Posts Tagged ‘gps systems’

The Cold War & GPS

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

The year was 1957, and the free world was in a panic. The Soviet Space Program successfully sent Sputnik into orbit and the end of civilization, as we knew it was at hand. How could the dirty Reds have invaded space with such relative ease? In less than a year, President Eisenhower, working in tandem with Congress, quickly established NASA and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to formulate a response to the looming threat.

Under the cautious direction of Wernher von Braun, NASA immediately began to explore the possibility of sending human beings into space. Within the first year of their inception, NASA had launched the Explorer 1 satellite into space. Dubbed Project Mercury, this program involved seven original astronauts, of whom, Alan Shepard became the first American into space, while John Glenn would become the first American to orbit the earth.

Tracking these projects were revolutionary GPS tracking devices that could track their location, altitude, and rates of speed. So coveted was this GPS technology that it remained classified until 1983, when a Soviet interceptor aircraft shot down a civilian Korean Air airliner, killing everyone on board. The plane had strayed into Soviet airspace and although the Soviets had probable cause, had the airliner had accurate navigational systems, the tragedy could have been avoided. President Ronald Reagan subsequently declassified GPS tracking systems for civilian use.

Initially developed by the Navy, the first successful GPS tracking system was dubbed Transit, and used five satellites to triangulate positions around the globe. With the Space Race underway, NASA began implementing a new tracking system, called the Global Positioning System (GPS). The system involved the use of satellites to track the position and location of both spacecraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Global positioning systems have not only become ubiquitous, they’ve become the preeminent navigational systems used by scientists and taxi drivers alike. In fact, law enforcement uses GPS tracking to find stolen cars and keep tabs on criminals on bail or probation. Now, not only can someone find where they are on a city grid, but also he or she can find nearby businesses and restaurants.

Your GPS tracking device is closer to you than you thought. Actually, it’s ringing now.

First Time Buying A Gps Navigation Unit?

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

If you are in the market to buy a GPS navigation system and it is the first time that you have ever purchased one, it might seem a little confusing the first time out. But that does not have to be if you know what you needs are. Here you’ll find a few of the best systems on the market to help you get a start.

The Tom Tom Go 740 Live is an information packed GPS navigation device that gives you complete traffic reports, what is going on with the weather, it also includes local fuel prices as well. The system is powered by Google search and map and this model has the ability to update information much faster than in the past.

You can get all your information in “real time” and it has its own instant messaging program where you can send all your details to all your family and friends via an instant message. Another nice feature is that you can go into the system and make changes. This especially comes in handy when there have been street name changes or location of business changes, etc.

The only draw back for this system is that the battery life is only about two hours before you have to recharge it and that it does seem to have a slow response time when getting your route directions.

Garmin Nuvi 1690 is a GPS navigation system that actually offers free (ad supported) service from their NuLink data service which is a combination of ATandT and MSN Direct. For the first two years the service is ad supported and after that if you want to remove the ads you will be charged five dollars a month for their ad free service.

This unit is jam packed with features such as finding gas prices, getting incident reports, weather reports, Google search, White Pages search, flight information, even movie times and information. The system is also equipped with Bluetooth hands free dialing.

The only draw back for this GPS navigation unit is the fact that it no longer takes standard size SD memory cards and have switched to microSD cards.

Another good GPS navigation system is yet another Tom Tom, the Tom Tom XL340 S is a less expensive a bit larger model. But do not let the lower price misguide you into thinking its not a good model. It is full of your standard features and it has a larger screen with larger icons for those who prefer a much easier visual effect. A real nice feature is the voice to text feature where you have complete hands free control with voice activation.

The great thing about he voice to text is that the responding voice can be English, Spanish or French and better yet if you want, you can download celebrity voices to add more fun to the experience.

The GPS navigation system called the Magellan Roadmate 1470. This system has a nice little feature that picks up on the most commonly visited places by most people and allows those to be easily accessed by just a touch of the finger. This system does not lack in features having pretty much all the same features of most similar systems. One thing that you will notice about this particular system is its exceptional speed.

The way this unit has to be mounted in the car is a little bit awkward because the cable that is used to connect it seems to get in the way somewhat.

Have you ever noticed all of the portable gps deals that are in the world? Gps systems are definitely a big hit in the universe today. With the right GPS system, you will never get stranded again.

Amber Alert GPS Will Keep Your Children Safe

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Do you know that one of the greatest fear for a parent is losing their child? Would you like a way to help calm that fear? Amber Alert GPS can do just that. Imagine having a product that uses the latest in GPS and cellular technology. The company is run by parents for parents and revolves around the President’s initiative to protect children and give parents peace of mind.

The Amber Alert GPS is a leader in the US child location technology industry. Amber Alert Gps is rated a 4 out of 5 as the Editor’s Choice by gsmagazine.com in their new “The Ultimate GPS Child Tracking Buyers’s Guide. It has recently been reviewed in MSNBC.com’s article “A Good Find: GPS to locate the kids”.

The Amber Alert GPS 2G is the world’s smallest and most powerful GPS tracking device. Tracking your child is easy. As easy as placing a call or sending a text. Simply place this device in a pocket, purse, backpack or car, or attach to a wrist, ankle, or belt. Call or text the AAGPS device, and within seconds youll receive a detailed map and address of their exact location right on your web-enabled phone. You can also track one or more devices from your computer.

You will be able to define a Safe Zone area in your neighborhood. You will receive an alert when your GPS is carried outside that location. The safe zone can easily be changed or cancelled in seconds from your cell phone or from our website.

You receive an SOS Button. If your child needs help, he presses the GPS SOS button and you will immediately receive an alert with his location. If your child is in a threatening or dangerous situation, or has a medical emergency, he can press and hold the SOS button.

You receive a Speed Alert. You will get notification when your GPS surpasses a specific speed. You know immediately when your child is in a car. This is great for speeding teenagers!

There are many other ways to use the Amber Alert GPS. Vehicle tracking, pet tracking, special needs children and seniors, luggage tracking, and more. There are no limits to the uses of this amazing and efficient new technology.

Keep your child safe! Please Learn more by clicking theNew GPS Child Location Device No competitor has anything close to the sophistication and simplicity of its technology. You will be happy you did!

The Different Aspects Of GPS

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

The GPS unit sitting on your dashboard owes its existence to the need for the United States military to be able to navigate the surface of the Earth with ease. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the United States launched satellites into the Earth’s atmosphere into geo-synchronous orbit. These satellites made it possible for the military to maneuver on land and sea with ease.

The satellites send a signal to the GPS receivers on the surface of the Earth and then from there, the location is pinpointed. The system was then commercialized in the 1990s and it has literally taken off.

Since GPS has been commercialized, the most common GPS units being used today are the car GPS units. These devices allow you to map out your route to your destination from your present location. Simply put in the address or place of interest (such as U.S. Capitol or the White House) and the device will perform all of the calculations for the correct course. The route is then displayed on the screen on the GPS so you can follow along. The best part about using a GPS over traditional maps is that if you miss your turn for any reason, the GPS will recalculate the current position and the new, best route to your destination. In advanced models, the turns and directions are not only graphically displayed but a voice command is also utilized in order to keep your eyes on the road.

Manufacturers have taken the last two decades to produce ever smaller GPS devices so their use can become more widespread. Technology has improved so much that the GPS receivers can be inserted into articles of clothing as well as other common conumer items such as cellphones, watches and shoes.

GPS tracking services can even allow you to keep track of your child by simply logging into their website and looking at the data compiled and displayed. In a few short moments, you will be able to see where your child is anywhere in the world. This is accomplished because the GPS device and the GPS satellites are in constant connection with each other.

Cheap GPS units mean only one thing - the adoption of their use by a large swath of the population. These inexpensive units mean that pretty much every car on the road has them on the dashboard so that the driver doesn’t get lost or waste money on gasoline spent going the wrong way.

You can purchase a GPS unit in one of two ways. You can buy a unit for your dashboard and remove it each time you leave the vehicle alone. Or you can get the GPS unit installed into your dashboard as an option when you purchase the vehicle. Either way, you should search online for the right GPS unit for you.

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The Rise of GPS Mobile Phones and Downfall of Stand Alone Options

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Since we live in a fast paced world, it’s hard to keep up with today’s technology. Take the GPS for example. It’s something that came from nowhere and flooded consumer’s households in the blink of an eye. All it took was a little piece inside of a cell phone’s SIM card and many families could utilize them. The most important part to them was whether or not they can set themselves apart from stand alone features.

While there are still some mobile phones that are too old to acknowledge a SIM, most of them are equipped with it as long as you have access to a 3G network. This of course leaves us with one major question. Is it as good as a stand alone GPS unit? The most common name people hear about is Garmin, or those other ones built into cars. Unfortunately they aren’t as good yet. In our society today we see just about everything on a cell phone from cameras and MP3 players to Internet and ring tones.

One huge advantage that a stand alone GPS unit has over a Sim free mobile phone is the size of its screen. If you are driving by yourself, it is difficult (and dangerous) to be peering at a little cell phone screen in your hand as compared to glancing at a large built in or dash mounted unit. If you have passenger, they can use the phone just fine, or on some phones you can use turn by turn voice directions.

What it comes down to is the stand alone is better while you’re driving your car. However, a cell phone gives you the opportunity to take the GPS with you anywhere you go. Then again, it is feasible to carry a bulky stand alone all the time. However, you won’t see anyone attempting to do this at all.

Even with all the debate that surrounds which one to choose, both industries are growing like crazy. While this may be true, you don’t find too many people who buy one of each. Instead they feel that since they have an option with their mobile phone, a stand alone is not necessary, even if it’s not as good. This is because mobile phones don’t charge anything extra for GPS tracking.

Market analysts say that the stand alone GPS market will continue to grow for a few more years as the prices are lowered, but that it will drop off drastically as people upgrade to the latest generations of smart phones and the 3G network coverage is completed. At that point the cell phone GPS systems will be improved enough to compete with the stand alones in all but screen size. And the negative for the phone there is countered by its portability and multi functionality.

It’s a great example of how the world turns, and when one product comes out there is always another one in the works. The end result is great for technology, but bad for the companies that spent millions manufacturing obsolete products.

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GPS Handheld receiver ” The World at Your Fingertips

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

As technology continues advancing in leaps and bounds, it’s undeniable that for the vast majority of us, the quality of our lives has improved significantly. In the not too distant past for example, concerns regarding getting lost prevented the average person from exploring too far a field. Nowadays however, all that has changed thanks to the availability of GPS handheld receivers. Providing you have a GPS handheld receiver, you can explore the world to your heart’s content, safe in the knowledge that you’re not at risk of getting lost. Of course, satellite navigation systems such as these were invented years ago in the 1960s but in those early days, their use was for the most part restricted to the military.

Contrary to what many people believe, a handheld GPS receiver is relatively small and similar to a wristwatch by comparison. It’s the sheer versatility of these receivers which impresses people and it’s certainly not difficult to see why, considering they can be used for almost every type of outdoor sport such as hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing and etc. Of course, in order to meet demand, there are now several varieties available such as the hunting handheld GPS receiver, complete with compass and a camouflage finish. Furthermore, these receivers are incredibly light and yet they include all imaginable functions such as 10 to 50 retraceable paths, multi area graphics and up to 2000 weight point storage.

Of course, while the basic GPS receivers can be bought for around $100, these only have a very limited number of features. On the other hand, there are numerous models which include a variety of features such as:

Personalized icons Map Database MP3 Built in Anti-Theft WAAS technology Voice activated GPS Non-reflection screen

Everyone has their own reasons for wanting a GPS handheld receiver, some of which are:

1) If you’ve ever been lost before, you’ll know you normally have two options. You can either ask for directions, or you can phone for help. With a GPS receiver however, you can immediately determine where you are and you can also get directions to where you want to go.

2. If you are late for somewhere and you want to reach on time, you need to find the shortest and quickest route available. The handheld GPS receiver can help you to find the best and shortest route possible.

3) If for example you’re in a strange place when a medical emergency happens, you’ll have no difficulty at all in locating a hospital or a doctor. In fact, one can even locate a filling station if the need arises.

4) The days of getting lost and not being able to find you way are a thing of the past, thanks to the small size of receivers and the fact that you can take them anywhere.

5. When you are traveling with your kids and family then you need to know the emergency services and the way to get to them. Carrying and scurrying for a car or map in your purse is time consuming. With this device all you need to do is to strap it to your wrist and find out the required information!

Hence with a handheld GPS receiver, you will always be safe wherever you go!

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Handheld GPS Receiver: Technology in your hands

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

As technology continues advancing in leaps and bounds, it’s undeniable that for the vast majority of us, the quality of our lives has improved significantly. In the not too distant past for example, concerns regarding getting lost prevented the average person from exploring too far a field. Nowadays however, all that has changed thanks to the availability of GPS handheld receivers. Providing you have a GPS handheld receiver, you can explore the world to your heart’s content, safe in the knowledge that you’re not at risk of getting lost. Of course, satellite navigation systems such as these were invented years ago in the 1960s but in those early days, their use was for the most part restricted to the military.

Contrary to what many people believe, a handheld GPS receiver is relatively small and similar to a wristwatch by comparison. It’s the sheer versatility of these receivers which impresses people and it’s certainly not difficult to see why, considering they can be used for almost every type of outdoor sport such as hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing and etc. Of course, in order to meet demand, there are now several varieties available such as the hunting handheld GPS receiver, complete with compass and a camouflage finish. Furthermore, these receivers are incredibly light and yet they include all imaginable functions such as 10 to 50 retraceable paths, multi area graphics and up to 2000 weight point storage.

Of course, while the basic GPS receivers can be bought for around $100, these only have a very limited number of features. On the other hand, there are numerous models which include a variety of features such as:

Personalized icons Map Database MP3 Built in Anti-Theft WAAS technology Voice activated GPS Non-reflection screen

Everyone has their own reasons for wanting a GPS handheld receiver, some of which are:

1) Proving those around you can speak your language; you can always ask for help should you get lost. Alternatively, you could phone for help but if you have a GPS receiver, you eliminate this problem altogether.

2) The need for punctuality rates extremely high for some people and in this case, a GPS receiver can help you to determine the best and shortest possible route.

3. Lets assume that you have shifted to a new place and have an emergency where you need to go to a doctor. How do you do that? Where do you find a doctor? With the handheld GPS receiver, you can locate a doctor or even a gas pump if you need. You dont have to ask anyone.

4. This amazing gadget is a small portable device that can be carried anywhere. Hence with this you will never get lost. You can easily find your way back no matter what circuitous route you choose

5. When you are traveling with your kids and family then you need to know the emergency services and the way to get to them. Carrying and scurrying for a car or map in your purse is time consuming. With this device all you need to do is to strap it to your wrist and find out the required information!

Yes a GPS Handheld Receiver is a desirable device, but over and above that, it’s a safety device which one should always have on hand.

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Protect Your Children With Amber Alert GPS

Friday, February 20th, 2009

One of a parent’s greatest fears, if not their greatest fear, is losing their child. Would you like a way to calm that fear? Amber Alert GPS can do just that. A product that uses the latest in GPS and cellular technology. The company is run by parents for parents and revolves around the President’s initiative to protect children and give parents peace of mind.

Amber Alert Gps is rated a 4 out of 5 as the Editor’s Choice by gsmagazine.com in their new “The Ultimate GPS Child Tracking Buyers’s Guide. It has recently been reviewed in MSNBC.com’s article “A Good Find: GPS to locate the kids”. Amber Alert Gps is the leader in the US child location technology industry.

The Amber Alert GPS 2G is the world’s smallest and most powerful GPS tracking device. Tracking your child is easy. As easy as placing a call or sending a text. Simply place this device in a pocket, purse, backpack or car, or attach to a wrist, ankle, or belt. Call or text the AAGPS device, and within seconds youll receive a detailed map and address of their exact location right on your web-enabled phone. You can also track one or more devices from your computer.

You will be able to define a Safe Zone area in your neighborhood. You will receive an alert when your GPS is carried outside that location. The safe zone can easily be changed or cancelled in seconds from your cell phone or from our website.

You receive an SOS Button. If your child needs help, he presses the GPS SOS button and you will immediately receive an alert with his location. If your child is in a threatening or dangerous situation, or has a medical emergency, he can press and hold the SOS button.

A Speed Alert will notify you when your GPS surpasses a specific speed. You know immediately when your child is in a car. This is great for speeding teenagers!

There are many other ways to use the Amber Alert GPS. Vehicle tracking, pet tracking, special needs children and seniors, luggage tracking, and more. There are no limits to the uses of this amazing and efficient new technology.

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PDA or GPS - Pharos Traveler GPS 525

Monday, January 12th, 2009

Pharos has introduced their new GPS 525. This GPS offers more functionality, to consumers, than just simple GPS tracking features. The compact design makes this system easy to travel with and is unobtrusive in your car. Minimal buttons, on the system, makes the unit easy to navigate and learn.

The GPS 525 ships with a?PTL525 GPS receiver, windshield bracket mount, AC adapter, 12-volt car charger, USB SD card reader, headset, 512 MB SD card, navigation CD with U.S. maps and user’s manual come with the unit.

The integration of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 is the foundation hat sets the GPS 525 apart from other GPS systems. This is what gives it the technological edge of having Pocket PC functionality. Windows Mobile provides users with a platform that offers functional applications like Outlook, Word, Excel, and Windows Media Player. The combination of Outlook, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allows users to sync their Outlook contacts, right to their GPS 525.

Pharos’ platform lays on a SC32442X 300 MHz processor, 64MB ROM, 128MB SDRAM, SiRF starIII GPS receiver, and 512 MD SD memory card - all of which offers great performance for its users. It also comes with maps for 50 major U.S. cities. If users were to load all of these maps, additional memory would be need for other functionality.

Using the GPS’ mapping software, users have easy access to over thousands of points-of-interest locations. Whether you are trying to find the closest bank, or your favorite restaurant, you can easily get these directions with just a couple clicks or the use of your stylus pen.

With measurements of 2.34 x 4.32 x 0.69 inches, the Pharos Traveler GPS 525 can easily slide into a pocket for easy travel. The average battery life, typically around 9 hours, gives you plenty of charge time on the new unit. Additionally, Pharos integrated VoIP technology, which allows you to use your GPS system as a phone.

With all of this functionality, it is no surprise that the GPS 525 is not sold at a low sticker price. This unit typically sells for around $600; the same price that higher end PDAs are being sold for.

With a screen resolution of 240 x 320, the maps are a bit difficult to read while driving. Unfortunately, there is also no lock mechanism on the GPS 525. If the system is not stored in its case, it can easily be turned off and on unintentionally.

In spite of the hefty sticker price, the GPS 525 provides users with a multitude of functionalities, all in one unit. Even though this unit is slightly higher priced than many PDAs, it does offer a sleek, compact design that many PDAs do not. Using the GPS 525, while driving, may prove to be difficult. Automatically loading all of the maps available, may cause you to purchase additional memory cards.

There are obvious quirks, small screen size, and the need for additional memory. This unit was designed for travelers, to make their lives easier, and can do just that.

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Where Can I Get A Garmin nuvi For The Best Price?

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Everywhere you look this Christmas Season you see ads for the Garmin nuvi GPS System - it’s sure to be one of the top sellers! If you want to find a Garmin nuvi at a good price this year, you’re going to want to shop early. The Garmin GPS systems have been out for a couple of years, but they’re just starting to get really popular because of new features like voice activation and traffic information.

Where’s the best place to get a good price on a Garmin nuvi?

Your best bet for finding a good price on the Garmin nuvi is to visit some of the online auction sites. That’s where you can find the best prices, you can bid what you want to pay, and also get fast delivery. Many of the sellers offer “new in box” systems, and some places also have “out of box” systems which can save you a lot of money. If you don’t mind a product that doesn’t have the packaging, you can save big!

Ebay is the best place to start looking for the Garmin nuvi since it’s really the “daddy” of all auction sites. There are literally millions of sellers on ebay, offering every model you might be interested in. You can find new Garmins, used ones, bundles, accessories - the works! Plus because there are so many sellers, you’re going to be able to find any model, not just the ones the stores carry (or are sold out of!)

If you don’t mind buying used, Ebay might be just the ticket for you. The way Ebay is structered as far as regulations and feedback, you can be sure you get what you’re expecting. Plus, lots of times the used systems are just as good as new!

Another great reason to shop Ebay for your Garmin GPS is the fact that you might not be able to find it anywhere else! Some of the models of the Garmin nuvi GPS have sold out pretty much everywhere and your only chance to find them is on Ebay. Yes, you may pay a little more than retail, but you’re going to be able to find the model you’re looking for. Plus, you’re still going to pay the best price, since you’ve got so many options.

If you don’t like shopping online, you could go to your local big-box outlet and try to find a Garmin nuvi there. However, this option isn’t recommended for finding the Garmin nuvi best price. The good thing about this option is that you’ve got the unit immediately, so you can shop up until the last minute. Problem is they sell out, and a lot of these store don’t sell all the different models anyway.

Another great place to try is Amazon Marketplace. At Amazon, you have the benefit of ease of use, reliable shipping, and ease of return if something is wrong. Once again, at Amazon you have the choice between new and used systems. Plus, the selection of merchandise you can get for your Garmin nuvi is mind-boggling at Amazon.

These are a couple of very good sources for getting your Garmin nuvi GPS and the best price possible. But get shopping - the closer it gets to Christmas, the more you’re going to pay!

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