Global Positioning System (GPS) | GPS World

Helpful Tips For Getting Greater GPS Accuracy

2008-09-20T04:34:00.004-07:00

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.

Important Key Features of GPS Receivers

2008-09-20T04:34:00.003-07:00

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.

Motorcycle GPS - What is it and Why Would You Want It?

2008-09-20T04:34:00.002-07:00

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.

GPS For Fleet Management - A Great Efficiency Enhancer

2008-09-20T04:34:00.001-07:00

GPS for fleet management is a panacea for business owners as far as enhancing the benefits is concerned. GPS is an unavoidable necessity for anyone who has a fleet of vehicles and is interested in using them daily. It may seem to an average man that where does the need for GPS tracking arise when everything is going on well without it.

The answer is the innumerable benefits that are associated with GPS for fleet management. One cannot imagine how much money one can save by the judicious use of this latest technology.

You can save a lot and the first arena of saving is Insurance. Insurance companies know that vehicles which have this system introduced in them are less prone to accidents and thefts. This brings forth a positive image of your company and the insurance companies are willing to slash their charges. This alone contributes to about 15-20% savings in your bill.

Another benefit is that you are able to give improved service to your clients. If they inquire from you about their delivery, you can in an instant find out where your driver is and give your client the latest picture. This builds up goodwill and brings in more projects for you.

Yet another benefit is that you can keep a close watch on the movement of your driver. Because of this close watch he is not able to idle away time. He also cannot waver from the prescribed route and will not leave the vehicle idling for a long time. Thus, you can stop this outrageous waste of your hard-earned fuel.

You can even find out the speed at which your employee is driving. It has been well researched that fuel consumption increases considerably due to too much increase in speed. So if you are able to stop this and you have a large no. of vehicles that ply on a daily basis you can save a lot of money.

Types of GPS Fleet Management - Know Before You Buy

2008-09-20T04:34:00.000-07:00

GPS fleet management is an umbrella that includes a number of systems under it. Various arenas like e-commerce, message dispatch, vehicle maintenance and repair, job ticketing, vehicle following, map tracking, wireless integration, custom integration etc. come under its purview.

All these systems are used for a specific purpose i.e. to know about the unknown and mitigate its harmful effects. A company owner once reportedly said that his drivers used to rest a lot while on a business trip and it was only because of GPS fleet management that he was able to discipline them and save thousands of dollars in addition.

GPS fleet management systems are basically of two types:

* PC fleet management.
* Web based subscriber service.

Of the two the first one is better. The PC fleet management system is also known as client server management. It has an added advantage of interacting with the third party software systems. It also has a choice for processing credit cards. You can even get e-mails that can alert you. You are also notified about arrival status.The PC fleet management system is to be bought once so its cost can be a factor, whereas in the web based service a person has to pay a monthly fee that is usually very small. They use the IE (internet explorer) to find out the data about their vehicle. Persons can even start their own web based solutions.

Other fleet management services include the integration of manufactured and developed solutions to be used for the aid of GPS technology. It means that base software and in-vehicle hardware are synchronized for better results. This leads to reduction in costs as well a substantial increase in efficiency and productivity.

Transaction processing is another activity that is widely made use of. It saves a person from hassles as well as ensures transparency and accountability. All this is achieved through a web interface. The special characteristic of fleet management and allied services is that it can be used by any number of persons. No chocking of the routes takes place ever. Secondly, it erases the limitation of position. Anyone, anywhere, even in the remotest areas, is able to monitor the progress of his fleet.

The Benefits of an Automobile GPS Tracking System

2008-09-05T08:16:00.002-07:00

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.

GPS Systems - An Overview

2008-09-05T08:16:00.001-07:00

Global Positioning System is referred as GPS is a device, which gives the most accurate and most sophisticating navigation system. They are generally used to find your destination giving you the right direction, while you are travelling to unknown places. Earlier, they were used by the defence people to perform military operations, weapon systems and tracking missiles. In a short span of time they were used by the people of all modes for navigation while they travel.

In the present day, they are used in airplanes, ships, trucks and cars for easy navigation of the route to reach the destination faster than before. The three main components that are required in the Satellite navigation system are the satellite, monitor stations and the GPS receiver. The GPS receiver is a computing device, which receives signals from the satellite and processing them to determine the location. The components that a GPS receiver contains are an antenna, processors, an accurate clock and a display screen. Sat Nav systems are available in both portable and mountable designs.

In the early models, the GPS receiver can receive the signals from only four channels, now through the advancement of the technology; the present navigational systems have the capacity to receive more than 15 channels. These receivers are designed in in-built models and hand-held models or portable models. For frequent travelling uses the portable model suits best because it is compact and easy-to-carry. Apart from these components, some of the other features that have to be noted are the maps, display, voice instructions, Wi-fi connectivity and Bluetooth and the entertainment options.

Before buying a GPS unit, the main feature that has to be noted is the hard drive capacity. If a hard drive capacity is high, the unit has a large memory which helps you to store more maps and other data. The display of the GPS unit has to be big to view the places clearly without any disturbance. The main source that a navigation system has to contain is the map. The GPS units which have been introduced recently comes with a preloaded maps of your region, if you require a map of other places they can be loaded to the unit by a CD or through a website.

GPS Tracking - Why You Shouldn't Leave Home Without One!

2008-09-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

What is GPS?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. High above us, there are a group of 24 satellites orbiting the earth constantly providing information to tell us the map location (latitude and longitude) of a car or other vehicle. It also tells us how fast the vehicle is traveling and in what direction.

How is GPS Tracking Information Helpful?

• For parents, it takes some of the worry out of your kids driving long distances home from college. You know where they are and when to expect them home.
• For parents of teenagers, you never have to wonder if your son or daughter is where they say they are. No more late night phone calls asking - "Where are you?"
• For baby-boomers, the shoe is on the other foot - it helps to take some of the worry out of your elderly parents driving home from vacation or just driving around town. You know where they are and this allows them to be more independent.
• GPS tracking is customer service at it's finest. You know instantly which of your drivers is closest to the customer needing help.
• Imagine how thrilled your customers will be when you can tell them exactly when to expect their delivery!
• For employers, using GPS tracking allows you to know how fast your employees are driving, how long a break they are taking (vehicle hasn't moved), and if they are where they say they are!
• GPS tracking also allows you to monitor fuel usage based on how fast your employee is driving and the automatic mileage feature reminds you to schedule, regular preventative maintenance.
• GPS tracking is customer service at it's finest! You know instantly which of your drivers is closest to the customer needing help. And Imagine how thrilled your customers will be when you can tell them exactly when to expect their delivery!
• GPS Tracking can eliminate the need for having your truckers fill out driving logs.
• Many insurance companies now offer discounts for vehicles protected with tracking systems.

Tom Tom Go 720 - Modest Yet Sensational GPS Navigation System

2008-09-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

TomTom 720 is an extension of the tom tom line that we can expect to see in future. It adorns lot of specifications to the model being thinner and faster. It has a nicer screen than many pervious models, also it hosts new features that make the 720 an important device.

The TomTom 720 looks like the ONE XL, but a bit thinner than the ONE XL, so it is extremely bright and very easy to read. The screen doesn't fade when viewed from very wide and very high angles like other screens. The screen is 4.3 inches and runs at 480×272 pixels and performs very well in bright sunlight.

On the top is the power button, and on the back are the speakers and a newly designed way for the mount to connect. SiRFstarIII chipset makes for very fast signal acquisition, which can stay in environments like urban gullies that are tough for older chipsets. The maps of the USA and Canada come pre-installed on 2 GB of internal flash memory. So the SD slot remains free to add more maps or to install MP3 files for the music player for that matter. Bluetooth for data connectivity as well as hands free calling can be found under hood. There is also an FM transmitter to pipe the music into the much better audio system in your vehicle.

If your device was sitting on a store shelf while a map update was taking place you can upgrade to the latest map within that 30 day period by going to the website.

The TomTom GO 720 is the first TomTom device to feature their new version 7 application. When navigating to an address, you are now prompted for the state, first and independently of the city. A current street name field has been added to the primary interface. Brand logos for certain POIs are now displayed on the map which they call "brand icons". The 720 produced much faster routes and a faster interface than offered in the ONE and ONE XL devices. multi destination routing is available through the TomTom Itinerary Planning feature.

TomTom is doing a lot on accentuating new safety features in version 7. There is a new 'Help me!' for help of getting specific information about your current location. Now you can search the nearest car repair facility, hospital, police station, pharmacy, fire station etc, etc more easily. To add more hiding options while driving, suggests breaks on long drives, warns on over the speed limit, or when you are near a school or church. Safe option to read aloud incoming SMS (text) messages using a combination of text-to-speech and speech recognition technology is like an icing on cake.

The 720 also makes wide leaps towards user customization. through custom vehicle icons, You can now pick a different type of car to use in your display or even can create it. create your own voice prompts. viewing of certain document file formats.

Obtaining Information From a GPS Tracking System

2008-08-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

GPS tracking system is a high-end gadget of the modern era, intended to determine the position of a vehicle, person or an asset to which the device is connected. So far it is the most convenient device to get information about a remote asset in regular intervals.

After its introduction in 1978, when it was in its experimental stage, it has become an essential and practical technology to meet high expectations of people in the direction of monitoring remote assets. As the name Global Positioning System suggests the device can be used anywhere on the earth. The technology behind the function of GPS is related to global positioning of the satellites moving round the earth.

However, your GPS tracking system will work only if you have access to Global Positioning System and a GPS receiver. The GPS satellites transmit the information to the receivers and it becomes easy to calculate the location, speed and direction of the asset connected to it. For an effective calculation of position, it is essential for the GPS receiver to receive transmission from three or more satellites.

The information that is stored in the receiver unit is transmitted to a database that can be accessed through the internet or mobile phone. Usually, the GPS tracking system give real time information with a map on their background to display the exact location of the tracked object. However, the downside of the device is that it can hardly trace an object placed inside a building.

Now, it is clear that the GPS receiver is able to receive the information only and store it in a database. Hence, you must need another device or technology to access the information from the database for independent positioning and timing info. A cellular phone modem is the a technology for the purpose; thereby causing it an essential part of a GPS tracking system. There are different possibilities through which it is convenient to obtain the position information.

1 - The modem can be programmed with your mobile number and a timer is set to get information on that particular intervals of time. Adjusting the time interval is just a matter of calling the modem and changing some settings.

2 - Program your cell phone modem as a mobile phone with its own number that allows sending small text messages. Whenever you want any information about the position of your asset, just call the modem`s phone number and you will get an SMS message coordinating with the position.

3 - If you have installed suitable software and map on your mobile phone, the message locating the position on a map can be translated to the mobile phone screen.

All the above three technologies have got same kind of advantages. You can use them without a service contract and without paying for monthly fee. This even will nott allow anyone to know about you using these technologies. As per the disadvantage, in the first two cases you have to translate the SMS text to a position on the map. However, for the third option, you need to purchase the software and the maps.

It is also possible to view the information through Internet or a mobile phone with Internet facility. This possibility allows you check the real-time as well as past information.

The ultimate way is to use a mobile phone with GPS tracking system.

You may be wondering how the system can work in an area where there is no coverage of cell phone. The only solution is to replace the cell phone modem with a satellite modem.

GPS is a free service and is provided for the benefits of public. It has come up as a useful technology in every sector where monitoring remote asset is essential. Thanks to this new age technology, it has reduced the burden of insecurity to a large extent and enhanced performance when used for professional purpose.

GPS Rating Systems - Read GPS Reviews Before Buying Your GPS Device

2008-08-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

A full review of General Positioning Satellite (GPS) review is required in order to buy the best possible GPS device. Due to the wide options offered to you, choosing one GPS device can be a daunting experience. An unbiased GPS review from independent people can be a huge boon for the selection process. Some GPS systems are very expensive, so before opening your cheque book, you should try to get as much information as possible about it.

There are many websites offering GPS reviews, the most important being gpsreview. Here you will find a full test of nearly all GPS systems and rate them on their reliability, performance and usability.

GPS reviews include all information about popular brands such as Delorme, Magellan, Garmin and so forth. Reviews highlighted all good points as well as dark ones. These reviews are refreshed frequently as new brands are released or old models are enhanced. GPS review websites also offer latest news about the GPS technology as soon as they are released.

There are many other sources of GPS reviews such as magazines. For instance the well known PC Magazine also comes up with several GPS reviews. Another source of GPS reviews is by the means of search websites such as Google.

The enterprise Consumer Reports is also another source of comprehensive GPS reviews about main brands and all types of GPS devices.

Generally speaking, you must read unbiased and complete GPS reviews before purchasing a GPS device. As this help you select the best possible GPS device that meet your needs and waits. GPS reviews are designed to give a brief overview and a full report of pros and cons of GPS devices to customers before they formally decide to purchase it. There are many places where you can get reliable GPS reviews: either on the Internet or dedicated magazines. All these reviews are unbiased, accurate and well written.

You may have never heard about a GPS review so I will describe what it looks like. I will cover a Magellan GPS Roadmate 2200T which will be described in depth in another article. The 2200T has a current retail price of around $400. For that price, it's in competition with Garmin's c530, which is essentially a c330 that's been upgraded with SiRF's receiver. If you want absolute ease-of-use, then I recommend that Garmin c530 over the RoadMate 2200T. Garmin's interface is slightly easier to use than Magellan's one and their routing engine can't be beat at all. However, if you fancy more options such as multi-destination routing, route exclusion, Text-to-Speech, and a traffic jam add-on capability, or are interested in a cross-over GPS that can be upgraded for outdoor purposes, therefore you should opt for the RoadMate. If you are thinking about an Alpine Blackbird, or TomTom ONE, I recommend the Magellan RoadMate 2200T over both those units. The 2200T is a better unit than the One or the Blackbird. Compared to Garmin, it is more a question of your needs and waits.