GPS / Navigation

Nowadays, GPS is considered a must to have in many cars but a definite must to have in boats. Not many people know that the GPS was originally designed to assist soldiers and military vehicles, planes, and ships in accurately determining their locations world-wide. GPS, also known as Global Positioning System, is today both commercially and scientifically used. Most GPS provide precise and accurate routing. It is a known fact that a GPS can be used in all weather conditions anywhere and anytime. As far as language goes, GPS Navigators can function in multiple languages which include some of the European languages like English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Italian and Portuguese. Using channel receivers, GPS quickly get into contact with satellites in order to display the results to your findings on the screen.

For Cars
Display
The screen of a GPS navigator is very special as it’s a touch-screen LCD display. Most of the GPS display around features color which makes the pleasure of using it even more. Both 2D and 3D are used in the overhead view and in the mapping perspective respectively in certain GPS.

Sound
GPS most likely come with a voiceover option by giving directions in an audio form. So far, this option is available in almost every GPS.

Features
All GPS are equipped with a simple touchscreen interface whereby touching the screen gets everything done. GPS navigators include an automatic route calculation to any destination. For the ease of consumers located in countries like USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands, a preloaded map is included as basic feature in GPS sold over these areas.

Additional Features
Many interesting additional features are included in different GPS. Some are equipped with multi-channels that allow the receivers to work better. This is definitely a wise option to choose over. Next, is the media feature that certain GPS include, they are a video player, an MP3 player and a digital photo browser. To help consumers travel even better at ease, some GPS include in their special features, the latest geographic data. Having access to real-time traffic data might help consumers who are in a hurry to reach somewhere. The Bluetooth technology input in some GPS allows consumers to make calls through their GPS and together with that is the facility to make a call in the handsfree mode. Along with this feature, come together an input microphone and speaker.

Handheld GPS
Handheld GPS directs you to your destination so that you are not likely to get lost by walking. It helps when you are going hunting, hiking, camping, or getting around by foot. To make it even more accurate, some GPS include an electronic compass so as to receive a more accurate heading of the targeted location.

Displays - Vary from any size including a normal 4.3” to a large 5.2" display as long as they fit in the size of the GPS. Sizes of GPS are usually hand size or of the size of one’s hands which will be easy to carry around. Images can be viewed in either 2D or 3D in some other GPS.

To make life even easier for consumers, some handheld GPS have some practical features in them. They are the right time display of fishing and hunting, sun and moon phases, and vertical profiles. User manuals are usually not needed as GPS are very easy to use but nevertheless it is still provided so as to make it more user-friendly. Most handheld GPS provide vocal and on screen directions to your selected destination.
Additional features in some chosen GPS include composite video inputs, internal FM wireless transmitter, the option of playing MP3 music, a “Where AM I?” feature for current location, Bluetooth Capabilities, a connector for an optional external GPS antenna connection and many more. Certain handheld GPS are provided with an SD card storage slot where you can save maps to be used later. More additional features include a JPEG picture viewer, world clock, currency converter, measurement convert and a calculator.
For handheld GPS, batteries are mainly used to liven up the GPS. Depending on the batteries you use, some can even hold up till 12 hours or so. Some other GPS are likely to use power adapter cables which will help when travelling extensively.
Handheld GPS are likely to be waterproof as it is very important for consumers who will carry them around. As long as the GPS are provided with robust external cover and casing.

For Boats
If you are using GPS in the US seas then worry not as the U.S. Coast Guard operates the most common DGPS correction service. For those who have trouble finding the best route when you are on the way. Having a GPS in your boats would only make it easier. Whether your boat is small or large, it works for both. GPS usually operates on 1, 2, or 3kW of power with selected frequencies of 28/38/50/88/107/200kHz.

Display
Display features tend to differ for each model from the size to the number pixels. GPS with a 5.2” diagonal display offer a resolution up to 800 x 400. While some offer a 3.5” Diagonal TFT display with 320 x 240 pixels and 64k colors and other large displays are of a 10.4”, 256-color with 640 x 480 pixels. High resolution color displays are featured in the GPS navigators of today. There are also some GPS available that are with a black & white display. For boats, the displays are securely waterproofed and adding to that is the facility to display good images in direct sunlight. An adjustable backlight is provided in some GPS for boats which comes with its own keypad for optimal lighting in both day and night situations.

Features
Features included are waypoints, routes, tracks, a processor, basic channel receivers, an easy to use navigation, a map-drawing of professional quality, WAAS and DGPS stations, automatic prioritization of GPS fixes, alarms, battery voltage, a memory to store waypoints and many more. Some even include an active antenna, sensors, a power/NMEA interface cable and a sun-cover.

Additional Features
Some of additional features found in certain GPS are a DSC capable VHF radio, autopilot option, fish-finder, world wide DGPS stations, video inputs, PC Monitor output, data ports and the option of getting an even bigger store memory. Certain GPS are even provided with an option of having the satellite weather broadcasts on their displays.

GPS and Navigation for both boats and vehicles are very interesting. To make it an even more exciting experience for you, choose the features you are likely to need for your GP and be sure to make the right choices so as not to regret anything later on. For the additional features, the choices vary from anything to almost everything you can imagine. For instance, if you would like your GPS to be not only a traveler’s assistant but a digital entertainment feature as well, many GPS models picture just that. For even more advanced GPS nowadays come with new input technologies like an integrated microphone and speaker that enables users to make hands-free mobile phone calls, personalized phone directories of your favorite places.