The Convenience of GPS Navigation Systems - Road Travel Has Never Been Easier

Are you tired of pulling out an awkwardly folded, obtrusive, impossible-to-read paper map every time you travel to an area you're unfamiliar with? If you're still doing this to get across the country, it's possible you're also still operating a VCR (with a cord attached). My point is, assistance with travel has evolved a great deal since those days of needing a paper map - not to say that it isn't very useful as a backup tool, but come on! Now you can use global positioning units that provide directions to and from endless locations while you're in your vehicle. So if you're looking for navigation and are sick and tired of that paper map, now is the time to learn about the convenience of GPS navigation systems.

What's Not to Love about Them?

There are so many reasons to embrace getting on the road with one of these gadgets. The main reason, however is that it is beyond convenient in that it offers to do much of the work you would have to handle on your own. It figures out your coordinates on Earth by communicating to orbiting satellites then accurately offers plain English instructions to any location in the United States. There is even more to the convenience of GPS navigation systems. Let's take a look.

Virtual Maps - So it's one thing to get your hands on a bunch of paper maps for different cities and specific regions, but who is going to unfold all of those maps and place them in front of your eyes while you're driving? Your handy electronic device will, that's who. Where with paper maps you have to organize yourself constantly, and sometimes pull over on the side of the road to locate your position on the map (which is a safety hazard, by the way), with this handy little device, all you have to do is take a glance at the virtual map on the screen, which is constantly changing to reflect your current position on Earth.

Road and Highway Navigation - Okay, so even if you're forced yourself to adjust to the paper map, there is no way that your map can talk to you, offering turn-by-turn instruction as you travel along the roads and highways. If it can, you need to either get the map (or yourself) checked for further testing. However, the convenience of GPS navigation systems offers this added feature, which for some is the ultimate reason they decide to purchase the device. Imagine being able to drive from California to New York, being instructed the entire way with a voice guiding you with the words "in 500 feet, turn right." And if you have an even more sophisticated unit with text-to-speech technology, it will tell you "in 500 feet, turn right on Madison Avenue." Having this type of ongoing assistance is just like having your best friend in the car with you.

POIs - The points of interest (POI) database also showcases the convenience of GPS navigation systems. Imagine that you're out on the road alone, making your trip from California to New York, when you decide on a humbug that you would like to make a detour to Hershey, Pennsylvania. Of course, your handy little gadget will be able to map out the directions for you. But along the way, you also decide that you want to stop at an ATM and get some money. This is where the POI database comes in. This database offers the address to businesses and other important locations like ATMs, fuel stops, restaurants, and more without you ever having to look them out. You simply scroll through the list until you find what you want, then have the system map out the directions for you. And if your system offers a Bluetooth hands-free calling feature, you can dial the location you want to visit with 1-touch dialing. Nice!

Traffic and Weather Updates - The convenience of GPS navigation systems also extends to traffic and weather updates, which let you know where there are traffic tie-ups, or problems that can stall you as a result of bad weather. If the route you are traveling may be affected by one of these issues, the system can offer an alternative route to the place you want to go.

The convenience of GPS navigation systems doesn't end here. There is much more to take advantage of. But these benefits definitely offer a good start, wouldn't you say? So don't miss out on the chance to take advantage of the convenience of GPS navigations systems. Your next road trip will thank you for it.

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How Do GPS Systems Work?

They have become the must-have automotive accessory of the 2000s. Helping motorists get to their destinations without the need for a bulky map and even guiding them past traffic snarls with ease, GPS systems are now almost as indispensible as car radios. But just how do these devices work and what makes them so valuable are questions that make those who have not taken the plunge wonder if they are worth the price of admission.

The basic functioning of a GPS device is to pinpoint a person in an exact spot on the globe. What consumers purchase is technically a Global Positioning System receiver, not a GPS per say. The GPS, the real GPS, is a constellation of more than two dozen satellites the United States military installed in an earth orbit. These satellites orbit the earth twice a day. The GPS receivers consumers can buy are able to locate at least four satellites at any given time and determine the distance to each. This process results in the GPS receiver being able to pinpoint its own location on the globe.

GPS systems can operate accurately in a number of conditions, but they are not infallible. For example, GPS is accurate regardless of weather conditions or the time of day. The signals, however, can be blocked by thick forests, canyon walls, large buildings and other similar obstacles. On average, GPS systems are accurate within 15 meters, but some newer machines have a margin of error that is even less.

GPS signals are technically free to receive, but it is through paid services that motorists get the information they need the most to navigate travel. Thanks to the computerized backing services provide, GPS receivers can do more than pinpoint global position using the system of longitude, latitude and height. Extras that can come along with a GPS receiver device and a paid service include:

Road map functioning - A GPS receiver can be used in conjunction with downloadable road maps to "walk" a motorist through a trip. Some devices will even determine the best route to take a driver from Point A to Point B and give turn-by-turn verbal directions along the way.

Real-time traffic updates - Some services enable motorists to receive real-time traffic updates as they travel along a route. Intuitive services will help motorists avoid jams ahead and provide them alternative routes to take to avoid problems.

Trip planning - When the GPS system is backed by a computerized service, motorists can receive invaluable information for trip planning. Not only will a GPS system in a car determine the best route for a motorist to take, but it can also calculate travel time, distance and other important factors.

Landmark location - GPS services that provide maps and directions also sometimes offer landmark location in relation to a person's position on the globe. Landmark information can be requested for such things as points of interest, restaurants, hotels and more.

A true GPS receiver enables people to determine exactly where in the world they are at any given time. When a receiver is supercharged thanks to a service, it can help motorists navigate travel with ease.

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