Gps Reviews

When a technology becomes the “IT” product of the holiday season, there’s bound to be some misinformation out there. This year’s hot product is the consumer GPS – and it can truly do some amazing things, including: provide directions with real-time turn-by-turn navigation, help you avoid traffic and even make hands-free cell phone calls with Bluetooth. But there are also some things about GPS that just aren’t true. Here’s a look at some of the biggest myths about GPS technology.

5 Most Common Misconceptions about GPS

Myth #1: The weather can affect your GPS

Fact: Cloudy or rainy conditions have nothing to do with the performance of your GPS device. Think about it like this: airplanes using GPS devices to navigate through cloudy conditions thousands of times a day. Last time we checked, the commercial aviation system was running without too many GPS-related problems. Well, the same technology they use is found in your car’s GPS devices. The only thing that can truly keep your GPS device from operating at peak performance are tall buildings, mountains and other large structures that may block it’s signal.

Myth #2: The government can track you because of your GPS device

Fact: It is true that some commercial grade GPS devices send out a signal about your whereabouts, the consumer GPS devices sold by Garmin, Magellan and other companies only receive information from satellite systems. While this news will be no doubt disconcerting to conspiracy theorists, the rest of us can breathe a little easier knowing that our whereabouts are private.

Myth #3: GPS devices mean you don’t have to watch the road

Fact: Just because you have a helpful GPS device in your car doesn’t mean you should be any less vigilant as a driver. It is important to watch the road and always pay attention to where you are in journey. In fact, some directions provided by your GPS device may take you through areas in which you don’t want to travel. It is always important to use these directions in conjunction with what you can see with your own eyes, and of course, common sense.

Myth #4: GPS devices don’t work outside of a local area

Fact: The beauty of GPS devices for your car is that they work almost anywhere. That means you can take your family for a cross-country drive and the GPS will provide with information every step of your journey. In fact, many GPS devices can help you find local points-of-interest along the way including parks, museums, restaurants and more.

Myth #5: GPS devices are too expensive

Fact: Of all the falsehoods out there about GPS devices, this one might be the most out of touch. Currently, there are more inexpensive GPS devices out there that at any time in the technology’s history. Even the high end models from Tom Tom, Garmin and others are reasonably priced, and the “basic” units (which are still packed with features) are affordable enough for almost any budget.

It’s every parent’s nightmare: your child is not answering their cell phone and they have not returned home as scheduled. You call their friends but they don’t where they are either. Frantically, you call the police in an effort to track them down, when all of a sudden your call waiting kicks in. It is your child, who decided to go the movies without telling you first. They are safe and sound, but your heart won’t stop beating fast.
This situation could have been easily averted if the parent had been able to track their child’s whereabouts using GPS technology.

There are two primary ways to track where your child is using GPS: in their car or on their cell phone.

· GPS in the car. Many new cars now come standard with GPS devices, but if you want to add a GPS to an existing car, the cost is lower than it has ever been. Garmin, Tom Tom and other consumer GPS companies now offer basic products that only cost between $200 - $300 and fit seamlessly into any automobile.

· GPS in the cell phone. One of the most effective ways to track the whereabouts of your child using GPS is through a cell phone. The latest smart phones from Palm and Blackberry are now coming equipped with the technology and can be purchased for a couple of hundreds of dollars (or may even be free with an upgrade or extension of your cell phone calling plan).

Both these methods are extremely affordable, given the peace-of-mind that they provide the parents of kids who are driving age or older.

How it Works

Once the GPS device is activated, it can be tracked on any PC with an Internet connection. It is important to tell your child to keep the device in the on position at all times (especially on a cell phone) so that you can determine their location if need be.

Don’t be secretive

If your child discovers that you tried to sneak a GPS device into their car without their knowledge, it can create trust issues that may be difficult to repair. A better idea is to tell them upfront about your intentions and the reasons why you are doing it.

It is important to tell the child that you are not using a GPS device because you don’t trust them, but rather because you are concerned about their safety. Emphasize that will only check the GPS in the case of an emergency or if you are unable to reach them by cell phone.

If handled correctly, this will make the teenager feel loved rather than mistrusted.

More Tips

· Cell phone GPS functionality tends to drain the phone’s battery. Be sure your teenager’s phone is always properly charged when the leave the house.

· Don’t panic. If you can’t find a signal from your child’s GPS device, it may that they are driving through a “dead spot” where service is not available.

You don’t have to be a fan of the X-Files to believe that the government is listening to us and watching our every move. Discoveries about the level of wire-tapping in the United States in recent years have reached a high enough frequency to where every American has to stop and wonder about the nature of their privacy.

Now, many people have begun to focus their privacy concerns towards the growing consumer GPS industry. With GPS devices for your car and cell phones, the ability for satellites to locate your whereabouts has grown exponentially. In fact, it is this capability that makes the GPS such a useful device in the first place.

GPS devices transmit a signal out to the satellites that make up the global position system. While it is highly unlike that you will be tracked without your knowledge, it could happen, provided the tracker was equipped with some very high level technology.

But face it, GPS devices are great, and many people would never give their’s up - having grown accustomed to the convenience of never getting lost, always knowing the best routes to take and having a friendly voice in the car with them at all times.

In the midst of this double-edge sword are two sides of the privacy debate. On the one hand, you have those individuals who have no problem sacrificing a portion of their privacy in the name of convenience, while on the other hand you have those who are genuinely concerned about the state of their privacy.

Consider the following laws and rulings:

· A recent ruling in New York City made it OK for police to plant a GPS device in the car of a suspect to help making trailing them easier. While most people will say that you haven’t done anything wrong, you don’t have anything to worry about, it still creates a slippery slope.

· Some states now allow law enforcement and other government officials to activate the GPS devices inside cars or cell phones with a warrant.

Both of these cases have been challenged, but are expected to be upheld by the Supreme Court.

Taking concerns about their privacy to the next level, some people have even gone so far as to purchase “GPS Jammers” for their systems. These devices plug into the side of the GPS device and block communications between the satellites and your car. The result? You won’t be able to use your GPS while the jammer is in place, but there will be no way to monitor your signal either.

As the “War against Terrorism” rages on, and the popularity of GPS devices continues to grow, expect the privacy debate to drag on as well. In the meantime, it is safe to say that the individual, law-abiding user of consumer GPS technology has little if anything to worry about in term of government satellites or stealth helicopters tracking their every move. Simply enjoy the flawless directions to the restaurant and everything will work out fine.

The Present and Future of GPS Devices

How good have the last few years been for the GPS business? In the second quarter of 2005, over 1,200,000 GPS devices were sold to consumers around the country. In the same quarter of 2006 that number had jumped to an astonishing 2,400,000 – a leap of 100%! But what is fueling this growth? And what does the future hold for advancement in consumer Global Positioning System devices?

Read out to discover the places GPS is making the most impact today – and the areas that may hold the key to the future of GPS devices for consumers and businesses.

GPS Devices in Cell Phones

Once, the concept of a handheld GPS device would have been a tough sell. But over the next few years, we can expect to see more and more personal GPS devices – small, inexpensive and ultra-lightweight - reaching the market. Also, look for all the latest models of cell phones and advanced smart phones to start coming equipped with real time GPS capability.

And don’t think that cell phone makers are pushing GPS technology on an unwilling public. Surveys held by three major cell phone makers found that GPS was the feature “most want to see” in their next cell phone (24% said GPS, 19% said Internet capability)

GPS Devices in Cars

Once the property of only long-distance truckers and military vehicles, GPS tracking and navigation devices have made their way into millions of American and imported automobiles over the past several years. In fact, the devices now come standard in several manufacturers’ luxury cars.

Among the benefits these in-auto GPS devices offer drivers:

· Live traffic reports delivered to the device

· Voice activated turn-by-turn navigation

· Touch screen controls on colorful, interactive maps

· Safety features including automated police contact when the car has been stolen

GPS: Making the cars of the future safer

GPS engineers are beginning to take their technology to the next level in terms of driver safety. 3-D modeling technology used in many advanced GPS devices are now being utilized to help cars anticipate turns and obstacles in the road before the driver can even turn the wheel. In these situations, a small red light comes on inside the car, alerting the driver of impending danger.

This same “Jetsons-like” technology would also automate defensive driving by sizing up potential conflict on the road, and directing the car in the best way to avoid it.

Although both seem futuristic, consider the current line of Lexus automobiles that can parallel park themselves – truly a marvel of modern engineering! All these systems use GPS based technology that continues to push the envelope.

GPS helps businesses save money

With GPS technology become less expensive and more accurate, business are beginning to reap the benefits. Many companies report significant savings in fuel costs thanks to GPS systems that let them plan and execute the most efficient travel routes for their drivers. GPS also helps companies keep their drivers safer (and where they are supposed to be) by offering advanced tracking capabilities.

If you love technology (or just have a poor sense of direction) then stick around! The future of Global Positioning Systems looks to be an exciting ride.

GPS devices seem to be all the rage right now.  The technology is coming equipped with more cell phones and cars every day.  But GPS is not a silly gadget being marketed just for the holiday season. On the contrary, there are a variety of ways that GPS technology can help keep you safe and make your life easier every day.

How GPS Devices Make Your Life Easier and Safer 

1. Good directions.   Getting lost while trying to find your destination can be much more than an inconvenience.  Criminals often target those individuals who don’t seem to know where they are.  GPS devices help you plan your trip in advance, and stay on course every step of the way.
2. Pinpointing your location.  If you have an accident or a flat tire, many GPS services will call a service station or even alert law enforcement regarding your whereabouts.  When you’re out there alone at night, it is a good feeling to have a connected GPS device in your car.
3. Keeping your kids safe.    A teenager with a driver’s license can be a scary thing for a parent.  Portable GPS devices offer peace-of-mind AND the current whereabouts of your children.  You can even place the device in their car in order to confirm that they are going exactly where they say they are!
4. Warning you about potential traffic hazards.   Real-time GPS devices can alert you to upcoming obstacles in the road or poor weather conditions that may require you to change your speed or driving style on the fly.
5. Helping you save money.  With a GPS device, you won’t have to burn through endless gallons of expensive gas because it always shows you the fastest, most efficient route to get you where you need to be.
6. Integrates with your phone.  More and more GPS systems are coming standard in cars and cell phones.  That means when you need to get to a destination, you can get directions and one-touch calling in an instant.
7. Find a restaurant or movie.  Have you ever driven around when you’re hungry?  It is not a fun experience.  Many GPS devices come pre-programmed with listing of businesses in the area so you can pinpoint a cuisine and get their before the dinner crowd hits its stride.
8. Help for the golfer.   There are now specially designed golf-GPS devices that help those on the links find the hole easily and measure distances so they always hit the perfect shot (sorry, it can’t do anything to help your slice).
9. Helping businesses stay productive.  Businesses of all sizes can use GPS tracking to monitor the whereabouts of their people in the field, and help delivery personnel track the most effective ways to get from Point A to Point B (especially important given the high price of gas).

As GPS technology continues to grow less and less expensive, watch for more people to take advantage of the many applications of these helpful devices.

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