If you love technology and gadgets then you will probably be familiar with GPS navigation systems that are available on the market today. GPS navigation is fairly common these days and there is a wide range of GPS navigation devices available. These small devices are able to store plenty of information. GPS navigation systems are extremely helpful, especially if you are visiting places that you have never been to before.

On top of all of this, a GPS navigation system will also make a wonderful gift to that someone special, especially if this person is an avid traveler. These GPS navigation systems such as the TomTom GPS are full of unbelievable features. These gadgets are also very easy to use, and at the same time they are a lot of fun.  Although the wide range of GPS navigation systems on the market makes it very difficult to select a GPS system, it is not impossible to find the right model for your needs. The TomTom GPS system has proved itself to be a great GPS navigation system, and is preferred by many buyers.

The GPS navigation systems market is extremely competitive, and you will find different models with different features at different prices. The price of the unit you decide on will all depend on the features that they include as part of the device.  All GPS navigation systems have a wide range of features, and this makes choosing the right TomTom GPS a very challenging and difficult task.

Most GPS producers put forward features such as Bluetooth, live weather, traffic updates, FM transmission and multiple route numbers. It is then easy to get lost in the difficultness of these features, especially if you do not know a lot about GPS navigation systems. What will follow is an explanation of each of these features in order for you to get a better understanding of them.

With most gadgets and appliances you will find that there are several manufacturers competing against one another and this is the same in the GPS navigation system field. When buying a GPS navigation system it is best to go with one of the more reputable and bigger manufacturers. In this way you can be assured that your GPS navigation system will receive the support and service it deserves. The biggest names in this field are definitely Garmin and TomTom GPS navigation systems.

Garmin GPS navigation systems are well known their big range of GPS navigation systems, their excellent quality and outstanding technology. But although TomTom GPS navigation systems are a relatively new competitor in the market, it has successfully managed to capture a considerable piece in this market by putting well priced and good quality GPS navigation systems on the market. No one would say that Magellan, another GPS navigation system company were the pioneers in the GPS navigation systems industry.

To understand more about the features of a TomTom GPS navigation system you would have to know that all of them come with a touch screen interface, a database that contains points of interest and an auto calculation function that calculates the distance you have to travel. If these are the only functions you require from your GPS navigation system, then you should be able to buy one at a fairly reasonable price from a company such as TomTom GPS navigation systems.

If you on the other hand are looking for more features in your GPS navigation system, you must also be prepared to pay more in order to get this. If you spend a considerable amount of money on the GPS navigation system you intend to buy, you will probably be able to get an included Bluetooth feature so that you can do hands-free voice calling, have real-time traffic and weather conditions, and have extensive maps included. These GPS navigation systems will also have a bigger database with points of interest.

The TomTom GPS navigation systems have many features and characteristics that will appeal to customers. TomTom GPS navigation devices are one of the most popular devices on the market today, and you will see commercials of them all over the place.  TomTom portable GPS navigation systems are so popular due to the fact that they are so easy to use, and most users love this feature about them. They have very easy to see commands which users find very easy to use and uncomplicated.

The built-in navigation in the TomTom GPS navigation devices performs extremely well in terms of everyday navigation. TomTom GPS devices typically feature a really good direction and text-to-speech instructions that makes it easy for any beginner user to use. Learning to use the TomTom GPS navigation device is a very short process, and it is one of the features that most users enjoy about this product.

If you buy one of the more recent and advanced TomTom GPS navigation devices, it will come with a traffic information receiver that will let you know of any approaching traffic jams. To add even more, TomTom GPS navigation systems also come with quick signal-locking GPS receivers that have a MHz built-in processor that is able to operate with an even refresh rate and rapid command response.

Some of the more advanced TomTom GPS navigation devices also have features such as lane guidance that will help you to switch lanes at busy intersections. They will also inform you of the current speed limits, and will alert you if you go above the speed limit. A number of TomTom products even come with a buddy tracker that will let you know where on the map your buddies are.

In addition to all this, the TomTom GPS devices also come with a Help Me feature that will indicate emergency services together with their contact details. They will also indicate the location of that unit at present.

One last benefit of the TomTom GPS devices is that they have a more than average battery life that will last anything between 3 to 5 hours, which is really exceptional.

Best GPS-in-car Systems

The Global Positioning System is a location positioning system consisting of a network of 27 earth-orbiting satellites. These satellites are solar-powered and circle the Earth at approximately 12,000 miles an hour. Traveling around the globe twice every 24 hours at anytime during the day there are at least four satellites located within the sky anywhere on Earth. This network was developed by the United States military and they implemented the network of satellites as a military navigation system. The tremendous commercial potential of this new satellite network system was soon realized and it was opened up to the public.  It changed the face of navigation as we know it.

When someone refers to a GPS they are usually referring to a GPS receiver. A GPS receiver is the device that you carry with you or put in your car to display your location on a map or relative to other objects.  It receives signals from the GPS satellite network to determine its present location. The GPS receiver works by locating the satellites in the GPS satellite network and then using their location relative to it to establish its own location through a process known as trilateration.

A personal navigation assistant is similar to an automotive navigation system but is designed to work as a hand-held device and is not focused on car-related travel. While many automotive GPS units are designed to be mounted inside the vehicle the hand-held GPS units are more portable and can be easily carried around. Since the late 2000’s, many large mobile phone companies have begun to incorporate GPS receivers into mobile phones and completely integrating the personal navigation assistant into the phone. With advances in technology it is predicted that GPS assistants will be rapidly integrated into mobile phones within the next few years.

When it comes to GPS navigation software, the types of software available can typically be divided into two categories:

Tracking software uses the GPS to track the position of the device relative to the satellite network and displays it on the device with an electronic map background image. This type of software allows for routes to be pre-programmed and shows the user where they have been.  This gives them a line or similar visual route indicator to follow on the screen.

Route calculation software provides the user with directions calculated and then given to the user by the software.  Often this is achieved with a vocal interface. It is the most popular form of GPS software used for automotive navigation systems and uses a vector-based map for calculations.

Navigation software makes use of tracks, routes and waypoints in order to calculate specific travel routes and travel times. Tracks are traces of where the user has been with the device.  At times, tracks can also be manually inputted. Points are recorded onto the device when the unit collects and sends details of its current location.  It is then noted by the software. Devices can be programmed to make points at specific time intervals and each point is stored on the device along with its time and date. Putting the traveling points together in chronological order results in a track which traces the user’s traveling route. Tracks can be used to retrace steps if you should get lost.

Tracks can also be indicated when traveling pre-planned routes.  They are especially helpful when a user travels off the indicated route. The device can then display both the route and the track.  It assists the user in becoming oriented.

Another important part of software route planning is the waypoint. Waypoints are used by the GPS software to mark particular locations on maps and are used as markers along the journey. Waypoints can differ from device to device, map to map and place to place. They can be inputted by users as custom identified places, sights or locations, or can be downloaded from official sources to serve as guiding landmarks when traveling. Waypoints can also be used for safety purposes, marking route obstacles such as cliffs or landslides or other hazards that could obstruct the route.

A number of navigation software products are available for use on computers provided they either have a built in GPs receiver or a portable receiver that can attach to the computer. The majority of commercial software is only available for the Windows or MAC OS X operating systems.  However, with the popularity of GPS usage rising, projects (some of which are open-source based) have begun development in order to make GPS software available to other computer operating systems. Using devices such as a Smartphone or a PDA is usually preferable for day-to-day GPS.  Routes can be planned and then uploaded or downloaded from the Smartphone or PDA. These devices are also useful to travelers and tourists as they can assist in tracking travel routes and making accurate travelogues.

If you love to take road trips or travel a lot then you should know that from time to time you do need directional support.  People were reliant on road maps or they had to stop and ask for directions. Things have changed now that you have GPS devices that are able to display your position in real time. Bluetooth GPS makes life a great deal easier.  These GPS devices are basically a separate GPS device that can be linked to your Bluetooth enabled phone by means of Bluetooth. This enables you to find your current position via GPS by using the display on the screen of your phone.

Bluetooth GPS is much cheaper than having to buy an entire GPS transponder set together with a large display screen. With Bluetooth GPS you will only have to buy a transponder that is Bluetooth enabled.  You can use the screen of your mobile phone. The transponder on its own is fairly transportable and therefore you don’t have to drag along a big piece of equipment. You will find there is a wide range of GPS devices on sale in the marketplace.  Most GPS service providers will sell their GPS devices with the maps stored on them. A number of these providers also charge for the maps you require for a specific location.

From all these GPS devices you should narrow it down until you only have the ones with Bluetooth GPS functionality.  There are many websites that will help you compare both products as well as prices.

If you are a business owner and currently making use of Bluetooth GPS functionality, you might also want to know a bit more about GPS mapping. This kind of mapping can make your life in business a whole lot easier. All your cars or delivery trucks can be outfitted with GPS mapping.   It is possible for you to use the same satellite system to keep an eye on all your equipment and stock. GPS systems can add so much more to your business than just direction.

Most companies that make an effort to employ the most current technology will also attract the majority of customers.  In today’s society, people are accustomed to knowing where everything is at any given moment.  It is only a normal addition for them to want to keep track of people and goods that are moving around. GPS mapping will help you to keep track of any cargo you are transporting from location to location.  Customers see this feature as vital.  Some just use it for the sake of keeping up with technology.

Portable GPS mapping systems are also used to guarantee one’s personal safety as it can determine your precise location. Apart from this, you can also use GPS mapping systems to establish where other people are. This is one of the reasons people choose to use Bluetooth GPS mapping systems for both private and business use.

At first, GPS mapping devices were used only by certified workers of the US.  Today, anyone can take pleasure in the benefits of having a Bluetooth GPS mapping device with them. These GPS systems are available in a lot of areas and you can even shop for them online. You will be astonished by the variety of choices available to you. If you want the Bluetooth facility then you have a choice of prices.

There are many consumers who want to use a Bluetooth GPS system that is a portable device for mapping.  Having a portable device means you can easily select the GPS mapping system that will meet your needs. These handheld GPS mapping systems are very light and transportable.

Transportable GPS mapping systems such as the Bluetooth enabled GPS mapping systems have really simplified the lives of many people on a daily basis. Fresh and sophisticated technologies are still being developed on a continual basis.  One can therefore anticipate that in the near future more complex developments will be included in the GPS mapping systems.

It is advised that you always carry a transportable GPS mapping system with you even if it comes at a cost. The benefits can not be measured in money. Do not see the cost as an obstacle as a GPS mapping system will continue to be a good investment.  It is a personal responsibility to make sure you use your time effectively and you remain safe as you travel from one destination to the next.  Having a suitable GPS system means you can use routes that are efficient when it comes to gas consumption.  This saving in fuel consumption will pay for your GPS system time and again.

What’s great about the GPS functionality these days is that not only is it GPS units that are so useful, but also many cell phones come equipped with full GPS capabilities.  The widespread use of cell phones makes them the ideal portable GPS devices, often equipped with all the latest technology to even be able to locate a lost person.  Coast guards and the navy find this sort of technology very useful. Outdoor sportsmen, hunters and wilderness explorers use their GPS to help them find their way into and out of trails.  No longer do nature lovers have to explore wilderness trails and keep track of their journey with markers on trees and rocks.  Modern technology makes it all so much easier and safer.

Fishermen use GPS to navigate the waters and there is GPS technology with the feature to track fish. Many resourceful fishermen have been using this technology for some time to:

• Keep track of casting points
• Be able to return to the same spot repeatedly
• Be able to share GPS co-ordinates with fellow fishermen
• Pre-plan their fishing trips
• Obtain excellent patterning methods
• Have the ability to find shoals

GPS is also excellent as a safety tool. It will navigate you safely even in bad weather and foggy conditions.  You can get lost and then easily find your way back to shore.

Should you have a ‘man overboard’ situation it can mark the exact location for rescue parties.  It can also be used to communicate to the coast guards a location should you find a boat in distress.  Emergency situations are quickly overcome, allowing you to navigate to safety avoiding hazards on the way.

Friends and family can keep track of your journey with Buddy Beacon.  You can pre-select the people whom you wish to have access to your location.

Trucking companies are also making good use of GPS to keep track of their fleets.  Mileage tracking gives fleet managers a report of the vehicle performance and when it requires maintenance.

Features to look for:

• Easy to use interface
• Points of interest (POI) in a database.
• A detour function should you have to use an alternative route
• Pre-loaded maps that cover your location and maps that cover locations you wish to visit.
• Additional features such as being compatible with FM and MSN traffic to receive live updates of traffic reports. This feature will be on a subscription basis.

If you live in a remote area you must check if your area is covered.  Do this prior to purchasing.  This will avoid choosing a unit you can’t use because it does not have maps of your location.

Some units will have the Garmin “Where am I” feature for emergencies.  It allows you to call emergency directly from your units.  You can also save your present location and it will be able to locate essential services such as police stations and hospitals.

It is not only travelers who use GPS devices to track their journeys.  Some GPS self-guided touring units have technology that is far more valuable. Using their iPods or iPhones they are able to discover locations and attractions in areas they want to visit. Travelers are giving rave reviews of these applications.

Even better, they are easy to download.  Once installed on your phone you are ready to go.  You can get excellent advice on local attractions, restaurants and where to shop for the best bargains.  All information is uploaded on a regular basis so you know that you are receiving the most accurate and up to date data.  You can be assured you will get what you expect.

With the use of videos, slides and good narration, you are getting a visual and audio medium to help you make your choices.  You are also able to view your destination and its attractions prior to making your journey.  It means you can comfortably plan ahead what you need to bring and where suitable accommodation is available.

Hand held GPS devices or portable GPS can display pre-loaded maps onto a memory card or can be uploaded from a PC.  Maps that you can upload from your PC are often obtainable from CD-ROMS. Viewing your maps on the PC means you are able to plan your route by marking and creating the routes you wish to take.  Your selections are downloaded to your GPS device.  Some devices come equipped with memory cards which allow for more data to be made available.

Choosing a GPS device is a personal choice.  There are so many different choices from those installed into our vehicle units to hand help or portable devices.  Search the internet or talk to your local suppliers and discuss your needs in order to find the right GPS device to suit your requirements and your pocket.

Topographical GPS maps are usually vector-based maps that use lines and symbols to represent natural and manmade features on the surface of the Earth.  These are plotted to a predefined scale. The differing characteristics of the terrain are recorded onto the map in an easily readable form and the information is taken from field inspections and land surveys to make sure that it is accurate. The topographical maps show the location, height and shapes of mountains, plains and valleys.  It identifies the varying networks of rivers and streams as well as man-made features such as dams, levees, canals, mines, railroads and highways.

Part of the distinguishing features of topographical maps is that they contain extensive information about the height of objects which normal maps typically do not take into account.  Certain specialized GPS devices have built-in topographical map readers that make it possible to create a 3D representation of the map using the information that is supplied with the device.

There are many other kinds of GPS maps available for download and use on GPS units. Some of these types include satellite maps, which are literally pictures taken of the Earth’s surface by orbiting satellites at that specific location. Other types of GPS maps include shaded relief maps which are similar to topographical maps but depict altitude through the use of shading.  Geology maps indicate specific geological formations and geological information about locations.  Climatic maps indicate the climates over the seasons of specific regions.  Political maps are those that contain geopolitical and often demographical and sociological information.

One of the most popular makers of GPS consumer technology is Garmin, a company that has gotten many outstanding GPS reviews. Their first product was the GPS 100.  This is a receiver that is aimed at the marine market and was released in 1990 at the International Marine Technology Exposition in Chicago. The GPS 100 was very well received and heralded a new era in GPS consumer technology.

Garmin has since released a number of GPS receiver models.  The Geko line of receivers was a compact series of handheld GPS receiver devices that were aimed at budget consumers and the lightweight hiking market. In 2004, Garmin followed the Geko series by introducing the 60C line of mapping receivers. The 60C featured a higher storage capacity, increased sensitivity and up to 30 hours of battery life when the device was used in battery-save mode. The follow-up models, namely the 60Cx and the 60CSx were later released and included improved color map displays. The 60Cx and 60CSx are ideal for adventure and exploration trips, especially trips to remote areas around the world. In 2008, maps for a rafting expedition along the entire Amazon River were included with the device.

In 2003, there was the release if the iQue series of the PDA-integrated GPS receivers and the iQue M4 became the first PDA that did not require a PC to preload GPS maps. Garmin’s StreetPilot i-Series was released in October 2005 as a compact GPS navigator. It featured three models, namely the i2, the i3, and the i5. The i2 was released with a monochrome display and requires that maps be loaded onto a Transflash card. The i3 had the same features as the i2 with the exception that it was released with a color screen display. The i5 was more advanced with maps having been pre-programmed into the device as well as having a color screen. The StreetPilot line was later advanced with the release of the c-Series.  Some of the models included color touch screens, weather and information updates, Bluetooth support and FM traffic notifications.

The Garmin Nüvifone was announced in January 2008 with a release date set for late 2009. The Nüvifone is a mobile phone integrated with a personal navigation device. The device has almost no buttons and instead features a touch screen with a virtual keyboard and buttons. It is a 3G hybrid handset and can be docked with a vehicle amount, allowing it to be used simultaneously as a GPS navigator and hands-free phone. The Nüvifone’s camera features geotagging that allow for photos to be tagged and traced to specified locations.

Other popular GPS devices include the Magellan Maestro 4000, the entry level device of the Maestro series from Magellan. Differing from Magellan’s RoadMate series, the Maestro features a widescreen and a completely redesigned user interface.

Another popular product range is that of Dutch manufacturer TomTom. They have two types of product ranges.  One is focused on navigation devices and the other navigation software.  It specifically caters to the mobile phone market. TomTom has gotten many positive GPS reviews and is popular in the US, Canada and the UK. Some of their systems integrate with mobile phones through Bluetooth, providing traffic congestion maps and even making calls and reading text messages. Their software typically ships with a vocal interface that can give spoken and visual directions.