In ancient times, there was no such thing as a GPS Navigation unit. Sailors and explorers had to rely on navigation tools that occurred naturally. These included such things as determining which direction was north based on the location on the North Star in the sky or on which side of the tree moss was seen growing. Simple man-made tools, such as compass devices that used magnetized needles floating in liquid or a sextant were available. However, use of a sextant required taking a reading from the sun, and compasses did not always read true in mineral-rich areas.
As technology has evolved and advanced, however, so, too, have navigation tools. Today, the majority of cell phones, cars, computers, and other electronic devices contain global positioning satellite, or GPS devices or capability. Some GPS equipment uses technology similar to that of an ordinary radio receiver. However, instead of picking up sound waves like a radio receiver does, GPS technology involves the use of a microchip that picks up signals broadcast from satellites that are orbiting around the earth. In order to pinpoint and display a map of a particular location, GPS devices must receive information from a number of different satellites, through a process called triangulation.
Not all GPS devices make use of a navigational map system. Some, such as certain cell phones or compasses, are simply devices to let you know your longitude and latitude for informational purposes. The map technology has to be added into the device from the manufacturer and even this still has some limitations. These systems can only determine your route based on the map data they incorporate. If a road is changed or even eliminated, or if you leave a mapped road, to an unmapped off-road, the device will know where you are, and can give you coordinates,but it won't be able to offer directions and it will most likely repeatedly tell you to get back on the known road.
Other GPS navigation devices only provide latitude and longitude information. If mapping capabilities are required, the devices must have programming or retrieval information added to the system. Mapping information, however, may be restrictive, because it can only work from inputted data, which may not take into account any changes which may have occurred.
In addition, while the basic GPS information on a cell phone may not allow you to access turn-by-turn information, it can still provide enough to allow you to again make use of the printed map. And, of course, cell phone GPS navigation information will be sufficient to use if you need to guide emergency help to your location.
GPS navigations systems are available under different brand names such as TomTom, OnStar, and Garmin. These systems are rapidly becoming standard equipment on automobiles, especially the newer models. These systems, which are more advanced that other GPS systems, can provide an extra measure of safety, as quite often they are monitored by real people who can relay messages to emergency or law enforcement personnel if necessary.
For Help Choosing the Right Type of GPS Navigation Device, Consult Your GPS Navigation Specialist.
Orignal From: Devices That Support GPS Navigation
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