Buyers Guide and Overview |
 |
 Navigating your way around the globe has never been easier. Whether it's finding your way to the nearest shopping mall or working out the fastest route across Europe, GPS has made map reading a thing of the past. There’s a range of options to suit every need from single-country mapping to whole continents.
|
| |
The latest GPS - Global Positioning System - devices do much more than just pinpoint your location on the globe though. Features include: postcode searches for exact A to B navigation; points of interest searches for finding the nearest petrol stations, museums and the like; and speed trap notification.
The GPS system operates very simply. There are 27 satellites orbiting the earth with 24 operational at any one time. The spare non-working three are in cold storage, there just in case one of the others fails. The GPS receiver in your hand or on your car dashboard then measures the distance to a minimum of three of the orbiting satellites and triangulates your exact position.
|
| |
 Finding your position on the planet is the easy part. Each different manufacturer has its own software to help you along the way. This controls aspects such as the detail of maps used and the calculation of routing details. Managing your route is an important factor. How quickly the receiver can re-calculate the smoothest and quickest method of getting you to your destination if you take a wrong turn could save you valuable time and petrol.
Though recently GPS devices seem to have found themselves very popular in cars, there are a number of systems available for every type of user. Whether you're a hill walker, mountain biker or businessman then there'll be a solution that's right up your street.
|
| |
 The display is paramount to each device and it'll give you the best view of the surrounding terrain and will also help when navigating the operating system.
There are a number of devices on the market that have GPS capabilities and you should make sure that the one you go for matches your needs. Each device will come with software built-in to help you navigate the roads. However not all models will come with worldwide maps so you might have to invest more money to add those over time. The real crux of navigating software is its ability to get you to your destination as quickly as possible. Make sure you get the machine that’s right for your needs. A car based GPS, for instance will be more suited to getting you round big cities than a mobile device. |
Key Points To Consider |
| At a minimum the things you need to look for when considering a GPS navigator are that it can provide you with postcode searches, street names and points of interest. Also look out for the ability to add an aerial to improve signal reception in built-up areas and, if you’re on the go in the big outdoors, battery performance. |
|
Could this