Does a GPS unit need a Garmin logo on its back to be considered an efficient device? The answer is of course not. In fact, when it comes to the retail industry, 'name' can often just be an excuse to add hundreds maybe even thousands more to a product's price tag. Many consumers get caught up in the hype simply because through the television, Internet and magazines they've had a chance to become more familiar with the brand names. Well, there are plenty of GPS brands that are not as well-known that are still wonderful devices. This article will talk about one of them, the Initial GPS models.
Initial GPSes are some of the most hard-to-find GPS brands in the market. Perhaps this might be due to the fact that Initial Technology, the company making them, is actually a business geared towards making entertainment devices. This seems to show in a couple of Initial GPS devices, but in a good way. These models, the Initial GPS GD-72, (which costs $449.99), the Initial GPS GD-71, (which costs $469.99), and the Initial GPS GM-410, (which costs $229.99), are the only GPS units that actually offer built-in DVD players. The Initial GPS GD-72 and the Initial GPS GD-71 even look like portable DVD players. The Initial GPS GM-410, on the other hand, has an appearance typical to most GPS units.
As far as navigational capabilities, Initial GPSes are no different than any other type of GPS. The above-mentioned Initial GPS GD-72 and Initial GPS GD-71 along with the other non-DVD Initial GPSes, (including the $199.99 GM-350 GPS Receiver and the $379.99 GM-501 GPS Receiver), are pretty much the same when it comes to navigation. Their interface consists of colorized touch screens and Bluetooth technology for hands-free telephone calls. The devices include preloaded U.S. maps and 2 million points of interest. As far as directions, they are voiced, a feature common in many famous brands available on the market.
Initial GPS models offer a unique choice for those looking for more affordable GPS options. Not only are they pretty much standard when it comes to GPS navigation, but many of them even have DVD players. Such a feature allows one to save even more money, since portable DVD players by themselves can be hundreds of dollars. Truly, these types of Initial GPS models can almost be considered an all-in-one device, since they provide both GPS capabilities as well as DVD capabilities. The only challenge one will face if they do want to purchase an Initial GPS is where to buy one. The Initial Technology site doesn't even offer the products for sale, and of the few sites that do, the more interesting Initial GPS GD-71 and Initial GPS GD-72 models tend to not be in stock. Even the average shopping comparison site seems barren when one tries to search for Initial GPSes. However, you will find that Target stores carry a full line of Initial GPS receivers. Another good source is the Internet and auction sites like eBay. No matter where you find them Initial GPS systems are easy to use and reliable.
Initial GPS, Where Do You Find Them
Navigating Across America With The Garmin Street Pilot
The Garmin Street Pilot has set the standard for automotive GPS navigation. It seems that are more brands of automotive GPS on market than any other type of GPS receiver. Each day a new model is brought on to the market with more high tech features. The new models have voice, blue tooth and XM radio capability. Screens are larger, more vivid and much easier to read in direct sunlight conditions. Garmin has been the leader in GPS technology with an excellent record of durability and reliability. Garmin is the preferred GPS system used by the military.
The Garmin Street Pilot comes in several different models. These include: the c310, (which costs $239), the c330, (which costs $349.99), the c340, (which costs $428.56), the c530, (which costs $428.56), the c550, (which costs $535.70) and the c580, (which costs $642.84). The similarities among all of these models include features typical to most automotive GPS navigators. According to Garmin.com these include: touch screens, colorized graphics, automatic routing, voiced directions, address look-up, 2D and 3D maps and an SD card slot. What are the differences between these various Garmin Street Pilot models? There are not many, but the few that are could be of significant use to the potential automotive GPS customer. An example would be the Garmin Lock anti-theft feature. The more expensive c530, c550 and c580 models contain this feature. Another example are preloaded maps, which are offered on the c530, the c550, the c580, the c340 and the c330. Then there are the high-sensitive receivers, offered only on the c530, the c550 and the c580. Lastly, there is the ability to get on the Internet through MSN. This is only offered on the model c580.
Where is the best place to buy a Garmin Street Pilot? Garmin's site, offers a list of what stores offer their products. This list contains both brick-and-mortar stores along with online enterprises. If one doesn't mind buying a used Garmin Street Pilot, there is also the option of purchasing the product from an online auction site. Finally, one can try using Froogle.com. This site not only lists price comparisons of different products, but it also provides links to where one can buy them.
For most people the Garmin Street Pilot is the perfect solution for anyone wanting an automotive GPS navigator that is simpler, cheaper and more user-friendly than other automotive GPS navigators on the market. If one does decide to buy a Garmin , they can choose from six different models. Although there are not too many differences in these models, the few differences that do exist are related to the latest technology. When purchasing a Street Pilot, you have several options including: Garmin.com, auction sites and Froogle.com. It is really hard to beat the reliability, durability and features of a Garmin Street Pilot automotive GPS.
Types Of GPS Devices
The Global Positioning System - or GPS - has transformed how the world finds its way. It's no secret that the popularity of GPS has made it a standard feature in many a car. But in truth there are quite a number of GPS devices that are used in today's modern society. What began as a government experiment and then a standard device used by the military, is now more popular than ever in civilian society.
When Russia launched Sputnik in the late 1950's we had our first glimpse into the role that satellites would play in our future. Those who were monitoring Sputnik found that they were able to pinpoint its location based on the radio waves it provided. The seeds of GPS were born.
In the 1960s the U.S. Navy began experimenting with the technology, using the positioning of six satellites to help missile-carrying Navy submarines pinpoint their location. But the Global Positioning System that we know today was designed and implemented by the United States Department of Defense; the first operational satellite was launched in 1978 and by the mid 1990s there were 24 satellites - all of which are still in operation today.
The byproduct of this new technology has been GPS devices, designed to harness the power of satellite navigation to offer the highest level of convenience. It seems as though every year more GPS devices hit the shelves and in so doing they become part of what's expected in society. The types of GPS devices are varied and your choice to use them depends largely on your frequency of need.
One of the more popular GPS devices is GPS mapping that allows you to visit any number of websites and enter any address in the world. If satellites have access to this area, you are immediately given a satellite picture showing the precise location you requested. For mapping trips, these GPS devices can take information downloaded from your computer and put it to use in your car, giving you detailed directions for the most expedient trip.
Another one of the more popular GPS devices is a GPS navigational unit. These units can either be mounted in your car or come in a portable system that you can transfer from vehicle to vehicle. Once a destination is entered into the GPS navigational system, it can literally walk you through your trip telling you where to turn and the time and distance relative to each portion of the drive. Some navigational units offer a feature whereby you can find restaurants, shopping, hospitals, and accommodations regardless of where you are; this can be incredibly useful when hunting services in a town with which you are unfamiliar.
GPS tracking, another of the GPS devices, allows you to track another person or thing. Many parents use GPS tracking in the cars of their teenage drivers. Others use this system to help protect precious items that are in danger of being stolen.
No matter which of the GPS devices you choose, you will no doubt find GPS to be an essential part of your life before long.
Compare GPS Systems for the Perfect Product
With GPS (global positioning system) devices so popular nowadays, it can be difficult to sort the quality gadgets out from the cheaply made ones. Many still cost hundreds of dollars, and because you may be paying a monthly fee for some features from services like Tom Tom, you'll want to get the best deal on your equipment. By simply taking a few minutes to an hour to search around, you can compare GPS systems so you aren't stuck with a GPS device that doesn't suit your needs. User and professional reviews both have benefits and downsides, and you'll likely want to look at both before making a purchase, simply because they complement each other so well.
Fees or No Fees?
When comparing GPS systems, many devices don't carry monthly fees to operate. However, extra features sometimes do, such as real time updates for traffic congestion and road problems, like accidents. If you don't want extra features, you'll probably be safe just purchasing a device and having it work right out of the box. Of course, a review to compare GPS systems will help you figure out which features you do and don't want, getting you the perfect package which meats all of your desires without going overboard and costing too much.
Professional and user reviews to compare GPS systems both have a variety of benefits that you'll find beneficial. For example, professional reviews of GPS systems generally cover a much more complete set of features found in these GPS devices. However, professional reviewers often don't capture the review of the device from the perspective of the average consumer, so an average consumer might have a different experience with the product than a professional reviewer.
On the other hand, user reviews to compare GPS systems will more likely catch the perspective of an average consumer, but they might not focus on as many aspects of the product. Also, if users have problems with a product, they might blame it on the product and not on themselves, even if they are to blame, unfairly criticizing the product. Therefore, you should check a number of reviews for each product to see what both users and professional reviewers have to say about the GPS device.
Comparing GPS systems does take a little time, but it's free, and most reviews are easily accessible. There are many tech sites out there that review these products, and online retailers often let users post reviews of the products that they purchased to let other consumers know how products fare.
By taking the time to compare GPS systems, you'll save money and find a product that suits your tastes, so you'll get out of reviews the amount of time that you spent reading them.
The Coolest Co-Pilots Ever
Portable GPS navigation systems have been rapidly gaining in popularity over the past recent years. Consumers were first bitten by this particular high tech bug when vehicles equipped with the portable car GPS technology cruised stylishly onto the scene. All of a sudden directions, exact positioning, even traffic and weather updates were all available at the push of a few buttons. It was like Christmas all year long for customers and auto dealers alike.
Juggling maps, scribbled directions, and wondering if that online service meant Highway 130 North or South could become just another bad memory. That little portable car GPS unit somehow made you feel safer and a little more confidant on the road. Newer and way cooler systems have since been introduced to the public; and unlike the portable car GPS systems that are built in to your nice new car, these can go virtually anywhere with you; from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to one of those questionable rest rooms.
GPS Systems for Ntp Time Servers and Timing Applications
Nowadays GPS is most commonly known for vehicle navigation solutions. However, the GPS system can be used for many other useful purposes. For instance, many computer network time synchronisation solutions, such as NTP time servers, use the atomic clocks on board each GPS satellite for accurate timing. The GPS system can be used as an accurate reference clock for synchronising time-critical applications on computers and networks. This article describes how computer systems can utilise GPS time and discusses what equipment is required to provide a precision timing reference.
The GPS system is a United States military system intended for global navigation. The GPS system is a space-based system, consisting of a network of 24 orbiting satellites. Precise navigation and positioning is achieved by utilising precision timing signals and triangulation between multiple satellites. Each orbiting satellite has an integrated atomic clock timing reference to provide ultra high precision timing. Each satellite broadcasts timing information to within a few nanoseconds of the correct time to provide positioning to an accuracy of better than 10m. This precise timing information can be used by NTP time servers and other computer timing equipment as a highly accurate time reference. The great thing about GPS is that it works anywhere in the world and is entirely free to air service.
Each GPS satellite transmits a low-power radio signal down to the surface of the Earth. Two separate frequencies are utilised, designated L1 and L2. The L1 band is the civilian signal; transmitted at 1575.42 MHz. L2 is the military frequency, intended for ultra-high precision positioning. The radio signals are transmitted from the satellites by line of sight. The transmitted signal is easily powerful enough to pass through clouds, glass and most plastics but is absorbed by more substantial material such as brick, roofing materials and metals. The ideal location for a GPS antenna tends to be outdoors and ideally on a rooftop with the best possible view of the sky.
With the advent of GPS navigation equipment for the mass market, GPS antennas and receivers can be obtained at very reasonable cost. A GPS antenna is utilised to receive and amplify the GPS radio signals. While a GPS receiver decodes the information and presents it in a computer readable format. Many antennas are available with integrated receivers but these have the drawback of only providing a few meters of cabling to the host NTP time server or computer system. Marine antennas are designed to withstand the worst of the weather, they typically screw onto a threaded pole to provide a secure mounting system. These antennas provide the best solution for static timing applications.
The GPS receiver is generally embedded into the NTP time server or encapsulated within an enclosure. A GPS receiver is a small elecronic device that receives amplified GPS signals from an antenna via a coaxial cable. The receiver decodes these signal and provides a computer readable output usually via a RS232 or USB interface. Most receivers provide decoded information such as: position, visible satellites, precise time and an accurate pulse output timing reference.
Coaxial cable is utilised to provide a connection between the GPS antenna and receiver. The cable distance can be critical. The antenna must amplify the GPS signal sufficiently to overcome any cable losses associated with the cable run utilised. Better quality antennas generally provide more amplification (gain) additionally higher quality coax cables can be used with much smaller signal losses per meter allowing for relatively long cable runs between a antenna and receiver. In order to extend cable runs still further GPS amplifiers can be used to boost the signal transmitted down the coax cable. Typically, a GPS amplifier sits in-line on the coax cable and is powered from the receiver. Multiple amplifiers can be used for extremely long cable runs.
A roof mounted GPS antenna can be prone to lightning strikes and voltage surges. It is recommended that surge suppressors are utilised to protect expensive NTP time server and timing systems from potential damage. A surge suppressor is essentially a barrier that sits in-line on the coax cable between the antenna and receiver that protects the receiver from any potential damage due to voltage surges.
To summarise, the GPS system provides a highly precise timing reference for NTP time servers and other computer timing equipment. It is a reliable free to air service that can be used anywhere in the world. Additionally, with the boom in vehicle navigation systems the technology required to receive GPS broadcasts is continually falling in price.