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Your family is the most important thing to you, and yet when you get out on the road, something happens. You are late, or lost, or both, and you just cant seem to find your way back, so the bickering begins. It has happened to almost every family, but the auto GPS unit has put a stop to this time honored tradition of arguing over who will or will not ask for directions.

The setup is so common that it is a staple of the standup comedy routine. The man refuses to ask for directions. The woman begs him. They fight. This scenario simply does not happen when there is a soothing voice telling the driver to turn at the next intersection, or to prepare to exit the highway shortly. That extra passenger in the car may be electronic, but he/she/it goes a long way toward keeping the peace.

This is true for family road trips as well. For once, the auto GPS unit is doing the navigating for you, and the family is free to talk, catch up on each others lives, and play games with one another rather than have their faces buried in a map trying to figure out where they are. More than one trip has been ruined by a fight that began with accusations about who told who to turn where, and became an argument about something else entirely. How often have you heard someone ask why the family even went on vacation at all, if they were not going to have any fun?

Having a GPS is akin to having a servant who takes care of the one thing that bothers you most about driving (other than waiting in traffic, of course). Not knowing where you are or not knowing how to get where you need to be.

All this stress being lifted from the driver and the navigator has a tangible effect on the success of the family vacation, and on the relationships between driver and passengers even on short trips. The simple fact of knowing where you are can be an amazing shot of relaxation right during the pressures associated with trying to operate a motor vehicle.

For once, the trip really is about the journey and not the destination, because the destination was already chosen, plotted, and provided to the auto GPS unit, and all the driver needs to do is drive, and enjoy the company within the car.

For a look at an Auto GPS unit that is right for your car, please visit us at http://www.yellowlogic.net

Automotive navigation systems utilize GPS (Global Positioning System) information to locate the users whereabouts on a road and then determine from the units database to map out the location of the car. Using road database, the unit can give directions to other locations along roads also in its databases.
Many units also incorporate dead reckoning which uses the distance between sensors, often cellular phone towers, calibrating signal loss to determine the speed and direction of a moving vehicle.

Earlier versions developed by Alpine in partnership with Honda, as well as Mitsubishi and Pioneer claim to have a model available as early as 1990. However, Magellan, a GPS system manufacturer, claims have created the first GPS based vehicle navigation system in the U.S. in 1995.

Since then, handheld GPS has become more popular as the customer can pinpoint their location not just when in the car, but anywhere they may be located. Although many manufacturers allow the unit to do double duty, only outdoors minded units are designed to handle the elements, are water resistant and have better shock prevention measures taken. Handheld GPS units are also meant to be lightweight and easy to hold in one hand whereas many auto based units needed to be installed with automotive wiring and mounted in dash.

Many units now will allow you to see street names and number or even the house numbers as they correspond with geographic coordinates. Now, you can actually find your desired location by street address along with points of interest such as restaurant, government office, or any other criteria you state. The contents of the database can either be loaded in the system or, using WiFi communications, the device can connect with the internet to get the most up to date mapping information. Formats are almost uniformly proprietary; there is no industry standard for satellite navigation maps although consumer groups have called for more uniformity similar to cellular networks and computer operating systems.

Another option being used for in car navigation is using Bluetooth accessories with a laptop or a PDA. Some manufacturers of PDAs come with an integrated GPS antenna but most can accept an accessory reciever. Since a laptop has a much larger screen than an auto GPS system, and has far more hard drive storage for maps, they are capable of a more comprehensive database. Granted they are not easily installed in your car, they do work best if you have a software with audible directions.

For a look at available handheld GPS units, please visit our website at http://www.yellowlogic.net

The USS Minnow might have made it back in the allotted 3 hours if Gilligan possessed marine GPS units to find his bearings after the big storm. Marine units are specifically designed to operate on the water and now considered standard equipment on m any vessels and watercrafts. Whether traveling on the open seas, lakes or rivers, ship captains now may employ a device that gives them access to onshore and off shore maps as well as plotting functions. When on the open water for significant lengths of time, having the ability to locate fish or account for tides is a must.

Much maritime data such as sea bed levels and navigation channels permit the ship captain to safely navigate waters that would be treacherous without a navigation device. Because marine use is so specialized, it is often necessary to pinpoint your exact location on the water as well as mark productive locations to allow you to return to that location frequently. With this feature, you can map out coordinates that assist in homing as well as find your way back to shore should you become disoriented or operate after dark hours or in inclement of weather where shore cant be easily seen. This can also save you from running a ground result Gilligan and the Skipper would be thankful for.

Commercial and sport fishermen use GPS to precisely locate where they are relative to a desired location and to track the movement of schools of fish. Although it isnt a built in feature, many professional fishermen are able to interpolate the next likely location of fish for the next day. Teams fishing may also cooperate in relaying their position to other vessels and share advice as to the most advantageous fishing spots to visit. Many units have a fish finder that combines GPS and sonar to track schools of fish as well as to safely navigate tight waters. Many GPS devices communicate with each other and can relate fish find information to share with the other team members.

Many units come with color displays making it very easy to express depth and fish information. Having a back lit display is helpful should you be out during dark hours and is an necessary option. Temperature information is essential in monitoring the optimum range for fishing a specific species. Other units include a Man Overboard feature that is truly a lifesaver as with the bobbing up and down of waves may make a crew member temporarily invisible so returning back to the general vicinity is required.

For more information on marine GPS units, please visit our website at http://www.yellowlogic.net

One of the biggest cop outs of the 20th century above the old faithful dog ate my homework is the I got lost declaration. Although with the advent of cellular phones that excuse has eroded to only the truly tricky locations to find. Soon, there will be no excuse to be late due to directions, traffic or getting lost thanks to the innovation of GPS Navigation devices.

In colonial times, explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Magellan frequently mistook their arrival for their destination. Of course, Columbus accidentally discovered the Caribbean and was later credited with discovering a land he never discovered called America. Magellan, on the other hand, was so successful, now a GPS manufacturer has carried his namesake on their products.

There is a reason we have so many grand landmarks and monuments…people got lost! In early times, the stars were our point of reference in a roundabout way to find where in the world you were located. Now, for a $100 you can get a handy little receiver that not only can tell you where you are at any place on earth, but also fits in your pocket where that old calculator and pocket protector used to fit. As long as you have clear view of the sky, youll never miss that interview again, and, subsequently, now youll have to reschedule because your meeting ran late or some other 21st century alibi.
If youre not a directions person, navigation devices can offer you street level mapping to assist in pinpointing your destination. Should you need to stop along the way for gasoline, food, government buildings, or other points of interest, maps can be preloaded or downloaded from internet sources wherever WiFi signal is available. Now you can recycle all of your old road maps.

A variety of GPS features and options are available including type of device. Recreational GPS can be dash mounted or carried in a pocket, purse or backpack perfect for biking, hiking or where ever you need a lightweight solution. Most Automotive GPS systems are designed to be installed in the vehicle and give voice directions to prevent you from being distracted by looking at mapping data while driving. Many also incorporate touch screens and other mounting options. For boating or other marine vessels, Marine GPS systems are generally waterproof and rugged and may even float should you accidentally lose them overboard. Onshore and offshore maps and plotting functions are available. But why even buy a special device when the latest model cell phones are coming with GPS functions? Many phones offer turn by turn directions and are web enabled to allow for limited map storage yet instant access to map updates as they are immediately available.

To know more about GPS navigation devices, please visit our website at http://www.yellowlogic.net

An Automotive GPS Unit employ Global Position System (GPS) information to locate your whereabouts and reference your locations from a database. Many units have a database that is updated periodically, however, others locate their information in real time as needed. This system is a form of satellite assisted navigation that enable you to determine your whereabouts on a map and provide information as to the distance of travel to arrive at your intended destination.

GPS systems originated from a technology first conceived by the Department of Defense. A system of 24 orbiting satellites transmits microwave information and this allows a receiver on Earth to communicate. This data is processed for location as well as the direction and speed. Beginning in 1983 this technology was made available for civilian use and since then, with the help of advanced cellular technology, many consumer products have evolved into the products of today.

Before you purchase your GPS device, identifying which features are most important to you is necessary. It may be ideal to choose a system that will furnish you with street level maps which can come either standard or at an additional charge depending upon service. It may prove helpful to elect this option as you need to know your present location while on the move. Also find out how often the maps you are using will be updated and that the device you choose contains a map of the area of travel.

Depending on your selection and requirements, a number of units permit you to view street detail as they match up with points of interest such as restaurants, government facilities and whatever criteria you dictate. Because store ownership changes frequently, your auto GPS unit can be either loaded directly into the system or, using WiFi, can locate the latest mapping data from the internet. At the present time there are few industry standards for navigation maps although there is a substantial consumer call for uniformity much similar to cellular phone and computer operations systems.

Many different GPS devices offer driving directions either text prompted or even voice prompted. In either case, you can receive assistance finding your position or destination with the help of the system. In the instance of voice prompted driving directions, Bluetooth accessories that connect with a laptop or PDA are also available. These innovations allow you to keep your eyes on the road at all times and leave the navigation to your GPS unit. Instead of a back seat driver, you have a front seat navigator much like road racing.

For more information on auto GPS units, please visit our website at http://www.yellowlogic.net

Sure, when most people think of a handheld GPS system, they think of their car, maybe of using one for two family cars and moving it from one car to the other as they need it. But there are many other uses for a handheld GPS that range from the surprisingly practical to the downright silly.

One of the first places the general public started seeing the handheld units was on the television show The Amazing Race, when contestants were required to operate a handheld GPS to find a location on a remote glacier and dig for their next clue. The units were also used on another game show in which the participants had to use coordinates to determine the location of a treasure chest. While fun to watch, it also brings to mind other ways in which a GPS would assist someone who was on foot.

For example, those who own large amounts of acreage sometimes need to be able to locate the property markers bounding their land. This could be because they need to build a fence, or just to ensure that a neighbor is not mistakenly encroaching on their property. With larger pieces of land, a handheld GPS can mean the difference between spending all weekend looking for that property marker or spending a couple of hours because the approximate location is narrowed down for them.

Another use on foot for this type of system is during long camping or hiking trips. It is handy to be able to pinpoint your location in case of emergency, and a cellular phone will not be operative in the wilderness. You may also be communicating with fellow campers, hikers, or climbers, and need to describe where you are in a way that does not include the phrase that tree over there.

What about for dogs? Hunting dogs can wear a transmitter that allows their owner to find them easily on an expedition, or maybe your dog just gets out of the yard a lot and you are tired of driving up and down every street in the neighborhood looking for him. Whatever the reason, the canine transmitter for your handheld GPS is available for purchase.

The great thing about these portable units is that there is no incorrect use for them. Even the mundane purpose of being able to share a unit between two cars is a great way to use your handheld GPS system.

For help finding which handheld gps system might be right for you, please visit our website at http://www.yellowlogic.net

What is under the water? Have you ever wanted to take a vacuum cleaner and pull every drop out of a lake or river, or even the ocean, just to see what can be found underneath? With a marine GPS unit, you can do so, in a virtual sense, any time you want. Most of this type of GPS include Sonar capabilities along with your GPS, so that you can see whatever is under your boat.

There are lots of ways this could be beneficial to you. Not only can you use these types of units to find schools of fish when you are out looking for a bite on a warm summer weekend, but you can detect the best routes in and out of your slip without risking bumping a rock along the way. Or, for the more adventurous, there is always the possibility of using a unit such as this for treasure hunting.

The beauty of combining Sonar with marine GPS units is that you can not only locate the treasure, you can come back to find it later because you know exactly where you were. Especially on the open water, it can be extremely difficult to determine your location relative to the land, and there are generally no reliable landmarks to use on the water itself. That is why a GPS can be the answer to your needs.

Some of the features available on marine GPS units include:

1. The ability to adjust the speed of your Sonar ping so that you can locate fish (or whatever you are trying to locate underwater) at varying boat speeds.

2. A numeric representation of the depth of the fish under the water alongside the symbol representing the fish, so that you can see how far down the fish is without needing to take your eyes from the screen.

3. Some units have high definition displays in full color, and use bright lighting to compensate for the glare of the sun.

4. It goes without saying that most of these types of units are water resistant. It is possible to find units that are completely waterproof and ruggedized for use in salt water environments.

5. With your GPS, you can map your favorite fishing spots so that you can return to the exact location where the big one got away and find him again.

If you are new to the world of GPS as a tool for the boater and fisherman, spend a little time learning about what products are out there to meet your needs. There is more to be seen under the water than you ever knew.

For a closer look at a marine GPS that is available for your boat, please visit us at http://www.yellowlogic.net