What to Know When Buying a New GPS

new magellan gps

Why are GPS units showing up everywhere? Like many other technologies, feature rich GPS units are now affordable for the average person. Let’s look at few things to consider prior to buying your next GPS unit, but first, what is a GPS unit?

A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit has the primary function of calculating its own location on land or water by using satellite signals. WAAS greatly increases the accuracy of your GPS, in most cases to within 10 feet. Next, be sure your GPS has at least 12 channels of reception too. For the outdoor athlete or sportsman, be sure your GPS has these features: topographical mapping, back tracking, a computer interface, weatherproofing, 12 receiver channels and WAAS. I recommend portable GPS units in the Garmin eTrex Series and the Magellan Meridian Series. For driving applications, be sure your GPS has these features: street mapping, large display, a computer interface and external antenna compatibility. I recommend automotive GPS units in the Garmin StreetPilot Series and the Magellan RoadMate Series. For boating and other marine applications, be sure your GPS has these features: marine mapping, color screen, active sonar, back tracking, a computer interface and weatherproofing. I recommend marine GPS Units in the Garmin GPSMAP Series.

You should expect to pay between $200 and $300 to get a decent GPS Unit. I believe it is the best GPS available for under $300.

GPS Navigation Systems and Data Problems

We have a serious problem brewing with GPS navigation systems for automobiles and even motorcycles. Ask anyone in a metro area who has bought a new car with one of those cool GPS upgrades for their SUV or new sports car. Places near large DMA metros are a problem out in the middle class suburbs. In many areas such as outside Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Nashville, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Columbus, Cleveland, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, DC Subs, etc. When GPS devises for cars first hit the scenes at the CES and SEMA shows in 1996, they became increasingly more popular, powerful and better data. Much of the technology was former Defense Contractors peddling their wares through subsidiary consumer level companies. The cars will need to have additional anti collision devises made up of networked sonar and optic flow sensors. Just like Radar, Microwave ovens, Nuclear Energy, Cellular Phones, Satellite Communication and Jet Aircraft in Commercial Aviation. Smart Car Technologies can add Thousands of Dollars to the price of a car and consumers are glad to pay for them. A factory GPS system with display can cost up to $6,000.00 and they sell a lot of them on the higher end cars. It is a high profit item upgrade, although there are some, which only cost $1000.

There are many companies, which sell after market computer assist items. These companies are doing quite well and the systems work great. The big issue is just because you have a super duper incredible GPS system, does not mean the street you are looking for is even on the map yet. If you are a studier of maps like I happen to be, you will see the problem with older maps. Even some companies keep printing old map data year after year without adding in new on ramps, city streets, infrastructure freeway improvements and ring-roads, it is aggravating for those from out of town. If so where is the white Tiger Show?

Jack Dangermond of ESRI had set up entire networks of software makers who developed data for their awesome software products for GPS and GIS needs. Used by government, military, utility companies, transportation companies, private companies with GPS units to sell to the public, First Responders and school districts for buses. We interviewed one man who bought a new Nissan Sports car.

Some GPS devices allow the user to choose a satellite vendor and data vendor and software, but many of the Factory units do not. 3G cell phone technology may assist for those using cell phones to call in data to the dispatches. It is a safety issue if someone with a GPS system pulls out a map and tries to read it while driving in an area they are not familiar with. It is essential to have the data for these devises and everyone is better served when communication flows.

GPS units provide that and the data should be readily available and probably it is best to have the cities using the same formats as first responders and the same data can be used for utilities, consumers, military and even census data or academia studying urban sprawl and growth rates to have infrastructures ready during expansion. Communication is important for government and citizen a like, increased efficiencies in business will save the government money and provide additional tax base and funds on the income of such businesses utilizing such data, as well as save money and time for all the government services discussed above.

Kids in sports do less drugs, become more competitive, have higher work ethics and soccer moms can help keep the retail economy going. GIS-GPS systems can help in any emergency or simply driving around town getting things done to check off one’s list for the day.

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Categories : Gps