronald Reagan.

Many civilian took advantage of the GPS application. It is commonly use to aid them in navigation. Using a GPS tracking system on a car trip is more convenient than using the conventional map. In order to use the application, one must have a GPS receiver. This is very useful especially when traveling unfamiliar territories. The device lets you know where you are and how will you get to your destination.

It is amazing how the system works, the satellites orbits around the earth. It is arranged in such a way that there are four satellites visible in the sky wherever, whenever. In a day, these enormous satellites make two complete rotations. The receiver’s responsibility is to detect four or more of these satellites. Once it has located those satellites, it uses the information to determine its current location.

Having a GPS tracking system installed in your car can help you in various situations. It can help you in simple scenarios such as finding your car in a crowded parking lot. It can also help you in a more life threatening situations such as carjacking. You can get help anytime you need it.

There are many GPS tracking system available in the market today. The available options are overwhelming. Choosing the best system will help you maximize its use. Here are some helpful tips to assist you in choosing the right tracking system for your car.

Start with your budget. You have to determine how much you are willing to pay for the product. You may need to include monthly fees because there are products that require monthly dues. Include the cost of installation as well.

Consider GPS system that can track your car on a computer screen. Most of these units come with a cell phone that allows you to communicate with the central operator. Some also have panic button. This is very useful in emergency cases. It also has the ability to monitor the condition of your car. It alerts you if there are mechanical problems in the car. The central operator can also unlock your car incase you left the keys inside the vehicle.

In choosing a GPS tracking system, verify the effectiveness of their monitoring stations and its operators. Consider how they respond to emergency situations. The best way to do this is by doing your own research about the products. Go to their site or read about their product reviews.

Thanks to technology, getting help when you need it and where you need it is much easier.

All PC’s and networking devices use clocks to maintain an internal system time. These clocks, called Real Time Clock chips (RTC), provide time and date information. They are battery backed so that even during power outages, they can maintain time. However, personal computers are not designed to be perfect clocks - their design has been optimized for mass production and low-cost rather than maintaining an accurate time.

These internal clocks are prone to drift and although for many application this is can be quite adequate for some applications, but machines on a network that drift at different rates, become out of sync with each other and problems can arise, particularly with time-sensitive transactions.

NTP servers (Network Time Protocol) use a single time reference to synchronise all machines on the network to a time reference. This time reference can be either relative (a computer’s internal clock or the time on a wrist-watch perhaps) or absolute such as a UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) clock source like an atomic clock that is as accurate as is humanely possible.

For some applications a relative time source is sufficient, however in many environments, such as airlines and the stock exchange it is essential for time to be absolute. Imagine buying an airline seat only to be told at the airport that the ticket was sold twice because it was purchased afterwards on a computer that had a slower clock!

Atomic clocks are the most absolute time-keeping devices. They work on the principle that the atom, caesium-133, has an exact number of cycles of radiation every second (9,192,631,770). This has proved so accurate the International System of Units (SI) has now defined the second as the duration of 9,192,631,770 cycles of radiation of the caesium-133 atom and the development of UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) now means computers all over the workld can be synchronized to the same time.

However, atomic clocks are extremely expensive and are generally only to be found in large-scale physics laboratories. However, NTP servers can synchronise networks to an atomic clock by using either the Global Positioning system (GPS) network or specialist radio transmissions (MTF in the UK). It must be noted that Microsoft and others strongly recommend that external based timing should be used rather than Internet based, as these can’t be authenticated. Specialist NTP servers are available that can synchronise time on networks using either the MSF (or equivalent) or GPS time server signal.

GPS is an ideal time and frequency source because it can provide highly accurate time anywhere in the world using relatively cheap components. Each GPS satellite transmits in two frequencies L2 for the military use and L1 for use by civilians transmitted at 1575 MHz, Low-cost GPS antennas and receivers are now widely available.

The radio signal transmitted by the satellite can pass through windows but can be blocked by buildings so the ideal location for a GPS antenna is on a rooftop with a good view of the sky. The more satellites it can receive from the better the signal. However, roof-mounted antennas can be prone to lighting strikes or other voltage surges so a suppressor is highly recommend being installed inline on the GPS cable.

The cable between the GPS antenna and receiver is also critical. The maximum distance that a cable can run is normally only 20-30 metres but a high quality coax cable combined with a GPS amplifier placed in-line to boost the gain of the antenna can allow in excess of 100 metre cable runs.

There are also a number of national time and frequency radio transmissions that can be used to synchronise a NTP server. In Britain the signal (called MSF) is broadcast by the National Physics Laboratory in Cumbria which serves as the United Kingdom’s national time reference, there are also similar systems in Colorado, US (WWVB) and in Frankfurt, Germany (DCF-77).

A radio based NTP server usually consists of a rack-mountable time server, and an antenna, consisting of a ferrite bar inside a plastic enclosure, which receives the radio time and frequency broadcast. It should always be mounted horizontally at a right angle toward the transmission for optimum signal strength. Data is sent in pulses, 60 a second. These signals provides UTC time to an accuracy of 100 microseconds, however, the radio signal has a finite range and is vulnerable to interference.

Both a GPS NTP server and MSF time server can provide an affordable and efficient way to accurately synchronise computer networks using NTP.

Imagine yourself waking up and you find yourself inside your car in the middle of a wasteland. Maybe you’ve driven yourself aimlessly the night before and you didn’t realize you were off the course driving farther away from city limits. You took out your cell phone but you still couldn’t get a decent signal to call for help. Although you do have a map with you, it seemed worthless because you do not know your exact location. So you looked around and you cringed at the only life forms around — a few birds and geckos that straddle across the arid soil. You could scream but no one could possibly hear you. Or you could use the GPS vehicle tracking system and find yourself on your way home. Too bad, you did not have that GPS vehicle tracking system installed in your car.

You’ll never know when you’ll be trapped in the similar situation as above, especially when you’re always driving in places you barely know. This is why opting to have a GPS vehicle tracking system installed in your car will save you from that nightmare of being lost in the wilderness. To be guided in choosing the right GPS vehicle tracking system, here are 7 essential tips you have to keep in mind:

1) Type Of Tracking Systems

Basically, four major types of GPS vehicle tracking systems you can choose from. These are the car navigation GPS system, the portable outdoors GPS unit, the marine GPS system, and the PDA/GPS hybrid. Overall, you 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.

2) Voice Instructions

Make sure your GPS vehicle tracking system is capable of giving you voice instructions when driving. Some models offer only visual location maps and this might not be useful when you’re driving alone.

3) Real Time Tracking

Another feature that would be vital for a GPS vehicle tracking system is its ability to utilize a “real-time” wireless network that could allow you to process information via a visual representation, in case you want to verify if you’re doing the right turns.

4) Quality Over Price

Cheaper GPS vehicle tracking systems might conk out before you can use it. A GPS vehicle tracking system is an investment, so make sure you get the best brand.

5) Speed Limit Monitor

Another important feature that you need to check out is that if your GPS vehicle tracking system has a speed limit monitor, which will get you out of trouble with the police.

6) No Monthly

Fees Make sure your GPS vehicle tracking system offers you the service for free with your receiver. However, when you want advanced feature like tracking your kids when they went out with your car is another matter. Some companies offer these tracking services with affordable fees.

7) User-Friendly

If you’re no techno-geek, you should try to choose a model that even grandma won’t be hassled using this device.

Get yourself this security blanket when driving. Clearly, you will be amazed of how it could save you time, money and even your life if you have installed a GPS vehicle tracking system in your car.