Installing a GPS Tracking System on Your Teenagers Car

By : Corbin Newlyn

Learning to drive in American society for a teenager is like a rite of passage. While it is an exciting event for the teenager, it is typically either a stressful or horrible event for the teenager's parents.

Because teenagers are young and have the least experience in terms of driving an automobile it makes them more prone to mistakes. Piece of the mistakes that their parents are hoping they can stop from happening.

Going beyond the safety issue, parents also have concerns about the destinations that there kids are really going when driving their car. Parents have heard many stories from other parents or they still can recall their own days as a teenager and make the decision to keep close watch on their teenagers locations. One method to get an accurate location on where your teenager is driving is to have a GPS tracking system installed on his or her vehicle.

Addressing Safety

It is likely that younger drivers take more driving risks than drivers who are more experienced. Monitoring the vehicles speed is one feature among many of GPS tracking systems. With that supplied information, parents can make a decision whether to deny driving privileges or take any other corrective measure.

Additionally, in the event of a breakdown or an accident, the parents can be notified immediately through the GPS tracking system. This is especially helpful due to the fact that younger drivers may not have much of an idea of their street locations or any other geography they may be on. However, the GPS system pinpoints the location on a map very accurately.

Tracking Features

However, the majority of parents that have a GPS tracking system installed in their teenagers automobile is doing it to ensure their child follows the rules set down by their parents in regards to where they can go and where they cannot go. For instance, some parents deny their teenagers from driving on the freeway. Some other parents may not want their teens going to a certain house.

Some may be just concerned that the teenager may not really be going to soccer practice or the library, but to somewhere else that may be undesirable. In short, some parents utilize GPS tracking systems to try and keep their kids honest.

Some manufacturers of these GPS system tracking units advertise that they are very simple and easy to install, that your teenager does not need to know where it is located on the car. Simply put, parents have the options to do this in secret, and have the location data sent to their phone or computer. This is very effective for teenagers that have a tendency to drive recklessly or break the rules. However it may be best utilized as a last resort, and always with the driver's knowledge.

If your child learns that he or she has been tracked without their knowledge, it will only cause greater hostility and distrust in the household. To confront your child with any type of wrongdoing, it would be necessary to admit that they had a installed a GPS tracking system in the vehicle.

To GPS Or Not To GPS

Since the launch of the first Global Position System (GPS) device for automobiles some years back, more and more car manufacturers have been integrating the system into the vehicles they build. The system is still quite pricey given that its production hasn't quite reached mass market numbers. This is why the GPS systems have only been built in to higher end car models. However, if your car doesn't come equipped with a GPS device, you can opt to buy and have one installed.

However, you may ask whether having a GPS device in your car really makes a difference and if its benefits really make it worth having. Well, if you take your car for long drives and you are often away to some new destination either for your work or jusy for fun then having a GPS device installed in your car can be quite helpful.

The GPS device acts like an interactive map and most models are now voice activated so that you won't have to stop and type instructions in. Just say your command and you can interact with your GPS device. It's like having a personal navigation guide with you and this can prove handy when you are lost or just about to be. It will even inform you if you make a wrong turn or missed your destination and will guide you back to where you should be.

Having a GPS device for your car eliminates the hassle of having to pull over and consult a map. Especially when it's just not possible to stop, pullover and consult a map, a GPS device comes in handy to help you navigate your way to your destination. You can also subscribe your device to special features that alert you of important destinations like gas stations, ATM machines and the like so that you can be truly equipped to navigate your way around.

Even if you don't travel to new and faraway places, a GPS device in your car can still be very handy. With a GPS device you can subscribe to special features that allow for real time feeds to warn you of unexpected traffic and which alternate route to take in case of such events. So even if you're not traveling to a new destination you have good use for a GPS device in your car.

How Good Is GPS In Mobile Phones

By : George Wood

GPS technology has been used to keep track of mobile phones. The use of GPS technology in cell phones is not new however the latest mobile phones have GPS devices loaded in them which has made it extremely easy to keep track of someones location all the time and that too with great accuracy.

The use of GPS in mobile phones has so many advantages. Any person who is caught in an emergency situation can use their mobile phones to find their way out. It can be used to provide information about your ETA to your family members. It is also of great help in finding elderly or children when they are lost.

The movement of vehicles can be accurately tracked by the fleet managers and business owners using GPS, thus helping in their business. GPS technology has also been used by hospitals and police when they need to reach a place in an emergency situation.

The use of GPS technology in mobile phones was not common earlier. The technology was not perfect as the broadcasting of the radio signal would continue even when they were not in use, and hence it was not used. Triangulation method was used by mobile companies to keep a track of users location. But it was of no use to the companies and it was also a very tedious process.

But with the development of an excellent technology, GPS in mobile phones became common. Along with the many advantages, its use in mobile phones has several drawbacks.

Its biggest disadvantage is that it interferes with ones privacy. Anyone who carries a GPS mobile phone is always tracked even without his knowledge. No one likes to be tracked down like this all the time. The government and the courts have taken certain measures to make sure that everyones privacy is safeguarded. The courts have ordered law enforcement agencies not to obtain any GPS tracking information. Such information can only be obtained when the cell phone company claims the information to be extremely important or in the benefit of the country. The government has allowed GPS tracking information for e911 emergency calls only. For all other things, the consent of the cell owner is a must.

The benefits of GPS technology in mobile phones can be utilized in a proper way only if the rules and regulations made by the courts and the government are followed. The technology can then be used for all the right reasons without interfering with ones privacy.

GPS How It All Started

Twelve billion US dollars.

That was the amount spent by the American government for its global position system or GPS for short. Satellites are expensive, but when you seriously think about what a GPS can accomplish, it may well be worth every single cent.

The United States Department of Defense no doubt had the proper rationale for inventing the GPS. In fact, in light of recent events that have developed as a result of 9/11, military and defense strategists are probably heaping praise on the DOD for its GPS efforts. GPS has turned out to be a very useful tool in their strategies to protect the country and its allies from potential disaster.

They also have Ivan Getting to thank.

GPS: how it started

Funny how Ivan Getting's name almost fits in with the primary function of GPS - "getting location." GPS is a tracking tool, if you will, and for it to remain in optimal working order, a budget of $400 million a year is required to monitor the satellites so they don't fall out of orbit, so to speak. The budget is also allocated to replace aging satellites.

Ivan Getting was born in New York City in 1912. He enrolled in the Massachusetts Institute Technology with an Edison scholarship and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1933. After MIT, he went on to pursue his Master's Degree as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University.

Dr. Getting obtained his Doctorate in Astrophysics in 1935 - a rare accomplishment in those days.

Less than 20 years later, Dr. Getting joined Raytheon Corporation as Vice President for Engineering and Research. When the Air Force announced a need for a guidance system to be used in conjunction with an ICBM that would achieve mobility by traveling for railroad use, Raytheon came up with a three-dimensional, time-difference-of-arrival position-finding system, the first of its kind at the time. It is a technique that represented one of the most sophisticated technologies in the world, since the concepts that were integrated into its design served as the stepping stones for the development of the global position system - GPS.

Dr. Getting directed aerospace engineers and scientists to evaluate satellite use - the core for a navigational system for rapidly-moving vehicles based on three dimensions. This eventually led to the concept utilized for the design of GPS.

In 1993, the military declared that GPS was now a fully operational world utility - an essential component for modern navigation on land, water and air. Its use extended to map making and land surveying. Today's uses for GPS, however, go beyond these preliminary applications.

As to be expected with technologies of this magnitude, GPS underwent major improvement in the year 2000, when the Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS) was employed to increase the accuracy of signals emanating from GPS. This accuracy is made possible by one of many techniques known as the differential GPS, or DGPS.

When the United States Department of Defense developed the system, it was called NAVSTAR GPS - the acronym for Navigation Signal Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System.

But it wasn't just Ivan Getting

Let's give credit where it's due. Ivan Getting's impressive role in the establishment of GPS - now a public good - cannot be denied. However, for several decades, people have been trying to figure out the means to pinpoint their exact location on earth. People no longer follow stars to find their way as they did in biblical times; these days, satellites can do that much more effectively.

GPS has come a long way. From the original designers of the think tank group within the United States Navy, GPS has now "arrived" with its 24 satellites.

Remember the Sputnik program back in the 1960's?

When Sputnik was launched, the United States Navy had actually run two programs that were said to be GPS's predecessors. Transit was the name given to the first functional satellite-based navigation system, developed by Richard Kirschner in 1964. Those programs had seven satellites, and it relied on radio signals.

In 1967, the second satellite navigation system, Timation was born. It was an improvement over Transit; one innovation was an atomic clock integrated into its design.

In 1973, the US Navy and US Air Force eventually combined efforts to form the Navigation Technology Program, which became Navigation System and Ranging or NAVSTAR. The first four satellites were launched five years after that joint effort.

Based on its history, therefore, the raison-d'être of GPS was purely military in nature. Today, its uses encompass certain activities engaged in by the private sector. It must be mentioned, however, that for reasons of national security, the system used by the public is not as accurate as the one used by the military.

Amazing Features of GPS Software

By : Sandra Stammberger

GPS software or Global positioning system technology allows people to effectively, create their ideal maps. It works off with 28 satellites, and allows anyone with a GPS unit to triangulate a position, anywhere in the world.

GPS software brings this home to the consumer, lending a degree of unmatched knowledge and insight to any outdoor endeavor.

This software allows a person to map the area from their departure to their destination, and then to break up the journey with "waypoints" and to further map each of those legs of the journey. GPS maps are customizable, allowing the user to zoom in or out as needed.

The right software makes trip planning exciting and realistic, and allows you to carry only the map you need, rather than having to find two or three maps to cover the area of exploration.

Saving a waypoint at every major turning point on one's route is one important rule that many people who use GPS stress. Where in, it allows you to calculate time and distance from point to point, and from every major landmark or turn.

Maps generated by GPS software are so important since it gives us the picture of the events outside of our GPS screens, so we are aware of what to look for and how best to approach the leg ahead. These units tell us time, distance, and altitude. It can also draw and print maps of the raw GPS data or superimpose this upon a scanned map image.

Aside from these features, GPS software can also transfer data between a GPS Receiver and a PC. It also edits, sorts, and filters your GPS data. In addition to that, GPS also produce reports of your data either in tabular form or graphically.

Moreover, it exchanges data with other GPS information source. It is useful if you wish to obtain waypoints/routes/tracks from other GPS applications and transfer this to your GPS or export your data for use in other programs.

Furthermore, GPS can allow you to find your vehicle whenever you want on a computer map or through phone.

More and more companies are turning to Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to improve their outside sales force productivity.

It helps companies get a grip on labor costs, especially overtime. With the GPS system, those timesheets are replaced by precise reports printed straight from a computer, which list the history of each vehicle from the time it started to the time it finished, including how many stops it made and the length of each stop. It also monitors who, what, where and when your vehicles are or have been.

Salespeople are finding GPS mapping hardware and software with systematic guides helpful in locating the exact address of customers in unfamiliar areas.

With a receiver and mapping, software they can avoid delays due to heavy traffic, construction work, or road accidents so that they arrive on time and ready to do business. GPS technology helps sales people arrive unflustered, unscathed and on time.

The detailed, accurate information available from GPS has made it popular within aviation, sea navigation, various outdoor activities and sports, and automotive vehicles. GPS equipment has become highly affordable over the past few years and Sales Managers have begun discovering the benefits of equipping their sales force with this technology.

Understanding How To Upload Your GPS

When people purchase a GPS unit, it comes with a few maps. If a certain area that the user wants to see can't be found, it has to be uploaded from software readily available on the Internet.

These software programs have aerial photos, topographical maps and important landmarks. This can also be modified to show the exact longitude and latitude making it easy for the device to tell the user how many miles to go before arriving at the desired destination.

The first thing that you should do is look for these using one of the major search engines. After a few seconds of browsing through the choices, the user will click on it and then follow the instructions in order to download it. The designers of these programs have made them available in different formats so it doesn't matter if you are using a PC or a MAC.

One thing that should be pointed out is that not all the software programs are compatible with the unit you may have at home. This is because there are some that will only work with a particular brand so it is best to check this first.

Those who don’t have access to a computer will still be able to download such information into the unit. This can be done if you have a PDA or the cellphone that is able to send the data to the GPS receiver.

Let's say a friend has the same GPS unit and he has more maps than you. Instead of going online, the information stored can be passed on since these devices are able to talk to one another.

Given that there is a high demand for GPS handheld devices, it has been translated to 12 different languages. No longer will this be a hindrance especially for those who aren't very good with english.

The best places to check out for detailed maps are sites run by hikers and trekkers. Those who love to fly or sail should also check those managed by aviation and marine hobbyists.

It won't be long before almost everyone has GPS unit. Currently, those purchased in stores have only general maps of the US, Canada and Mexico. Those who are planning to bring it on a trip to Europe or in Asia should have it updated to avoid getting lost when seeing the sights.

Playing Around With The GPS

Some children have grown up with the notion of finding treasure buried by pirates many years ago. When the kids are old enough, the parents buy a metal detector then go searching for stuff on the beach or in other places.

So far, no one has been able to find a treasure chest using such equipment. Instead of seeking fortune, there are those who do this for fun. The name of the game is geocaching in which one person will hide a few items, give a few clues and let others find it. Once it is discovered, the finder will then change and replace a few things and the hunt starts all over again.

Geocaching isn't something new that developed because of the global positioning satellite or GPS. This game has been going on for more than 150 years and the introduction of new technology has simply taken it to a new level.

There are different ways by which people can play the game. A series of clues could lead the searches to a number of caches until the actual prize has been discovered. This will not only involve looking at the GPS unit but sometimes solving a puzzle because there isn't any challenge by just getting a fix on the location.

There are certain rules that players have to follow in the game. For instance, a variety of mediums are permitted to be used in giving out clues. Some examples are internet, SMS messaging, stamps, landmarks and anything else that may come to mind.

Once the cache has been found, the person should log one's name, the date and time it was discovered. In the event that the item can't be taken out, simply taking a picture is enough to determine who is the winner.

There are a lot of organizations that sponsor Geocaching such as the Geological Society of America. Smaller ones will offer free memberships while others will ask for a small fee.

You can work alone or in groups when looking for the prize. The most important thing to have of course is the GPS receiver because without it, other people will be able to find it first.

In the end, this is just for fun. The chances of finding some long lost treasure worth millions probably won't happen so those who are thinking of doing this shouldn't even bother.

Never Get Lost With A Magellan GPS

Many years ago, an explorer by the name of Magellan was able to sail from Portugal all the way to Asia. Because of this individual's triumph, a company that specializes in electronic equipment specifically global positioning satellite systems decided to name it after him.

Magellan GPS has been in the business of providing GPS receivers since 1978. This company is based in Santa Clara, California with another office located in France. All of its units are handheld and lightweight. This makes it easy for you to mount it on the windshield instead of holding it in the palm of your hand.

Before going on a trip, you just put in the address of the desired destination. The computer will then compute the distance and estimated time of arrival. Because it has real time updates, the user can change the route if there is traffic reported up ahead.

One example of this is the 2500T. It weights 7.8 oz, is waterproof in case it is brought out for camping, a rechargeable battery and has visual and audio guidance telling the driver when and where to make a turn. This little toy costs $499 and can be bought in an electronic store or online.

Another is the Roadmate 2000. It is just like the first model mentioned but is much cheaper for about $349. It has a set of preprogrammed maps and can be uploaded with new ones by simply connecting it to the Internet.

There are other uses for the Magellan GPS. In the event of a car theft, it will make it easy for the police to find it. Kids that are allowed to drive can be tracked so parents don’t have to worry when they aren't home yet.

As a result, businesses are also taking advantage of this technology. It allows entrepreneurs to locate where the trucks or the cabs are. After all, gas burns when such vehicles are on the move and it is only right that these are used properly.

There are other models that Magellan can offer to the public. The customer can visit its website or check these out together with other brands in stores. After trying a few, you can't go wrong with this handheld GPS receiver that will get you and the family to the desired destination.

Use A GPS For Tracking

Everyone has heard of what GPS is and how useful it is when navigating. But did you know that it can be used for other things? Since satellites up in space send radio waves to the device, it is also possible for others to track the user's movements.

In the event that your car is stolen, you can give police the frequency so it can easily be recovered from the thieves. If you have teenage kids, you can find out what area of town your son or daughter is in. There are even smaller GPS units that can be placed around the collar of your pet. This will make it easy for you to find it should it get lost.

You can also use the GPS unit to track the weather. This can help determine the weather and how hot or cool the day will be since the forecast given on television or the radio may be wrong.

If an accident happens on the road, those calling 911 may not be able to give the exact location where it took place but the GPS system in the car will enable dispatchers to send emergency crews before it is too late.

In business, time is money. Owners who have a fleet of trucks will know where each truck is. This eliminates wasting precious fuel and manpower by some staff who use such assets for personal use at the expense of the company.

GPS units are sold by a lot of retailers and some can even be purchased online. Businesses will have to shell out more money but some offer good discounts that will pay off in the long term.

Before buying any, you should do some research on the products available and how one brand does over the others. There is one out there for everybody and it just takes some time in figuring out which one is good value for the money.

People should remember that such technology didn't exist in the past and it was only heard of in the movies. This all changed when fiber optics and smarter computers were made enabling designers to come up with all sorts of devices.

Since this was first initiated by the Department of Defense, a good example of GPS technology put to action will be the military's ability of flying unmanned aerial vehicles or drones into the combat zones instead of sending pilots into hostile territory. It can stay in an area for hours before it has to go back to base and refuel.

GPS City Navigation Made Easy

During the not so distant past, people usually fight with their maps and city guides when navigating a major city. In their attempt to find the quickest route, they often find themselves trapped on back roads that the map said were passable.

Unfortunately, they failed to realize that maps are as good as the day they were sent to print. Once they were printed, streets signs might have been changed, flow of traffic might have been altered and a lot of other traffic regulations might have been implemented. So if you have a map, you can't stop there. You need to update your road map as frequently as possible or as soon as a new edition comes out.

But nowadays navigating through the busy city streets has been simplified with the addition of portable GPS (Global Positioning System) devices on car dashboards. With direct uplink to satellite imagery and mapping, cars can track down traffic and get updates on the best route to take all in real time.

A GPS is actually a chip which is somewhat like a radio-receiver. What it does is it captures the signals coming from GPS satellites orbiting the Earth. It gets two to four or even more signals from GPS satellites all at the same time. This enables the chip to determine its current position, the velocity it is traveling and the exact time.

However, although GPS navigation systems used in cars are really useful they are still limited in the amount of information that is contained in the map and street database that is uses. So as far as positioning goes, a GPS in a car will tell you where you are but the map and street database will tell you where you want to go and how you can get there.

When you decide to buy a GPS navigation system for your car, some of the criteria that you want to have are ease of use, voice output options, maps and street database that can be updated, and a big, bright screen. The rest of the features will depend on the user's preferences. Others might want to have a touch screen feature since they find the interactive console easier to use. Others might want to add an all-in-one (AIO) portable GPS unit which offers language translators, MP3 music players, audio book players, among other features.

Be sure to consider all the options before you invest on a GPS system for your car.

Important Tips When Buying A GPS Unit

GPS technology is very useful. It can tell you how to get somewhere without the use of road maps and this fits nicely into the palm of one's hands. Before buying it, here are some important tips that you should remember.

1. There are a lot of companies selling GPS receivers, which is what you'll use on the road. You should do some research on the brands to check how good their products are.

2. The price of GPS units vary and the cheapest ones will go for $150. You shouldn't buy the cheapest nor get the most expensive since there may be a few things that won't be used which is also a waste of money. You should balance it out by getting something in the middle and will be vital for your uses.

3. Even though GPS units are had held, it should have a large display. It should also light up especially during the evening when you are driving in the middle of nowhere and unsure if it is the right way to go.

4. The best GPS systems are those that can be used even after getting out of the car. It will also be a good idea if this gadget is waterproof since it would be bad if it quit working because it got wet.

5. After doing some research, it is time to see what is available at the store. You can even visit other outlets to check if there is something better. The brands should be compared with one another based on the price and features.

6. If no decision has been made yet, it is time to ask others for their opinion. A friend or a family member could be using one of these units. Some online forums also post reviews on what is available. After reading and listening to the opinion of others, this may help you decide on the unit to buy.

The GPS unit should be handled with care. The batteries must be charged and it should be stored properly when it isn't being used. Putting a casing will protect it from breaking due to the sudden impact. Other accessories will also come in handy such as a suction cap to stick it on the windshield and charger that is powered by the car's lighter switch.

Can A GPS Replace A Compass

There was a time that the only way campers who got lost could make it out of the wilderness was by using a compass. This device doesn’t run on batteries, it works by aligning itself with the magnetic field of the earth.

Nowadays, something much better is available. This is the global positioning satellite receiver that can tell the exact location of the user and how to get back home. This device is much bigger than the compass but given the performance for the military, it is no wonder that consumers are buying this for personal use.

The question then is, which of these two are better? People who decide to use a compass have to be trained in navigation. Together with a map, plots are set so the group will be able to stay on course.

It takes time to learn this so those who are impatient won't be going on any camping trips. Fortunately, you can still go thanks to the wonders of GPS. This device has an onboard computer. It will do all the navigating so all you have to do is glance at the screen while walking through the woods. The more advanced units have voice alert systems and a touch screen pads.

There are two problems with having a GPS.

Both of these instruments can work in almost any weather condition. But the user may not get signals from satellites up in space because of the landscape. This is similar to how cellphones work in certain places. When this happens, it becomes useless. The only thing to do is to keep walking until it has been reestablished.

Second, these things run on batteries. It doesn’t do any good to bring this along if the device wasn't charged and it dies suddenly. There is no place to plug in the charger so everyone is screwed.

What of the two is the best then? There is no definite answer to this one. It has pros and cons but people who go hiking often suggest that campers should always bring both. If the high tech version doesn't work, there is always the reserve.

It will take time for rescuers to find the group and having these as part of the equipment will increase the chances of getting out alive. Both are available in specialty stores and online. These should be checked to ensure they are working properly.

How GPS Has Revolutionized The Way We Navigate

People used to rely heavily on maps and a compass to navigate, be it through a busy city street or through back country roads or even in forested terrains. However, their reliance on these navigation tools have waned as the years have gone by.

After portable electronic navigation devices were made available to ordinary consumers, more and more people are becoming dependent on devices like Global Positioning System or GPS as their navigation tool.

GPS was first developed solely for military use. It employs the use of several GPS satellites orbiting the Earth. The device receives signals simultaneously from more than one of these satellites.

Once the information from these satellites has been processed, coded and analyzed, the GPS device is capable of determining the exact location. In a nutshell, the exact position will be computed by the GPS receiver by combining the elements of current time, the position of the satellite and the delay of the satellite signal.

Modern day GPS navigation devices are equipped with expandable memory and storage capacity which allows you to install the best navigation software and maintain or upgrade them as well.

There are GPS receivers that can be attached to your pocket PCs. This converts your pocket computer to a powerful navigation device. However, there are still some limitations.

The pocket PC-GPS receiver tandem may be too bulky to carry around. You might find yourself re-installing the software after each time the cable disconnects the devices together.

Also in pretty good use are the so called smart antennas which are most often used for GPS systems that have no user interface. These are usually connected to pocket PCs and use the screen as well as its power. Also available are the bluetooth kind of GPS receivers. Unlike the previous two kinds of GPS receivers, this one can be connected to a pocket PC without using a connecting wire.

There are even GPS receivers which are in the form of an extended CompactFlash (CF) card or secure digital (SD) card. These receivers make the pocket PC a single GPS receiver. There's no need for a bluetooth device or cable systems.

The major disadvantage of these kinds is the memory capacity of your pocket PC will be affected since you will be sacrificing a memory card slot which originally is intended as an expanded storage device.

GPS can be intimidating but in this world of highly sophisticated gadgets, this navigation tool is just a device that we need to get used to.

GPS Overload - How to Choose the Perfect Device for Your Needs

By : Ty Thomas
Buying a Global Positioning System (GPS) to meet your needs may not be as simple as one might think. There are a myriad of different devices, for many different purposes.

The first thing to consider when buying a GPS device is its primary use. Will you be using it on the road, on the trail, or on the water?

On the road devices are usually temporary mounted in the vehicle with suction cups or bean bags. Most of these devices have turn-by-turn instructions and auto correction if you miss a turn.

We recommend getting a device with the auto-correction feature, that way you don't have to mess with the device if you take a wrong turn, it will recalculate the route for you automatically.

There are some devices that are also portable, so you can unplug them from your vehicle and take them with you as you walk around in a large city.

My favorite in this category is the Garmin c330, c340, and c530 series. They are a wonderful size for using it in the vehicle and small enough to use as a portable. They have city maps pre-loaded, so they are not much use off-road.

Many of the newest designs have built in picture viewers, MP3 players, traffic updates (careful, that usually costs extra!!), and many other bells and whistles.

One of the best features of the Garmin c-series line is the ability to ask for the closest landmarks, such as food, gas, shopping, golf courses, etc.

Like anything you buy, make sure you understand what the device has and what you want to use for before making the final decision!

One of the most asked questions is should I buy the car with GPS already in it?

Personally, I don't like that option because it limits how you can upgrade, and the device cannot be used in multiple vehicles.

In addition, some car manufacturers are charging several hundred dollars to update the map data on these devices and you have little choice in using them to do this.

The GPS market is an ever changing market and I like to be in control of which device I want to purchase.

Having said that, I am choosing to have a device mounted to my dash or windshield (suction cups....also illegal in some states, so make sure you know which ones!!!) with wires trailing to the power source.

On the trail devices are handhelds which depict topographical, or basic mapping data, not detailed street level details. These are great for hiking and geocaching. They have the ability to either import or download coordinates of a location (called waypoints) and then tell you how close you are to that waypoint.

Ever fear of getting lost hiking, well, you can set different points as you walk, like a breadcrumb trail so you can get yourself out the way you came in. These devices range from $80-$500+ depending on the different capabilities of the device.

Higher end models allow you to buy pre-loaded map detail on memory cards, so they can double as driving directions, however, they still don't have the turn-by-turn capabilities.

GPS devices used on the water are fixed mount devices. These devices can have water depth, temperature, etc, especially helpful for the fisherman.

Maps that can be downloaded can have tidal waters, known shipwrecks, ports, and are very detailed. There is a huge range of devices to consider in this area.

Keep in mind that mapping software used on these devices changes about 1-2 times per year. Less frequently for the maps on the water.

Understand what your devices downloading capabilities are so you don't get stuck with outdated maps forever!

Be aware that maps change, you have to be somewhat flexible when following the directions. I have had instances where it tells you to "turn left here", only to have that be the wrong way on a one-way street!!!

In other words, these are guides to get you close to where you need to be, you cannot use them as gospel....common sense should prevail!

Author Resource:- Ty Thomas is a self proclaimed techno-nut who just has to have the latest gadgets. You can check out the latest gadgets at 4Runner Sports.

GPS Tracking System - Safety for Your Kids and Peace of Mind for You

By : Tatyana Turner
Has your kid recently obtained a driving license? Now you are probably constantly worried if she or he is driving safely. And you also wonder where they go. There is a little piece of modern technology that can help parents who are worried about whereabouts of their children - it is called GPS tracking system.

With GPS tracking you can reasonably accurately know where your son's or daughter's car is at any given time.

GPS tracking system benefits for you:

Knowing the location of your children
Monitoring your kids driving skills and habits
Easy to find a car if it has been stolen
Safety of your teenage kids

GPS tracking system is important for your kid's safety

We all know that young drivers are often at risk. They are less experienced and more arrogant than those who have been driving for many years. Teenagers are more likely to take unnecessary risks and drive at high speed. But luckily for you, you can monitor their speed too. GPS tracking systems offer speed monitoring. So you will always know if your kids don't obey the road rules.

Also if their car breaks down or there is an accident, GPS system will tell you straight away. Even if your child has no idea where he or she is, GPS tracking will give you an accurate location. You receive the data from the tracking system to your home computer or even mobile phone in real time.

Knowing where your kids are

And of course, the main function of GPS tracking system is to tell you the exact location of your child's car. So if, for example, you don't want them to drive certain busy and dangerous roads or go to certain places, you will know if they go there or not. This way he or she can't say that they go to the city library to study, but go to a party instead.

GPS tracking installation

Most systems are small and easy to install. They are only about a size of your TV remote control and are usually powered by batteries that need to be changed about once a month. The technology itself is free and is controlled by US government, so there will be no monthly fees. You only pay for the hardware and the software once. Tracking devices are not cheap - a good one will cost you 400-500 dollars. However, when you think that you are really investing in the safety of your family, it is a small price to pay.

Should you tell your kids that there is a tracking device in their car or not? Tracking other people cars without the knowledge of the owner is illegal, but that doesn't apply to parents tracking their kids. So it is really up to you. However, it might be a good idea to tell your teens that you are installing a tracking device for their safety. If you install it secretly and than your son or daughter finds out that he or she has been tracked, they will never believe it is for their own good.

Author Resource:- Tanya Turner publishes GPS System Central On this website you can find information and buying advice about different types of GPS systems including GPS tracking system

How is GPS going to change your life?

By : Sandra Stammberger
ou may not realize it but it is getting harder and harder to live without GPS devices. Did you know that so many cell phones have GPS systems in them and so do cars and of course there are the GPS devices that you take camping and such. Every day a new form of GPS hits the market, in a few years we may have these systems implanted at birth!

Everyone can appreciate the ability to find their way around and find anything and anyone if they go missing and that is why these systems are getting to be so popular. I cannot imagine what I did before I had my GPS installed in my car. Now I can drive in any city anyplace in the world and never get lost. I do not even have to red the street signs the GPS will tell me where to turn and in which direction.

When you have one of these systems in your car you will be able to track it when it gets stolen as well which is perfect with all of the cars getting stolen these days. Every year more car thieves are hitting the streets and now you can protect yourself by getting a GPS system installed in your car. Heck, some cars come with these systems already installed in them. These are just the thing to get in your next car.

GPS in phones are also great, they have actually been used to find people who were missing. You can track a person by the GPS in their phone just about anywhere. These are getting more and more common all of the time.

Having a GPS system will save you an enormous amount of time and frustration, if you don't have any GPS devices yet then you will want to hurry out and get one today. They will change your life forever.

Author Resource:- S. Stammberger is editor of The GPS
Center. On his website you can find information on everything related to GPS.