| Reading a map and trying to find out where on | | | | and fitted into another car within seconds. These |
| earth you are before realising you are well and | | | | types of satellite navigation systems are usually |
| truly lost may be a thing of the past. No longer | | | | plugged into the cigarette lighter socket and |
| do you have to be capable of reading a map | | | | powered in this way, whilst the fitted systems |
| thanks to satellite navigation systems. | | | | are hardwired into the electrics of the car. |
| Sat nav systems are one of the biggest | | | | Price, as always, plays a big part in the quality of |
| breakthroughs in navigation technology and after | | | | your satellite navigation system. Cheaper |
| being used for years for military application, they | | | | systems, particularly the earlier GPS in-car |
| have in the last few years become available for | | | | systems, would malfunction and for various |
| civilian drivers. Satellite systems are often fitted | | | | reasons the mapping would be out of date and |
| as standard in cars and it is thought that within | | | | other errors would abound. Since in-car GPS has |
| the next 10 years, 90% of cars will have them. | | | | been around for a few years now it has had time |
| Satellite navigation is powered by GPS (Global | | | | to be refined immensely, making such |
| Positioning System). GPS is a collection of over 2 | | | | rudimentary issues more or less a thing of the |
| dozen satellites which orbit the earth, sending | | | | past. Many people may find it difficult, if not |
| exact timing signals by radio transmission | | | | unnerving to visually read a GPS system's on |
| whereby GPSr (Global Positioning System | | | | screen information whilst driving, so there is |
| Receiver, ala you're Satellite Navigation System) | | | | always the option of purchasing a more |
| will be able to determine its location within a few | | | | expensive unit which will talk to you whilst you |
| metres. | | | | drive, giving you audible directions and information. |
| Satellite navigation systems can be purchased | | | | If you want a good, reliable GPS system, you |
| from most good car shops for anywhere | | | | should check out some of the review sites on the |
| between one to a few hundred pounds. Sat nav | | | | internet where buyers and owners have written |
| systems come in a whole variety of forms, from | | | | about their own experiences with their systems, |
| full systems which are wired into the car, to ones | | | | which may help you to make the choice of which |
| which are simply mounted onto the dash board or | | | | one to purchase yourself. |
| other appropriate space, which can be taken out | | | | |