Global Positioning System (GPS) Buying Guide
Some of us always like to know where we are in relation
to our surroundings. We have maps, but many of us lack
the kind of skill required to read a map properly while
driving. Ditto for the compass. So we usually resort to
the phone booth or the handier cell phone to get directions.
Over the years, we have tried to simplify navigation,
but never has there been an exact way to find out where
we are and where we're going.
You've most likely heard the term GPS before. It stands
for Global Positioning System, and it's changed the
way we navigate.
What exactly is GPS? It's a complex technology developed
by the U.S. Department of Defense. What does this have
to do with you? The answer is, quite a bit.
GPS Demystified
The U.S. Department of Defense tried for a while to
find an exact and precise worldwide positioning system.
They developed the GPS or Global Positioning System.
This is a satellite navigation system designed for (and
still operated by) the U.S. military.
This worldwide system uses a series of 24 satellites
and ground stations. These satellites serve as reference
points to calculate position down to the metre. In fact,
in some very advanced forms of GPS, position can be
calculated down to the centimeter.
GPS and You
All of this may seem way too abstract, but this system
has a lot to offer. GPS is finding its way into laptop
computers, farm machinery, cars, boats, aircrafts, and
more. This technology has been integrated into small
handheld units, similar in appearance to the PDA. So
many of our activities require a sense of navigation,
whether it's a hiking trip in the woods or a simple
drive out to the country to visit friends. Equipped
with one of these neat gadgets, you are set to go just
about anywhere.
Sounds neat, you say? But how do you make sense of
the GPS handhelds that are out there today? Which features
and components should you look for when you shop for
a GPS? Read on to learn about some GPS buying basics.
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GPS Waypoints -->
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