The technology behind the car GPS is both impressive and relatively simple to understand. Understanding how your car GPS works might help you to understand a little bit about how you better use your GPS. I know, this sounds like a line, but keep reading and at the very least you'll be able to sound like a smarty pants to your friends and really smart to your kids.
Okay here's how a car GPS works in a nutshell; satellites in space triangulate on a single unit through pings, or packets sent from the GPS to the satellite and back. The GPS then calculates how long each ping (or signal) takes to get back to it and uses this information to give its own location within 3 meters. What it needs is basically two good signals, but three or more are much better.
The map on a GPS is laid out in longitude and latitude. Once the GPS has determined its own location it will display this on the map for the user to see. Sending multiple signals helps keep the GPS updated second to second. This is important when you consider that if the GPS did this every few seconds you'd most likely miss your turn.
Speaking of maps, your car GPS does not count on the satellite feed to update the maps. Sometimes your GPS will tell you to avoid construction where there is none, or worse, lead you right into it! There have even been cases of car GPS's telling people to turn off bridges or leading them onto railroad tracks that didn't exist. These types of incidents are easily avoided.
Updating your GPS online is your best bet. Often there is a website or built in software that will prompt you to update your maps. Use this. In fact use it often. New roads and new road statuses will not be updated on your car GPS maps without doing so. As soon as you get your new GPS out of the box update it.
Downloading some novelty voices is also a very cool thing to do. You can find free voices and premium voices with most services. These can be well known celebrity voices ("Turna Right HERA! JA!") or just the latest greatest sexy robot voice. The choices are pretty varied.
Alerts can be set on your car GPS that will inform you as to when you are getting close to restaurants, rest stops, school zones and even bars. We do not recommend you use your GPS to gain an advantage on the next Pub Crawl, however it is good to be able to find a bathroom quick. Some GPS unit will also help you monitor gas consumption and that means peace of mind.
Keep a back up road atlas just in case. GPS technology has come a very long way, but it's not infallible. Being able to keep up with your location once your GPS has gotten you lost- however rare that is, is important and will help keep you safe. Travel well my friends.
Okay here's how a car GPS works in a nutshell; satellites in space triangulate on a single unit through pings, or packets sent from the GPS to the satellite and back. The GPS then calculates how long each ping (or signal) takes to get back to it and uses this information to give its own location within 3 meters. What it needs is basically two good signals, but three or more are much better.
The map on a GPS is laid out in longitude and latitude. Once the GPS has determined its own location it will display this on the map for the user to see. Sending multiple signals helps keep the GPS updated second to second. This is important when you consider that if the GPS did this every few seconds you'd most likely miss your turn.
Speaking of maps, your car GPS does not count on the satellite feed to update the maps. Sometimes your GPS will tell you to avoid construction where there is none, or worse, lead you right into it! There have even been cases of car GPS's telling people to turn off bridges or leading them onto railroad tracks that didn't exist. These types of incidents are easily avoided.
Updating your GPS online is your best bet. Often there is a website or built in software that will prompt you to update your maps. Use this. In fact use it often. New roads and new road statuses will not be updated on your car GPS maps without doing so. As soon as you get your new GPS out of the box update it.
Downloading some novelty voices is also a very cool thing to do. You can find free voices and premium voices with most services. These can be well known celebrity voices ("Turna Right HERA! JA!") or just the latest greatest sexy robot voice. The choices are pretty varied.
Alerts can be set on your car GPS that will inform you as to when you are getting close to restaurants, rest stops, school zones and even bars. We do not recommend you use your GPS to gain an advantage on the next Pub Crawl, however it is good to be able to find a bathroom quick. Some GPS unit will also help you monitor gas consumption and that means peace of mind.
Keep a back up road atlas just in case. GPS technology has come a very long way, but it's not infallible. Being able to keep up with your location once your GPS has gotten you lost- however rare that is, is important and will help keep you safe. Travel well my friends.
About the Author:
Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on Garmin GPS Accessories which showcases reviews of some of the top accessories for your Garmin GPS system.
