Buying any type of GPS product can be an overwhelming and difficult process. Top GPS products is here to help give you a better idea of what GPS actually is, and what you should look for when purchasing one.
Basics
Many users aren’t very familiar with how their GPS products actually work. GPS, or Global Positioning System, is actually a network of 24 satellites that orbit the earth throughout the day. Originally they were used for military purposes and were deployed by the United States Department of Defense.
In the 1980’s the government made the system publicly available and now it can help everyone in the world. When your GPS product communicates with some of the satellites in space they can triangulate your position on earth. This is done through a very complex system, but essentially the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received.
This time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is and with a few more distance measurements from other satellites, the receiver can determine the user’s position. By tracking the satellites in real time as you move around the GPS can use it’s built in map data to help you navigate roads, trails, and lakes, anywhere in the world!
It is only natural that many new GPS users ask how accurate GPS actually is. Incredibly, due to advanced technology most GPS products are extremely accurate, usually to within 20 meters on average. Some new Garmin GPS receivers feature 12 parallel channels that can easily lock onto many satellites and maintain that lock even in thick foliage or crowded cities. Dense is one of the few sources of error that can affect GPS accuracy.
GPS signals pass through atmosphere and poor weather condition without problems, but can be blocked by thick overhead trees or tightly packed buildings in an urban settings. They will not work inside of buildings or underground. Overall the reliability of your GPS product is quite unbelievable.
Now that you have a good idea of what GPS is and how it works, let’s review a few basics when purchasing a GPS unit. With many GPS products out there with many different pros and cons, the buying decision will not always be an easy one, be patient and do your research.
GPS for Cars
These are the more common GPS devices you see at most electronics stores. Being small in size they have screens ranging from 3.5 inches to 4.5 inches. Some feature a built in battery, but more come with a cable that will plug into a cigarette lighter or car power outlet.
To allow these a good view of the sky, and hence a better chance of communicating with satellites, they are typically mounted to your windshield or top of your dashboard. Depending on the model you choose it may attach via a suction cup or cradle that fixes itself to your dash. Although not as popular as portable units, in-dash devices are becoming more and more common in many new cars.
An in-dash GPS is installed directly into the dashboard of your car as a viewable screen. Since these devices are touch-screen, they very often handle other car functions as well. Operations like controlling the radio, setting cruise control, and showing any reverse cameras your vehicle may have. These in-dash GPS products are usually superior to portable devices due to larger screen sizes, better resolution, more features since it can be hooked directly to the electronics of your car, and no worries for charging or taking up space.
Hiking GPS
Hiking GPS devices are becoming more and more common in the outdoor community. All but the most hardcore hiking enthusiasts can find great value in one of these devices. One of the primary differences between a GPS used for hiking and one used for cars is the ability to map waypoints.
A waypoint is a mark you can set on a map to track the exact path you took while hiking. By mapping multiple waypoints along a route you can return by the same route, ensuring you will not get lost. When selecting a waypoint to navigate to, your hiking GPS product will display useful information such as bearing and distance. Some GPS devices show natural landmarks such as bodies of waters, hills, mountain, etc.
Another great feature of a hiking GPS product is the ability to save routes and locations so you can return on another trip.If you find yourself wanting to explore farther on your hikes you could truly take full advantage of a hiking gps product. It provides the ability to greatly improve an already wonderful experience, along with an extra blanket of security.
Put some time and research into your GPS product purchase and you will not be disappointed. These GPS devices are extremely useful and are making navigating anywhere in the world a more pleasant and safe experience.
