GPS receivers make getting from here to there (and everywhere in between) easy and convenient for everyone. Whether it's for your car, bike, boat or just to carry with you on a hike, GPS systems go anywhere.
GPS receivers now offer various features that fit the needs of a variety of people. If you travel frequently you may want a receiver with text-to-speech capabilities that can pronounce street names, so you'll hear "turn right on Maple Lane" rather than "turn right in 300 feet." Or if you spend most of your time commuting to work, getting up-to-date weather and traffic information and alternate routes to avoid the traffic can make it even easier for you.
Advanced receivers can play MP3s, or even connect to satellite radio services like XM™ and Sirius™, while other receivers can translate foreign languages, proving there's almost nothing they can't do.
There are no subscription fees, and the system can support an unlimited number of users without slowing down.
GPS consists of a network of 24 satellites spread around the Earth in a geosynchronous orbit. The receiver, whether handheld or in a vehicle, locks onto the signal of the nearest three satellites and uses the data to compute its location in terms of map coordinates.
Most GPS receivers can give your coordinates with incredible accuracy, and virtually all of them have built-in basemaps that include city and street information, points of interest, landmarks and more. Most GPS systems can also update the maps by downloading the latest information from a variety of mapping programs.
The functionality of GPS units is not limited to vehicle navigation. When there aren't any street signs, handheld units are invaluable—on hiking or camping trips, cross-country skiing, snowboarding or anything else you want to do outdoors.
There are no subscription fees, and the system can support an unlimited number of users without slowing down. GPS positioning data is real-time and accurate to within three meters, so you won't get lost, no matter where you go.
GPS navigation in your car has never been easier. Many units use touch-screen interfaces that allow you to type in your destination quickly, and voice-prompt instructions from the receiver mean you never need take your eyes off the road. Another common feature is automatic re-routing. If you take a wrong turn, your GPS receiver will automatically adjust and come up with an alternate route or get you back on track. You can input commonly-used coordinates like your home or office, as well as waypoints, if you want to plan a long trip in several legs. Innovative settings allow you to sculpt your route as you see fit—for example, you can order your receiver to steer clear of highways or toll roads.
You can get traffic and weather services in about 20 major metropolitan areas, too. A small extra antenna and a subscription fee are required for premium services, but that's a small price to pay for avoiding morning rush hour. Should new traffic jams or inclement weather occur, the unit can be set to automatically reroute to avoid it.
Some GPS receivers accept SD flash memory cards, so you can update maps or even use the unit for data storage, without the bother of connecting it to a computer. Suppose you're taking a trip overseas—simply download and transfer the appropriate maps onto a memory card and insert it into your portable receiver—you're ready to tackle the streets of London or the Autobahn.
If you're looking to put a GPS receiver in your vehicle, there are several convenient ways you can do it. You can get an after-market GPS system that fits seamlessly in your dash, or if you're not ready to install a permanent fixture, you can go with a plug-and-play model that you can transfer from car to car. These units sit on the dash, or can be suction-cupped to the windshield.
Whether you're an experienced outdoorsman or someone who wants to start enjoying activities like hiking or skiing, GPS receivers are 100% convenient. Some GPS receivers also integrate well with outdoor recreational vehicles like 4-wheelers, boats and bikes. For example, the next time you are mountain biking through remote areas, you know you will find your way home with the GPS unit conveniently attached to your handle bars.
GPS receivers are so innovative that they've even inspired a recreational activity called Geocaching. In the early '90s when the GPS network was declassified and opened for civilian use, an outdoor enthusiast recognized the potential of the system. He hid an airtight container with a log book and some prizes in the wilderness, posted the GPS coordinates on the web, and invited anyone who wanted an adventure to find it.
