Handheld GPS units are a hikers best friend. Any hiker knows that being able to find your way around, especially in wilderness areas, is important. Hikers also know two of the deterrents to hiking in the wilderness are how to find the head trail and then how not to get lost during the hike. A handheld GPS unit can give people the freedom to explore the experience hiking in the wilderness areas that they have not attempted before.

A typical handheld GPS unit is powered by standard batteries and is 2 to 3 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches long. These handheld GPS units have a small screen which shows an icon representing your current location and pre-plotted locations. Various models also have maps showing roads and streams, topography, etc.

Handheld GPS units which can be used for hiking in the wilderness, use satellites orbiting over 12,000 miles above the earth to determine the position of the handheld GPS unit on the ground. It does this by using travel times to the handheld GPS unit’s signals being emitted from some of the 24 Navstar satellites. Consumer grade handheld GPS units need to receive signals from at least three of these satellites to calculate your “XY” or map coordinated position. At least four of these satellites are needed to also calculate your altitude.

There are several physical elements which may prevent a handheld GPS unit from receiving a satellittes signals. Mountains, canyon walls, high metropolitan buildings, and dense forest growth can limit the number of low in the sky satellites that are visible and therefore useable by the handheld GPS unit.

Once a handheld GPS unit has a location fixed in it, here’s what it may do for you while you are hiking in the wilderness.

1. Waypoints: A waypoint is a single point location. It can be saved in the handheld GPS unit’s memory. As you are hiking in the wilderness you can see your current position in relation to the point you want to go to. Waypoints may be created and saved in the handheld GPS unit’s memory before leaving for your trip or while you are in the field exploring. Sometimes a series of waypoints are sequentially linked to form a route.

2. Routes: A route is a series of locations that are linked in sequence to describe a path along which you intend to hike in the wilderness. The maximum number of positions that can go into a route varies depending on the type and model handheld GPS unit you have.

3. Tracks: A track is essentially a route that is made up of many linked sequential locations which a handheld GPS unit automatically creates and saves as you hike in the wilderness. This is analogous with leaving markers along a trail, so you can retrace your path that your came in on while hiking in the wilderness. This helps the hiker avoid getting lost while enjoying and exploring in the wilderness.

Waypoints, routes, and tracks are the three principal categories of locations that are fixed by a hiker in a handheld GPS unit. An understanding of these three basic categories gives the hiker insight into how a handheld GPS unit can help one navigate and explore safely while hiking in the wilderness. It can be used to preplan trips and to guide the hiker along their from their start to the destination and back again. A handheld GPS unit is ideal for the hiker to track and show them where they are going, where they have been and to reverse the course and return the hiker safely to their starting point.

Beth Appel is the author of this article. She is a member of the staff at
http://www.gpseasynavigation.com which sells handheld GPS Units for outdoor adventures. She has a degree in English and Social Studies education from Fairleigh Dickenson University and is certified in Holocaust Education from Stockton State.

Having a GPS Navigation System is one of the many ways that as you drive your car, you can see the computer telling you exactly where you are and also where you are going. Not only that, the GPS Navigation System can give you much added information.

You could be wondering where the next gas station is or where can I eat. It will give you many gas stations or tell you what places there are to eat. It will even tell you the ethnic foods and approximately the dollars that each will cost. As you travel along the GPS Navigation System will tell you the exact mileage to each place.

Often times if you are traveling a great distance, you can see where to lodge. You will be given a choice of places to sleep (and from your wallet size) you can find a place that you can afford.

One thing is while you are traveling along the highway on a trip you can find out what are some of the attractions which you may have overlooked. There is always a chance that you might not go that way again and these may be beneficial to you or your family. Some of these attractions will give your mind a new point of view and your weary body a chance to get out and stretch.

Some GPS Navigation Systems give you the shortest way or the most convenient way to go to your destination. Especially when you are going through big cities, the shortest way is not the best if it is during rush hour times at morning or night. But, also, you can take the direct route through town if it is not rush hour and save yourself half and hour or more. Some even give you by-passes if there is a traffic problem ahead and they know about it.

You should not be sorry for buying a GPS Navigation System

The advent of the modern Global Positioning System – or GPS – can most often be found on the dashboard of a car. So popular is this technologically advanced mapping system, that newer cars are even being designed with GPS included as a standard feature. But what many fail to realize is that GPS began as much more than a device used by the directionally challenged. GPS began as a revolutionary and promising piece of equipment designed by the United States Government.

The possibilities of GPS first began to materialize when Russia put Sputnik into space in 1957. Those following the travels of the spacecraft from the ground realized that they could track its progress based upon the strength of its radio signal; and this one fact opened up a whole new world of possibilities. The U.S. Navy was the first government faction to dabble in GPS; in the mid 1960’s, they launched the Transit System – a system of six satellites that circled the earth and helped missile-carrying Navy submarines pinpoint their location. The United States Department of Defense designed and operated the first modern GPS; the first satellite was launched in 1978.

Today, this system includes the operation of 24 satellites that continually circle the earth and is used for a variety of functions that include GPS mapping, navigation, and tracking. With the assistance of these invisible satellites we can pinpoint our location, the location of someone else, or the location of a place we want to travel. What is more incredible is the size and compactness of such a system. The modern GPS can fit into the palm of your hand and yet holds enormous power.

GPS has literally transformed the world; and its possibilities for the future can not even be imagined. We can only wait and see what lies ahead for the evolution of GPS.

For easy to understand, in depth information about GPS visit our ezGuide 2 GPS.

GPS is getting to be more a part of our everyday life all the time. If you buy a new car, there is a good chance that an option is available to get a GPS navigation system with it. It is only a matter of time before GPS navigation becomes a standard feature in every new car that rolls off the assembly line. Cell phone GPS is also growing by leaps and bounds. Right now. if you make an emergency phone call to the police or fire department from a hard - wired telephone the police know exactly where you are calling from. But not so with a mobile or cell phone. That, however, will soon change. Virtually, all new cell phones will soon have a GPS inside somewhere. Even photography is getting into the act. Some new cameras have a built in GPS so when you take a photo it tells you the latitude and longitude of where you were and stamps that information on the photo.

We tend to take GPS for granted in the same way we do the Internet. We assume it is almost free for everyone and available everywhere but that really isn’t true. GPS was first developed in the 1970s and is owned, operated and controlled by the United States military. If the US military wants to cut off or control your access to the GPS system they can. In fact prior to May of 2000 all civilian GPS units had limited access to the GPS system called Selective Availability. Prior to that date your GPS would work just fine, but would not be as accurate as military GPS units. Normal GPS accuracy is greater than 20 meters but with Selective Availability it is only 100 meters. Today however, all GPS receivers - military or civilian - have the same accuracy. So at the moment, GPS is free for everyone around the world. But in the future, if a terrorist group or country were to get access to GPS guided weapons, the US military could cut off their access to GPS by encrypting the signal.

The GPS system is made up of 24 military satellites circling the earth at an altitude of 11,000 miles such that at any given time and location a GPS receiver gets a signal from at least 6 of those satellites at a time. They are set up in 6 orbital paths with 4 satellites spaced evenly in each of the 6 orbits. Signals from these satellites are available anywhere on the earth, 24 hours a day and are not affected by the weather. Older GPS receivers just had one channel so they had to cycle through the 6 or more satellites one at a time but newer units have 10 parallel channels or more so you get faster more accurate information.

The biggest headache for GPS systems is the time it takes for the signal to get from the satellite to your receiver. The 6 satellites you get signals from will all be at different distances from you and are rotating the earth at high speed. So the signals your GPS receiver gets will not automatically be time synchronized. Because of this problem, the military has limited civilian GPS units so they don’t work if they are moving faster than 900 knots or above 60,000 feet in altitude. But most non-aviation GPS units will give error messages if you are moving faster than 90 miles per hour. Clearly, if you are standing still, a GPS will be a lot more accurate.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to GPS

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a satellite radio navigation system built by the United States Department of Defense. Research on the system began in the 60’s and the first GPS satellite was launched in 1978. It took a while for the entire system to come online but finally on April 27, 1995 it became fully operational. At first, the GPS network was only for military use but in the 80’s the United States government authorized the general public to make use of it too.

The GPS network is composed of:

• Satellites

• Earth Monitoring Stations

• GPS receivers

What is a GPS Satellite?

There are currently 24 satellites orbiting the earth is 6 distinct trajectories. Each satellite completes two orbits around the earth each day, traveling at a speed of about 7,000 MPH. At the highest point in their orbit they are over 12,000 miles above the earth. From this height, the satellite signals can be received over a large percentage of the surface of the earth. A GPS unit works by receiving multiple satellite signals and calculating the receiver’s position based on triangulation of the different signals. Accuracy is increased with each additional satellite signal that is received so the orbits of the satellites are set so that at most points on the earth there are at least 4 signals that can be received. Of course, this is in theory only since the landscape around you can block some or all of the GPS signals.

What is a GPS Earth Monitoring Station?

There are four unmanned monitoring stations in the US and one manned master station which is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The four unmanned stations relay position data from the satellites to the master station. The master station uses the relayed information to correct the position of the sat tiles and sends the corrected information back to the satellites. This synchronizes the data that each satellite transmits to your GPS receiver and ensures that your receiver is always working with accurate information.

What is a GPS Receiver?

GPS satellites transmit low power radio signals that can only be picked up if your GPS unit has a direct “line of sight” to the satellite. The signals can penetrate things like glass, plastic and clouds but not solid structures like buildings or rocks. A GPS unit works by triangulating your location based on the position of at least three satellites in the GPS system. It compares the time it takes to receive a signal from each of the satellites in range and calculates your location based on the data.

If you are only able to pick up three satellite signals, your GPS unit can report your location in latitude and longitude. However, when the GPS unit picks up signals from at least four satellites it also calculates your altitude. Now it can report your trip distance, distance to a destination, travel speed and even your altitude if your GPS receiver features an altimeter.

How accurate a GPS unit is depends on its ability to find and lock onto a satellite’s signal. As you might expect, you get what you pay for and the more expensive GPS units are generally more accurate. The best consumer units claim accuracy to within a few feet while the older or less expensive units can be off up to 30-40 feet or more. Where you plan to use your GPS receiver could determine if it’s worth shelling out the extra money for increased accuracy. If you’re using your GPS unit in flatter terrain with a good open view of the sky a less expensive unit could perform nearly as well as the top of the line receiver. However, if you plan to use your receiver in dense tree cover, while hiking in ravines or narrow valleys, or among tall buildings you’ll gain much better accuracy with a more higher end GPS unit.

Now you know the basics about how GPS works and can answer the question “What is GPS?”.

©2007, Mark Hamilton Read more about handheld gps systems at HandheldGPSInformation.com

For those who drive significant distances or who frequently find themselves searching for things in unfamiliar surroundings, a GPS satellite receiver can certainly simplify life. Like most electronics devices however, the number of choices, brands, and features can make the selection of a device difficult and somewhat time consuming. Shoppers however can take some time to identify the features that would be most valuable for them, determine how much they are willing to spend, and then relax as the selection will be greatly simplified once these decisions are made.

In a world of innumerable options, here are a few of the more critical characteristics to consider:

Will the device be used outside of the vehicle?

There are some ultra portable GPS devices designed for use in cars, vans, and trucks that offer the flexibility of use outside of the vehicle as well. To be useful, the device would need not only roadmaps but terrain information loaded. Certainly size and weight need to be considered if the device is to be carried; Bluetooth helps to make this option more feasible. Rechargeable batteries would also be important in these instances so that the GPS device could operate without being plugged in for several hours.

Is the screen sufficient?

Obviously the screen needs to be large enough to easily view, but small enough to not block the view of the driver. It is also wise to be sure that the screen is easy to view in any type of lighting condition; not only at night time but in bright sunlight as well. Most people also prefer a touch screen to navigate rather than one requiring the use of a stylus or some other type of access. For those who want to be sure they take their eyes off of the road as little as possible, a GPS device with voice commands is also critical.

How accurate is the information the GPS device provides?

There are a number of features to consider when trying to assure the accuracy of information. A device with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) is able to pinpoint locations accurately to within a few feet; this may or may not be critical for a given user. Some devices will merely instruct drivers to “turn left” while others are capable of providing more detail by stating the name of the street when providing instructions. Some devices also provide real-time traffic information by using an FM frequency within the vehicle. The accuracy and detail of the maps included with the GPS device can vary as well so comparison shopping can be useful. The more “points of interest” on a map the more likely it will pinpoint the location a user is seeking. Keeping maps updated after purchase is usually up to the consumer. Some devices require the purchase of a CD to update the device while others accomplish this across the internet.

Is the device easy to use?

Again for many users, voice commands and a touch screen make a GPS device easier to use. Examining the menus to determine if they are user friendly is important. Many current models don’t require any complex installation and are ready to go out of the box but some offer preloaded maps while others require buyers to install the maps themselves.

As with any purchase, consumers should identify their needs and their budget to determine which device would be the best choice. If pin point accuracy is needed a GPS device with WAAS might be crucial but if budget considerations rule, a device that allows the user to transfer maps from a PC to the device would be a more cost conscious choice than one with maps on the hard drive.

The author, Christine Peppler invites consumers to visit her website for information regarding the use and selection of home electronics.

Have any of these things every happened to you?

* You are on a hike trip and you have lost a friend. Storm clouds are looming and they are nowhere to be found.
* You have taken your family on an outing at an amusement park. It is closing time but you can’t find one person.
* You are on the boat and you want to make sure you are going in the right direction, whether its north, south, east or west.

Garmin’s RINO 520 portable GPS navigator can solve all of those problems. These two-way radio systems are equipped with a GPS navigator that can help you find your way and lead your group as well. The patented GPS receiver allows other members of your party to tell you where they are as well as showing them your location.

One of the best features on the RINO 520 is its display. With bold colors, it is easy to see and interpret. You will never need to look at a large map from an atlas again after using the RINO 520. Garmin’s Rino 520 handheld GPS units not only have built-in base maps of North and South America, but you can choose optional City Select software. These can be adapted to almost any trip, hike or boating excursion you plan to take. This GPS navigator unit allows you to customize your route, complete with turn-by-turn directions and alert tones. No more getting lost on the trails or at sea. If you are just on a sight-seeing trip, the RINO 520 makes finding a hotel or restaurant that his nearby easy. This GPS navigator unit can map points of interest along your route

If the sea is your passion, this portable GPS unit can be customized with Garmin’s exclusive optional cartography that includes the fishing hot spots on recreational lakes in the United States. The built-in calendar can show you the best fishing times. If you like to hunt, this portable GPS unit can also tell you the best hunting times for snaring your prey.

What are some of the other outstanding features of the RINO 520? The RINO 520 unit has 56 megabytes of internal memory so that you can quickly download personalized maps for your use onto your portable GPS. The two-way radio has five watts of power, allowing you to contact help from as far away as 14 miles. The portable GPS unit has a WAAS enabled, 12 parallel GPS receiver. It has a bright color display and a rechargeable battery that can last up to 16 hours. Priced at about $482, Garmin’s RINO 520 is one of the best buys of portable GPS systems on the market.

Catherine Tower of Gottronics, is in charge of the research department, where she gathers information and reviews different handheld GPS units, whether it be good or bad and stays up to date with all of the latest developments of the products.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a personal assistant to guide you when you travel? What if that personal assistant could fit in your shirt pocket? That’s the concept behind the NUVI 660 GPS system from Garmin. This portable GPS unit, which is only 4.9″W x 2.9″H, may be small but it is packed with features for anyone who travels a lot or for someone who just wants to know where they are going. The NUVI 660 portable GPS unit has a preloaded navigator that can assist you in getting where you are going fast and safely.

The portable GPS unit has preloaded maps or you can upload a customized route for either car motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, truck, bus, emergency, and taxi. The GPS system has a colorful widescreen display that is easy to see and that is larger than other NUVI models. You can choose a 2D or 3D map perspective. The NUVI 660 has a touch screen that makes it easy for you to make your choices.

The NUVI 660 auto GPS unit is compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology. That means you can talk to friends and family hands free, keeping your hands on the wheel and not on your phone. You can receive traffic alerts and directions in your headset.

The NUVI 660 will alert you to construction zones, bad weather or heavy traffic. This auto GPS unit will even suggest an alternate route, saving you time on the road. The GPS unit announces streets by name, allowing you to know if you are on the right road. If you are lost, the NUVI 660 auto GPS unit will look up the address and guide you in the right direction. If you want to see new places, the GPS unit can look up attractions and points of interest. You can even call a restaurant or hotel and make a reservation by touching the screen. If you are traveling out of the country, you can purchase additional software such as a travel or language guide.

Do you want to hear the latest tunes or listen to a new audio book while traveling? The NUVI 660 GPS system has an MP3 player, audio book player and a JPEG picture viewer. A built-in FM transmitter on the auto GPS unit will allow you to hear everything through your car’s stereo.

The NUVI 660 comes with a rechargeable battery that can last from three to seven hours, depending on how many accessories you use. The unit also comes with Garmin Lock, the company’s patented anti-theft feature. Priced at around $900, Garmin’s NUVI 660 is great buy for those who love electronic gadgets or for those how want a GPS system that will keep them on the right road.

Catherine Tower of Gottronics, is in charge of the research department, where she gathers information and reviews different portable GPS units, whether it be good or bad and stays up to date with all of the latest developments of the products.

We all have seen it in movies - a small device is attached to someone’s car and their location is no longer secret. It looks like every spy and superhero always has one ready to use. But what about ordinary people? You don’t need to be a superhero to use GPS tracking in every day life. Find out how GPS works and how it can help you.

From the image Hollywood created around GPS it sounds almost like magic. Does it really work so well that you can tell somebody’s precise location at any given time? Actually yes, it works just like that and there is no magic behind it, just modern technology.

Originally GPS was intended as a military technology. It was created in the late 70th by
the United States Department of Defense. It consisted of 24 satellites with 17 of them positioned on the horizon at all times. As a result, they were able to “see” anything anywhere around the globe.

The military advantage of this technology is obvious. But there are many uses for ordinary people too. Car GPS is probably the most common - it helps you find your way in any unfamiliar place. Another popular use of GPS is GPS tracking systems that can track anything - cars, people, and animals.

Common uses for GPS tracking

- Track your car in case it gets stolen

- Track your teenage kids driving activity

- Tracking lost pets

- Tracking wildlife

- GPS tracking used by police and private detectives

The best thing is that the technology is owned by the US government and the service is free. You don’t need to pay monthly fees or anything like that. All you have to do is to get a GPS receiver and special software for your computer that will convert received data for you.

Types of GPS tracking devices

There are many types of GPS tracking from the cheapest and most simple, usually built in collars to track pets, to sophisticated that make the most of the global positioning system technology. One popular solution is a device that gets the coordinates and then sends it regularly as an instant message. You can receive messages on your mobile or on your computer. This is a very convenient system.

On-Star is a popular GPS tracking system for cars. It used to be installed only in most expensive cars but not any more. Ordinary cars by Ford, Chrysler, Chevrolet, and other companies now use ON-Star tracking. If you are wondering how it works, the principle is rather simple. Satellites send radio signal, then measure how long it takes for the signal to reach your vehicle. For more accurate results the signal coming from 4 satellites is usually measured at the same time.

As you can see there are many ways we can use GPS tracking devices in everyday life.

Tanya Turner is an editor of GPS System Central This site provides you with information and buying advice about different types of GPS tracking systems

The Global Positioning System – or GPS – has taken the world by storm. What was once a proprietary item used only by the government, is now in demand by retail consumers worldwide. Those who have become used to GPS rely upon its accurate directional services; and the word continues to spread. A Magellan GPS is one of the more popular brands of GPS.

GPS utilizes the government’s network of 24 satellites that consistently circle the earth, providing timely and accurate logistical information. It was designed in the late 1970’s by the United States Department of Defense to be used as a reliable navigational tool for the military. But today, GPS has become mainstream, finding its way to consumers through a variety of convenient systems. GPS receivers are hand-held units that literally fit into the palm of your hand. This portable system has the ability to connect to the Global Positioning Satellites which, through a series of calculations based on longitude and latitude can instantly and accurately pinpoint the user’s location. The screen of the GPS receiver illustrates a map of the area, including roads, terrain, and landmarks, and places the user’s location relative to these points of reference. Travelers and outdoor enthusiasts who take to the mountains every weekend have found the GPS receivers to be invaluable in providing accurate navigation and ensuring safety.

Magellan GPS, a brand of GPS receivers, is one of the more popular systems on the market today. While some users prefer to use the Magellan GPS as a hand-held device, others use it as a permanent navigational device that is mounted in their vehicles. In this role, the Magellan GPS uses a destination address supplied by the driver to efficiently navigate the driving route. Further, if your vehicle becomes the victim of theft, it can be effectively tracked by the signals sent by the Magellan GPS.

In other cases, parents use the Magellan GPS as a tracking device to monitor their teenage drivers. The system will ensure that fledgling drivers are not left disoriented in unfamiliar territory and can alert parents to any suspicious activity.

The Magellan GPS, because of its increasing popularity, can be purchased in most retail outlets. Prices vary depending on number of features offered in each system. There is also comprehensive information provided online detailing the different Magellan GPS systems, including features, price, and user experiences. Take the time to research any GPS before you purchase to ensure that it meets your needs with regard to the manner in which you will use the system, frequency of use, and budgetary guidelines.

For easy to understand, in depth information about Magellan GPS visit our ezGuide 2 GPS.