Friday, October 30, 2009

Different Types Of GPS Devices

By Jason Myers

The ability to understand where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there was once best found through the use of a paper map. If you were travelling in your car then there is a great chance you used either an atlas or one of those large tri-folded maps which really weren't much help as you are attempting to drive. Thankfully navigating the world nowadays is easier thanks to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the varied types of GPS gadgets that use it.

If you are wondering how these GPS devices accomplish what they do then read on. The Global Positioning System was created and implemented by the United States Department of Defense when it started its initial GPS satellite back in 1978. Today there are 24 satellites in the GPS network that are the foundation of the whole system.

There are several varied types of GPS devices that are designed to take advantage of this constellation of satellites. GPS mapping devices are utilized to gather points and any data connected to those points for mapping purposes. In fact these gadgets have been used for years to retrieve the data that makes the maps and mapping features used by other GPS navigating systems.

Which brings us to the most famous user GPS device: the GPS navigating system. The most familiar of these is the in-car GPS device that provides you map of where you are going and informs you through voice commands how to get there. These GPS gadgets are either mounted in the cars dash or are transportable and can be transferred between vehicles.

Some navigational units provide a feature whereby you can locate diners, shopping, hospitals, and motels not considering where you are; this can be very useful when hunting services in a town with which you are unfamiliar. The smaller versions of these navigational gadgets are handheld devices that can be used by travellers, hunters, and other outdoor aficionados.

These kinds of GPS units will monitor where you are, leave a breadcrumb trail of where you've been, and will guide you to where you want to go. Many of these devices additionally include built in cameras and voice recorders, letting you keep a list of your trips.

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