Tips on Buying Your First GPS Unit

An introduction to GPS technology, the various types of GPS systems on the market, and tips on choosing a unit that is right for you.

Anyone that enjoys the great outdoors has probably heard of GPS devices. They can come in handy when you are hiking, boating, biking, or doing just about anything else in the great outdoors. Twenty years ago, you had to rely on a compass the position of the sun and stars and your own common sense. Not anymore! Now you can have a handy little device that can pinpoint your exact location at any given time of day.

If you are in the market for a GPS device, it is important that you understand how it works. Since the GPS devices rely on air signals, you must have a GPS receiver and a clear view of the sky for them to work. When your device is turned on it is actually linking up with 27 orbital satellites in place around the planet. Four of the nearest satellites are located and the distance from them to you is calculated via the hand held device. The process is called trilateration. Based on that, the GPS device can determine where you are on the planet. Pretty neat huh?

When you look at the different types of GPS devices out there, you may wonder which one is right for you. Prices can range from $100- 5000 dollars, so it is important to do your homework. Find out what features each device has, and determine whether you need them or not. The following is a list of tips to get you started when you are shopping.

- Research the name brand. Though GPS technology is fairly new, the manufacturer should have a long track record of creating quality electronics.

- Don't buy the cheapest or the most expensive GPS device out there. The cheapest may not meet your expectations and the most expensive one probably has too much extra stuff you will never use.

- Look for a large display, lighted if you are going to be traveling at night.

- If you plan on traveling by foot look for a model that is lightweight, and water resistant.

Once you decide on a model that you are interested in, head over to your local sports supply store. Get prices on the model above and below it for a good range. You can also try to look at auction sites like Ebay.com to find a good deal. If you are lucky enough to find one that is used, make sure to test it out first to make sure that it works properly.

Deciding to buy a GPS system is a personal one, so make sure that you understand the ins and outs of the technology. If you do a variety of different activities a good basic, waterproof model will do the trick. If you have friends or family members that own a GPS system, ask them if they are happy with their purchase. That way you can get an honest opinion on the different brands out there. An online opinion site like epinions.com is also a great place for honest answers.

About The Author
Adrienne MacDonald is a freelance author and contributing writer to http://www.gpsresource.info – site that provides free information on global positioning systems.

Keeping Tabs on Your Teen with GPS Tracking

GPS tracking is one of the greatest marvels of our modern technology. GPS stands for "Global Positioning System," and this is exactly what GPS tracking allows one to do: find the position of just about anything on earth. GPS makes use of satellite tracking by following a specific device. As long as you have access to that device's frequency, you can find it anywhere on earth. It works 24/7/365 in any type of weather.

The beauty of GPS tracking is that the tracking device can be very small. It can be worn on the body, but the most popular uses of GPS devices involve their presence in cars or cell phones. These are two objects that every teen just cannot seem to live without, so if you are looking to keep tabs on your teenager, it is possible to do just that with GPS tracking.

In a vehicle, the GPS tracking device can be a real help. Not only can you locate the car no matter where it is parked (and even if it is en route to someplace), but you can also determine how fast it is going, as there are trackers that give general speed and direction. It is the ultimate enforcer of responsible driving behaviors when away from home.

The cell phone as a GPS tracking device is also a technological marvel. Is your teen supposed to be studying at a certain address? You can turn on the tracker and see whether or not he or she is, in fact, where he or she should be. The cell phone serves dual purposes: you can contact your teenager, and if it is outfitted with GPS tracking, you know where she or he is. The cell phone may be the ultimate device in keeping track of your teen.

With GPS tracking, you can be assured that your teenager is safe and where he or she should be. You can be immediately alerted to what you think may be a compromising situation, and if you need to find him or her in an emergency you can drive directly to his or her location, without driving around half the night trying to figure out where she or he might be.

About The Author
Shawn Davis
To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

GPS Car Tracking and Navigation

Global positioning system (GPS) technology first appeared in the 1980s. At that time, however, it was mostly used by the military. Next, it became widely available as GPS car tracking. Now, GPS devices can be very tiny, and they are used for a variety of purposes from going on treasure hunts to tracking teenagers. However, GPS car tracking remains one of the most popular and widespread uses of GPS technology.

One of the reasons GPS car tracking is so popular is for its navigation benefits. A car-tracking device is most often used, not to actually track the car by someone other than the person driving the car, but to help the driver navigate. An on board computer helps to contact a satellite that in turn finds the information on the vehicles location and then communicates that information to the car's computer. After the information has been received, it is displayed on a navigation screen. Often it is displayed in map form for a more effective visual representation of where the car is.

GPS car tracking is very useful when navigating a new place. It is especially helpful on vacations. Even if someone has never before visited a locale, he or she can figure out where to go using the GPS navigation in the car. Such a tool is very efficient in mapping the best route to sightseeing attractions. It is also very useful in finding the way back to the hotel.

Tourists are not the only people that make use of GPS car tracking systems, however. Many commuters use such devices in the morning to find the best way to work. Some systems are equipped to find out traffic conditions and then map out alternative routes. This can save the commuter a lot of frustration and time sitting in traffic. These systems make for more tolerable morning and evening drives.

So, while it can be used to effectively apprehend auto thieves and recover stolen vehicles, it also has the ability to help its own navigate through the parts of life that involve driving from one place to the other with the help of GPS car tracking.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: GPS Tracker.

About The Author
Shawn Davis
To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

The Usefulness of a GPS Tracker

The GPS tracker is fast becoming a staple in society. This is because there are so many uses for these devices. While GPS technology (short for global positioning system) was originally developed for the military, it is now widely used in things like cars and golf carts — even cell phones. There are even types of GPS tracker that are small enough to be worn on a body or slipped discreetly into a small pocketbook. These handy devices allow people to keep track of others as well as valuables from anywhere where they have Internet access.

One of the most popular uses for the GPS tracker is in cars. This is because a tracker can help the driver pinpoint his or her exact location without any trouble. On top of that, it is also a great way to track the vehicle should it be stolen. Also, service such as OnStar can use a GPS tracker in your car to send emergency help in the event of a car wreck and the driver's incapacity.

And, as one would expect from the name GPS tracker, a GPS tracking system can help you keep tabs on loved ones and even pets. Some trackers are small enough to be attached without too much trouble to a dog or cat. This way, if Fido the dog or Fifi the cat slips away, you can find the errant critter without too much trouble. The same is true with kids. Trackers fit easily in backpacks and are even built into some cell phones. This means that you can be aware of exactly where your teen is at all times.

There are also many recreational uses for the GPS tracker. Geo-caching has become a popular pastime among some. Trackers can help enthusiasts plot the position of the next treasure and then leave something of their own. Additionally, many high-end golf courses equip their carts with tracking that allows you to map the course, and even figure out how far their ball has yet to go.

Acquiring a GPS tracker is fairly easy, and its usefulness is worth whatever amount is paid for it. It is possible to get one for right around $300, but most of them fall between $400 and $1,000 in price for a good GPS tracker.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: GPS Tracker.

About The Author
Shawn Davis
To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.