In the past, mariners use to navigate by the stars. Today, they navigate by satellites through the Global Positioning System (GPS). This brilliant piece of technology can locate a person with a GPS receiver anywhere on Earth and report back their exact location with astonishing accuracy. It can also tell a sailor out on the ocean or lake how to get to any chosen destination quickly and easily.
Hundreds of different types of marine GPS units are for sale. As you can imagine, all are waterproof and have various features that help you navigate out on the water. The units have pre-programmable databases for all the rivers and lakes as well as nautical markers for lights, buoys, sound signals and day beacons among other things.
Not only will a Marine GPS unit aid a fisherman or boatman to keep his bearing, it can also help them catch more fish. Using the GPS navigation maps the device can indicate what the currents are like and where the best places to find fish. It can even locate caves and contours in the waterways.
The smaller marine GPS units are typically used for recreational use and are usually portable as well. The gadgets contain bearings for longitudes and latitudes that assist one to establish sunset and sunrise. You can also save the routes and tracking points.
Types of Marine GPS Devices
If you are looking to purchase a Marine GPS then it is important to do your home and to compare different models to discover which unit will best meet your needs. Some GPS units are handheld while others are much larger portable ones with more features. The larger devices typically have 7 inch or more screen that ensure that the picture is large enough to distinguish various shapes and markings.
A recently launch marine GPS is the Navigational Adventure. This device has a massive 16MB storage space
and that has an in built database for maps that include city locations, waterways, airports and highways of North America, and fixed nautical to indicate things like buoys and lighthouses. There is also the displaying of bearings and knots. This one has WAAS technology.
Mariner 260 is another marine GPS. It has a rugged outer shell that is waterproof and has a 155MB internal memory. There are over 1000 waypoints included in the device and graphic symbols. The unit can save a maximum of 20 logs which is a Hansel and Gretel feature that enables you to retrace where you have been. It has an alarm, clock and a trip computer which offers an odometer.
Marine GPS units make your trip out on the water more enjoyable. You will know exactly where you are at all times and where you need to go. Units with added features allow you to fish more effectively and discover what the weather forecast is going to be. Not only that, but they can make your trip a lot safer if you ever get in to serious difficulties and that is a benefit that is often understated.
Navigate the Open Water With a Marine GPS
Types of GPS (Global Positioning System = Tracking Systems) Available For Your Vehicle
Traveling around new places has become a great deal easier with the advent of Global Positioning System (GPS). Earlier, when we planed an excursion to a new destination we were often concerned about navigation our way in the unknown vicinity. People used to hire guides for the purpose, which definitely burnt hole in their pockets. Further, if you are not familiar with the language of the guide then there is very less you can do to complete your tour successfully. All these hassles have been remarkably minimized by GPS. The application finds a wide application in several spheres, including, defense, mining, traveling and exploration, and many more.
GPS turned out to be a significant tool for the explorers, and hence finds a broad usage in modern automobiles. Almost all the contemporary luxury cars come with installed GPS in them. GPS enables its user in finding the places of their interest, such as- restaurants, clinics, clubs, famous sites, or any other such place. However, if your car is not fitted with any sort of GPS device, then it can be also installed separately. There are different types of GPS available for the automobiles. So, before going for any specific GPS for your vehicle, make sure that you are purchasing the most suitable one. Some of the major types of GPS are given here:
• In-built GPS - Almost all the major car manufacturers are offering in-built GPS application in their cars. These cars have GPS tools fixed into a dash, and hence don't get lost easily. However, cars with in-built GPS are expensive than their non GPS version.
• Portable GPS Tools- These GPS units are tailored for an easy carriage of the device. These are not rigidly fitted into the automobile can be moved from one vehicle to other easily. So, if you have more that one car, then this type of system is highly recommended for you. The system helps you in saving your lots of bucks and efforts. You can also take this system to your home when you are not driving, and help your kids to learn more about the city you are living in. These GPS devices weigh around 10 Oz, and have 4" inch wide display fitted in it. Its price range starts from $250, and can go up to $500, depending upon the functions and features of the device.
• Pocket GPS Tools- Automobile pocket is an advanced form of portable GPS unit for automobiles. It can be fit into your pocket or palm, and can be easily carried anywhere you wish to. These devices are a bit expensive than the portable form of automobile GPS tools, with a starting price tag of $400, which can go up to $600 for an advanced unit.
All these GPS applications have their own pros and cons, and their applicability largely depends upon your needs. So, before making purchase of the suitable GPS application, prioritize your needs and buy accordingly. Learn more and find out about types of gps (global positioning system = tracking systems) available for your vehicle.
The Best GPS System - How Do You Figure This Out?
Finding the best GPS system is like buying the perfect car. It's all relative -- to you! The perfect car for me would have to be able to survive two rowdy kids, a dog, sometimes two cats, and a wife who routinely picks up junk (Oh, excuse me, they're called collectibles) on the side of the road. It would have to be roomy and maintenance free. For someone else, the perfect car would only need two seats, a rag top, and be able to do 120 mph easily.
In order to find the best GPS system, you have to first understand what they generally do and what are the usual features, then define what you want it for.
By GPS systems, I'm specifically talking about the after-market car variety. You know, the kind you see perched on people's windshields at the grocery store. I'm not talking about the in dash kind that come with some cars, nor am I considering the hand-held varieties you would take on a long hike. The after-market systems are usually called portable GPS receivers, or systems, and that's what I'll call them here.
Basically, all of these portable GPS receivers do exactly the same thing. They show you where you are on an electronic map, and they tell you how to get where you want to go, be it down the street or somewhere across the country.
All GPS systems work off of the same network of satellites that ring the earth, and most of the portable ones even use the same types of receivers. So, the differences between makes and models are not in how they work or what they do, fundamentally, but in the bells and whistles that come with them.
Virtually all GPS systems come with the following:
* Voice prompts that tell you where to turn
* Touch screen
* Large database of "Points of Interest" (locations of hospitals, ATMs, McDonalds, etc.)
* Choice between 2D "map view" and 3D "bird's eye" views
* Automatic route calculation
* Choice between shortest and fastest routes
* Come preloaded with maps of the 48 states
The main optional features to consider when buying a GPS system are these:
* Does it actually say the names of the street you need to turn on as you approach it?
* Do you need a widescreen version (4.3-inches diagonally as opposed to 3.5-inches)?
* Do you need maps of Canada, Mexico, and/or Europe?
* Does it support Bluetooth technology, which allows you to use your GPS system in conjunction with your cell phone to make hands-free calls? (Which essentially makes it a windshield mounted version of those little ear clips people walk around with.)
* Can you enter multiple routes into the unit and have it calculate the best route to get to all of them? Say you were in an unfamiliar city and you wanted to go to the cleaners, the grocery store, the movies, and a local dentist all on one trip. Could the GPS system calculate the shortest possible route to get to all of these?
* Does it have real-time traffic and weather report capability, and can it use that information to re-route you around traffic jams?
* Can you use your device to listen to music (mp3) or to look at digital pictures?
* How big is the Points of Interest database?
There are a few other features that major manufacturers include. Magellan, for instance, has hooked up with AAA to offer their Tourguide information actually on the GPS itself. Tom Tom has this neat feature where users can make map changes and upload those to Tom Tom's computer database which makes them available for everyone else. And Garmin is coming out with a new unit in 2008 that will learn to recognize your voice so you can enter commands by speaking instead of typing on the touch screen.
So, in order to find the best GPS device for you, you need to first decide which of these optional features are necessary, and which you might like if you can afford it.
You can get a basic GPS system for under $200. The Garmin nuvi 200, for example, has all of the basic features I listed above. It comes preloaded with regional maps (not the entire United States). If you want to spend slightly more, how about the Tom Tom One, 3rd edition, which at the time of these writing (early '08) costs slightly less than $200 at Amazon and comes with real time traffic capability and Tom Tom's MapShare (where you can uploaded changes).
Virtually all of the Magellan Maestro series is currently in the $200 to $400 range. You can get the more basic 3210 for around $250, which has millions of points of interest and, of course, the AAA Tourbook, or you can spend about $100 more and get the 4250, which includes all that the 3210 does and adds Bluetooth, voice recognition, and real-time traffic.
One of the most popular units is the Garmin nuvi 350
, which does all the nuvi 200 does, but includes Garmin's "Travel Kit", mp3 capability, picture viewer, world travel clock, calendar, and more.
Deciding can be difficult, but don't put off buying one, though! GPS systems are great. Once you have your first one, you'll wonder how in the world you got along without it.
What Makes Up the Best Gps?
Is there such a thing as the best gps? All buyers would like to have only the best. Then again the term can be a little too general. What exactly makes a gps unit the best? If you base the answer only on the opinion of users, you will never arrive at one common general answer. Find out what's best for you on your own. Here's how.
Find Out What's Out There
The first real step to find the best gps unit is to research. You'll never really know what the best is until you know what current gps devices carry. All you have to do is to use a typical search engine. You'll find a lot of product pages with product details that you can look into.
What your search will yield can be a bit surprising. Although gps devices are primarily meant to assist in navigation, different models now also carry an outstanding array of features. Yo can have a gps device with voice navigation, international maps, media players, waterproof shield, heavy duty batteries and locators. Every year, more and more units are coming out with even more features.
Look for What You Need
Full featured gps devices can cost as much as $2000. If you are on a tight budget though, you will definitely not be able to afford such an expense. A gps unit that will bleed your pockets dry is definitely not the best for you. The best way to find a unit that is truly the best for you in terms of budget is to list down what you truly need from a gps device. For a lot of people the best unit is simply that which can provide the right directions. A good cheap model will only cost you $200.
Look for What You Want
You can afford to be choosier if you do not have a budget to keep. If you can afford expensive devices, then the best gps for you might be the one that carries every feature you can ever imagine. Those who have a little extra to spare would typically opt for units that have entertainment features.
Ease of Use
Users will always disagree when it comes to gps features. Some will prefer a particular model only because it has this or that feature. Nearly everyone agrees though that the best devices are those that aren't difficult to use. A gps device should be user friendly regardless of its price or number of features.
Ease of use can partly be determined by your circumstances. If you have a hard time reading and understanding technology then a hand held unit may not be for you. You may have to go for a wide touch screen unit with voice instructions.
Find Out From Others
Another way to find the best is to ask. You can ask fellow users or computer experts to help you out. In this modern age, this is easier than you think. Forums, message boards and review sites have all the advice you will need to pick the best gps device.
In the end the best gps is really what serves you best. You can only pick what is best for you if you carefully look into your needs and budget.
Best Gps Product
Choosing the Best GPS invention that Suits You
GPS (macro Positioning technique) is one of the most helpful and amazing innovation that man has come up with. It lets you know your flow setting, alacrity and course. It allows your trek to be more useful and useful. And because of that, GPS is broadly utilized among some industries these living. GPS is primarily worn in the automotive, transportation and telecommunication diligence. Its highest control is for navigational applications. GPS is a great way to check from being mystified because it allows you to establish your flow setting.
If you trek by automobile frequently, you may have experience being mystified in an unfamiliar place. Even however you have your own map with you, with the map is not as cool as it may sound if you do not know where your correct setting is at and what method you must take to get to your destination. However, if you have a GPS troop with you, you will be able to establish all that.
There are bags of portable GPS crop open on the souk these living. The best way to asset the best GPS product that would become your requests is by sorting in to the internet. The internet is the best way to look for the best GPS product, highestly because you will be able to read the crop specification, functionalities and other add on functions. Make convinced that you read product reviews and consumer remarks so that you can cliquey the best GPS product.
If you are forecast of purchasing the best GPS product that would become your requests, you must forever take into consideration the enter of circumstances you will be with the GPS product. The most regular blooper that buyers commit is that they fold to take mention that not all GPS crop are the same. One way of checking that blooper is by sense diverse GPS product reviews, testimonials, and consumer remarks. For example, a impede country GPS product has dissimilar functions than that of a GPS product that is worn for city applications. More importantly, you must make convinced that you read the GPS product specification and guidebook thoroughly and tenderly.
GPS is the effect the innovation and creative thoughts of man in order to be more useful and useful. So the next time you are forecast to go out on a long excursion, make convinced that you have your GPS getting troop with you. If you dont have one yet, then log on to the internet to prefer the best GPS product that would become you best.
Over time, you will begin to understand how these concepts really come together if you choose to venture into this subject further.
Best GPS - Find The Right One For You!
Finding the best GPS system can be as easy as going to the local office supply store and just buying whatever you can afford. But, how do you know if you are getting the best system for your needs? Do you need certain features such as hands free calling with Bluetooth? How about real-time traffic reports? Is that something you need?
Most people find buying their first GPS system a daunting task. Once you start looking into the various systems, there are so many features to choose from. Also, the range of prices for GPS systems is huge, ranging from less than $200 on the low end, to almost $1000 on the high end.
You don't want a system that's too cheap, because as you use it you'll start to wish you had the other features.
What you need is an understanding of what's for sale and about how much the main features are going to cost you. That way you can make an informed decision.
How to Buy the Best GPS
The first thing to do is to establish a budget. Then you can group the available GPS devices and compare apples to apples.
At the low end, you can get a Tom Tom One, 3rd Edition for less than $200. The 3rd Edition is a fabulous device! It works great and has a ton of features for the price. Garmin also sells a quality product for less than $200. The Garmin nuvi 200 currently sells for around $180. It does not have all of the features that the 3rd Edition has, but Garmin is famous for making a quality product.
In the mid-range, I would probably take a look at Magellan and Garmin. Amazon just published a list of their best selling GPS units for the year. Which GPS system was at the top of the list? The Garmin nuvi 350, which currently sells for a little less than $300.
At the high end, you have several great Tom Toms, specifically the GO series. And, of course, Garmin. Both of these systems offer a ton of high-tech features and easy to user interfaces.
In Conclusion
Just as in buying anything, you need to understand what's available and how much it is going to cost you. Then you can make an informed decision. Just as with all electronics, prices of GPS devices continue to drop. Sometimes people use that as an excuse not to buy anything! If you're putting off the buying decision, don't! When I bought my first GPS, after only a few days, I wondered how in the world I had gotten along without one. I immediately bought my wife one. She felt better about getting around town, and I felt better, too. That kind of security and convenience is worth the few hundred dollars you're going to spend!