| If you've been confounded by all the technical | | | | would |
| jargon and | | | | include things like speed, sunrises and sunsets, |
| hype surrounding GPS, confusing what's turning | | | | bearing, |
| out to be a | | | | distance and more. While they will work in any |
| very useful tool, allow me to shed a little light on | | | | weather, some |
| your | | | | hindrances would be electronic interference, |
| roadmap to deciding whether or not this | | | | buildings, and |
| technology is for | | | | certain terrain. A good rule of thumb is that the |
| you! Originally designed with military applications in | | | | units will |
| mind, | | | | generally not perform underwater, indoors, or |
| the technology was made available to mere | | | | underground. |
| mortals in hte | | | | There are currently two Global Navigation |
| 1980's for the many and varied uses we've | | | | Satellite Systems |
| found so far for | | | | in use. Besides GPS, there is the Russian Global |
| these special tools. Not only handy for auto | | | | Navigation |
| navigation, GPS | | | | Satellite System (GLONASS) Protocols are |
| units have made their way into maritime | | | | constantly being |
| navigation, | | | | refined to enhance the abilities of these systems. |
| backcountry uses, and much, much more!How | | | | A bright |
| does GPS work? GPS (which stands for Global | | | | light on the horizon is Galileo, scheduled to go |
| Positioning | | | | online in |
| System) allows you to pinpoint your position | | | | 2008, which promises even greater accuracy and |
| anywhere on the | | | | functionality.So how do I know which GPS unit is |
| planet to within an average of 15 meters, with | | | | for me? Quite a few |
| some units | | | | choices now exist for consumers in the GPS |
| doing much better than that. Twenty-four GPS | | | | marketplace. |
| satellites, | | | | Whether you need a handheld unit for |
| paid for and placed in orbit by the Dept. of | | | | backpacking or boating, |
| Defense | | | | or one for your automobile (they are becoming |
| courtesy of your tax dollars, send signals back to | | | | an attractive |
| terra | | | | option!) or for one of a myriad of uses, there |
| firma 24/7. These signals are retrieved by your | | | | are several |
| handy dandy | | | | reputable manufacturers of quality GPS units out |
| GPS receiver which uses three sources | | | | there to |
| (satellites) to | | | | help you find your way through the maze of |
| triangulate this information and compute your | | | | choices. Names |
| actual | | | | like Magellan, Garmin, Rino, Etrex and Meridian |
| position. If there are four data sources, even | | | | lead the |
| altitude can | | | | market, and are readily available. Take your time, |
| be determined. Since there are normally eight | | | | check out |
| satellites in | | | | the various features each has to offer, and get |
| line of sight from anywhere on earth, the | | | | yourself |
| opportunity for | | | | outfitted with one of the more useful and |
| accurate positioning exists. Other things that can | | | | efficient |
| be | | | | navigational tools out there today! |
| determined besides latitude, longitude, and altitude | | | | |