Nov
11
GPS Tracking Systems Overview
November 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Global Positioning System, or GPS as it is popularly known, is a tracking system aided by satellites in space that beam down precise signals through radio to GPS receivers throughout the world. This system is effective in pinpointing the exact location of moving or stationary objects anywhere in the world by helping the receivers accurately find their location in terms of longitude, latitude and altitude.
There are many different brands and kinds of GPS receivers available on the public market. Some come with special features and an array of looks. There are lots for you to choose from to suit your business or personal needs. Take the time to research the different types of GPS receivers and decide what would be best for you:
Motor Vehicle GPS:
This is an extremely convenient type of GPS. For the first time you do not have to be fumbling and flipping through a map book whilst driving. There are very affordable models for your car, and are easily attached to the dashboard or windscreen. There are some GPS systems that will help you calculate the distance in kilometers to your destination, and will even help you choose the best and quickest route. Car GPS systems normally have a voice guide that will tell you when to turn and where to go without you being too distracted by having to look at the screen whilst driving. You can also save familiar destinations into your system to access them easily. These trackers are even capable of telling you where there will be a speed trap or police activity on the road. As a novelty you can even load pictures and photos onto your GPS and have these images showing as a slide show whilst the system is not in use.
PDA Navigation:
These are personal GPS devices, which can be useful on a hunting or hiking expedition. You will be able to know your exact position at any given time, and will be able to find your way successfully to any destination that you wish. There is a plethora of PDA navigation devices for you to choose and benefit from.
GPS Vehicle Tracking:
This is only to keep track of where the car is traveling, but will not tell you how to get to a destination. GPS vehicle tracking is especially useful for companies who are wishing to track exactly where company cars are being driven, and how far. Car security and insurance companies have caught onto vehicle tracking in a big way, because this kind of GPS is extremely efficient in locating stolen cars. A paranoid parent can even use a GPS vehicle tracking system to check up on their teenager who has just started driving their own car, and the use of this kind of GPS system can even extend to those suspecting a spouse or partner of disloyalty.
GPS Maps:
GPS maps are great for fishing expeditions, and will assist you in locating hidden coves and following coastlines. GPS maps assist with navigation through topographical areas and also help with aeronautical charts.
In conclusion, there are many different specializations of GPS systems, and you only need to decide what you would need a system for before venturing out to purchase one.
For reviews and information on the Tom Tom GPS system visit http://www.tomtomgpsreview.com
Article Source: GPS Tracking Systems Overview
Nov
1
GPS Tracking - Don’t Leave Home Without One!
November 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is one of the greatest tools that modern technology has given us. Invisible in the sky high above, there is a network of 24 satellites in orbit around the Earth giving us constant information to tell us our exact map location, or the location of anyone or any vehicle. It also gives information about the speed of a vehicle and its direction of travel.
Why is tracking information useful?
1. For parents, it’s now possible to keep track of where your teenage kids are when they drive, particularly if they are driving long distances, say to and from college. It is a great stress reducer when you know that they are on time and on the move.
2. Also for parents, you can know where your children are, and check that they are not in any places they should not be. In this day and age, that is such a gift. It means that your children can be more independent, because you are able to watch them from afar.
3. For the thirty- and forty-somethings, a GPS tracking system can take the worry out of your elderly parents driving long distances. You know where they are at any given moment. This allows elderly people to be more independent too!
4. If you have a business that provides customer service, a GPS allows you to know at a glance which of your drivers is closest to where the customer is.
5. For employers, it allows you to monitor how fast your drivers are going, if they are breaking speed limits, or if they are taking too long a break, or if they really are where they are supposed to be.
6. Many insurance companies are now offering discounts for vehicles that are protected by having GPS tracking systems.
You can see articles, ideas, product reviews, information, tips, and advice on all aspects of GPS at http://phe-gps.blogspot.com/
Article Source: GPS Tracking - Don’t Leave Home Without One!
Oct
31
Fleet Management – A Must Have Tool For Business
October 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The management of a company’s fleet of vehicles is called fleet management. A fleet can be made up of ships, airplanes, vans, trucks, cars and/or taxi cabs. However, fleet management is not just keeping track of the number of vehicles a company has. There is much more to it than that. It includes vehicle diagnostics and maintenance, driver management, health and safety management, speed control and fuel cost tracking. The whole purpose of fleet management is to minimize the risk that a company incurs with owning a fleet of vehicles. Fleet managers can be hired directly by the company or contracted and have the benefit of improving a company’s productivity, efficiency, and operating costs.
The use of vehicle trackers is one of the best ways to do fleet management. In fact, fleet management depends quite heavily on the use of vehicle trackers. In today’s world, the Global Positioning System (GPS) is the most common type of vehicle tracker used. One of the biggest benefits of GPS units is their ability to connect to and transmit data directly from a vehicles onboard computer back to a central computer in an office. Types of data that can be sent include location, speed, mileage, fuel usage, and more. The collection of this type of data makes it simple for a fleet manager to create a profile for each driver and vehicle. One industry that really benefits from this is the taxi cab business.
The information transmitted from a fleet of vehicles must be compiled in such a way that it can be used. To do this, fleet management software is necessary. The functions that fleet management software performs are specific to the needs of a particular company or industry. One of the most basic functions that this software performs is helping a manager to determine the best time to acquire new vehicles or dispose of old ones. Other functions include trip profiling, driver profiling, dispatch operations, and vehicle operation efficiency evaluation. Some units and the software that comes with them even have the capability of Geo-fencing and active disabling of a vehicle.
Most people think of cars and trucks when they hear the term fleet management. But it is also a term applied to the management of many other types of vehicles. These include seaworthy vessels like ships. Fleet management is used by many shipping companies to track their ships when they are at sea. However, because of the size of these companies, they often do not wish to be burdened with the responsibility of tracking each ship and its operations. They will then turn this operation over to a fleet management company who will handle functions such as staffing the ship, maintenance, and other operations that need to be performed daily. Using the services of a fleet management company allows the ship owners to concentrate on other things like booking cargo and generating profits.
Fleet management systems are widely accepted as very effective business tools. They are wonderful for saving time and money and can aid a company in being more efficient in their daily operations. As advanced technology becomes lower in cost, more and more fleet managers realize that they cannot do without it.
John Mahoney is an expert on reviewing GPS fleet management equipments and technology. Follow these links to find best gadgets and information on: fleet management in Dublin and GPS fleet management
Article Source: Fleet Management – A Must Have Tool For Business
Oct
27
Golf GPS Systems
October 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Global Positioning System, or GPS, is a navigation system that uses satellites to show its location on the planet. The system offers reliable positioning and navigation constantly and is free to everyone with a GPS receiver. Originally, GPS was not intended for public use, but once it was opened to the public, the system advanced in ways never dreamed of by its inventors. One of developed improvements is a way to help improve one’s golf score.
Golf GPS units are becoming more and more popular. As people arrive to play their game and rent a golf cart, the option is now available to rent a Golf GPS unit as well. The units are used to determine the golfer’s distance from the green and other areas on the course. Basically, the unit consists of a unit with GPS capabilities that holds data about the golf course being played on. This data includes maps and any other information about the golf course that is important to help playing that particular course. The unit stores information regarding a course, or many different courses. In order to receive the information about a specific course, that information must first be downloaded to the system.
There are many benefits to playing a game of golf with this GPS unit. With the information provided, one can know his or her exact distance to the green. This can improve the pace of the game by eliminating the need to step off distances from a yardage marker or using a yardage book for the course. The Golf GPS unit can also track golf balls that contain implanted trackers in them, making it impossible to lose another golf ball. It will not always be an easy retrieval, however, since deep water hazards do still exist.
A number of different options are available when it comes to Golf GPS devices. They come in a variety of sizes and offer different features. Some features include keeping the user aware of the distance from targets while on the course, showing this length with one push of a button. The system shows the golfer any hazards or trees that are in the path of his or her drive. Certain systems may show hazards such as front, center, and back of the green, sand bunkers, water traps, lay-ups, and carries. For even easier access to the GPS information, there are some cell phones that can act as the Golf GPS unit with the right program.
A competing technology to the Golf GPS unit is the laser rangefinder. One advantage of the laser rangefinder is that it does not require any course data. Golf GPS units need the information from that particular course loaded into the unit. A disadvantage of laser rangefinders, however, is the time needed to use it effectively. Golf GPS is a much easier and faster system to use.
For anyone that holds an interest in improving their golf score, a Golf GPS unit is an item that should catch their interest, and people that love golf appreciate them. With the information provided by a Golf GPS device, the strokes are almost guaranteed to fall from your game.
Learn more about GPS golf systems, including golf GPS PDA units and handhelds for use on a variety golf course GPS maps.
Article Source: Golf GPS Systems
Oct
10
Using GPS Tracking For Better Fleet Management
October 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Most cars today come equipped with some sort of GPS tracking device. It is rare to find one that does not have one installed in it. GPS is very popular as a device for fleet management. Most people simply use it as a device for finding directions to new places. The GPS unit does this by using the vehicles coordinates compared with the new locations coordinates and mapping software that is preinstalled.
The Growing Use of GPS
A global positioning system has an incredible value not only to people, but also to communities and companies. Dakota County is a good example of a community using GPS to keep its citizens safe. They are implementing a new plan to use GPS to track the movements of some of their mentally disabled citizens.
Dakota County is implementing Project Lifesaver. This project entails the use of a fleet management tracking device placed inside a bracelet. Those citizens who suffer from various mental diseases like Alzheimer’s and autism will be able to wear the bracelet and be located at any time.
One company in the UK has found a unique way to make use of a GPS tracking system. They are using it to provide better food retail management. Restaurants, cafes, and fast food chains expect their suppliers to be early, or at least on time, for their deliveries. Late deliveries result in delayed service to the end customer, which will result in a loss of sales for the restaurant and for you.
In the UK, there is a crate rental company called PHS Teacrate that has recently installed fleet management devices in their delivery and collection vehicles. These GPS units will be used to track the drivers throughout the day and provide dispatchers and route managers with any needed information about the drivers whereabouts at any given time. This includes being able to provide a customer with an accurate expected delivery time or redirect the driver to another customer for a collection or delivery. Using these systems, PHS Teacrate has significantly reduced their mileage and response times, resulting in a larger profit margin for the company.
Towns in Mobile County are experiencing larger numbers of copper thefts within their school systems. Just last summer, 40 copper units were taken from five different schools. Officials feel that the problem will probably not improve, it will simply get worse. This is why the school boards are considering the idea of installing GPS tracking devices on their copper units so that the thieves can be tracked down and arrested and the copper recovered.
Most commercial units have a system of copper coils that is very heavy, weighing in at 50 to 70 pounds. The GPS devices will be installed right on the coil unit and the small size of the devices will make them virtually undetectable to anyone who does not know they are there.
There is a growing amount of optimism amongst companies that manufacture GPS systems and other fleet management devices. This optimism is fueled by the rising crime rates and the need for tracking both products and vehicles. Another boost to this optimism is the variety of uses different communities are finding for these devices. The popularity of the GPS units indicates that they will be a permanent fixture in most peoples lives in the future.
John Mahoney is an expert on reviewing GPS fleet management equipments and technology. Follow these links to find best gadgets and information on: fleet management and fleet management in Dublin
Article Source: Using GPS Tracking For Better Fleet Management
Oct
8
How does a GPS Tracker work?
October 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
If you watch a lot of action-packed movies or TV series these days you must have been awed by how technology can be applied in so many things like crime investigation and tracking. One technology that is often inserted in so many modern movies is the GPS or Global Positioning System. This is one huge project of the US Department of Defense that is fully functional and indeed very useful. The most common application is the GPS tracker that is now installed in most modern cars.
GPS Technology
A GPS unit is mainly made up of three segments: the satellites, the control system, and the user.
There are over two-dozen satellites stationed just outside the earth’s atmosphere. These machines are about 11,000 nautical miles above the surface and they are funded and controlled by the US Department of Defense. In order to control these satellites, there are control or monitoring stations in several strategic locations across the globe. These are the units that get the information from the satellites, monitor, and analyze them for any significance in government operations. The user holds the receiver of the radio signals from the orbiting satellites. It can compute its distance from the satellite by using the time stamps on the radio waves that were sent.
To zoom in to a specific location, four satellites are needed. The accuracy is around 10-15 meters so it doesn’t really help if the object being tracked is a car that is about 3 meters long. This is why there have been upgrades like the Differential GPS, which helps give more accurate information on the precise location of a vehicle.
Application in cars
The GPS tracker technology has found a lot of use in so many things that need to be tracked. The primary application is in vehicles. With the GPS tracking device installed in the car, the owner is certain that he won’t get lost even in places unknown to him. The screen that is hooked on to the GPS system of his car will help him find his way onto the nearest main road leading to his destination – that is, if he got lost.
The best use for the GPS tracking system is in the unfortunate event that the car gets stolen. If you only have the ordinary alarm system installed, you can’t be sure about your car’s total safety. This is because any skilled car thief can easily override your alarm system and get away with your car – and you will never hear from it again.
The GPS tracker system is a genius of a tracker so your thief can’t really go far with your car. The minute you suspect that it’s been stolen, you can just report to the authorities immediately and they can tap into the GPS system so they can instantly check where your car is at that very instant.
The GPS tracker is also useful in many other ways like:
• Investigating on a cheating spouse
• Monitoring where your teen kids are
• Keeping track of your pets
• Guarding people on parole
• Tracking small units like cell phones
Sam is the owner of Turborevs Car Security. You can find more information on GPS Car Tracker.
Article Source: How does a GPS Tracker work?
Oct
6
Dont Leave Home without Your Auto GPS Unit
October 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
An auto GPS unit is the perfect companion on a trip for anyone and everyone, no matter what the circumstances are. An auto GPS unit isnt just for someone who has a hard time with directions. Maybe you are great with directions and maps, but suddenly on your drive there are unexpected detours? In case of an emergency, you can be as good as anyone else with directions, but that wont do you any good if you need to alter your route for any reason. Consider purchasing an auto GPS unit to help you on your way, whether you are traveling across town or across the country.
Most people who buy and use an auto GPS unit claim they could never drive without one again. An auto GPS unit will map out locations, roads, and even locate itself on a map during a driving trip, and they help people across the globe find their way through cities, countryside, mountains, and forests. GPS actually is short for GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM. A GPS unit uses satellite signals to define locations and destinations in the map databases of the unit. Each satellite completes one orbit around the Earth every 12 hours, and they carry an atomic clock, transmitting a position signal and a time signal that is picked up by the GPS receiver. This allows the unit to perform all kinds of necessary calculations to arrive at a fixed location, usually accurate to within about 50 feet.
There are two main types of GPS receivers for consumers, the handheld GPS unit and the auto GPS unit. Although both kinds of units perform the same basic duty of helping you find your way, they are also different in a lot of ways as well. Handheld units are used by people use outdoors while hiking, biking, and the like, and are made to resist the elements wind, rain, ice, humidity, etc. They are made of shock absorbing material also. They are smaller than an auto GPS unit and should be comfortable to hold with one hand.
The auto GPS unit is larger than the handheld units, making the display scene easier to see from more than an arms length away. The auto GPS unit is portable, and can be removed from a cars dashboard pretty easily if you need it to. The Auto GPS unit is usually not water resistant, but they are sturdy and are not sensitive to bumps, sudden stops, or jolts from the road. A big plus for auto GPS units is the fact that almost all models plug right in to the cigarette lighter adapter, so you never have to worry about charging it at home or running out of battery for it. A really handy auto GPS unit to have is one that can talk to the user, giving you audio directions while it displays highway and road maps. This is a huge advantage over a handheld unit, because a lot of handheld units only come with basic maps, if they come with a map system at all.
Some of the top rated auto GPS units are made by reliable and seasoned companies such as Garmin, Jensen, and Magellan. An auto GPS unit can mean the difference between a frustrating trip and a worry free trip, and when it really counts, no matter how unfamiliar you may be with an area, an auto GPS unit can get you where you need to be.
To know more about Auto GPS please visit our website.
Article Source: Dont Leave Home without Your Auto GPS Unit
Oct
2
The Endless Advantages OF GPS
October 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment
With the development of technology, it is no astonishment that the world seems to be growing smaller. Communicating with another person from the other side of the world has become instantaneous. In today’s world, almost everything is possible with the latest that technology has to offer, which brings endless advantages to users around the world. One of the products of the continuous and advancing developments in technology is the GPS (Global Positioning System). GPS is global satellite navigational system which enables a GPS receiver to determine its specific location, direction and speed by measuring the distance between the receiver and three or more (out of the 24) medium Earth satellites. The GPS technology is currently being used for a multitude of military applications. Aside from its important application in the military, there is a wide array of civilian applications for the GPS technology, and numerous advantages to worldwide users. A GPS tracking device can be incorporated in mobile phones, vehicles, even a person – or any type of object – that you would like to locate. GPS tracking devices are a definite must for people who are always on the go and those who are fond of updating themselves with the latest technological revelations.
You can evaluate the value of the GPS technology by taking a look at the numerous advantages of a GPS tracking device. One of the most distinguished advantages of a GPS tracking device is when it is used as a vehicle navigator. If you are new to a place, you do not have to worry about getting lost and asking for directions if your car has a GPS tracking device. Here, you will be able to determine the precise location, calculate the distance and verify the direction that you need to take in order to arrive at a particular place. The same goes for boats which have a GPS tracking device, to make it easier to find your direction as you sail.
Another popular benefit of a GPS tracking device is when it is embedded as a feature of your mobile phones, palmtops or personal digital assistants. You can use this feature for direction-finding purposes, distance calculation and a lot more. Additionally, GPS tracking devices are used by sports enthusiasts to calculate the range that they traveled as they work out. Lastly, and this is probably one of the most important uses of a GPS tracking device – is just what the name implies – ‘to track’ or determine the location of something. Whether it is a stolen vehicle, a lost pet, monitoring the location of wild or endangered species, or for surveillance purposes – a GPS tracking device definitely provides a multitude of applications, benefits and uses to suit most of your personal needs.
For great GPS products and prices visit:
Canada- http://www.gpssupersite.ca
United Kingdom- http://www.gpssupersite.co.uk
United States- http://www.gpssupersite.com
Article Source: The Endless Advantages OF GPS
Sep
29
Shopping for an Airplane GPS
September 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
An airplane GPS is something that most pilots consider necessary. While most of the commercial planes sold today have their own global positioning systems, this is not always the case with the smaller private planes. If you fly in these small, private planes chances are you will need to buy your own system. These systems can come in very handy as they will let you know what the terrain is like below you and will also let you know about points of interest.
When you begin shopping for a global positioning system you will find that there are a lot of different options. You’ll notice that the systems range in price from $500.00 to up over $8,000.00! The differences between these systems can be substantial, but the most expensive unit isn’t necessarily the unit that is best for you. You will want to shop around a bit and see what is out there and what features there are to choose from before you buy.
The first thing you will want to consider is screen size. Many of the aviation GPS units have a very small screen that will require that you actually pick the unit up and bring it closer to your face because the screen is just a few inches wide. Other units will have very large screens that will actually need to be attached to the interior of the plane. If you are looking for portability you will obviously want the smaller units, but then you have to look at if these smaller units fit your needs.
You will also want to look at whether or not the GPS has audio capabilities, as it is often very convenient to have the system talk to you and tell you what is going on. For instance, it can tell you about upcoming obstacles, points of interests, or the type of terrain that is located below. These are things that may be better heard than seen on a screen. Many of the systems come equipped with aviation headset ports that will allow you to hear the GPS system regardless of the noise that comes from the engine of the plane.
The best thing you can do when shopping for your system is to look into several different brands and look at the differences between the price points and what you can get for the money. Ask your friends and business partners what systems they use, read as many consumer reports as possible, and do some hands on shopping before you buy. Regardless of the price of the unit you buy, a GPS is an investment and you want to be sure that you get a system that will provide you with all of your needs as you go along.
Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Many of the aviation GPS units have a very small screen that will require that you actually pick the unit up and bring it closer to your face. Many of the systems come equipped with aviation headset ports that will allow you to hear the GPS system regardless of the noise that comes from the engine of the plane.
Article Source: Shopping for an Airplane GPS
Sep
29
A GPS Navigation Systems
September 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Simplicity always stays in complexity. Some manage to find it and some manage to forget it. GPS stands for global positioning system and is a very good communication medium. This system consists of a constellation of medium orbit satellites which revolve around the earth. The total number of these satellites is some number between 24 to 32. GPS receivers locate the precise microwave signals given out by these satellites and determine their location. Receivers all around the world determine navigation guidance with the help of three mediums which are time transfer, relative movement and absolute location.
A GPS works by calculating its position from the satellites which is sent out signals to the receiver. The receiver calculates the transmitting time of the signal from the receiving time and determines its position in the form of coordinates. These coordinates are then converted into latitude and longitude and hence the user of this GPS receiver can thus figure out his position on the map with these two figures.
The world has many GPS systems that get produced by leading companies involved in this field. There are many GPS Navigation Systems which are quite capable in doing their primary task. However, the major ones are the Garmin Nuvi 880, the Magellan Maestro 4250 and the TomTom Go 930 GPS. These are the best in the business when it comes to these types of navigation systems.
Bluetooth GPS Receiver is also a very good mechanism. This is a sleek machine which can be kept in a pocket and also can be mounted on a car. It is a small but a powerful instrument that can be used even with PDA’s as well as Smart phones. This receiver uses the Bluetooth as the receiving technology and is a very useful device. This is a very reliable mechanism and with the help of additional technologies effectively calculates the position and it is thus a wonderful device to have. Given the fact that this receiver is extremely portable and compact and easy to use. Hence this receiver is a must have medium for things such as long journeys and traveling to unknown locations.
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Article Source: A GPS Navigation Systems




