Archive for the 'GPS' Category

Navtour releases new GPS device with MP3 player Posted By : Hal Shapiro

Thursday, November 8th, 2007



The Navtour NT-147 is a brand new GPS device that allowed you to view maps in 3d perspective or 2d overhead view. It’s a compact, portable, color GPS navigation system that features a stereo MP3 music player, picture viewer, and voice recorder making it the perfect companion for your next trip across town or across the continent. The built-in microphone lets you record your own messages and reminders on the way and also includes a 1 GB SD card preloaded with NAVTEQ mapping detail for the USA and Canada, complete with millions of accessible points of interest (POIs). The NT-147 sports a 3.5-inch, 16-bit color LCD display with 320 x 240 pixel resolution and features optimal brightness for viewing in all driving conditions. The device also features a stereo MP3 audio player with a digital media card slot for loading audio files with an SD memory card with a full-featured picture viewer is also provided, allowing you to display JPEG photos stored on SD memory cards. The real strength of the NT-147 is in its advanced navigation features. The device features a built-in, precision 12-channel GPS receiver with a unique swivel antenna for enhanced reception. NavTour employs easy-to-use menus that make navigation a snap. Also, the Turn-by-turn audio and visual cues with voice prompting, including auto-zooming and automatic recalculation of directions after a missed turn, make for effortless navigation.

The product retails for $299.95 but can be found for cheaper online, also is available @ Hooked-on-electronics.com


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GPS Devices are Now Used for Other Purposes Too Posted By : Alice

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the fully functional Global Navigational Satellite System which will help in determining the location, speed/direction and time with the assistance of 24 medium earth orbit satellites. Known as a useful tool for mapmaking, land surveying, commerce, and scientific uses, GPS is now a widely used navigation aid world wide. It is also used for various applications including study of earth

The current GPS is divided into three major segments called space segment (SS), control segment (CS), and user segment (US).It is the navigation message broadcasted by GPS satellites that provides the time-of-day, GPS week number and satellite health information.



The history of GPS traces back to the early 1940’s when the World War II was on full swing. But it was the launching of Sputnik in 1957 by Soviet Union that paved for later developments in this field. A team of U.S. scientists under Dr. Richard B. Kershner were involved in research to monitor the movements of the satellite Sputnik, which later resulted in the technological development of GPS.

There are chances of the speed of GPS getting affected by the inconsistencies of atmospheric conditions. But this can be improved with the correction of these errors. In the advanced modern world, GPS is mainly used in various daily life equipments including mobile phones. These devices help in making mobile phones more sophisticated and technologically advanced. With the mobile phones connected with GPS, the user will find it no hard to understand the location, climatic conditions and other geographical details.

Nowadays, GPS devices are connected with cars, helping the drivers in getting the exact knowledge of the geography, climate and details ensuring safe driving at strange areas.


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Satellite Navigation - Is it for you? Posted By : Phillip Stanton

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

Do you get behind the wheel and lose all sense of direction? Have your friends ever chuckled and laughed when you turn to them and say I am lost? Does the idea of stopping to ask for directions embarrass you?

Many will answer yes to at least one of the above questions. If you did then you are a great candidate for a satellite navigation system. With a sat nav, as some like to call them, you will never again have to stop for directions or feel embarrassed in front of friends again.



Embarrassment is not the only reason to consider the purchase of a satellite navigation system. Sat nav systems find the shortest route to your destination, this saves you time and fuel. Fuel prices are on the rise and getting lost can add up quickly. Some units will also divert you around traffic, this in turn can save you money and time.

What is a Sat Nav system? The system uses gps satellites to pinpoint your location down to yards. Your location is then overlaid on a map that you can view. The system uses this information to formulate a course to your destination.

Growing popularity of satellite navigation systems has brought the price down and enlarged the list of available features. Research is your best tool to find the perfect system to fit your needs. There are many companies, models and features to choose from in addition to price ranges.

Visiting electronic retailers will give you the opportunity to try out, first hand, many of the features that are available on the units. Testing out these features allows you to decide on what you would like to have in your own system. When your sat nav system arrives you will not have any surprises, since you have seen and used the systems in person.

Now that you know what features are available and have a list of them you would like to have on your unit, it is time to start shopping. The internet is key in finding the best price on a great gps navigation system. When shopping make sure to add in the cost of shipping and taxes if applicable.

When your new system arrives read through the entire manual and learn how to use the system before your first trip. Set up your trip in the sat nav system prior to departing as trying to program on the move is not safe. Enjoy your system and new found sense of security!


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GPS Chips Can Now Be Built Iin To Almost Anything! Posted By : Alan Jacobson

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

GPS Chips have become so small and lightweight that they can be built into almost anything. For example, they can help safely and easily track your child’s location. If your child runs off, whether he was distracted by something, merely forgot to tell you they are going to a friend’s house, or just got lost in a crowd. With built-in GPS tracking chips you will know where your child is at all times, using your cell phone, laptop, or other portable devices to track him or her.

Built-in GPS chips are hooked into a system of satellites which allows accuracy to the meter in determining the position of whatever has a GPS Chip. They can be used to track kids, pets, cattle, property, and even yourself. And best of all, you’ll forget its even there because it’s literally built-in!



If you enjoy hiking or long-distance running, the built-in GPS chip can track how far you went, exactly what you route was, and, most importantly, where you are if you get lost.

Other uses for built-in GPS chips are tracking your teenager to make sure he or she is safe and secure, and doing what he or she told you the plan was, with the people he or she said they’d be with.

GPS chips can be safely built in to a variety of personal items, including, but not limited to: bracelets, necklaces, anklets, watches, shoes, cell phones, belts, hats, and even stitched into clothing. Hospitals use GPS bracelets to ensure the security of newborn infants, and some schools use GPS anklets to make sure kids are not separated during field trips.

Some companies are using built-in GPS to ensure the safety of their employees who go into dangerous or hard to navigate areas. Also, employees that get paid by distance, such as plow drivers, truckers, and cab drivers can use GPS to get paid accurately. GPS can also help companies locate employees whose cell phones are not working in a bad coverage area.

GPS technology is taking off. It is possible that in the future GPS chips could be woven directly into clothing, built into the soles of shoes, or a regular part of the manufacture of skis and other sports equipment. For now you might have to do the work yourself of stitching or fastening the small chip onto whatever you desire.

AS GPS technology becomes more sophisticated, consider looking into built-in GPS chips for you, your family, and your business. You might be surprised by the amount of ways built-in GPS can and is being used to enhance safety and security, and improve financial performance and efficiency of business.


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How GPS Chips And GPS Tracking Can Help You Keep Your Child Safe Posted By :

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

Too often a child goes missing after getting lost, or a teenager crashes a car after a party he was not supposed to be at, or a small child wanders off in a public place. Hopefully, new and exciting GPS technology can lower the chances that this will happen. In fact, there are already cases where bad endings have been prevented by GPS chips.

In the past, GPS transmitters were large and bulky. You could not carry them around except in a backpack or large briefcase. However, as GPS technology becomes more advanced, transmitter chips and GPS trackers are getting smaller and more powerful. This new generation of GPS devices can help you track your child with devices are as small as a paperclip. Some can even be put in a piece of jewelry or stitched into clothing.



A recent survey found that a large majority of parents would buy a device to trace their child’s movements. There are many reasons a parent would want to do this:

1. To find a small child who tends to wander off in public places.

2. To track their teenager and make sure she’s going where she says.

3. To allow a young teenager the freedom of going out without adults present.

4. To give a nervous child piece of mind in public.

The way the GPS chip works is that it gives off a signal that can be read by a global positioning satellite, which in turn transmits the subject’s location to a central receiver. A parent can then easily log onto a website, call a phone number, or even go to a site on a web-enabled phone to check their child’s location to within a few feet. When a parent suspects that something is wrong, with the push of a button the child’s location can be sent to local police with an alert.

GPS chips can provide a parent with a sense of security and comfort, but they should never take the place of all other preventative actions one would take to ensure their child’s safety. These GPS chips might augment what you already do, but they should never take the place of your current methods of watching over and protecting your child


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Initial GPS, Where Do You Find Them Posted By :

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

Does a GPS unit need a Garmin logo on its back to be considered an efficient device? The answer is of course not. In fact, when it comes to the retail industry, ‘name’ can often just be an excuse to add hundreds maybe even thousands more to a product’s price tag. Many consumers get caught up in the hype simply because through the television, Internet and magazines they’ve had a chance to become more familiar with the brand names. Well, there are plenty of GPS brands that are not as well-known that are still wonderful devices. This article will talk about one of them, the Initial GPS models.

Initial GPSes are some of the most hard-to-find GPS brands in the market. Perhaps this might be due to the fact that Initial Technology, the company making them, is actually a business geared towards making entertainment devices. This seems to show in a couple of Initial GPS devices, but in a good way. These models, the Initial GPS GD-72, (which costs $449.99), the Initial GPS GD-71, (which costs $469.99), and the Initial GPS GM-410, (which costs $229.99), are the only GPS units that actually offer built-in DVD players. The Initial GPS GD-72 and the Initial GPS GD-71 even look like portable DVD players. The Initial GPS GM-410, on the other hand, has an appearance typical to most GPS units.



As far as navigational capabilities, Initial GPSes are no different than any other type of GPS. The above-mentioned Initial GPS GD-72 and Initial GPS GD-71 along with the other non-DVD Initial GPSes, (including the $199.99 GM-350 GPS Receiver and the $379.99 GM-501 GPS Receiver), are pretty much the same when it comes to navigation. Their interface consists of colorized touch screens and Bluetooth technology for hands-free telephone calls. The devices include preloaded U.S. maps and 2 million points of interest. As far as directions, they are voiced, a feature common in many famous brands available on the market.

Initial GPS models offer a unique choice for those looking for more affordable GPS options. Not only are they pretty much standard when it comes to GPS navigation, but many of them even have DVD players. Such a feature allows one to save even more money, since portable DVD players by themselves can be hundreds of dollars. Truly, these types of Initial GPS models can almost be considered an all-in-one device, since they provide both GPS capabilities as well as DVD capabilities. The only challenge one will face if they do want to purchase an Initial GPS is where to buy one. The Initial Technology site doesn’t even offer the products for sale, and of the few sites that do, the more interesting Initial GPS GD-71 and Initial GPS GD-72 models tend to not be in stock. Even the average shopping comparison site seems barren when one tries to search for Initial GPSes. However, you will find that Target stores carry a full line of Initial GPS receivers. Another good source is the Internet and auction sites like eBay. No matter where you find them Initial GPS systems are easy to use and reliable.


Original source is here

GPS Chips Can Now Be Built-in To Almost Anything! Posted By :

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

GPS Chips have become so small and lightweight that they can be built into almost anything. For example, they can help safely and easily track your child’s location. If your child runs off, whether he was distracted by something, merely forgot to tell you they are going to a friend’s house, or just got lost in a crowd. With built-in GPS tracking chips you will know where your child is at all times, using your cell phone, laptop, or other portable devices to track him or her.

Built-in GPS chips are hooked into a system of satellites which allows accuracy to the meter in determining the position of whatever has a GPS Chip. They can be used to track kids, pets, cattle, property, and even yourself. And best of all, you’ll forget its even there because its literally built-in!



If you enjoy hiking or long-distance running, the built-in GPS chip can track how far you went, exactly what you route was, and, mopst importantly, where you are if you get lost.

Other uses for built-in GPS chips are tracking your teenager to make sure he or she is safe and secure, and doing what he or she told you the plan was, with the people he or she said they’d be with.

GPS chips can be safely built in to a variety of personal items, including, but not limited to: bracelets, necklaces, anklets, watches, shoes, cell phones, belts, hats, and even stitched into clothing.

This technology is just beginning to blossom, and soon we might see clothing with GPS sewn right in, or shoes that have GPS in the soles. For now, you can buy a small chip and do the work yourself of building it in.

AS GPS technology becomes more sophisticated, consider looking into built-ib GPS chips for you and your family.


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Bluetooth GPS - Breakthrough Technology Simplifies Your Navigation Without The Wires Posted By : Korbin Newlyn

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

Due to the considerable change of technology advancements, so many things appear to have changed all around us. Just a few short years ago, the use of cables were still required to connect your various devices to your computer, however that is now changing with the introduction of wireless technology.

In recent years, the ease of use of wireless data transfer has been furnished due to the newer technology of Bluetooth. In terms of GPS technology, now there is a Bluetooth GPS, which can simply be utilized particularly when traveling. It is important to keep in mind that when it comes to wireless technology the utilization of the Bluetooth System is one of the most commonly employed and accepted technology since its accuracy as well as reliability are highly regarded.



The way the Bluetooth technology operates is by using a small-area networking protocol which give the user the ability to get rid of any user involvement completely. If you own a Bluetooth GPS system, you have the capability of transferring the data contained on your GPS straight into your computer system without having to do any user input at all.

For example, if you own both a Bluetooth enabled GPS system as well as a Bluetooth equipped PC in your home, you have the ability to quite easily transmit the information your have within your GPS system (such as detailed maps etc.) to your computer system as soon as you come within the radius of the Bluetooth signal.

Because the Bluetooth technology functions on arrangement and file transfer protocol at the level of the physical, just the data that you approve for transmission will be sent to a specific destination so you do not actually need to concern yourself when it comes to unauthorized data transfer.

In today’s market there are numerous different models of Bluetooth GPS systems available. The good news when it comes to Bluetooth GPS technology is that it is very reasonably priced as well as relatively simple to use. If you were to become interested in purchasing a Bluetooth GPS, is would be wise to go onto the internet and doing some research prior to buying.

Take into consideration the various models of Bluetooth GPS systems that are available to you as a consumer and do a comparison of there features in addition to there prices. You will discover when you are online that there are numerous internet websites that have all the possible data that you require to learn more in regards to this technology and make an informed buyers decision.

In terms of the cost of a this newer navigation technology, you should bear in mind that the more comprehensive the options for your new Bluetooth GPS, the greater the price you will need to pay. If you do not wish to spend money for an option that you do not require, take a good hard look at the features of the GPS up front prior to purchasing it.


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GPS Time Servers Posted By : Magdalena Sperber

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

This article describes how a GPS Time server System provides timing information to give a very accurate timing reference for Network Time Synchronization.

GPS System is a navigation system operated by the Military but also can be used by the civilian and does not need any subscription. The GPS System is known as an extremely accurate global positioning system. Each GPS satellite has an onboard a highly accurate atomic clock, ideal for supplying the correct time for computer network time synchronization.



GPS Time Servers: The GPS System exist of a constellation of 24 orbiting satellites, each has a precise atomic clock timing reference and covers the entire globe. The exact time information can be continuously broadcast from each of the satellites. You can receive the broadcast timing information with a relatively low cost GPS antenna and receiver.

GPS time is transmitted as Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), which is similar to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The UTC time is the same worldwide and does not vary regarding the time zone or daylight saving time. UTC is a very accurate atomic time standard sustained by atomic clocks located in national standards laboratories. UTC has consistent seconds distinct by the International Atomic Time (TAI) Institute.

GPS Radio Transmission: The GPS satellites broadcast information as very low-power radio frequency transmission. There are two designated frequency that are used, one for civilian use coded L1 and the Military use coded L2.The civilian L1 frequency is transmitted at 1575MHz. It can easiliy pass through plastic and glass but is blocked by metal and brick.

GPS Antenna Location: The precondition to receive transmission from as many satellites as possible is a good clear view to the sky. Ideally a roof mounted antenna is best with a full 360-degree view of the sky. Conversely, an antenna can be located on the side of the building with a 180-degree view of the sky if the horizon is not too obscured.

GPS Antenna Types: The GPS antenna is essentially a signal amplifier. The antenna improves the received GPS signals for transmission along a cable to a receiver for decoding. A Coax Cable is normally used to transfer signal information between the GPS antenna and receiver. These antennas can be provided in different shapes and sizes. The general antennas being pole-mounted are dome shaped antennas and small patch type antennas. The pole-mounting antenna screws onto the threaded pole for mounting. Whereas the patch type antenna is a small flat bottomed device ideal for mounting on a windowsill.

GPS Receivers: GPS Receivers decipher the GPS transmission received from the antenna into a useable format. NMEA is the most common protocol used by the GPS receiver. This protocol insists a number of sentences which provide a packet on information confirm of time, date and positioning information. The NMEA protocol quotes information indicating visible satellites and satellite location.

GPS time servers can use a specific GPS timing receiver. These timing receivers have additional functions to provide a highly accurate reference time. The timing receiver can also perform an automated survey and compare satellite atomic clocks to check for synchronicity. GPS time servers may also use an accurate pulse per second (PPS) output, which provides a highly accurate reference trigger for GPS timing, generated by the receiver.

GPS Antenna Installation: The gain of the antenna and the coax is important for the maximum cable distance that can be used by a GPS antenna and receiver. An antenna used with a GPS time server may have 35dB gain. RG58 coax has an attenuation of 0.64dB/m at 1575MHz. Therefore a cable length of 35/0.64=55m could be used. Higher quality coax has a much lower attentuation value allowing longer cable runs. Also GPS amplifiers and updown converters can be utilized to increase the cable length. Surge lightening arrestors are also recommended on externally mounted GPS antenna to protect expensive network equipment from potential damage by lighting strikes

Copyright (c) 2007 Galleon Systems


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Ideal GPS Abroad System Posted By :

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

There are a lot of different types of manufactures and you will also want to think about doing the proper research. Course, you will find that it all depends on what you would like to do with the GPS system. You will find that there are GPS units that will help you to locate your position at any given time, but you will also find that there are many different GPS systems that do a lot of other thing as well.

When it comes to using the GPS tracking systems you will want to make sure that you are able to red this electrical maps. You will find that they can be a little static, but if you are able to read a map according to longitude and latitude, you will be just fine. You will want to keep in mind that when you go camping, you will need to make sure that the GPS unit battery life is very long. This is so that you don’t end up getting lost in the wilderness and you will want to read up in the owner’s manual on how you can keep the length of the battery going strong so that you can be prepared for a good hike.



You may also want to get a waterproof unit, because you never know if you will run into some unexpected camping climate changes. Rain is not something that a lot of weather reports can honestly report. Yu will want to makes sure that you do every thing you can to preserve the integrity of the unit so that you don’t end up being lost in the middle of nowhere with no GPS tracking system.

When it comes to purchasing one of these units, you will want to have at least twenty route capacity, however, fifty is always best. More is always better when it comes to the GPS system that you are going to purchase. You need it to help you and show the way home. You will find that it is the GPS system that will help you to get from one point to another quickly and without concern. You will want to make sure that you learn how to read the map so that you can use the unit to it’s potential. You will also find that there are ergonomic factors that will important when purchasing. This means that you need to fit it in your hand and it can not be that heavy (or you’ll get tired to quickly).


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