| The modern world is full of amazing technology | | | | information between each other giving a pinpoint |
| that makes our lives all the more easier. With the | | | | location on your signal. Think of it as giving every |
| rapid rate of growth of technology, it becomes | | | | square meter in the world a unique address. When |
| increasingly difficult to keep up with the ever | | | | you step into a new area, it senses the change |
| changing gizmos and gadgets. One of the nicest | | | | and relays it back to your GPS device. The GPS |
| technological advancements of modern day is | | | | device just takes the information sent by the |
| GPS. GPS allows you to know where you are in | | | | satellites and transforms it into geographic |
| the world at any given time with accuracy from a | | | | information. To calculate your exact 2D location, |
| few meters to even a few centimeters. Imagine | | | | the GPS device must be in communication with at |
| the possibilities. You can know exactly where you | | | | least three satellites. If your GPS device is |
| are, allowing you to get directions and go to any | | | | communicating with four or more satellites, then |
| location via the fastest and safest route while | | | | your 3D location (Longitude, Latitude, and Altitude) |
| getting constant tracking ensuring you are on | | | | can be calculated. |
| course. You can even know where you car is if it | | | | GPS is very accurate, but exactly how accurate |
| gets stolen. They can even be put in cell phones. | | | | can they be? Most affordable GPS devices on the |
| The possibilities really are endless. | | | | market are accurate up to a 15 meter radius. |
| For people who are less techno-savvy, GPS may | | | | Newer more high-end receivers can increase this |
| come as a weird new gizmo that is difficult to | | | | accuracy up to a 3 meter radius, which is great |
| understand. What exactly is GPS? GPS stands for | | | | for all of your geographical needs. GPS |
| Global Positioning System. GPS was made by the | | | | Manufacturers use different types of antennas |
| army for use in military applications, but now it is | | | | that can play a part in holding a satellite signal and |
| being used for everyday life. The satellite system | | | | its accuracy. |
| is actually controlled by the Department of | | | | GPS devices are becoming increasingly more |
| Defense but the signals are free for all to use. | | | | affordable as time goes on. There are many |
| They are available 24/7 every day of the year. | | | | great products that can suite all of your needs |
| The Global Positioning System is basically made up | | | | for under $200, making GPS devices great for all |
| of 24 satellites that orbit the Earth. These | | | | styles of life. There are handheld GPS units or |
| satellites orbit over 12,000 miles above us and | | | | portable GPS units and there are also boat and |
| circle the Earth twice per day in extremely | | | | car GPS devices. Pick the one that suits your |
| precise routes. The satellites transmit low power | | | | needs. As far as brands go, Garmin and Magellan |
| radio signals that any GPS device on Earth can | | | | are the Coke and Pepsi of the GPS wars. |
| receive and interpret. The satellites relay | | | | |