Laptop GPS

I am an expert navigator with a map & compass but neither is as effective or as easy as the eTrex. I highly recommend the Gramin eTrex as a basic navigational aide. It’s also a great starter for learning about GPS systems. It does everything it’s meant to and does it very well. Garmin’s claims of one handed usage are for real, it is easy to navigate the interface with the solid buttons on the unit.” The Garmin eTrex GPS has one of the longest battery lives on the market, another major influence to purchase, and because it is only powered by two AA batteries, the maintenance costs are minimal. I highly recommend the Garmin eTrex GPS to users of any skill looking for a quick, reliable and inexpensive GPS fix. Nothing fancy about this unit — other than the remarkably easy to use interface. Its not possible to do better in this price range. The Garmin eTrex GPS works well (superbly well) for the sea kayaker. It’s waterproof. You can pre-plot a destination if you know the coordinates. You simply utilize the “go to” feature and the eTrex points the way. Like most modern hand-held units, the eTrex generates its own map of your movements as a visual tracklog or ‘breadcrumb trail’. For retracing your steps (’Trackback’ mode) you will see all the detail you will ever need. NS Kennedy is a keen outdoor sportsman - particularly hunting and fishing - and loves to find out about new gadgets and gizmos that he can use. He started his Garmin GPS Navigation Reviews site http://www.garmin-gps-navigation.com to share his tips and findings with other sportsmen.

Once they were only for the rich and were only fitted in the very high end cars but today SatNav systems are available to all. You can either opt for the in-car fitted systems that are still quite expensive or you can go for the handheld or protable units. This article is about the latter.
What is SatNav?
SatNav is a system that comprises of 2 elements, a GPS data receiver and a CPU/display unit. The receiver gets information from orbiting GPS navigational satellites and communicates it to the CPU/display unit. This unit is then able to find its exact location on the planet by comparing signals from various satellites.
The unit incorporates road maps of the area and places an indicator on the map showing where the car is on the maps.
Features
The units allow you to plan a journey ahead of time and then the unit will guide you to you destination by displaying a map showing you where you are and the direction you should be heading. Most now have voice instructions so the unit will tell you, when you are approaching a junction, which turning you should take. The units are also capable of making real time adjustments to the route, this means that if you go the wrong way the until will recalculate the route to your destination taking into account the wrong turning you have just made.
Maps
The maps for the unit can be loaded for the different regions you visit, so they may have a map of the UK and another for France and so on. Most modern unit have the maps stored on a removable memory cards like SD cards or similar memory card but some units read directly from a CD or DVD. The display can be set to show the conventional flat map view or the new 3D view that shows a view as if it was above you and looking forward. This view is very good and clear.
Traffic
Some units offer systems that will warn you of road works/traffic jams etc as they happen, and offer suggestion as to how to avoid them.
POI
Most units have POI’s (Points of Interest) incorporated into them that will show things like garages, restaurants, historic sites, airport and ferries etc. You can also add your own POI’s of your favourite places. One POI that is very popular is the location of all the speed camera and accident black spot locations.
Weather
Another feature that is becoming increasingly available is the weather for a location. The system will tell you the weather at a certain location on the map i.e. at that beach location you are planning to visit.
When you want to plan a journey you will need to enter the start and end destination, this can be done in a number of ways, the city, street and house number. The street intersections, the post codes and a location chosen on the on screen map. The start can be done in the same way with the addition of the present location as the starting point (remember the unit knows where you are). There are then itinerary or way points, these allow you to program destinations along the way. Finally you are usually presented with choices of routes with choices like, Fastest Route, Shortest Route, Scenic Route, Avoid Motorways etc some have the choice to avoid toll charges.
Fitting
The units can be fitted into the car in a number of ways but the 2 most popular ways are with a mounting bracket that has a strong suction cup that sticks to the windscreen. The second way is a bracket that fixed to the cars air vents, this method can be very good but required a fixing for each type of car. The unit is then fitted to the brackets and adjusted to the best viewing angle.
There are dozens of systems available now with a variety of choices of the options available. You need to choose which of the above options are important to you and then choose the until that best suits you or suits you price range.
You can see a large variety of different units at different costs at my favourite comparason site www.wangled.co.uk just type in “Mobile GPS”
The preceding article may be freely reprinted provided:
1. The article is not edited or modified in any way
2. The source is credited: reprinted by permission of Wangled.co.uk

GPS systems all started out in the army in the year 1970. In the army, many soldiers needed navigation systems to know their directions around other countries. Without this device it would be really hard for them to find their way around. This device has saved much of the soldiers time in war and has also saved them many lives. GPS systems are very powerful devices and are a great navigation system to use to get around. So what exactly are GPS systems? GPS which stands for global positioning system, according to dictionary.com is: A system of satellites, computers, and receivers that is able to determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by calculating the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver. GPS systems have gone for beyond just serving the army. They now serve just about everyone. These navigation systems help drivers find there way through city streets and help hikers find their way through the rough terrains of the mountains. They also help pilots find their way around the skies as well as helping mariners find their way around the great sea. The GPS systems technology can help serve anyone in need of it. GPS systems are especially a great thing to have for men, and I’m sure all women would agree. As everyone knows men don’t ask for directions. If a man is just to cool to ask for directions he could simply use his navigation system and would never get lost and of course would never have to ask for directions again. This saves the time of the wife who always would have to end up asking for directions. If you really think about it, using the GPS to get directions is a form of asking for directions, but shhhh don’t tell any man this. When you decide to buy a GPS system for yourself, I would recommend any Garmin GPS. Garmin’s are the number one brand name for GPS’s and I’ve heard nothing but good things from people who have bought them. By all means do your research on all different types of GPS systems but at the end you’ll realize that no other navigation system can beat the Garmin brand.