What You Ought to Know About GPS

Many new cars now come loaded with a GPS (Global Positioning System), whether you want one or not. When you understand how this modern navigation system works, you can better adapt it to your own needs. Before you find yourself looking blankly at the screen in your car, here's what you ought to know about a GPS.

How GPS works

Using 24 satellites launched by the United States over a period of 20 years, a GPS determines accurate locations or positions with the ability to navigate after receiving this information. Before cost-effective GPS units made their way into our cars, they had been used extensively by the navigation industry, military forces, rescue squads and even delivery services. By using pinpoint accuracy and worldwide coverage, a GPS means that you no longer have to wrestle with those old-fashioned paper maps.

Satellites, the control system and receivers are the three elements that make up your GPS. Control systems located around the world work to keep the satellites on course and report any status changes. The job of GPS receivers is to capture and process satellite signals and give exact locations. The receiver calculates the time the satellite signal travels. After making that determination, the receiver uses triangulation to target exact positions.

What you ought to know about GPS

If you want to install a GPS unit in your car, keep these tips in mind before making a purchase:

How often will you use it? Evaluate the features in the models that appeal to you. If a more expensive model has features you will never use, why pay more money? Remember, the frequency that you use your system will affect the life of your car battery.

Do your homework. Before investing in a GPS, be sure you read a few product reviews.

Understand the features. What does "traffic detection" really mean? Your new GPS can do a lot more than just point you in the right direction. Higher-priced models can also help you avoid traffic problems and can be used along with Bluetooth as a hands-free phone.

Drive safely. While using your GPS can become addictive, it can also become a distraction when driving. If you use your GPS wisely for its intended purpose, having one in your car can make you a safer driver, because you will know where you are going no matter what the conditions outside of your car. Resist programming the GPS while your car is moving. Always enter your destination before you begin to drive. If you need to make adjustments, be sure to pull over or wait until you reach a stoplight.