What is GPS?

[kevdawg2003]

I need to know. What are the practical uses for GPS. I don't really understand much about GPS besides the fact that i can have directions at my disposal. Tell me how you use your GPS. How much does it cost? What are some downsides?

Thanks!

Kevin

[Aerestis]

It makes you grow hair on your tongue, and from what I can tell, it's expensive for what it accomplishes. I might be wrong. And it doesn't actually make you grow hair on your tongue... I'm jsut really bored. Does anyone know if it's sort of expensive though? That's all I have heard.

[Pat Logsdon]

I need to know. What are the practical uses for GPS. I don't really understand much about GPS besides the fact that i can have directions at my disposal. Tell me how you use your GPS. How much does it cost? What are some downsides?
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. There's some more specific history in my geocaching (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?topic_id=20380)article, but the basics are pretty easy.

First, a GPS unit receives information from up to 12 satellites at a time in order to determine the specific location of the GPS unit to within several meters.

Second, GPS is free. The satellites were (and still are) used by the U.S. military. No personal information about you can go back to the GPS satellite - it's strictly a one-way street: satellites to you.

Third, GPS units come in many different shapes, sizes and varieties. :wink: There are units that can plug into a compact flash slot (http://www.semsons.com/haicmulgpsre1.html), a serial port (http://www.semsons.com/noname.html), and the newer ones (http://www.semsons.com/forclipdualm.html)use bluetooth. The GPS unit sends the location data to the Pocket PC, where a specialized program interprets it.

For vehicle navigation, the popular (affordable) programs are Mapopolis (http://www.mapopolis.com/)and the iGuidance (http://store.yahoo.com/inavcorp-store/iggpsnaso.html)clones (Routis (http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=RSSA&Category_Code=GS), MyNavigator). These programs are used in conjunction with maps that are complete with points of interest, addresses, streets, highways, etc. Both programs provide a graphical view of where you are and where you're going, as well as a voice prompts ("Turn left in 100 feet", "Merge right onto the 57 south", etc.)

There are also several different applications available for marine navigation and "moving map" navigation, which is useful for geocaching. Personally, I use Outdoor Navigator (http://www.maptech.com/products/outdoornavigator/index.cfm)for geocaching - the topographical maps are of high quality and you can download as many as you want for as long as your subscription is active.

Drawbacks? I think the only drawback is price, but you can get a complete vehicle navigation package for well under $200, including decent hardware and excellent software.

Advantages? Being on time to places you've never been, automatic rerouting when you get off the freeway to avoid a traffic jam in a place you're unfamiliar with, something fun to do on the weekends (geocaching), etc. etc. I love my GPS setup, and couldn't imagine doing without it now! 8)

For further information on GPS and how it can be used with Pocket PC's, I'd suggest that you check out GPSPassion.com (http://www.gpspassion.com).

[skivie]

AND......When you catch that big fish in a lake or find a nice spot to sit in the mtns when hunting, all you gotta do is tag it with your GPS and youll be able to find that exact spot everytime. All kinds of fun things to do with them.

[Aerestis]

I didn't realize how powerful it was; that's very cool.