A GPS (Global Positioning System) Receiver
uses signals from a series of over 20 possible satellites to
determine the current location of the unit with amazing
precision (under an inch in some cases). The system was
originally designed and deployed by the US Department of
Defense, but now anyone with a GPS Receiver can use the system
and reap its benefits absolutely free of charge.
Although GPS receivers have
been around in one form or another for over 15 years, it is
only recently that low priced LCD displays and durable
memory systems have made ownership of these devices by the
civilian population realistic. Today feature rich models are
available for under $200. This low price point has made GPS
receivers increasingly popular for consumer applications
such as:
in car navigation systems
location tracking for outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers,
bikes and hunters
recreational boaters and
pilots
enhanced cell phone 911 service
hobbies such as geocaching
GPS receivers are also finding numerous uses in commercial
applications such as land surveying, computer controlled
harvesters and vehicle tracking.
What to look for in a GPS Receiver?
The first step in selecting a GPS receiver
is to determine what type of application it will primarily
be used for. A car based unit for driving? A handheld for
outdoor activities? A specially designed unit for
applications such as boating? Of course, most units can be
used for multiple applications, but it makes sense to select
a unit tailored towards the activity it will most be used
for.
Next, as with
choosing just about any type electronic device, factors such
as size, included functionality and price need to be weighed
against one another. Speaking of functionality, the
following list contains some of the features that may be
important for your desired application(s).
Altimeter: Being able to determine elevation is of
significance to pilots and hikers at a minimum.
Antenna: In order for GPS to work, a device must have
an unobstructed view of the sky. Units with support for an
external antenna provide added flexibility.
Battery Life: Ensure the advertised battery life is
in line with the length of time you would typically be using
the device or plan to pack an extra set of batteries.
Breadcrumbs: Marking various points along the
traveled path is supported on some units.
Built-in Maps: The amount of memory in some devices is
limited so map data for only a certain part of the country
can be stored at a time. If you want to use the GPS outside
of this region, map data first be downloaded from a CD.
Other devices contain plenty of memory and maps for the
entire US are pre-loaded into the device.
Durability: Depending upon your application a device
which is designed to be water resistant and able to survive
a short drop may be a plus.
LCD Screen:
Most current models offer color displays but a few lower end
models do not. A larger, higher resolution display is
obviously advantageous in most all cases.
Navigation: Well laid out navigation buttons and display
menus can greatly increase ease of use.
Points of Interest: Having a built-in database of
popular destinations is a handy feature for in-car units
when away from home.
Routing: Some
units are not only able to give you a single route to your
destination, but can also make additional recommendations
based upon shortest distance, shortest time or current
traffic conditions.
Shopping for your GPS Device
The two market leaders for GPS receivers are
Garmin
and
Magellan
so no investigation would be complete without having a look at
what they have to offer. Also browse the complete selection of
GPS Receivers available from all manufacturers.
