GPS Navigation: Helping to Keep Men Manly Since 2000

Probably the number one cause of arguing while on a road trip is how to get there. Someone missed a turn and now you’re not-so-merrily on your way to somewhere you didn’t want to go- usually in the exact opposite direction. To compensate, your inclination is to take the next exit or circle the block. This is not a wise option Dr. Livingstone, you are in unfamiliar territory and chances are you are going to get even more lost than before. What you should have done was invest in a GPS navigation device.

Road maps are hard to fold and though it’s nice to use online mapping services like MapQuest and Google Maps, what happens when you take a wrong turn? Often you are so lost you can’t find your way back to any common reference point on your 2×2 inch mini map. What you need is the up to date visual picture with directions you get with GPS navigation.

GPS units are small and relatively inexpensive. They are generally battery operated and require very little juice, so the operating times can be quite a few hours. Should your trip be longer than that, they usually come with a charger so you can plug them right in and keep truckin’- literally. With various sizes and styles, there is a GPS built for virtually any vehicle.

GPS navigation has improved steadily over the last decade to the point where accuracy is generally within 10 meters (30 ft). This is because current GPS technology uses a series of satellite signals to figure out where you are based on triangulation. Thirty feet might sound like a lot of distance, but when you think about it, being 30 feet off from Uncle Joe’s new place in Alberta is better than calling him from San Diego for directions. Are you following me?

GPS navigation software comes standard with some cell phones now. It is important to realize though, that most of these will only work when you have signal from a cell tower. So though they might be as accurate as a satellite GPS system, they will not be as versatile. In addition to the cell phone option, several manufacturer’s make GPS units that plug right into your laptop via a USB port. These generally offer a lot of mapping programs you won’t get with the standard handheld unit- In other words, more bells and whistles.

Your GPS will have to be updated periodically. This is done via the internet and on the manufacturer’s website. The pros to this are updated maps that will let you know if there are any detours or delays due to road construction. This will also update your GPS with new roads that might have opened since your last update. This is important because an updated GPS is least likely to malfunction or give goofy directions.

Mounting is a concern and should be really tended to. Often there is a suction cup assembly with a holster attached. The suction cup can be used to put your unit anywhere on your windshield you like. This is going to sound obvious, but don’t mount it directly in front of the driver. Some cars now come with a built-in GPS, when you have one of these there’s generally not a safety issue. Usually, the best place to mount your GPS is low in the middle of your windshield, down towards the dash, but this is really up to individual taste.

Your GPS navigation system is an asset to you and your family. You will not only find the shortest route from point A to B, but you will be able to do so with the confidence of someone who knows where they are going. This saves you time and allows for you to enjoy a little bit of the scenery on the way.

Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on Garmin GPS Accessories which showcases reviews of some of the top accessories for your Garmin GPS system.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 12:00 pm and is filed under GPS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.