So what exactly is
GPS
?
Many areas of this website are dedicated to bringing information to the consumer in order for them to make an informed
hardware or service purchase
, but before we get into that, let's back up a little to learn a bit about why GPS exists and what it means.GPS, which is short for "Global Positioning System" is an incredibly simple locator system devloped by the United States Department of Defense in the early 1970's. In the early 1980's the US Government announced that it would make GPS technology available to the general public. In 1996 the US Government formed it's first governing body to manage the GPS technology and it's governing infrastructure. This agency has evolved over the last fifteeen years as technologies have improved and new opportunities came in to existence for how they can be used to enhance the lives of US citizens, as well as the human population worldwide.
GPS technolgy in and of itself uses some pretty basic navigation principles in conjunction with each other. Essentially any GPS system consists of a receiver and satellite transmitter. By positioning a number of satellites in orbit, around the globe (hence global positioning system) a calculation is made by sending and receiving transmissions between the GPS satellites and GPS receivers.
SEE WHAT GPS BUYERS RATE HIGHEST HERE
For Car, Hiking, Handheld, Fitness and Golf GPS Ratings
What
Types of GPS Units
exist?
Portable Car
-This Handheld has the ability to measure altitude.
In-Dash Car
-GPS has the capability to synchronize with compatible bluetooth devices. The most common of which are mobile phones.
Golf
-This Handheld unit has the same basic calling functions as a typical cell phone.
Handheld
-These devices, like the Garmin Etrex Venture HC have the ability for it's user to use it in remote locations using it's own onboard power source. (Battery) They have the ability to enter personal locations that are not typically a part of the standard points of interest database of the unit.
Cycling
-Pretty straightforward description here. The device includes the ability to give compass functions that you qould find in a traditional compass.
Running
-This Handheld device has the ability to produce FM transmissions.
Tracking
-This Handheld device is able to monitor it's users heart rate. Typically the units with this feature are able to produce other data analysis as well related to caloric burn, respiration, etc.
How do I
Select the right GPS Unit
for me?
So much can be stated about the GPS industry and the consumer electronics industry in general. We intend to construct this website with one philosophy in mind. That is to bring you accurate information about GPS devices and high value, low priced hardware that makes them up. We are very puzzled by the fact that very few online retailers are comparing GPS units side by side. It seems to us that that is key to giving consumers information quickly and efficiently when it comes to comparing devices. Knowing that shopping for GPS units like this can be a very difficult process, we have created a very unique GPS Comparison Chart on a completely separate website. So if you share in the frustration of shopping for products online that have poor comparitive tools, please give our charts at that location a look. Thank you for visitng us and we hop you find our information useful. Webmaster.
What types of GPS products exist?
-?
Portable Car
-Portable Car GPS.
In-Dash Car
-In-Dash Car GPS
Golf
-Golf GPS
Handheld
-Handheld GPS
Cycling
-Cycling GPS
Running
-Running GPS
Tracking
-Tracking GPS
What features should I be aware of when I
Compare GPS Units
?
So much can be stated about the gaming computer industry and the gaming industry in general. We intend to construct thsi website with one philosophy in mind. That is to bring you accurate information about gaming computers and high value, low priced hardware that makes them up. Thank you for visitng us and we hop you find our information useful. Webmaster.
What types of GPS products exist?
-?
Altimeter
-This Handheld has the ability to measure altitude.
Bluetooth
-GPS has the capability to synchronize with compatible bluetooth devices. The most common of which are mobile phones.
Cell Phone
-This Handheld unit has the same basic calling functions as a typical cell phone.
Custom Points of Interest
-The device has the ability for it's user to enter personal locations that are not typically a part of the standard points of interest database of the unit.
Digital Compass
-Pretty straightforward description here. The device includes the ability to give compass functions that you qould find in a traditional compass.
FM Transmitter
-This Handheld GPS device has the ability to produce FM transmissions.
Heart Rate Monitor
-This Handheld GPS device is able to monitor it's users heart rate. Typically GPS units with this feature are able to produce other data analysis as well related to caloric burn, respiration, etc.
MP3 Player
The GPS Handheld Unit has the ability play MP3 encoded audio, typically associated with music, ebooks and other audio media.
Photo Viewer
-The GPS unit has the ability to view images. Normally the images are readable if they are in JPEG format, although some manufacturers may offer other image format options on the handheld gps units.
Text To Speech
-The unit has the capability to product audio voice that will say "turn left at Peachtree Street" vs. "Turn Left in 100 feet."
Video Player
-The Handheld device has the ability to replay video encoded media (movies.)
Voice Command
-The unit has the ability to receive voice commands from it's user.
Water Resistant
-The device has some resistance to moisture, although it is not intended to be submersed in water. Check out the Garmin Foretrex 401 as an example of this type of feature.
Water Proof
-The device will resist damage upon submersion into water. Typically the handheld GPS device will have a depth rating to which the manufacturer guarantees it's performance.
WAAS Enabled
-Stands for Wide Area Augmentation Signal. This is a technology that provides more accurracy, i.e., a device may be accurate to 2.5 meters vs. 4.0 meters.
Our mission statement.
Why does this website exist? OK, we are fascinated by GPS navigation technology and it's incredible growth in global use and popularity. The bottom line is that we don't sell anything on this website. Yeah, that's right, you heard us correctly. Instead we strive to bring you information about GPS, and if it happens that you are interested in purchasing GPS hardware or Global Positioning System Services, then we're good at getting you the kinds of information for you to make an informed purchase somewhere else. "Else" means any Supplier that we believe knows world class shipping, customer service and ordering security. We're not good at that stuff. What we think we are pretty good at is knowing what our website visitors want and presenting them with the GPS information that will be helpful. Thus, in one little corner of this GPS website, here we present our list of GPS DEVICES THAT SELL THEMSELVES. So here is our lists of those devices. Let the GPS Buyer Ratings and Sell Rankings speak for the GPS products themselves, for these are the GPS devices that buyers ultimately elected to this list with their purchasing dollars:
What else should I know about
Shopping for GPS Units
and accessories?
There are so many terms, words, technological and moronical phrases used to describe what GPS is and what GPS hardware does, we thought we'd clarify some of the terms used in the GPS industry.
-
- GPS
- A three character term commonly used in place of three other words which are "Global Positioning System".
GPS SATELLITE
- Pretty straightforward what this term means. A satellite is a body of mass that is gravitationally attracted to another mass in such a way that keeps it suspended in an orbit (in the case of a gps satellite) around the earth in space. In this case this type of satellite (many GPS satellites exist in orbit) is used for executing GPS functionality. Although technically speaking three satellites can exact a position location, the fact is that the speed of radio transmissions cause a bit of delay, so typically four satellites are considered to be the minimum at which an accurate position can be determined by the GPS receiver.
GPS NAVIGATION
- One could easily say that 100% of their time spent on earth is in a state of continuous navigation. You navigate out of bed in the morning, you get the idea, rigght?
GLOBAL
- OK, since the common GPS term, "Global Positioning System" contains this word, I thought we better include it here. Global means, well, uh, worldly....no, wait, around the world, or maybe better yet, perhaps you could say it is a presence around or near a spherical body. Yeah, I like that!
GPS RECEIVER
- In the world of GPs devices, this is a very generic term used to describe the electronic "gizmo" that actually "takes in" the transmissions of external devices such as satellites.
IN-SPACE
- Uh, well, this is where satellites are located. Satellites are an integral part of why systems, products, units and devices function.
GLOBAL POSITIONING
- Effects, relations, reaches that extend to any part or location of the world. Related to the Global definition a few lines above this.
HACK
- A common term used to describe an intentional, unlawful or unethical entrance into a technology, system or sub-system. Also used as a word to describe a person who is haphazard in their approach to creating something.
1972
- Considered by many to be the year that the first true "global positioning system" was tested.
GPS Brand
- Not rocket science here, uh, well actually GPS does have some rocket science technology in it. This term is of course used for any person or entity who creates something that is used for a device or system. More on this subject later.
Four
- A number. It also happens to be number of leeters placed in front of the .com, GPSX, the domain name of this website. (The one your are viewing at this moment.)
Information
- Ah yes, the moment of truth, let it be told, information about GPS is what we do and why you are reading these materials. Thank you by the way! The goal of creating these Global Positioning materials and the reason why our information about Global Positioning Systems even exists is because we are committed to getting the word out on this wonderful technology that we are so passionate about. Amen.
- GPS
When I want
information about GPS
how should I go about getting it?
Well, everyone knows that by typing in "GPS" to any interweb search engine will give you millions, no wait, I mean hundreds of millions of bits of pieces of Global Positioning Information. But let's step back again and we ask what type of GPS information are you looking for? Perhaps we can classify the types of information that consumers and well, folks in general want here:
What types of GPS product
-search terms are common?
Best GPS
- A term associated with someone who wishes to know which GPS has a higher value to them when a relative comparison between two or more GPS services or hardware has been performed.
Top Rated GPS
- Really, this is alot like the above except that a numerical value is usually compiled to represent where the GPS performs relative to the GPS competition.
GPS Manual
- Hmmm, someone who enters this search term needs help. They lost or never received instructions on how to use the GPS. Darn!
GPS Reviews
- OK, now we are talking, literally. Or at least others are talking about GPS. Read their stories and you have uncovered the secret to improving your quality of life.
Cheap GPS
- Effects, relations, reaches that extend to any part or location of the world.
Bad GPS
- Usually a term associated with reviewing a device, hmmm, not a happy camper id the first thing that I might label that consumer.
Buy GPS
- OK, this is it, the big Kahuna, the music to the GPS sellers ears, if you as the seller get visible when they enter this search engine term, your golden.
Tracking GPS
- This is a common term used to describe a GPS device that will tell you where it is at any given moment. Want to know where your car is? It has got you covered. Want to know where your kid is? Again, this type of GPS navigation device does that too. There's something about this part of the GPS business that seems a bit shady, like, well, sneaky I guess.
Best Selling GPS
- OK, now, here we go, this is one of the most important terms used on this website. It doesn;t matter that it's crammed down at the bottom of this page right now. We'll explain later. It is the phrase that all GPS manufacturers and service providers wish their GPS stuff to be. More on this subject later.
Garmin
- A popular GPS services and hardware supplier. Enter this GPS term and that consumer likely has an interest in what Garmin has or does not have in the Global Positioning Arena.
TomTom
- Same as above, only insert "TomTom" in the description body.
Portable GPS
- A device that has the ability to be portable. Usually associated with this term is "handheld" or "batteries" or "waterproof or...., OK, you get the generally idea.
Cheap GPS
- A device that is either deficient in it's quality or one that has a perception of being inexpensive. We can probably conclude that the shopper who uses this term is more than likely looking for a good value for their money. We'll attempt in the coming days to classify those GPS devices that have a great value. Look for our "cheap GPS" section to come soon.