Your Options For Auto Navigational Systems

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with auto navigation systems.

It is true that auto navigation systems installed by automakers look completely natural and integrated into the features of the vehicles we purchase. For that reason alone, many people opt to pay several times over what the system would have cost to have installed by someone other than the maker of the automobile. It is truly amazing how much of an impact aesthetics makes when it comes to purchasing your next dream car, or even your first dream car. The thing is, that even if the system doesn't seem to flow with the look of your car, there are very valid reasons for getting one in the first place and the safety and security that they provide travelers is very well worth the sacrifice of a few aesthetic features.

It isn't exactly necessary, however, to completely sacrifice aesthetics in order to have the safety and security that auto navigation systems provide. As a matter of fact, some of the most popular brands of these systems are actually installed to the car by use of suction cups rather than cutting into the dashboard or removing the ever so important stereo from your car, truck, or SUV. Keeping price conscious consumers in mind, manufacturers are offering many options well under the 500 dollar benchmark while also affording consumers the luxury (or lower price, however you decide to call it) of installing these devices themselves.

It is important to remember that not all GPS (global positioning satellite) devices are meant to assist in auto navigation and make your purchase according to your specific needs. When shopping for one of these devices it would be comparing apples to oranges to compare a tool that is widely used for activities such as geo caching, hiking, biking, or boating. Each of these will bring in different price tags while offering greatly varied features. You need a device that is meant for mapping directions if you plan to use your device or system for driving.

I try to keep pointing out the fact that not all GPS or auto navigation systems are created equal this is very important to remember. You run the risk of purchasing the wrong system without proper planning and thus having a bad overall experience. Even among systems designed specifically for the automobile that offer mapping and navigation assistance there are different types that will appeal to different needs and uses. There are three types of auto navigation systems. Those three types of systems include: Navigation systems that are designed to stand alone, handheld systems that suit multiple purposes, and systems that are designed to work with laptops, PCs, pocket PCs, and PDA systems.

So far, we've uncovered some interesting facts about auto navigation systems. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

Each of the types of auto navigation systems and devices offers different benefits and drawbacks. It is ultimately up to you to decide which will suit your needs most. The stand-alone systems are often the most popular choice and are excellent for those who need driving directions and nothing more. They offer a steady power supply, turn by turn direction (in many cases), the security of being there at all times (no worry about whether or not you remembered to actually bring it along), and verbal directions along with landmarks that should let you know you are on the right path. There is a reason that these are the most popular.

For those who want to take their navigational tools off road on occasion other devices might be much better suited to your needs. Handheld devices often require additional software in order to work well with door-to-door types of directions or regular driving directions, however, they offer portability for those who wish to go biking, hiking, or kayaking and need the confidence that directions and navigational tools can provide. For those who have laptops or PDAs, the software that is available for these provide an excellent service when it comes to navigation both on and off roads and the beaten path. The cost is offset greatly if you already own your laptop or PDA and well worth a little extra investment, particularly if you will use this particular tool on a regular basis.

As I've said before, there is no perfect navigational solution for everyone, but there are quite a few that are nearly perfect for all who will dare to use them.

Now you can understand why there's a growing interest in auto navigation systems. When people start looking for more information about auto navigation systems, you'll be in a position to meet their needs.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/Your-Options-For-Auto-Navigational-Systems/100878

Popular GPS Watches For You

Technology has contributed a lot and is still contributing much to make our lives simple. It has eased communication to such an extent that we can be mobile and still stay in touch with each other. It is not only communication that is eased but a lot of other things which are more suitable to the changing needs of the fast paced individuals. One such change is in the way one used to find the directions.

Gone are the days when maps and compass were used to find directions. Although such techniques were useful but not accurate as the new age GPS system, which is the most accurate way of finding directions using a digital map. GPS or the Global Positioning System works with the help of satellites orbiting the earth and allows you to use it in many applications other than finding directions.

Although GPS is used with many applications, it has found an all new dimension when used with the wrist watch. Yes! A GPS device included in your wristwatch is not a dream but reality. With the wide use of GPS technology many tech savvy companies have tried and developed a wrist watch which is equipped with GPS. Now there are many companies which offer you a wrist watch with GPS technology.

The GPS wrist watches are meant for sportspersons and adventure buffs who want to spend more time in the open. This GPS watch is an expert navigator which can keep anyone on track in the mountains, forests, rivers or lakes without getting lost.

The GPS wrist watches are more or less like wrist computers and do have more than one set of functions. The only thing which you need to understand in these wrist watches is the limited size of the screen and restricted number of keys which means that the device must have different modes for displaying sufficient information on each topic on the screen.

The downside of such small screen is that you have to change modes al lot during complex operations. For example, if you want to access GPS and you happen to have the altitude mode on, you have to apply a fairly long sequence of keystrokes to go through the menu system. Some of the GPS watches do have as many as five different modes, which are time, altimeter/barometer, compass, GPS navigation and activity mode for measuring speed and distance.

The GPS watches are quite essential if you are planning an outdoor adventure. They are best to guide you to the location which you want to reach. They are also beneficial for trekking and mountaineering with the altimeter feature which keeps you updated on the height.

Some of the latest GPS watches also have an Activity mode, which shows you the speed, distance traveled, time from start and other values. Your trail is recorded in the device memory and this information can later be used for the Track Back function, or viewing the route at home via a PC.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/Popular-GPS-Watches-For-You/105443

Best Handheld Devices In The Market

They are here to make your life better and convenient. Yes! We are talking about the best of handheld devices that are available in the market. Let it be finding your way through the woods or storing your precious data, these devices can handle the job better than any other conventional way of doing so.

That is not all, this is done by a device that can easily fit in your palm and slide in your pocket. These new age tools have added an altogether new dimension to our lives and it is not an exaggeration that within the small period of time, they have made themselves irreplaceable.

Today, the PDA device or the digital organizer is an integral part of our day to day life not forgetting about the useful handheld GPS devices that helps us to find any location within few clicks.

Let's learn more about the best of these devices that are functional and have eased our lives to a great extent. The first that comes to mind is a PDA or Personal Digital Assistant. In a nutshell the PDA device can be called as a "smart" pocket computer.

The handheld PDA devices are completely functional devices that offer portable electronic productivity and entertainment that come in several sizes with varying capabilities. They range varies from basic devices typically used to look up appointments and phone numbers to more advanced units that play music and videos or connect you to the Web.

With the advance of technology, the most significant trend in the present time is the use of such devices for communication via wired or wireless networks. A handheld PDA device gives you the much sought after freedom to access important data without geographical limitations, and with convenience.

That is why the this device is very much popular among those who have to spend most time out of the office and carrying a laptop every time is not a possibility. In fact, considering some occasions, you will find that a PDA is more useful as it is handy and can be carried in the pocket. A handheld PDA is even more useful with some of its interesting features like handwriting recognition software, which makes using it convenient.

On the other hand, a handheld GPS device offers navigational help and is really handy for outdoor adventure like camping, hiking, mountain biking, etc. Although a handheld GPS device is meant to help you navigate with the help of a satellite, most of them slide down in your pocket and provide you with the essential features, which are useful for more than finding directions.

One of the features of this unit is the UTM grid data maps or local grid maps. Many of the handheld GPS devices have multi-parallel channels to ensure that several satellites are tracking you at one time rather than just one.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/Best-Handheld-Devices-In-The-Market/105294

The GPS Devices You Can Count On

A GPS or Global Positioning System is used to determine the user's current location, and the best route and directions for the destination. These positioning systems are now widely used in a variety of devices such as smart phones, automobile navigation systems, handheld devices, laptops and other such devices.

The working of this system is relatively simple to comprehend. In the working of a positioning system a GPS receiver calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more satellites. Since the signal travels at a known speed, measuring the time delay between transmission and reception of each GPS microwave signal gives the distance to each satellite, thus the calculations can be precise.

While doing this, the signals also carry information about the satellites' location. Thus by determining the position of, and distance to, at least three satellites, the receiver can compute its position using trilateration. The GPS receivers usually do not have perfectly accurate clocks and therefore track one or more additional satellites to correct the receiver's clock error. In such a way your location is taken out correctly and is displayed through the navigator.

In general, the receivers used in a typical positioning system are composed of an antenna, tuned to the frequencies transmitted by the satellites, receiver-processors, and a highly stable clock. Some of them also include a LCD display for providing location and speed information to the user.

The number of channels it can operate with and can monitor simultaneously describes the capacity of a reciver. Before a couple of years the numbers of channels in the receiver were limited to four or five, but has progressively increased over the years so that receivers typically have between twelve and twenty channels in the present scenario.

This system is now commonly used in a number of devices. One such use of the GPS system is in the recreational and sports activities. This allows the professionals, navigational and other important details using their device anywhere they could get the signals. That is why such devices are very popular among hikers, hunters, skiers, mountain bikers, and other such outdoor adventure buffs.

A GPS system is very essential in keeping the track of the location, and to find way to a specified destination, or know what direction and how fast you are traveling can utilize the benefits of the global positioning system or the GPS.

GPS is also widely used in the automobiles industry as well. There are some basic GPS applications that are used to provide emergency roadside assistance at the push of a button. It works by transmitting the current position of the user to a dispatch center.

Many systems that are more advanced and show your position on a navigation map are also available. These offer not one but man features apart from the navigational map; for instance, you can choose and select the best possible way to a desired location. You can even save your preferences in this type of advance systems.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/The-GPS-Devices-You-Can-Count-On/105461

Compare Garmin GPS Systems Before You Buy

GPS and Garmin have become synonymous. They are the leading GPS manufacturer in the world today by a long way. They started out in 1989 and today they have sold millions of GPS receivers.

So how do we know which Garmin GPS device will be perfect for our needs? There are so many which makes it very difficult to decide. The Garmin Nuvi and StreetPilot are some of the most popular GPS devices on the planet. Lets take a look at some of the automobile GPS systems and compare the differences.

Garmin StreetPilot 340

The Garmin StreetPilot c340 has a big advantage over the c330. That advantage is text converted to speech. Instead of GPS saying, turn right in 50 meters, it will say, turn right at Glover Street. This feature helps a lot when you dont want to look down at the device to confirm the street name.

Another great feature of the c340 is that it can easily be upgraded with an optional FM traffic receiver. What this means is that live traffic information can be sent to your GPS device to warn you of construction work, accidents etc. The StreetPilot c340 can then show you the way around the traffic and guide you to your destination.

Garmin Nuvi 250

The Nuvi 250 is famous for its simplicity. It doesnt have the advanced options most of us never use. So many buyers waste money on GPS systems that have features they will never use. They could have saved a lot of money and at the same time satisfy all there needs with a cheaper GPS system. If youre not the hard core type then the Garmin Nuvi 250 will be the perfect match for you.

The Garmin Nuvi 250 comes with a 3.5 inch display, which is the standard among the entry level GPS devices. 3.5 inch display is a big enough screen to find your way with ease. You can also insert a SD card if you would like to load additional products and maps.

The only feature the Nuvi 250 doesnt have is the text to speech feature I explained with the Garmin StreetPilot c340. Things like Bluetooth, MP3 player, FM transmitter and widescreen is not available on the Garmin Nuvi 250 but many will agree that its not necessary. If Garmin decided to include text to speech it would have been the perfect GPS system at entry level but if that doesnt bother you it might just be the one for you.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/Compare-Garmin-GPS-Systems-Before-You-Buy/106719

How To Really Win The War On Terrorism

Tom Cruise cry's in the movie 'Lions for Lambs', Do you want to win the war on terror... Yes or No. The movie is good but really fluff in regards to how to really win the war on terrorism.

This article is about what major security holes that currently exist in America and finally what we need to do to really win the war on terrorism.

There are 11 Major Security Holes cited by security experts that are possible scenarios in the near future. They are found in the book by Clark Kent Ervin titled 'Open Target, Where America is Vunerable to Attack' published in 2006.

According to Mr. Ervin, the following areas need to be watched carefully for terrorist activities as there are many weak and vulnerable areas that could trigger another major terrorist attack.

Border Security
Aviation
Port Security
Mass Transit
Intelligence
Preparedness

The book is a chilling reminder that it's pretty obvious that the nation is still very unprepared to respond to another catastrophic terrorist attack. If terrorists had targeted the levees in New Orleans, the government's response would be have been no quicker and more effective than that of Hurricane Katrina. It is very important that every major city have a well devised evacuation plan.

The chain of command must be very clear. First responders must be able to communicate with each other and with state and federal officials. Drills and exercises must be conducted frequently. Lessons learned must lead to prompt corrective action.

After having said that we now present the Mobile Tactical Collaboration System (tm) by Ordia Solutions. The Mobile Tactical Collaboration System (tm) is enabling commanders to know where their operators are, their speed and direction of travel. Operators have an added sense of safety knowing their moves are being monitored by their command staff during high risk and high threat operations. The MTCS system gives a clear cut chain of command and allows the edge in a crisis situation.

Smaller than a set of keys, the AdvanTraq GPS Tracker which is a major component of the MTCS, can be affixed to an officer's gun belt or radio harness, or with extended battery, to a vehicle.

The Mobile Tactical Collaboration System; integrated with advanced personnel tracking system AdvanTraq GPS deliver visual tactical interoperable communication, common operating picture, and real-time command and control situational awareness to multi-jurisdictional and multidisciplinary federal, state and local security taskforce handling dignitary protection and critical infrastructure protection at the US Naval Academy for US President George W. Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Middle East Quartet Envoy Tony Blair, and dozens of other world leaders at Mideast Peace Conference.

The Annapolis Conference was designated a Special Event Activity Report (SEAR) Level 2 security special event, a Department of Homeland Security designation that assesses the availability of federal, state, and local law enforcement resources in combination with the perceived threat level to the event. The State Departments Bureau of Diplomatic Security was the lead federal law enforcement agency for the Conference and worked with a multi-jurisdictional taskforce that included the US Secret Service, FBI, US Marshals Service, ATF, US Coast Guard, Maryland State Police, Anne Arundel County Police, Annapolis Police, Prince George's County Police, Metropolitan DC Police, and other federal, state, and local agencies. The FBI contingent hosted Ordia Solutions Mobile Tactical Collaboration System throughout the conference.

Within minutes of their short MTCS orientation, several FBI operators began redrawing their sector of operation at the US Naval Academy grounds from the static, paper-based operational map they were handed to dynamic and interactive MTCS workspaces on their wireless mobile computers. AdvanTraq GPS units were assigned to several members of the taskforce both in mobile land units and aboard tactical response boats so they could be tracked in their security details inside and outside the security zone. One of the tactical team leaders was equipped with a one-pound OQO model 02, the world's smallest full-featured ultra-mobile handheld PC, displaying his MTCS workspace.

When report of a potential threat location came to the Interagency Command Center, a quick reaction team was dispatched to investigate, with one of the members equipped with an AdvanTraq GPS unit.

The QRTs approach and return was tracked by personnel from both the ICC and Tactical Operation Center, providing added security and personnel accountability for the operators, and real-time situational awareness for commanders and other senior leadership at division headquarters.

SWAT teams tested out the Mobile Tactical Collaboration System in field conditions, both in mobile land units and aboard our tactical response boat. To put it in a nutshell, the MTCS gave authorities command and control capability that Hollywood has attributed to law enforcement tactical units for many years, but in truth we are only now realizing.

The importance of knowing, in real time, exactly where all of SWAT forces are deployed in relation to the incident site(s), infrastructure, support elements, and each other, and being able to share that common operating picture in real time with the chain of command and other agencies was critical in preventing another terrorist attack.

Best of all, personnel could brief those who needed the information without having to physically meet each time there was a change or update. With the MTCS system you just provided them with a website address, username and password.

The MTCS is a quantum leap forward in Government agencies ability to monitor and brief operations up the chain and to other agency representatives to help prevent the next major terrorist attack.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/How-To-Really-Win-The-War-On-Terrorism/107953

GPS Systems And Navigational Equipment

I heard a story of a man who once bought his wife a GPS system for her car so that she would know exactly what time she would need to leave wherever she was in order to get home in time to have dinner ready and waiting when he walked in the door. After I got over my initial ?and shes still with him?? experience, it did occur to me that GPS and navigational systems have the capacity to truly change our lives in manners such as this, hopefully with more positive results.

I first learned to use these navigational aids on the water where in my opinion, I thought they belonged. The invention of personal GPS systems for pleasure sailors and cruisers made a lot of sense to me. In fact, since learning a sextant was so difficult for me, I thought that it was the answer to my directionally challenged life. When they introduced these gadgets for the interior of the car, I met the idea with mixed emotions. First off, I couldnt understand why you would need such a device in order to get from one place to another. That is what a map can do for you.

Being lost is very frustrating to me. Since our little family tends to run out and have impromptu excursions from time to time, it really isnt all that surprising that we find ourselves lost more often than not. Just because we know the general direction of one particular state doesnt mean we can find the small town were looking for or take even the shortest route there.

When Mapquest came into my life, I thought this was all the answer I would ever need. It no longer mattered if we knew where we were going, we could just hop in the car and follow the directions and we would end up there. While this has turned out to be the case more often than not, there has been a few times where these directions took us into some very interesting areas. I was just tremendously grateful that we didnt end up having any sort of mechanical failure while we were exploring these very interesting areas.

Despite our frequent impromptu travels, our hesitant attitudes toward getting out and asking for directions, and our short tempers when it comes to other peoples incompetent driving ability, I was still highly resistant to any type of GPS or navigational system entering either one of our cars. Like I said, thats what a map is for, right?

One day, not all that long ago, I had a sudden change of heart. Out of nowhere I decided that these navigational pieces were actually indispensible to our lifestyle and our love of road trips. I wanted one. I wanted one in each car despite the fact that we only used one car for traveling. I wanted one in my car despite the fact that it is really more of a back up car that leaves the house once a day for errands and for my daily trip to the health club. Of course, the rest of my little family couldnt fathom my change of heart since I had been so completely sure that we didnt need one of these gadgets and that I had even once preached about the loss of spontaneous side trips and serendipities along the way. So finally, I confessed.

These things can help you avoid traffic. If theres one thing I cant stand is sitting in bumper to bumper traffic because there is an accident on the other side of the road! What is that? Is our need to peer into someone elses tragedy that strong that traffic can be backed up for five miles because everyone needs to take a moment and get their 50 cents worth of tragedy? I mean come on! Let the people who are suffering at the moment have a little privacy and respect. How much do you want people to gawk at your mishaps?

Avoiding traffic is my number one motivator for the addition of a navigation system to our cars. And it gets you out. When you find the exit, it can get you back into the travel mode faster than blinking, and you still get to see those cute little towns you would have otherwise missed. These gadgets are perfect for road rage suspects. Get them out of the traffic and everyones life becomes so much nicer.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/GPS-Systems-And-Navigational-Equipment/109895

GPS History And Basic Information

GPS or Global Positioning System is a fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System. This system uses an artificial constellation of 24 medium Earth orbit satellites. These satellites transmit microwave signals, thus enabling a GPS receiver to determine its location, speed, direction and time. This system was developed by United States Department of Defense and was named as NAVSTAR GPS which was given by Mr. John Walsh. NAVSTAR is not an acronym, as is widely believed.

This satellite constellation is managed by United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. The cost is approximately 750 US dollars every year, including the maintenance cost, replacement, research and development. After shoot down of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 in the year 1983, a directive was issued which made the GPS available for civilian use and has been used extensively since then. It has become a very useful tool for making maps, surveying landscapes, commerce and many scientific uses. It also provides time reference which can be used in many applications which include study of earthquake and telecommunication network synchronization.

A GPS receiver simply calculates the distance between itself and three more GPS satellite. Each satellite has an atomic clock in it continually transmits certain data containing its exact time, location of the transmitting satellite and the almanac. The receiver then measures the reception time of the signal. Thus the distance to each satellite is known. Knowing three such distances, a trilateration is formed. By using a fourth satellite, need for a clock at receiver is avoided.

The Global Positioning System is used in a variety of Military and Civilian Applications. It allows soldiers find their objectives in a dark or completely unfamiliar territory and coordinate troop movement and supplies. GPS receivers which military personnel use are called Commanders and Soldier Digital Assistants. A combination of GPS and communication through radio enables real time vehicle tracking.

It is also used in marking targets as hostile and enables the precision guided munitions to allow them engage these targets with high accuracy. Air to Ground roles of military aircrafts use GPS to find targets. GPS also allows targeting for military weapons like ICBMs, Cruise missiles, precision guided missile. Artillery based projectiles are embedded with GPS receivers and can withstand forces up to 12,000G. These are used for 155 mm Howitzers. Any Downed pilot can be easily located if he has GPS receiver. It is widely used by military for reconnaissance and mapping. Some GPS satellites also have nuclear detonation detectors.

GPS helps civilians a lot in surveying and navigation. Its ability to calculate local speed and orientation is extremely useful. Time transfer is possible because of its capability to synchronize clock. A widely used example of use of GPS is CDMA digital cell phone. Each base uses a GPS timing receiver to synchronize the codes with different base stations and thus making it easy inter-cellular hand off and thus support emergency phone calls and other many applications. GPS equipment has also revolutionized tectonics by measuring the fault motion during earthquakes.

The two GPS developers, Ivan Getting and Bradford Parkinson have received national academy of Engineering Charles Stark Draper prize during year 2003. Roger L Easton received National Medal for technology on February 13, 2006. Other similar tracking systems are Beidou, which has been developed by China and is proposed to be expanded into COMPASS; Galilieo, which is been developed by European Union along with many other countries like India and China; GLONASS, which is been developed by Russia is fully available in partnership with India; IRNSS is India`s proposed regional system and QZSS which has been proposed by Japan.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/GPS-History-And-Basic-Information/113498