10 Minute Guide to GPS

No matter who, or where, you are at this very moment there are four or more global position system satellites hovering over you. That means that everyone, from a cab driver on the packed streets of Mumbai, to a fisherman adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean has continuous access to the most powerful navigation tool the world has ever known.

GPS technology has moved from specialized military and scientific applications into commonly owned consumer goods so quickly, many of us have had trouble taking it all in. If you fall into this category, here’s a quick look at the most common GPS units you’ll run into.

GPS Phone Apps

Almost every smartphone you’ll ever own is going to come preloaded with a GPS app of some kind. These simple programs check in with the continuously beamed signals from those GPS satellites, and overlay that position on a Google map. It’s an ingeniously simple method for utilizing two extremely advanced technologies.

If you rely heavily on GPS apps on an ongoing basis, you might want to look for a more advanced GPS app than the one that came on your phone. Aftermarket GPS apps offer power users advanced features and are normally optimized for minimal battery use.

Dashboard Mounted GPS

If you’re not crazy about having your GPS tied to your phone, take a look at a dashboard mounted automotive GPS. These units are designed with large, bright displays for easy hands-free use. And, unlike their smaller smartphone counterparts, almost every automotive GPS unit includes a voice guidance feature.

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Automotive GPS units usually come with a pop-out portable unit that can be used outside of the vehicle and is about the size of an iPod. Pop-out units are also a lot tougher for thieves to steal in a smash-and-grab robbery. Of course that’s only if you remember to take the unit with you!

Specialty GPS Units

One group that’s really latched on to GPS technology is the aviation community. These folks rely heavily on their navigation skills and any on-board assist they can get is always welcomed.

While military pilots have long had access to top notch GPS applications for decades, but that’s not been the case for private pilots. It’s only been in the past decade or so that quality civilian GPS units like the Garmin 796 GPS has been available at consumer price points.

The GPS revolution has been readily embraced by private pilots and specialty aviation retailers likeSky Geek now carries dozens of GPS units and apps that are priced for civilian pilots.

Aviation-oriented GPS apps are readily available at the iPad apps store and are another popular option for civilian pilots. iPad navigation programs like these put a huge amount of information at a pilot’s fingertips, and can be easily updated with the most current information available.

Finally

GPS technology is turning the world into a much smaller place as it infiltrates every part of our lives. But if you’ve ever been driving through a strange town in the middle of the night, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Luke Hunt

About the Guest Author:

Luke Hunt writes about science and technology.