The use of a global positioning system to monitor journeys has become widespread. The need for satellite navigational aids in cars is considered as an absolute necessity. Those who drive the vehicles can make sure that they are moving in the right direction and in the appropriate route. There is no need to seek assistance from bystanders en route. While undertaking long journeys, especially through unfamiliar terrains, satnav devices have become very handy. Equally important is the use of such devices in the crowded metropolis even by regular commuters taking their usual routes, as it will help them to concentrate on driving without bothering about other factors like traffic restrictions etc. The sat nav devices have offered complete freedom for the drivers from the responsibilities of manual monitoring the routes.

Latest GPS supported devices intended for cars have varieties of novel features. 3D maps with periodical updating, line traffic alerts, voice navigation, speed limit monitoring and touch screen interface are among such special features. There are GPS systems which can provide language translation also. This facility will be of immense help to tourists or others on visits to foreign countries where the local language will be different. FM transmitters will relay voice direction through car stereo system.

Many of the modern cars are coming out of the assembly lines with state-of-the-art GPS systems incorporated in them as a part of the original equipments provided by the manufacturers. Such systems are featured with LCD screens and built-in antenna. They are sophisticated and more efficient but have two drawbacks. One is that the maps provided cannot be updated regularly. The other problem is the procedural or technical issues involved when the car is transferred to another person by the original owner. Because of such problems many car owners prefer buying separate GPS system which can be installed in any vehicle. Suitable systems are available in the markets with special features like FM radio, CD player and DVD player. Shoppers can choose a system which will fit into their budgets. Installation charges will have to borne by the users. The advantage is that the system can be shifted to another vehicle if required at a later stage. This is much cheaper option than the one that comes as original equipment integrated with the new vehicle.

Another alternative is to go for a portable GPS system. This option is also cheaper and can be shifted to other vehicles as and when required. There are many models of portable units available in the markets with diverse features. All types of GPS devices are preloaded with UK and Ireland maps. European maps are provided in CD’s. LCD screens of 3.5 inches to 4 inches with integrated digital cameras are provided in the modern GPS devices. The drivers will be able to receive all relevant information about traffic bottlenecks, alternate routes, fast tracks etc. In case of unexpected road blocks on the way the drivers can obtain guidance regarding shortcuts to reach their destinations without wasting time and fuel. Important landmarks like petrol stations, car parks, restaurants and other points of interests are also indicated for the information of the users.

By: Fredrick Joy

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GPS Navigation Systems technology was originally developed by the United States Department of Defense and was meant for military use to keep track of enemies and know their position at all times. Tracking technology has been around for quite some time actually – since World War II to be exact.

Navigator GPS design is based partly on ground-based radio navigation systems developed in the early 1940′s that were used in World War II. These systems were named LORAN and Decca Navigator and were focused on knowing where the enemy was so they could either attack or retreat depending on the size of the forces.

Additional inspiration for modern day GPS systems and GPS handhelds came when Sputnik was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. A team of scientists monitored Sputnik’s radio transmissions and discovered that because of the Doppler Effect, the frequency of the signal being transmitted was high as the satellite approached and lower as it moved away. The Doppler Effect is the change in frequency and wave length of a wave as it is perceived by an observer moving relative to the source of the waves.

This team of scientists that was observing Sputnik’s radio transmissions soon realized that since they knew their exact location on the globe, they could pin point where the satellite was along its orbit by measuring the Doppler distortion. This was groundbreaking and very exciting for the military at the time. This technology is used in radar laser detectors too.

The United States Navy used the first satellite navigation system called Transit. It was first successfully test in 1960 and was quite mind-boggling for everyone in the military. When the Navy tested Transit, they did so hoping for some quite specific results. Using a constellation of five satellites, they found that the system could provide a navigational fix approximately once per hour. Today’s GPS navigation systems like the Garmin Nuvi GPS use as many as twelve satellites to lock on for instant positioning fixes.

In 1967, the Navy developed the Timation satellite which proved the ability to place accurate clocks in space. This is a technology that the GPS navigation system relies on. In the 1970′s, the ground-based Omega Navigation System, based on signal phase comparison, became the first world-wide radio navigation system. This was the foundation and building block of today’s GPS Portables.

In February of 1978, the first experimental Block-I GPS satellite was launched into space and the development of modern-day GPS systems began. These original satellites were initially made by Rockwell International. Now, the satellites we use for GPS are manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

In 1983, Soviet interceptor aircraft shot down a civilian airliner flight KAL 007 as it flew in restricted Soviet airspace. This heinous act killed all 269 people on board – all of whom were civilians. Shortly thereafter, President Ronald Reagan announced that the GPS system would be made available for civilian use once it was completed. Because of this horrible act on the part of the Soviets, developed of the GPS navigation system was stepped up more than it ever had been before and experimentations began in earnest.

By 1985, ten more experimental Block-I satellites had been launched into space to validate the concept of GPS and in 1989; the first modern Block-II satellite was launched. By December of 1993, the GPS system achieve initial operational capability and just a month later, a complete constellation of 24 satellites were in orbit with full operational capability declared by NAVSTAR in April of 1995.

A year after that, President Bill Clinton realized the importance of GPS to civilian users as well as military users which prompted him to issue a policy directive that declared GPS to be a dual-use system meaning civilian as well as military. He established an Interagency GPS Executive Board that was responsible for managing GPS as an asset of the United States. With this came the commercial brands such as Garmin Nuvi GPS.

Plans began in earnest to improve upon the system for the everyday user of the navigation system. An announcement was made that the government was going to upgrade the GPS system with two new civilian signals that would lead towards enhanced user accuracy and reliability particularly with respect to aviation safety. Also, GPS handhelds would be made.

Since those early years, the GPS technology has evolved into something that the everyday public uses and uses with amazing accuracy and reliability. What began as a way to keep track of our enemies is now used to help guide us along the way during trips and excursions. Such companies as TomTom, Magellan and Garmin Nuvi GPS have made a business out of this.

In fact, the GPS system we have today has many applications including map making, land surveying, and commerce uses. Plus, because of the way a GPS can pinpoint times with amazing accuracy, scientists are able to use it in many applications including the study of earthquakes and the synchronization of telecommunications networks. Who knew that golfers would be able to use a GPS handheld to determine the distance to the flag.

New uses for GPS systems are constantly being discovered and the way that technology is always evolving, we are sure that even more new uses will come about for the GPS systems. They will probably always be finding new uses too as the system is constantly improved upon. Next time your on the highway, safely look over at the car next to you and see if it might contain a Garmin Nuvi GPS.

By: Richard Alexander

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Best Sport GPS Systems Available

A GPS or Global Positioning System is a collection of two dozen satellites, which revolve around the earth. It is used to determine the location of a reciever on earth.This is done by sending radio signals to the electronic GPS recievers from the satellites. Every satellite has a reciever on earth. These signals contain data on the location of the satellites and the time taken for signal transmission. The satellites are placed twelve thousand miles above the surface of earth and complete 2 orbits every day. The functions of the satellites are periodically checked on and new ones are sent to replace the old ones.

With the improvement in technology, accuracy has increased. GPS systems have become more affordable as compared to earlier times. Accuracy differs depending on various factors. Sometimes it can even be as good as a few meters. The GPS systems can be used in a large number of areas. Further, decreases in costs have increased the number of users. Fishermen and hikers can use portable GPS to navigate in the wild. Cars are being equipped with GPS systems, which give drivers better navigation abilities and better protection against theft. It is used by the military to guide cruise missiles to pre-specified targets. Personal hand held devices like wrist watches are equipped with GPS to help in tracking people out and getting their exact location.

The system was developed by the Department of Defense of the US. It was initially named NAVSTAR GPS. Of the twenty-four satellites, the first one was launched in 1974 and the last in 1994. The Department of Defense switched off selective availability (SA) on 2 May 2000. The selective availability had been a cause for less accurate readings. The department reserves the right to turn it back on when they see the need to do so. The GPS systems are now about 10 times more accurate than they were when selective availability had been active.

By: Jason Gluckman

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Best Sport GPS Systems Reviewed

If you are worried about getting lost while on a long-distance bicycle ride or you are considering some cycling tourism, you might like to know that there are now Cyclist GPS gadgets that attach to the handle bars, these come in handy when you need to change your route, it happens. On my long-distance bike ride down the California Coast, I was able to locate a couple of very tiny side roads to get me around the washed out PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) when the detour showed about a 30-mile detour, that would have taken me up about 1600 feet in elevation, pretty much ruining that days mileage. Luckily, locals helped me out on that one.

Today, a GPS device would have shown the alternate route, without even breaking my stride.

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