Global Positioning System (GPS) | GPS World

Do you realize that you can get greater GPS accuracy by doing a few simple tips? Most people think all you have to do is turn it on and your done. Well in a sense that is true, but to get the best and most accurate readings there are a few tips that will help you accomplish that. We have compiled some tips to help you get the most from your GPS receiver. Read further, discover, and implement these tips for better coverage and accuracy.

Turning on your GPS receiver is something that many people really do not pay much attention too. Many times this is why you do not always get the kind of reading that you are looking for when you start off. First always start it outdoors and in the widest space possible. Try to stay away from buildings an any large geographic formations and trees. This will give you a much more accurate reading. Being patient when you first turn on your receiver is also something that you will need to learn. We all like to just turn it on and go, but giving it some time to lock on the satellites will give you much better readings than if you just turned it on and went. Wait for at least three satellites to be utilized. The more that you can get a fixed on though will give you much greater accuracy which is what we really want anyway.

Look over the PDOP measurement on your GPS unit. The PDOP measurement will provide you with a general measuring stick for accuracy. It will measure the geometrical strength of your GPS satellite configuration. Set the minimum speed on your unit. The minimum speed is an application on your GPS that tells you what you're doing hiking, driving, walking. The main reason for this is it will give you a much more accurate reading if it knows what the intended method of travel happens to be. Using waypoints to get a more accurate reading. This is another option that you have, but if you do use this method, there are some things you should know. First of all come to a complete stop when making a waypoint. Secondly do not move at least for 20 seconds or more prior to setting the waypoint. This time is needed for the GPS system to realize that you have come to a complete stop and you are not move this will give you a good accurate reading as well.

Disable the static navigation is you are a Sirfstar III user. The reasons for this are if you do not disable it, your readings at pedestrian speeds could be adversely affected and give you a reading that is not as accurate as you would have hoped for. Most people who use these tips above find greater results than if they do not use them at all. Instead of just doing it your own way why not give these a try and see how much easier it could actually be on you.

A quick overview of getting accurate GPS readings is the follow. Make sure that you are outdoors and in a wide open area before turning your unit on. This will eliminate bounce and give you a better reading than any other way. Secondly, give your receiver time to get a fix on the satellites. Do not rush it as the longer you let it get a good fix the better and more accurate reading you will receive. Three satellites is a good starting point, but the more the merrier as you will get more detail readings that way. If you need to make waypoints make sure you come to a complete stop for at least 20 seconds before you even try to set into your GPS unit.

There are many different things that affect the accuracy and readings of a GPS unit. Most people just do not realize that and tend to blame the unit or something else on the problem. If you follow, the tips we gave you above you will get more accurate readings and it usually will take you a lot less time than any other way you do it. Accuracy is very important in things you do in life and if you are traveling, you want fast accurate records quickly. The factors that can effect this of course many you cannot control, but after a few using these tips a few times you will be better prepared and more knowledgeable in how to get more accurate readings all the time.

Over the years GPS receivers have really changed and mostly for the better. It seems yearly new features are added and others are updated to give you the best possible equipment to use to find your way around this crazy world we live in. Most people who have GPS units will tell you how valuable these things are and we have compiled a list of the key features that you will want to have on your unit. Read further to discover if all these features are on the model you own, if not maybe it is time to upgrade the model you have.

Bluetooth hands-free calling is probably one of the most asked about features and one that you would want to have on the unit that you get. Most people do not realize how valuable it is until they have to answer the cell phone and try to drive at the same time. It is virtually impossible to live without these days. Bluetooth technology with your GPS unit lets you accept calls through the unit without having to do anything and is usually accomplished by voice commands. This means you can keep your mind on the road and have fewer distractions than ever before.

Integrated traffic receiver could very well be the second most requested add-on to GPS units these days. People want the most update travel planning and the best way to do that is through an integrated traffic receiver. This means you can find out where the worse traffic areas are and avoid them. You also will be notified of impending accidents ahead so you can avoid them as well. This will cut down your wait time and keep you on schedule no matter where you are going.

Turn by turn navigation is another thing that has been added recently as standard equipment to most GPS units on the market. This features uses text to speech technology to tell you where you must turn and which way you will need to go. This also keeps your eyes on the road and you do not have to worry about following the map. I have found this is one of those must have features as it will make you a better driver and a more safe driver as well. Make sure your unit has this feature on it.

Screen size for most models is 3.5 inches, but that is changing too as more companies are finally out the consumer likes much bigger screens. The bigger screen lets you see more and gives you greater detail than a much smaller screen. This is something that I have found to be invaluable especially if you are traveling. If you can afford the bigger screen by all means go bigger as you will enjoy the view.

Points of interest are another area that can vary with each company who makes the GPS unit. Some companies will have more listings than others so you will want to check that out. Many of these companies though will let you go to their web site and download more if you want to. For the most part though you should more than enough points of interest that you get from the factory install.

In recent years, SD and CF cards have been the wave of the future. These cards let you hold additional information that you can insert into your GPS unit to give yourself even more information. This is valuable especially if you travel a lot and do not want to download new maps and information all the time all you have to do is change the memory card that you have. It saves time and the other advantage is it will not slow down the machine as often as a full memory card will.

The GPS features that we have talked about above is definitely ones that you will want to take a closer look at and if you do not have them an upgrade is maybe what you need. Most of these upgrades are not very expensive at all and some companies are now making this all-standard equipment on some models as well. To get the most out of your GPS unit you will need all these features on the list above. There are also minor ones we have not mention that you should also be able to get also. No matter which ones you choose remember than a GPS unit and added features will make traveling so much easier.

GPS is the new wave of navigating, and motorcycle GPS is no exception. But what exactly is GPS and why would you want it on a motorcycle?

GPS stands for global positioning system. It's a high tech way of saying that it tell you where you are on the globe, and if you've got a motorcycle GPS system it tells you where your motorcycle is.

A GPS, including a motorcycle GPS, works by receiving radio signals from a series of satellites that are positioned in orbit around the globe. By cross referencing these satellite signals your motorcycle GPS unit can work out, to an accuracy of around 6 meters or less, exactly where you are.

In order for your GPS to work you need to be in a location where you can pick up the radio signals from a number of different satellites so that they can be cross referenced. Too few satellites and the accuracy goes down, none, or one, and it's useless.

Early GPS systems, whilst accurate, had limited usefulness for the motorcyclist or car driver because they gave you your position on the globe in latitude and longitude. Whilst it was accurate, it wasn't really user friendly, because you couldn't really use it to plot your position on a map unless you were extremely map savvy and had the resources to do so. However modern motorcycle GPS systems have advanced way beyond this, and the best motorbike GPS units have now become a total motorcycle navigation solution.

The GPS technology has been combined with modern mapping software to eliminate the problem of being given only a latitude and longitude. Now you have a visual display that shows you exactly where you are on the map. So at a glance you can tell where you are.

And where you are wanting to go. Because high quality modern motorbike GPS systems are sufficiently high tech to allow you to rely on them 100% for your complete navigation needs.

So along with a map display showing you where you are you are also able to ask your motorcycle GPS to tell you how to get to where you want to go. It will do this with extraordinary accuracy, and will do so with both visual map pointers and voice prompts via bluetooth technology direct to your motorcycle helmet.

A good GPS motorcycle unit will come preloaded with a massive number of maps, and so you can navigate your way right across the country with the maps supplied. It should also have points of interest loaded as well, so that you can ask it to tell you the nearest fuel stop, motel or food stop.

And a dedicated motorcycle GPS unit should come with a properly designed handlebar mount so that you can mount it right there in front of you on the handlebars. However you shouldn't need to look at it regularly, this isn't safe, it should tell you direct to your helmet when you need to turn right or left.

It will also be able, if you have the correct subscriptions, to tell you when there is a traffic problem up ahead, and also tell you how to navigate your way around it. So by relying on your GPS navigator you should save both time, fuel and frustrations.

And make phone calls or listen to music along the way too if you wish.

A modern motorcycle GPS unit is one of the best tools a motorcyclist can have if he or she likes long rides. It does away with the need to carry, and consult, maps, and makes navigating a breeze.

And then at the end of the day you can download your ride and store it to recreate in the future. Or share it with your friends.

There are many benefits of an automobile GPS tracking system and today we are going to discuss a few of them. First of all, if you ever get lost, having an automobile GPS tracking system makes the difference between you being OK, or not. Imagine being lost in the middle of nowhere, or in the middle of somewhere that YOU don't know. With an automobile GPS tracking system you can type in the address of where you want to go, or even just a town or city name and it will start directing you where to go. "Turn left at next traffic light..." and messages like that will guide you to your desired destination.

Another benefit of an automobile GPS tracking system is its ability to assist in tracking teens. GPS tracking for teens can also make the difference between your teen making a bad decision or being able to stop it before it happens. You can use GPS tracking devices to find out exactly where your car is (or your teen's car) and pinpoint the exact location of it.

This also helps when using it as a GPS car tracking device. If your vehicle is ever compromised or stolen, you can log on to the internet (If you have your GPS car tracking system set up that way) and see your car driving along on the tracking map. Talk about amazing technology! I feel bad for any criminal who steals the car of someone with a GPS car tracking system.

As you can see, there are clearly many benefits of having an automobile GPS tracking system, for vacations, driving around town, lending your car to out of town visitors, tracking teens, etc. It's becoming more and more of a standard just like having a cell phone, people are buying GPS systems and they can't imagine living without them.