Your Options For Auto Navigational Systems

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with auto navigation systems.

It is true that auto navigation systems installed by automakers look completely natural and integrated into the features of the vehicles we purchase. For that reason alone, many people opt to pay several times over what the system would have cost to have installed by someone other than the maker of the automobile. It is truly amazing how much of an impact aesthetics makes when it comes to purchasing your next dream car, or even your first dream car. The thing is, that even if the system doesn’t seem to flow with the look of your car, there are very valid reasons for getting one in the first place and the safety and security that they provide travelers is very well worth the sacrifice of a few aesthetic features.

It isn’t exactly necessary, however, to completely sacrifice aesthetics in order to have the safety and security that auto navigation systems provide. As a matter of fact, some of the most popular brands of these systems are actually installed to the car by use of suction cups rather than cutting into the dashboard or removing the ever so important stereo from your car, truck, or SUV. Keeping price conscious consumers in mind, manufacturers are offering many options well under the 500 dollar benchmark while also affording consumers the luxury (or lower price, however you decide to call it) of installing these devices themselves.

It is important to remember that not all GPS (global positioning satellite) devices are meant to assist in auto navigation and make your purchase according to your specific needs. When shopping for one of these devices it would be comparing apples to oranges to compare a tool that is widely used for activities such as geo caching, hiking, biking, or boating. Each of these will bring in different price tags while offering greatly varied features. You need a device that is meant for mapping directions if you plan to use your device or system for driving.

I try to keep pointing out the fact that not all GPS or auto navigation systems are created equal this is very important to remember. You run the risk of purchasing the wrong system without proper planning and thus having a bad overall experience. Even among systems designed specifically for the automobile that offer mapping and navigation assistance there are different types that will appeal to different needs and uses. There are three types of auto navigation systems. Those three types of systems include: Navigation systems that are designed to stand alone, handheld systems that suit multiple purposes, and systems that are designed to work with laptops, PCs, pocket PCs, and PDA systems.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about auto navigation systems. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

Each of the types of auto navigation systems and devices offers different benefits and drawbacks. It is ultimately up to you to decide which will suit your needs most. The stand-alone systems are often the most popular choice and are excellent for those who need driving directions and nothing more. They offer a steady power supply, turn by turn direction (in many cases), the security of being there at all times (no worry about whether or not you remembered to actually bring it along), and verbal directions along with landmarks that should let you know you are on the right path. There is a reason that these are the most popular.

For those who want to take their navigational tools off road on occasion other devices might be much better suited to your needs. Handheld devices often require additional software in order to work well with door-to-door types of directions or regular driving directions, however, they offer portability for those who wish to go biking, hiking, or kayaking and need the confidence that directions and navigational tools can provide. For those who have laptops or PDAs, the software that is available for these provide an excellent service when it comes to navigation both on and off roads and the beaten path. The cost is offset greatly if you already own your laptop or PDA and well worth a little extra investment, particularly if you will use this particular tool on a regular basis.

As I’ve said before, there is no perfect navigational solution for everyone, but there are quite a few that are nearly perfect for all who will dare to use them.

Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in auto navigation systems. When people start looking for more information about auto navigation systems, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.

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Types of GPS (Global Positioning System) Radio Signals and types of GPS Receivers

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

GPS satellites transmit two types of radio signals which are C/A-code and P-code. Coarse Acquisition (C/A code) is the type of signal which is used in consumer units and is known as SPS (Standard Positioning Service). C/A-code is not as accurate as P-code (which is mentioned later on) and is easier for U.S. military forces to jam and spoof, i.e. broadcast false signals to trick the receiver into thinking it is somewhere else when it really is not. The advantage of C/A-code however is that it acquires the satellite signal faster and hence obtaining an initial fix on your position takes less time. Due to this, there is an option for receivers which use P-code to track onto the C/A-code signal first then switch over to the P-code.

P-code on the other hand provides highly precise location information and it is difficult to jam or spoof. The U.S. military is the primary user of P-code transmissions and uses an encrypted form of the data so that only special receivers can access the signal. P-code broadcasts are known as the Precise Positioning System (PPS).

Now let us switch focus to that of GPS receivers. Some of this information can become pretty technical but hopefully both the novice and more advanced readers can learn and sift through the information to help them.

GPS units receive two different types of data which are Almanac and Ephemeris. Almanac data contains the approximate positions of the satellites; the data are continuously being transmitted and are stored in the memory of the GPS receiver. Ephemeris data broadcasts the precise positions of the satellites. To obtain an accurate location fix, the receiver has to know how far away a satellite is. Hence, the GPS receiver calculates the distance to the satellite by of course using signals from the orbiting satellite.

A GPS receiver needs data from multiple satellites to obtain or triangulate a position as to where the user of the GPS is located. First there is the issue of location which requires a minimum of three satellite signals. Second is that of position, which needs four satellite signals to determine your position in three dimensions: latitude, longitude and elevation. GPS receivers can generally be separated into five categories which are consumer models, U.S. military/government models, mapping/resource models, survey models and commercial transportation models. With respect to the consumer and commercial transportation models, the site SecureWithGPS provides GPS devices more catered to the consumer and commercial markets. If you think that such devices might suit your needs for fleet management of your vehicles, keeping track of the security of your car when it might be parked or even looking out for your teenage drivers, please visit the site for useful and related information.

Finally, we will take a quick look at the accuracy of GPS receivers. One can typically expect a GPS receiver to be accurate within 49 feet or 15 meters. Accuracy depends on receiver location, obstructions that block satellite signals and information received from ground-based beacons to name a few. So rest assured that after spending money to start using this widely used technology the data obtained from the GPS receivers will definitely be accurate enough to provide the user with reliable information.

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For a reliable GPS (Global Positioning System) for personal or business use, please check out www.securewithgps.com . At www.securewithgps.com they provide the latest in GPS tracking, fleet management and near real time location updates.

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The GPS Devices You Can Count On

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

A GPS or Global Positioning System is used to determine the user’s current location, and the best route and directions for the destination. These positioning systems are now widely used in a variety of devices such as smart phones, automobile navigation systems, handheld devices, laptops and other such devices.

The working of this system is relatively simple to comprehend. In the working of a positioning system a GPS receiver calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more satellites. Since the signal travels at a known speed, measuring the time delay between transmission and reception of each GPS microwave signal gives the distance to each satellite, thus the calculations can be precise.

While doing this, the signals also carry information about the satellites’ location. Thus by determining the position of, and distance to, at least three satellites, the receiver can compute its position using trilateration. The GPS receivers usually do not have perfectly accurate clocks and therefore track one or more additional satellites to correct the receiver’s clock error. In such a way your location is taken out correctly and is displayed through the navigator.

In general, the receivers used in a typical positioning system are composed of an antenna, tuned to the frequencies transmitted by the satellites, receiver-processors, and a highly stable clock. Some of them also include a LCD display for providing location and speed information to the user.

The number of channels it can operate with and can monitor simultaneously describes the capacity of a reciver. Before a couple of years the numbers of channels in the receiver were limited to four or five, but has progressively increased over the years so that receivers typically have between twelve and twenty channels in the present scenario.

This system is now commonly used in a number of devices. One such use of the GPS system is in the recreational and sports activities. This allows the professionals, navigational and other important details using their device anywhere they could get the signals. That is why such devices are very popular among hikers, hunters, skiers, mountain bikers, and other such outdoor adventure buffs.

A GPS system is very essential in keeping the track of the location, and to find way to a specified destination, or know what direction and how fast you are traveling can utilize the benefits of the global positioning system or the GPS.

GPS is also widely used in the automobiles industry as well. There are some basic GPS applications that are used to provide emergency roadside assistance at the push of a button. It works by transmitting the current position of the user to a dispatch center.

Many systems that are more advanced and show your position on a navigation map are also available. These offer not one but man features apart from the navigational map; for instance, you can choose and select the best possible way to a desired location. You can even save your preferences in this type of advance systems.

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The Global Positioning System (GPS TrackingTechnology)

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

According to some articles, GPS is the one satellite navigation technology that is fully functional. It utilizes a collection above twenty-four satellites to send radio signals to electronic global positioning system receivers. In such a way, it enables satellites to determine the exact location of the receiver. The process involves getting the right latitude, longitude and the altitude of the receiver. The global position system technology is working round the clock

Today, the use of gps system has expanded to great number of users in any entity you could think- government institutions, private corporations, various organizations, individuals, etc. It has been put to good use for years in its original, and most obvious, purpose of coordinating military activities. I fact, some of military activities being done nowadays would not have been possible if GPS principles were not applied.
Rescue operations, humanitarian mission are some of the important social activities benefited from this technology. In addition to this, GPS technology has proven to be instrumental in numerous scientific research expeditions, especially in very remote regions such as mountain ranges and the north and south poles.

When using a good GPS system, it is great when considering points of interest are great because they can tell you where certain places are that might interest you. These points of interest include hotels, restaurants, gas stations, school zones, toll booths and much more. This can be excellent for you so that you can either avoid these points of interest or stop if you so desire, this is one of the great points of using a gps navigation system.

When you enter in a destination most systems will save that destination. That means if you go to the same places time after time, you won’t have to re-enter the destination, it will already be there.

With the use of GPS Navigation Systems the user is able to retrace the path which has been taken in both directions and save the user a great deal of time. Not only can you have these destinations pre-set in your gps navigation system, you can re-enter new destinations and just go back when you are going back to the same place again. Having a gps system can be a great navigation aid and avoid costly mistakes and save you a great deal of time.

When you buy a good specification product, it is an especially great navigation aid because you will have the backing of a great support system from the company that stands behind what they sell. So go out and look for a really great gps system and play around with it to see what you get.

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Some facts about GPS the global positioning system

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

Chances are that you have used a global positioning system enabled device before. Maybe it was in the car or maybe using a handheld system. GPS allows you to find your current location anywhere on earth and with some software added also to get directions how to get to anywhere else.

GPS started as a military system allowing the US army to pinpoint where its soldiers and vehicles are. But the GPS system was opened up for civil use too although up to a few years ago the resolution of the location discovery was limited.

With GPS becoming more and more pervasive it was became cheaper. Today you can buy a fully equipped GPS device for a few tens of dollars. And with low memory prices devices costing around two or three hundred dollars can have detailed maps covering all the united states and a nice LCD screen to display them.

The GPS system is comprised of a large number of satellites that were positioned in specific and accurate orbits. The GPS device core is a receiver and an antenna. Old GPS devices needed a large antenna to receive the satellite but with improvements in electronics resulting in more sensitive receivers the new GPS devices antennas are small and in most cases are simply built into the device.

The GPS device receives a signal from a few satellites concurrently. The GPS knows at any given point in time where each satellite is positioned and the distance to that satellite. By calculating the intersection between the different satellite spheres the GPS can know the exact position altitude, longitude and latitude. By correlating this information with detailed map files and the GPS its location on a map. And add some sophisticated software and the GPS can calculate directions and continually track where it is and correct the directions as its position changes.

GPS devices can also calculate speed by simple measuring the time passed to move from one location to another. GPS devices are a commodity today and they are used both by consumers in cars or handheld but also in commercial systems like airplanes and ships. GPS works in any weather condition and needs very little energy to operate.

Some GPS devices today are so small that they can fit in a wristwatch or a cell phone. Many people confuse between the GPS ability to determine its location to all the other goodies like color maps and driving directions. In fact the only thing the global positioning system does is calculate a location on earth. Once that was calculated the rest is a specific application that uses this information together with routing software and maps to provide driving directions. But there are many other applications for example GPS devices are placed in strategic places on the north pole to measure icebergs movements or GPS devices. Other GPS devices are used on vehicle fleets to manage where each truck is or on taxi cabs allowing a central reservation system to find the closest taxi to the passenger order one. Deron Green explains more on the wonders of technology: the gps navigation system explained

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Popular GPS Watches For You

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

Technology has contributed a lot and is still contributing much to make our lives simple. It has eased communication to such an extent that we can be mobile and still stay in touch with each other. It is not only communication that is eased but a lot of other things which are more suitable to the changing needs of the fast paced individuals. One such change is in the way one used to find the directions.

Gone are the days when maps and compass were used to find directions. Although such techniques were useful but not accurate as the new age GPS system, which is the most accurate way of finding directions using a digital map. GPS or the Global Positioning System works with the help of satellites orbiting the earth and allows you to use it in many applications other than finding directions.

Although GPS is used with many applications, it has found an all new dimension when used with the wrist watch. Yes! A GPS device included in your wristwatch is not a dream but reality. With the wide use of GPS technology many tech savvy companies have tried and developed a wrist watch which is equipped with GPS. Now there are many companies which offer you a wrist watch with GPS technology.

The GPS wrist watches are meant for sportspersons and adventure buffs who want to spend more time in the open. This GPS watch is an expert navigator which can keep anyone on track in the mountains, forests, rivers or lakes without getting lost.

The GPS wrist watches are more or less like wrist computers and do have more than one set of functions. The only thing which you need to understand in these wrist watches is the limited size of the screen and restricted number of keys which means that the device must have different modes for displaying sufficient information on each topic on the screen.

The downside of such small screen is that you have to change modes al lot during complex operations. For example, if you want to access GPS and you happen to have the altitude mode on, you have to apply a fairly long sequence of keystrokes to go through the menu system. Some of the GPS watches do have as many as five different modes, which are time, altimeter/barometer, compass, GPS navigation and activity mode for measuring speed and distance.

The GPS watches are quite essential if you are planning an outdoor adventure. They are best to guide you to the location which you want to reach. They are also beneficial for trekking and mountaineering with the altimeter feature which keeps you updated on the height.

Some of the latest GPS watches also have an Activity mode, which shows you the speed, distance traveled, time from start and other values. Your trail is recorded in the device memory and this information can later be used for the Track Back function, or viewing the route at home via a PC.

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Owning An Auto GPS Unit And Family Relationships

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

Your family is the most important thing to you, and yet when you get out on the road, something happens. You are late, or lost, or both, and you just cant seem to find your way back, so the bickering begins. It has happened to almost every family, but the auto GPS unit has put a stop to this time honored tradition of arguing over who will or will not ask for directions.

The setup is so common that it is a staple of the standup comedy routine. The man refuses to ask for directions. The woman begs him. They fight. This scenario simply does not happen when there is a soothing voice telling the driver to turn at the next intersection, or to prepare to exit the highway shortly. That extra passenger in the car may be electronic, but he/she/it goes a long way toward keeping the peace.

This is true for family road trips as well. For once, the auto GPS unit is doing the navigating for you, and the family is free to talk, catch up on each others lives, and play games with one another rather than have their faces buried in a map trying to figure out where they are. More than one trip has been ruined by a fight that began with accusations about who told who to turn where, and became an argument about something else entirely. How often have you heard someone ask why the family even went on vacation at all, if they were not going to have any fun?

Having a GPS is akin to having a servant who takes care of the one thing that bothers you most about driving (other than waiting in traffic, of course). Not knowing where you are or not knowing how to get where you need to be.

All this stress being lifted from the driver and the navigator has a tangible effect on the success of the family vacation, and on the relationships between driver and passengers even on short trips. The simple fact of knowing where you are can be an amazing shot of relaxation right during the pressures associated with trying to operate a motor vehicle.

For once, the trip really is about the journey and not the destination, because the destination was already chosen, plotted, and provided to the auto GPS unit, and all the driver needs to do is drive, and enjoy the company within the car.

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Obsolete Defense Technology Yields Modern Day Auto GPS Unit

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

An Automotive GPS Unit employ Global Position System (GPS) information to locate your whereabouts and reference your locations from a database. Many units have a database that is updated periodically, however, others locate their information in real time as needed. This system is a form of satellite assisted navigation that enable you to determine your whereabouts on a map and provide information as to the distance of travel to arrive at your intended destination.

GPS systems originated from a technology first conceived by the Department of Defense. A system of 24 orbiting satellites transmits microwave information and this allows a receiver on Earth to communicate. This data is processed for location as well as the direction and speed. Beginning in 1983 this technology was made available for civilian use and since then, with the help of advanced cellular technology, many consumer products have evolved into the products of today.

Before you purchase your GPS device, identifying which features are most important to you is necessary. It may be ideal to choose a system that will furnish you with street level maps which can come either standard or at an additional charge depending upon service. It may prove helpful to elect this option as you need to know your present location while on the move. Also find out how often the maps you are using will be updated and that the device you choose contains a map of the area of travel.

Depending on your selection and requirements, a number of units permit you to view street detail as they match up with points of interest such as restaurants, government facilities and whatever criteria you dictate. Because store ownership changes frequently, your auto GPS unit can be either loaded directly into the system or, using WiFi, can locate the latest mapping data from the internet. At the present time there are few industry standards for navigation maps although there is a substantial consumer call for uniformity much similar to cellular phone and computer operations systems.

Many different GPS devices offer driving directions either text prompted or even voice prompted. In either case, you can receive assistance finding your position or destination with the help of the system. In the instance of voice prompted driving directions, Bluetooth accessories that connect with a laptop or PDA are also available. These innovations allow you to keep your eyes on the road at all times and leave the navigation to your GPS unit. Instead of a back seat driver, you have a front seat navigator much like road racing.

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Mega Disasters: How GPS Tracking Will Save Lives

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

Disasters are happening all the time from man made to nature driven cataclysmic events. Centuries ago the planet had primitive life forms and did not understand what was happening to their world. But today we live in a advanced technological society where it not likely our entire race will become extinct like in the dinosaur period. Man will survive, but how many of us will live? The question remains unanswered.

If you’ve ever watched the history channel they have a program called MEGA Disasters. It’s presents many different shows on events that will lead to massive loss of life from natural or man made disasters. One or more of these MEGA disasters is going to occur sooner than later.

Here is a brief description on what the show is about.

Massive natural disasters have shaped the planet on which we live for millions of years, and the only thing we know for sure is that the future holds more. Earthquakes have triggered massive tsunamis and released methane gas that killed most of the life in the ocean. Asteroids have laid waste to nearly all the life on earth. Volcanoes have blocked the sun’s rays for months.

As the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami have dramatically demonstrated, we are all vulnerable to unexpected disasters, both natural and man-made. Combining science and history, MEGA DISASTERS visits the sites of previous disasters, then recreates them in modern times and locations, using state-of-the-art computer animation.

Whether it’s the city of Memphis crashing into the Mississippi River during an earthquake or a mile-wide asteroid destroying Los Angeles, each week is a hair-raising look at just how vulnerable our complex society really is to the power of Mother Nature.

What we need to do to save lives now and in the future?

Ordia Solutions is the pioneer and leading provider of mobile command & control systems for public safety agencies. They have devised the Mobile Tactical Collaboration System (MTCS) is a next-generation web-based wireless-enabled software application that allows public safety officers to communicate and collaborate visually in real-time using tactical graphics, digital maps, and shared workspaces to enable highly effective command & control without ever having to setup a physical command post. This system is the only one of it’s kind in the world and is in many government trials from SWAT teams to FBI, and is being rolled out into many search and rescue operation command centers.

They recently expanded the product portfolio to include an integrated GPS tracking solution, which provides real-time situational unit locations for operational commanders and their tactical operators in the field.

This GPS Tracking Device was researched for use in the Mobile Tactical Collaboration System (MTCS) by GLC Enterprises, Inc. and is also known as the WorldTracker GPRS. It is an advanced mini tracking devices that allows rescue person to be viewed in near real time allowing officials to effectively coordinate rescue missions when MEGA Disasters stick which will happen for sure.

Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, as well as other first responders, are able to share data, maps, and images with each other in real time, allowing tactical decisions to be made and implemented quickly and effectively.

The software is in place in the command center, in vehicle-mounted laptops, and in ultra mobile handheld computers.

Because a picture is worth a thousand words, this technology innovation will be as revolutionary for public safety communication as the introduction of the television set was for mass media communication.

How many of use are saved will depend on highly coordinated search and rescue mission which will rely on the Mobile Tactical Collaboration System (MTCS) with integrated GPS Tracking.

About the Author:
Glenn Frieboth, owner of GLC Enterprises, Inc., based in Illinois. Find more information about how Mobile Tactical Collaboration System is using GPS Tracking Device to save lives.

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GPS Tracking Devices – Teens Vs Parents, Law Enforcement Vs Invasion Of Privacy

Posted by | Posted in GPS | Posted on 27-08-2009

GPS tracking devices have a multitude of uses, the majority of them are mostly beneficial. However, global positioning satellite system devices sometimes involve privacy issues that can, at times, lead to controversy.

Fleet Vehicles and GPS Tracking Devices

You’ll find that there are many companies both large and small that use global positioning tracking devices to follow the location of their vehicles. The majority of trucking companies have the capability to tell you where all of their vehicles are at any given point in time. In a similar manner, taxi companies as well as repair companies have the capability to monitor their trucks location so that they can dispatch them in a more efficient manner.

However, there are people that believe this gives the companies who choose to use GPS tracking devices more information than is needed about their drivers. For instance, trucking companies have the capability to know how much time a trucker has spent on the road, when and for what period of time he stops for sleep or meals and if he has taken any unscheduled side trips.

Dispatchers at these companies may be privy to personal information that is none of their business, such as a driver having lunch each day at the same place, and it is not his residence. Some individuals are of the opinion that this constitutes an invasion of personal privacy.

Teens and GPS Tracking Devices

There are some parents who use global positioning tracking devices to know the location of their teens. They may download global positioning system tracking software technology to the mobile phones of their teens, or they may place a global positioning system tracking device somewhere in their car. The teenagers may or may not be aware that their parents are monitoring them.

There is likely quite a few teens who believe that this is and invasion of their privacy.

GPS Tracking Devices and Surveillance

Does the thought run through your mind if your spouse having an affair? Curious to find out what your brother-in-law is up to? If you place a hidden GPS tracking device on their vehicle, you will at least know where they are going in their car. You may have to come to your own conclusions as to what they are actually doing there.

There are many people who would agree that this would be an invasion of privacy and quite a few would be offended if they either knew or suspected you were tracking them. Things get a little more involved when police use GPS tracking devices.

Global positioning tracking devices have been used by police to successfully solve crimes. An example of the conflict between serving justice and invasion of privacy; say the police put a GPS tracking device on the car of a person they suspect of being a murderer. They successfully track the the murderer as he unknowingly leads them to the victims grave. Is this an invasion of privacy? Should law enforcement officials be allowed to use global positioning tracking devices this way?

If, for instance, the police need to obtain a search warrant from a judge to use a GPS tracking device, should a private citizen be able to use this technology without a warrant? Should the average private citizen even be allowed to use global positioning tracking device technology at all? At times the right to privacy and the right to information are in conflict, this is one of those time.

All technology has moral and ethical implications that we as individuals and society as a whole has to grapple with. The right to privacy is the ethical dilemma we are forced to deal with when we use GPS tracking device technology.

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