If you are like me and you travel a lot on a motorcycle like I am than any type of GPS unit that will make traveling easier is something I am all for. The Garmin Zumo GPS unit is something that could make my travels so much easier. Many times when you are on a motorcycle, you miss your turn or exit because you must pay attention to so many different things at once. I think a GPS unit could make it much easier to travel and less dangerous for motorcycle riders. Read further to discover if this product is worth the money and see how well it performs.

The Garmin Zumo is a GPS unit that is designed for the motorcycle and traveling. It uses a simple u-bolt and two wires to have your unit going which means hook-up is a breeze on most all motorcycles which is something I like. If you’re not very smart when it comes to wiring things up this is the perfect model for you. It should take around a half hour to mount and get everything going, but that is quick in my book. Therefore, if you are like most and have no idea how to hook things up this will be a piece of cake. If I can do it, anyone can. I am glad Garmin gave a quick fast hook-up that definitely is a godsend.

The Zumo is glove friendly and designed for left hand operation to keep the throttle in operation all the time, which is something I like. No one likes to slow down and the left hand operation makes it so easy. It is waterproof so if it does get wet you should be okay with no problems at all. The screen is large which at highway speed is ready to see which something I was worried about was. It gives you a good view and is very colorful which I liked. You can also download music and listen to it as well through an earpiece or through a speaker, which is a nice touch. It also has a Bluetooth option, which makes it something to consider when you are going down the road. It has an optional car adapter kit so you can actually use it with a motorcycle or a car. This makes it more feasible and gives you a wider range of uses, which is something I really like about. It has a good array of maps and points of interests so I had no real issues with it.

Overall, the Garmin Zumo is a very nice GPS unit for motorcycles. The only real drawback is it does have a high asking price that may make people shine away from it I hope not. This model is a very good performer as it is tough to find anything like this for a motorcycle. Garmin is the top maker of GPS units in the world and they have design a wonderful product. First of all it is very easy to install and should take no time at all for you to be up and running. Second, I love the big screen it has and it even shows a motorcycle as your icon when you’re driving which is a very nice touch. You get the Garmin name also which means you will have a unit that will last you a very long time.

This unit has many neat features on it that will make motorcycle riders very happy. I also found the Garmin Zumo to be very accurate with details and directions. This is necessary if you ride motorcycles for a very long time. Many people do not realize how hard it is when you’re driving a motorcycle to always be abreast of what is going on so a GPS unit is the perfect assistant for any rider. All in this entire GPS unit from Garmin performs very well and is something people should consider if they ride and travel on a motorcycle a lot. It is waterproof so you know there should be no problems with weather issues. It has a colorful screen so everything will be easy to read and see as well.

I have to admit I was surprised at how well this model from Garmin worked. The Zumo is a winner and should be on anyone’s list that is looking to add a GPS unit to their motorcycle this year. With the Garmin name and reputation you sure cannot go wrong with this model.

Millions of dogs are lost ever year and many people are heartbroken about it. Some of recovered, but for the most part Fido is never returned which is something that the Garmin Astro 220/DC20 can help you do. Garmin has a strong following with hunters as they look for a reliable outdoors GPS unit and none is better than Garmin right now. Read Further and discover why the Astro 220 could reunite your dog and you if he or she ever gets lost again.

Once you unpack the DC20, you see that this system was intended to help dog owners to find their dog that either wandered away or just follow and make sure he is not straying too far away. Each unit comes with a neoprene harness that you can attach to a dog which houses a base plate chip that will let you actually follow your dog and where he or she is at all the time. Once the Astro is turned on the opening page, you will see a picture of a dog and which direction he is going and exactly how far away he is from you. This is very important information. If you have ever lost a dog and you have no idea, which direction he is headed it can be almost impossible to find him or her.

There are many different functions on the DC20 that make it very valuable. You will be able to see distance traveled direction, average speed, and even a map to help you out even more. You can also download maps for your area, which will make it much easier for you to track and find your dog.  Once big question people ask about this unit was how well it would performed inside the city. When you are in a bigger city you must deal with buildings and I wondered if it would give a good accurate reading and It did extremely well in that aspect. Inside a city it is good for around a two mile range, but outside city limits where you do not deal with power lines and you have open area the range is much longer. Power lines seem to bounce signals, which you will not deal with in wide-open areas. The other thing is satellite signals are always stronger in open areas as well.

One feature I really like in the Garmin DC20 is if the dog makes a sudden change of direction from what they have been doing a flag will popup to alert you of this. This is something that I like because it makes you pay attention more and makes it easier to find the lost dog. Battery life on these models is very good and the one screen display is excellent with very good graphics and good detail. The battery that we used lasted around 17 hours before it needed recharged so that was very good in my opinion. Just like most GPS units, it has waypoints and many different options that make it a multi use tool that you will want to check out. Weather was another factored I worried about. How would the chip perform in colder weather especially traveling on a dog? I was surprised it did work very well and in the cold weather, the tracking was excellent so that will not be a problem for you at all. Many times cold weather will have an adverse effect on tracking and give false readings, but not on this unit. The Garmin DC20 performed well and beyond my expectations that are for sure.

Overall, this unit is a great to help find a lost dog or training aid as well. Garmin DC 20 is a top of the line receiver that is one of the better ones on the market right now. Most people do not realize that GPS can be used to track a lost dog and brought back home. These are also great training aids for outdoor training especially if you or your dog is separated.  When loaded with the appropriate maps this is one powerful unit that you should have especially if you train dogs or your pet seems to wander away from the home often. This is one unit that can bring Fido back to his family. Toss in the Garmin name and all the other options that you get and I can see why hunters and dog lovers love the Astro DC20. This is necessary buy for dog owners and that hunter that you know.

Factors that can help you decide in choosing personal gps systems

Are you the type of person who has trouble choosing things?  Do you need

help in choosing a personal gps system?  Here are some factors to help

you.

First, consider how much money you can afford.  No this does not mean how

much you can spend.  This means how much you can spend without hurting

your weekly or monthly budget and without putting too much on your credit

card bill.   Knowing this amount can definitely narrow down your chooses

considerably (especially if you can’t spend very much).

Now think about the type of personal gps system you really want.  Do you

want a navigational type or a tracking gps system?

A navigational gps system can help you to find exact addresses and help

you to find your way from place to place.  They can also help you to

course your tracks during sporting activities such as hiking and jogging.

Navigational gps systems generally have such basic functions as:

Alerting you of speeds you are driving
Recording speeds and distances ran or hiked, etc.
Finding exact locations on a map
Giving you turn by turn directions
Helping you to locate points of interests along interstates or highways

such as gas stations, ATM’s, police stations, hospitals, hotels, rest

stops, etc.
Pinpointing waypoints
Saving exact addresses into the history mode

Tracking devices generally have such basic functions as

Pinpointing exactly where an object or person is on a map
Alerting you if an object or person strays out of a designated safe zone
Alerting you of additional functions such as body temperature or blood

pressure
Having a history mode of all locations where an object or person has been

and how much time has been spent at each destination

Plus, you can buy personal navigational systems that include extra

functions such as:

Audio players
Audio book readers (may require a subscription)
JPEG picture viewer
Compasses
Clocks
Audible alarms
Measurement devices

Once you decide on the functions you need and want the most, you can

narrow down the choices and models that suit your needs and want the most.

Now you may also want to consider which brands appeals to you the most.

Would a popular brand such as Garmin appeal to you?  When you choose a

popular brand of a personal gps system you know you are purchasing a brand

that many people chooses and trust.  This should give you a bit more

confidence in your choice.  Plus, you should also realize that there are

reasons why people trust certain brands. 

The top reasons people trusts certain brands are:

Prices

Yes, prices are important.  Just like you, the average customer wants a

bargain that will not hurt his or her budget.

Functions and capabilities

They must meet the basic needs.  There is a certain list of requirements

the average consumer wants in a personal gps system.  If it meets these

needs, then it is a top trusted brand.  Plus, if the brand also adds a few

extra features, the consumer is even happier.

Ease of use.

Is the gps system an easy to use system?  If the gps personal system is

easy for most consumers to use, then you know it is going to be top rated?

 Plus, if it is easy to use than most consumers will be happier with than

choices.  Nobody wants to buy complicated devices that they do not

understand how to work properly.

Are there other factors that can help you to decide which personal gps

system are for you?

What about the size of the system?

Will it bothersome for you to carry from place to place?  Can you easily

place it in your purse or pocket?

Does the color or style of it concern you any?

Is the system you truly want easy to find and sold at most stores or

sites?

Will the system hold up in the conditions you will be using it?  For

instance, if you plan on using it outside in all types of weather climates

is the personal gps system waterproof and durable?

Can the personal gps system hook up easily to your computer for

downloading or transferring information?

Does the personal gps system come with a good factory warranty and does

the store or site give you a generous and easy to understand return

policy?

 
By knowing all the factors that can help you decide in choosing your

personal gps systems and by actually following them, you are more apt in

making a decision you will come to love instead of regret.  

Could the Garmin 182 gps system be the one for your marine needs?
Are you looking for a new gps system to use while you are on the water? 

Do you want a brand you can trust and know?  Have you thought about buying

a Garmin brand?  Have you thought about buying the Garmin 182 gps system?

First, of all you know when you are buying a Garmin gps system you are

buying a trustworthy system.  The Garmin brand is a brand that people

trust for a reason.  They make accurate and dependable gps systems.  They

also value their customers.

Have you visited the Garmin website lately?  If you hadn’t, you might not

know that it sates on the site that their goal is:  To create navigation

and communication that can enrich our customer’s lives.   Why wouldn’t you

trust a company that makes a statement like that?

Another reason you should trust the Garmin company is the fact that the

have had an outstanding line of gps systems, for instance take the Garmin

182 gps system.

First, you should be aware of the fact that Garmin 182 gps system is

basically used for navigational purposes, in particular marine and water

based navigational purposes.

The display unit offers crisp high resolution displays for easier viewing.

It works with 12 channels; to make sure you are always can receive a

signal.  It also has a built in WAAS receiver.  This helps you to pinpoint

your location and help you with extra map features.  These locations can

be pinpointed within three meters.

The mapping ability within the Garmin 182 gps system is gigantic. In fact,

it contains all US coastline data; US tide data, and inland cartography. 

Plus, the user can plug in to the additional data card and upload

information from Blue Chart Marine Cartography or maps from Map Source. 

The display size of the 182 Garmin Gps system is 5.5 inches and the

resolution is 240 X 360.

It has the basic marine functions such as:  Tide protection, chart plotter

and even man over board.

It has audible features that make marine travel much more efficient such

as:  proximity alarm, anchor alarm, arrival alarm, off course alarm and

clock alarm.

The built in trip calculator can tell the user the estimate times of

sunset and sunrise and time of arrival.

It has several grid options the user can choose.

Being a marine gps system, of course, it is waterproof and made from a

high impact plastic alloy casing, which also makes it durable.  The

systems can withstand salt water, sunlight and many other elements.

The user can route up to 50 destinations, which can also be viewed in

reverse.

The user can set up to 3000 waypoints

The gps system is lightweight, weighing only 1.7 pounds.

It has a grayscale screen, for easy viewing.

It has both an internal and an external antenna (which can be mounted to

the rail of the boat)

Comes with an adjustable back light.

It comes equipped with a power cord and a protective front cover.

The system weighs only 4 pounds.

The system also comes with a one year warranty.

It also has high speed processors which mean you can retrieve your data

fast.  Plus, this gives the user the opportunity to redraw maps and

courses quickly and easily. 
Plus, at one site the 182 Garmin Gps system was given 5 stars out of 5

from satisfied customers who actually bought and used the system

themselves.   Why did these users choose the Garmin 182 gps system?

They wanted a system that was durable and could withstand tough conditions

on the ocean, along with ever changing weather conditions, especially

dampness.
The system was easy to use and reliable
The user didn’t want to mess with a computer to enter waypoints
The routes help keep the user in legal areas of the waters
The display options are very configurable
Upgrades are easy to download
Waypoints are easy to save
Customer support from the Garmin website
As for prices, they vary from site to site and store from store.  You may

be able to buy this gps system at a discounted price or at a refurbished

price, since this system is no longer being produced.

If you are having trouble buying the Garmin 182 gps system, first check

the Garmin website for links of retail and online stores that sell list

items, then if you still have no luck, be sure to check auction sites and

personal resell list sites such as craigslist.

Why are you waiting?  If you are looking for a reliable marine gps system

and you know the Garmin brand is a brand you can trust, why not purchase a

Garmin 182 gps system today?

Over the last two years, sales of GPS units have doubled and the GPS market is the fastest growing segment of the automobile industry. These small but powerful systems can do so many things those figures really have not shocked anyone. More and more people are traveling and they want to get to their destinations as fast as possible. One of the best ways is with a GPS receiver and even some car manufacturers have made them standard equipment on certain models as well. Let us look at some of the reasons that the GPS market has exploded in recent years. Read further down and you too will discover what all the sizzle is about.

Many GPS Systems have a thing call the touch and go home built into the unit. What this means is with a touch of a button it will tell you exactly from your point the quickest route to your home. No programming lots of addresses just a touch of a button and you will get instant directions to your home. This is one of the more popular features that are on GPS units today.

They say bigger is better and when it comes to screens in today’s world those words are more true today than ever before. Many of the new models that are being introduced are getting away from the 3.5 screen and going to 4.2 and even larger than this. The main reason is the bigger the screen the more detail can be pulled up and consumers like this. The other main reason I think that companies are starting to go with bigger screens is because now there is software that will let you use your laptop as a GPS system. This is starting to cut into sales as more and more people carry laptop computers with them as they travel.

Trip information such as compass, direction, speed, and arrival time is something that you will be able to access. Hands free mobile calling is something that more GPS receivers are now coming out with. Touch screen is almost standard anymore in the GPS arena as well. Scroll screens use to be what every company use to have. That has been replaced with the touch screen, which makes it much easier when you talk about going down the road. Traffic alerts is another add-on that more and more people are asking for. Some companies are now making this standard on their models. Traffic reports help you avoid trouble spots when you’re traveling and it can save you a lot of time by avoiding congested areas.

Points of interest are something that many people look at when deciding to purchase a unit. The more points of interest the more likely they will buy the unit. Many companies will also let you go to their websites and even download more points of interests along with various maps if that is what you want to do.

Add-ons are something that the GPS companies have slowly been adding and two of the more popular ones are the MP3 player and the DVD player. Many of the higher end models do have MP3 players and DVD players included. This lets people customize their unit even more which has really helped sales of the higher end product.

As you can see sales of GPS, units have doubled for many different reasons. From the many points of interests that are located on these units to the portability of these units. Most people think that if you buy an automotive GPS unit it can only be used for that one automobile. This is not true in fact; you can take it from one automobile to the next without any problems at all. This is one of the things that make these units so valuable. Some models also have the ability to store trips and you can recall them especially if you travel to a certain destination a lot. This stops you from having to always input the information. Memory for most units is very vast so you can customize it and add more things s you wish.

Look for sales of GPS units in the future to keep soaring as more things are added to them and it looks like no end is in sight. More companies are offering GPS systems and with Sony adding it to the play station portable as well, you can see that the possibilities are endless. Look for GPS to be around for a very long time to come that is for sure.

Buying a cheap gps system doesn’t mean you have to cut out those functions you love
We all love to save money.  If we save money on one item, we have more to spend on the next item.  Right?  For this reason, we all are looking for deals.  Yet, these deals and buying cheap doesn’t mean we have to scrimp.  For instance, if you are on the market for buying a cheap gps system, you don’t have to out all those functions, and even extra functions, you love.  You just need to shop wisely.

How do you shop wisely?

First, before you do anything you decide on how much you can spend, not how much you would like to spend, but how much you can spend without going over a budget and without putting too much on your credit card debt.  No, this isn’t fun.  Counting and sorting out our budgets never is.  But it is the first step to financial independence.  The second step is making wise purchase decisions.  Since you are already thinking of ways to buy cheaply, you are on that wise road.

Now that you have a figure in your mind and on paper, you can begin investigating the best ways to shop cheaply.  Where to begin?

Do you like to shop online or at your local retail stores?

Online stores gives you the benefit of sitting back, checking out the merchandise inventory and prices at your leisure.  Plus, there are no annoying sales clerks asking if you need help. 

Should you need help, many sites do offer live operators and all offer contact information to sales staff.  But you ask for the help first, they don’t bug you.

Now that you are at online site you can check all the different types and styles of gps systems they have to offer.  Do you happen to notice any sale offerings?  Does any of these prices seem cheap to you?

Don’t forget while you are at each site; be sure to sign up for those online newsletters.  They can alert you to upcoming sales, which mean cheaper and reduced prices.

While you are at the first online store, notice the prices of the gps system that you admire the most.  Be sure to write that price down and then check to see which site has the better prices.

You may even want to consider some of those online auction sites.  If you are a savvy bidder, you may find that perfect gps system at a really cheap price at one of them.  But remember when you are bidding, you need to factor in shipping and handling costs to your final bid price.  You should also be aware that you can get caught up in the game of bidding and lose yourself by overspending.

Of course, the advantages of shopping locally are that you can actually take home your merchandise, which in this case means your gps system, right then and there.  The down side can be the annoying sales staff and in some cases lack of choices, especially if you live in a small town. 

Retail stores, including electronic stores, can only offer so many choices.  They have to keep inventory and they have to store this inventory.  For this reason, you may find that you have more choices in variety and in prices at those online stores.

Shopping for cheap gps systems is a smart move.  But there are also some more tips you should remember:

Check the terms on warranties and return policies.  If the item is being sold at a cheap price, it may be a refurbished item or an out of date model.  That doesn’t mean that the gps system doesn’t work or fit the needs and capabilities you want.   It just means that you may have a shorter length of time on your warranty and a shorter time to return if you do find faults with the system.

Read some reviews about the model before buying.  Be sure to read up on the models:  accuracy rating and the ease of use.  These two factors are very important.

Finally, don’t settle for a cheaper model that doesn’t have those functions you want. If you really want a gps system that can double as mp3 player, it is worth the extra money to buy one with this function.  If you don’t, you will never be satisfied with your purchase choice.

Buying a cheap gps system doesn’t mean you have to cut back on the functions you want and love.  It just means you have to shop a little more wisely and may have to spend a little more time doing it.

Auto GPS systems it seems are becoming more and more standard equipment on new cars, which in many people’s eyes is a very good thing. It lets you find your way if your lost or have no idea which direction you need to go. If you are pressed for time than these systems are a definite lifesaver that is for sure. One big advantage is if you are in need of safety personnel they can pinpoint the location of your device and get help to you much quicker than if you did not have one on your vehicle so that could be something to consider when you get your next vehicle. Let us look at some of the GPS systems that are available and some of the features that they have you may be using.

Most Auto GPS systems come with preloaded destination settings or points of interest that will point you to things you may want to see and things that could help you. Gas stations, hotels, motels and lodges are just some of things that you will find preloaded on most of these installed units. Having the points of interest already installed in the unit means, you will not need to struggle with maps trying to find somewhere to eat or a place the kids might enjoy. This in turn will make your trip more enjoyable and you will have to worry less about the small things that can bug you. Just as GPS systems in cars help them marine GPS is something also that can help a boater who is lost or just trying to find his weigh, so do not think that these units can only be used in a vehicle because they many different uses.

Maybe one of the biggest benefits of these Auto GPS systems is that you will be more protected from theft than ever before. If your vehicle is stolen, it is much easier to track down than ever before. This is why more cars that are new are having them installed. In addition, the insurance industry is learning how valuable these units are and most now give you a discount off your insurance just to have one installed. Let us look at two of the better Auto GPS systems that you will probably run into.

The Garmin Street pilot i2 is a small and inexpensive Auto GPS unit that makes driving fun and at the same time will keep you on track no matter if you are going long or short distances. It has many different features that even first time GPS users, students, commuters and corporate travelers have no problem understanding and getting the most out of the unit.  This model has many of the features that the premium Garmin models have as well. Click to enter scrolling wheel, voice promoted turn by turn instructions through a speaker, ability to connect to a PC if needed and many other features. This unit is an excellent starter model for the first who really has never used GPS and is looking to see what it is all about. The Garmin Street Pilot i2 has features that in many systems cost more than the asking price for this model. If you are just starting out this is the unit you will want.

For just a little more money, you can upgrade to the Garmin Street Pilot c330 model with Auto GPS system. This has a color screen with the simple touch screen interface that many models are going to right now. It has automatic route location as well as voice promoted turn buy turn navigation that people love. It is preloaded with map data and over six millions points of interest are included with this model. Long life lithium battery and USB interface to allow additional data and maps make this a very good choice if you want to spend a little more. Truly, this very versatile model will get you many years of reliable usage.

As you can see Auto GPS systems seem to be the wave of the future and with more car manufacturers having them as standard equipment look for consumers to embrace them even more. The best thing about GPS systems besides they help make life easier is you do not have to upgrade every two or three months like computers. Many have add-ons that you can purchase, but for the most part your unit will do everything you need it to and more. Look for more and more people to use this new technology to their advantage whether it be planning a trip or just looking for a place to eat.

If you ask any motorcycle rider nothings beats riding around on one and enjoying the scenery around you as you zip up and down country roads or interstate highways. Getting lost though many times becomes a big frustration for motorcycle riders and more and more of them are turning to GPS technology to stop this from happening to them in the future. Many riders do not even realize that this type of technology exists for them, but it does. These electronic gizmos our own cars so the next logical step was of the two wheel variety anyway. The task of finding a good unit can be daunting so we have broke down some of the better models so your decision will be much easier to make.

GPS systems first are not as cheap as they are for cars for a number of reasons. Let us look at those reasons first. With not the demand for them the price of these types of systems are usually on the high end. The second main reason is most companies have really not worked on a product for the motorcycle industry so there really is not a lot to choose from. One system that seems to have gotten good reviews by motorcycle riders and the public too is the Garmin Quest 2 Auto routing GPS with RAM Motorcycle mount. This system only weights around 5.5 ounces and comes with a mount to make it easy to mount on your motorcycle. One of the biggest advantages of this model it has 140MB of memory so you can download more maps if you need to. This model comes with streets and business in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Another great feature is the ability to store up to 50 routes to help you find places that you visit often. This unit is the cream of the crop. It has plenty of memory so you will be able to add more things to it. The wider screen let you see things at a glance and all the functions on this model make it a must have if you travel by two wheels a lot.

Now if you want to go with a little cheaper model than Garmin Quest Auto routing GPS with Ram Motorcycle GPS Mount and Garmin Grade. This retails for about 100 dollars less than the Quest 2. It has many great features that will make riding a motorcycle such fun. One of the best features is the one button home system. This system maps out a route home no matter where you are at once engaged. Voice prompts to alert you of upcoming turns are something that this model also features. This unit will also help you retrace your steps back and gives you the ability to trace your last ten thousand previous points, which is necessary for motorcycle riders. This model is a little cheaper than the Quest 2, but still has many outstanding features that motorcycle riders will want. If you want a unit that will do many things at a little cheaper price than this is the one you should go with.

One last model is the least expensive and that is Garmin Quest Auto routing GPS with RAM Motorcycle GPS mount. The main reason this one is much lower price is the screen is much smaller and memory goes down to 115mb and only has the ability to show you United States maps. So, if you are planning to leave this country than this is probably a model that you will not want to get. Long trips are not something you will want to do with this one as the limited memory hinders it. This one is mostly for city commutes and does not have all the extras that the others do thus the lower price. This is the stripped down model and does not have many thrills, but if you do not travel a lot this could be one you will want to look at.

Motorcycle GPS is still really in its early stages as not a lot of companies is making units for it. As demand, though for it picks up you will see more units coming out. Most people do not even realize that GPS systems are available for these motorcycles. As they do the prices will go down and the more advanced motorcycles will start having these as standard equipment on them. Until that day, though the three models we have outlined will get you started in using it on your very own motorcycle today.

Automobile gps systems

Do you like to drive? Do you have to drive for work? Are you bad at getting lost? Do you hate to ask for directions? Do you have problems following directions once you get them? Do you have to find exact addresses often? If you answered yes to most of these questions, you should consider how much easier you’re driving life could be thanks to automobile gps systems if you owned one.

But don’t fear that you can’t afford one. These luxury items are coming down in prices every day. Actually, many models are so affordable that they aren’t even considered luxury items anymore. They are considered a must have staple to most people’s every day’s lives as an automobile driver.

They are considered a must have staple because today the modern man and woman craves things that make their lives more efficient and convenient. We like to save time and we like to save money. An automobile gps system can help us to achieve both of these goals.

We can save time by finding the exact addresses we need quickly and efficiently. On most automobile gps system we just tap the address into the system and it tells us directly how to get there. There is no must and there is no fuzz. Most of all, these gps systems are precise and accurate with the information they give us in return.

We can save money because we can find the shorter distances to all of our destinations. This in turn will help us to save fuel costs and wear and tear to our automobile. You may be surprised at the total savings you can occur in only a week or two by using an automobile gps system.

Each automobile gps system that you may buy may be a little different. Yet, most have the same basic capabilities and functions. Here are the basic functions most automobile owners enjoy:

Basic abilities:

The ability to help you track and monitor your speed
The ability to help you estimate the time it will take before your arrival to your destination
The ability to chart the shorter courses
The ability to chart courses with several stops

Mapping capabilities:

The ability to be able to pull up any map of the United States, many times this includes Puerto Rico, Hawaii and sometimes even Canada.
The ability to save your history. This is especially convenient when you just discovered an out of the way restaurant that you now love.
The ability to show you many favored point of interests such as restaurants, ATM’s, gas stations, hospitals, police stations, etc whenever and where ever you are traveling. Plus, the extra ability to customize these points of interests by adding some of your own.
The ability to back track your routes if you make a wrong turn (even with all the prompts)
The ability to warn you of congested traffic or upcoming detours
The ability to show you where you are, in case you really become lost

Directional functions:

Turn by turn directions
Easy to follow and understand directions
The ability to hook up the automobile gps system to your automobile’s speakers for clearer sound capabilities
Speech to text ability which will give you exact names of the streets

Display function:

Easy to use buttons
Buttons placed in easy to locate spots
Bright display
Colorized picture
Lighting that adjusts to sun’s rays
Night time lighting
Larger displays when needed.

Then there are the extra functions that many of these automobile gps systems may have:

Audio players
Audio readers (this may require a subscription)
JPEG picture viewers
Bluetooth functions

Automobile gps users also have the choice between the portable and the dash mountable systems. The portable gps systems are just that portable. They can easily be moved from place to place or automobile to automobile. They are generally light in weight and size. Some of these are slim enough to fit inside one’s pocket or purse. They are also sometimes a little less expensive than the dash mountable versions; this is great for people on a budget.

The dash mountable versions automobile gps systems also have their advantages such as having a bigger display unit, having the less likelihood of being broken or stolen, and coming with additional functions and features.

It doesn’t matter whether you choose a portable or dash mountable automobile gps system, either one will enhance and improve your driving experience. In fact, owning an automobile gps system just might make your driving experience easier and more enjoyable.

Hunting is something that more people seem to take up every year and safety is an issue that hunters take very seriously. Every year people get hurt hunting and this is why more than ever before GPS systems are being use to help cut down on injuries accidents during hunting season. More people are using this technology now, as acceptance is much wider now than in past years. Read further and discover how you can use this new technology to make your next hunting trip the best you ever had.

There are many different uses for GPS systems and one of the newest ways it has been implemented and that is to help hunters in many different ways. Today we are going to look at the different ways that these units can make you feel more safe hunting and not be so worried about getting lost on your next trip. One of the best features of this new technology is the ability for you to use topographical maps to better scout an area. This means your time will be more efficient and you will waste less time going into places you know game is most likely not to be. Before, this technology was released you could walk around for hours with really no game plan in sight. Now you can scope the area and make plans on how you want to go about the hunting process depending on the terrain you are going to run into. Hunting is many times about knowing where game will most likely be and where it will not be. A GPS system can enhance the ability of a hunter to narrow this down and give a better chance for success.

Hunting is something of an art and everything you see such as buck scrapes, feeds and beds are very important to your overall success as a hunter. With GPS technology, you will be able to build a database and a waypoint for each one letting you access whenever you want. No more wandering around wondering where that certain mark or bed was. You will know exactly where it is and how to get there the fastest way. This gives you even greater chance at success, which is something that you will like. This data can actually help you in more ways that you could ever imagine. By downloading it on your computer you may be able, to develop patterns that will lead you to even greater hunting success. By studying the patterns of where they feed and the markings on the trees you may be able to plot their movements and find a path that will lead you to them. This could really increase your chances of getting that big catch. This is all thanks to GPS technology in the field at work.

Probably the number one thing that hunters worry about while doing the sport they love is safety. Every year people are killed through accidents or getting lost for days in terrain, they know very little about. GPS systems can really help in both areas. First most hunters are familiar with the area that they hunt, but sometimes they want to go somewhere new so they will not be very familiar with that place. This is where GPS technology can really help out no matter the weather or how lost you are you will be able to find the quickest route to safety which many times can be a lifesaver. Losing track of time is something else that hunters many times will do. As darkness, approaches getting lost are something even the professional hunter can happen to him time and time again. Most of the newer GPS units come with backlit features this way you will not scare away any game just in case you may see some. Walking around in darkness with no real clue where you are going is something that you do not want to try to do. Bad things can happen especially if you are lost and this is why carrying a GPS unit with you is very crucial.

Most people would have never thought that GPS technology could give you so many options when it was first released to the public. Hunters have adapted it to their sport with great success and in the future, I am sure it will be used even more. Most hunters are just finding out how valuable this tool can be in the field and when they realize that it can be use to help them catch more game the demand will definitely pick up for these units.

Now that GPS it seems is becoming more popular daily so are the uses of this new technology. You can now get GPS on phones to PDA’s and now even watches. Many people sometimes shake their heads at all the places this technology has landed, but for the most part it is fine. Now what is a GPS watch going to do for you? This is a question many people wonder when they first see it, but after reading further you may discover some great uses you never thought of.

A GPS Watch for exercising and you though GPS was just for navigation. It may seem a little weird to use this technology is your daily exercise routine, but you will find out not really. Most Americans exercise daily now so they can stay in better shape and monitoring there program is very important to them. Sometimes it is tough to tell if our exercise program is really working and one way is through a GPS watch. Most GPS watches have limited use, but the Garmin Forereunner 201 is different and really can help you monitor your program very closely and also give you a GPS navigation system as well. The Forerunner 201 monitors heart rate, speed calculators, design routes, and even has a virtual running partner so you can see how well you stack up against someone, which is a nice touch if you ask me. It also lets you program in your skill level so as you get more advanced it will keep you abreacted of your level of fitness and whether you need to work harder or you have reached your goals.

Fitness has become such a big part of many of our lives that a GPS monitoring watch is something that more people are considering. After heart attacks and strokes we sometimes cannot exercise like we want and if we do we must me monitored on our progress. This is why getting a watch that does that is very important. Over the years many people have gotten out of shape by over eating or just being lazy. Just jumping into an exercise program will not cure the problem. Proper nutrition and monitoring how you exercise and what your body is doing is key. This is why more and more people are grabbing the Garmin Forerunner 201 and getting on track to better health.

The GPS watch has several methods to increase your endurance speed, and time. It will let you start out by setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals based on distance. You can set it based on the kind of running you do so you will be able to see if you reach your goal or fall short. This is very important especially if you’re training for an event in the future. The second method it has is where you will try to outdo your previous input into your GPS watch. The best thing is the watch does all the monitoring so all you must do is concentrate on your running and reaching your goals. The third method is for the beginner who has really no idea what her or she is doing. They want to measure their fitness level and see how well they are doing. For these people starting out slow is key and using the information that is gather will help them tailor a program that is suited to them. Everyone is different and what will work for one person may not work well for someone else. This is why we must have a program that is suited for our body makeup so we have the best chance for success.

The Garmin Forerunner 201 is a great GPS watch for all these functions above and will help you monitor your activities and in the end make you a better runner and help your overall health process, but it does not end there either. One of the things many people love to do is explore and if you run a lot sometimes that is something you may try. If you ever lose your way than the GPS feature is something that will come in very handy, as it will show you the way back home. As you can see this watch, has more than one purchase and helps you in many different ways. No matter what functions you decide to use with the GPS watch it is something that you should consider especially if you exercise a lot and the Garmin Forerunner 201 is one of the better ones on the market right now.

Finding the best prices on GPS units is something that we are always on the lookout for. Most people will search the Internet or local newspaper and wait for the best deals possible. Do you know that there are certain times that GPS units can be found for much better prices than at other times? We have compiled a quick guide to help you find the best deal and when to buy them. Read further and discover some tips that should help you get the best price for a new unit.

There are many different ways that you can actually find the best time to buy yourself a new GPS unit. One of the best ways is through trends. A trend is following the prices over a specific amount of time. By following these trends, you will be able to determine the different price spikes and the times that prices are usually lower. Usually following a 12-24 month scale will give you the best results possible.

New models tend to hit the shelves during the summer month driving season. The older models will tend to drop in price, as retailers will want to move these and give the new models a push. If you do not mind last year’s model than you can get some great deals. The summer time is one of the biggest times for GPS companies so you should stay away from buying a brand new unit and look for last year’s models as a good buy.

Holiday season is probably the best time to get a deal and the main reason for this is retailers want to get you to come in and make a purchase. Many times, they will use GPS units as loss leaders to get you to purchase other products while you are in the store. Without a doubt, the holiday season affords your best bargains by far. Around thanksgiving and right before Christmas will see the best deals so try to shop around those holidays. Thanksgiving is the best because supplies will be much higher than the closer you get to Christmas.

Avoid new model’s launch when they first arrive in stores. No matter how inviting it may seem new models always have a higher price when introduced into the market. As a few months go buy, the prices usually drop to a more respectable level and stay there for a while. Popular models tend to drop at much slower rates than non-popular models. The key is to wait for a while especially if the model you are looking for is a brand new one. The main reason you will want to do that is give models a chance to die down in popularity and a lower price. When new models come out everyone seems to run out to grab them because they are the next new thing. Over time, the price will drop so just wait until they do. It can save you lot money over the long run.

Supply and demand is also something that you must look at very closely as well. Many areas of the country sometimes will have more than other areas of the country. This can affect the price of GPS units a lot. Rural places could have much higher prices since the competition level is much lower and the prices do not change up. In bigger cities where more businesses are then the price will tend to be much lower and you can find better deals. Also the larger the city the more models you will also have to choose from as well. Remote regions tend to get less new models so they do not have the luxury of lowering prices.

Overall getting the best deals on GPS units come down to timing and being in the right place at the right time. Many electronics store never advertise markdowns on GPS units so checking electronics stores monthly is a very good idea. You can sometimes find some very good deals, but if you do not go look for them then you could pay much more than you really want to. The consumer who does a little extra leg work usually will be rewarded with some great deals. Always remember to check Internet prices as well so you do not pay more in a local store than you can get it online for. If you follow these tips on trends than you should have no problem in getting a good deal on GPS units. It just takes time on your part that is all.

Now you knew it had to be coming soon and from Garmin of course the leader in the GPS industry and that is a GPS enabled phone that does pretty much anything you need it to do. Smart phones from carriers such as Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon have been cutting into the market share of sales of GPS units so you knew this had to be a logical step for the giant of this industry. The phone probably will not hit American shores until the third quarter just in time for the Christmas giving season, but I thought I would look it over real quick and see what it has going for itself. If you do than read further and discover a neat product from Garmin.

It is called the nuviphone and to be very honest it does look a lot like the iPhone from Apple. I am sure that Gamin probably made it look that way intentionally to draw interest to their product considering the great success Apple has had with that product anyway. The phone is design with a 3.5 screen and very slim design. First looks at it seem pretty straight forward and it does have a clean looking design, as this is something this GPS giant tries to do with most of their products. One thing about Garmin they do not very often go outside the box. They tend to try and create products that fill a void and make it the best thing possible. This phone’s home screen has just three main icons on it phone, search, and navigation, which really is not surprising from them. Just touch the icon for calling and you will be able to make a phone call. Grab the search icon and you will be able to find nearby restaurants, bars, gas stations and so forth. Of course, touch the navigation icon and you will activate the nuviphone’s GPS capabilities, which I am sure, will be some of the best around if we know Garmin well enough.

Not to surprisingly the navigation features take up most of the process in the design of this phone. Yes, the phone works well and the search does to as they use Google search so you will be able to find what you need. The navigation features are some nice ones and not a stripped down which I find to my liking very much. You will get turn-by-turn directions and voice navigation, which is great. Maps that are included in this wonderful gizmo will include North America, Western or Eastern Europe, which also is a very nice touch indeed. The Where Am I feature is also something else that is a nice touch as well. It lets us know precisely where we are at any given moment and the points of interest around us as well which is a great feature especially if you are traveling on trips with your family or just want to stop and check things out. Many times getting a break from a long road trip is just what people need to refresh there batteries so this could be perfect for them.

This nuviphone also manages to pack a 3.5G HSPDA data access for speedy web browsing which means there are many possibilities and add-ons I am sure Garmin has in mind for this product. Email client, contacts and a calendar are included which means this could be the only phone you may ever need. No carriers or prices have been released just yet but like I said it, looks like this product could be around in the third quarter, which would be nice.

Overall, this nuviphone from Garmin looks like a winner. It has all anyone could need from web browsing to a phone and GPS as well. You have the Garmin name backing it and it should do well in the marketplace. I’m sure Apple has taken notice and may introduce something to counter this, but for now it looks like the giants in the GPS industry is looking to add a few more things to make their products even more valuable in consumer’s eyes. The best thing I like about this new product from Garmin is how it puts everything in your hand at once. You will not have to buy a separate product for everything it all can be accessed from this one unit, which I really like a lot. I guess we will have to wait and see how well it is received by Americans. I really do not see any problems at all.

If you are like me as the weather starts to warm up you will want to spend more time outdoors and for me that means on my bike. I love riding my bike down trials and through the country just basking in the sunshine and see all, the beautiful things that spring and summer can bring us. One of my biggest problems though is many times I get to far away and do not pay attention which routes I take and get lost. Luckily, Garmin has come out with the Edge 705, which is one of the better GPS systems for bikes I have seen in awhile. Read further and you will discover what I learned about the Garmin Edge 705 on my first bike trip.

For bicycle enthusiasts the Garmin Edge 705 has been anticipated for a number of months and now with it in the marketplace many are rushing out to buy it so see how well it performs. I was no different, as I wanted to see how good this model is. All the others that this company has issue has been very well made and performed, I was hoping the Edge 705 would give me the same kind of performance as well.

Now one of the first things you will notice about the Garmin Edge 705 is its sleek look and it does look good and has beautiful colorful screen that lets you see everything. When you’re riding the traditional black and white screen was not one of my favorites, but since they went to color I really can enjoy my bike GPS unit even more. This newest release has some very good things that have been added which will make everyone very happy. The Edge 705 has color mapping and it really keeps a great lock on the satellites no matter how many twisting and winding roads you may travel down. It also has the ANT+Sport wireless short-range capability, which means you can send data back to your computer once you are in range. This is something that they have on their GPS watches, which have worked well, and now it has been brought to the bike.

Some of the other features that really stand out are during the set-up you program in your weight, birthdates, bike weight, and other important details and it will take this information and calculate things such as calories and heart rate zones. These are great because they can show you how you are progressing on a trip or your exercise program that you are involved in. Stem vs. handbar mount is something that you will need to think about. The stem mount makes it a little tougher to look at when you’re riding so I would advise to go with the handlebar mount, as it is much easier to see. Garmin gives you both mounts with the unit so you can decide which one works best for you. The Edge does not take up much room on your bike so this is another plus that I really like. Many units that I have used before has not really worked as well as Garmin’s unit and the Edge 705 is one of their best.

Overall, the Garmin Edge 705 is a very good unit that performs and has many different extra’s that the other models do not which makes this one very valuable. Most people do not realize that there is GPS Units for a bike and as soon as they do these will be very big sellers. Garmin has put together a nice package here that performs and gives you a lot more than the previous issues from this company have. The ability to transfer information to your computer wireless is something that I really like about it. The information is very valuable especially if you use your bike for an exercise program. You can actually see how you are doing daily, weekly, or monthly with it. Most people do not realize you can do this.

If you are a person who rides a bike a lot and want to follow how well you are doing on it or just want a GPS unit that you can take with you as you go for a bike ride than grab the Garmin Edge 705. It has so many great features to make any bike trip more enjoyable and the thought of never getting lost again is something I really like about it. With the Garmin name on it, you know it will last for a very long time as well.

Comparing portable gps systems easily
How should you compare portable gps systems?  First start with the basics.

Start with the all important comparison, price.

Price is a factor in everything and anything you buy, even gps systems.  Yes, some brands and models may cost more.  Consider why they may cost more.

Are these gps systems made from better grade materials?  Are they more durable?
Are you paying for a brand name or for advertising costs?
Is the price difference due to the store or site that is selling the system?
Is the difference due to regional differences?

Now think about the capabilities and functions of each portable gps system you are comparing.

Does one model have more capabilities and functions such as?

More mapping abilities such as maps of more regions
The ability to save more maps
The ability to download maps easier or quicker
More saved points of interests
The ability to add customized points of interests
The ability to hold more saved addresses

What about the display features?

Is one model bigger than the other?
Is one model easier to read and understand?
Does one model has better lighting formats or is easier to read in several different types of lighting including night?
Does one have a back light?
Does one have bigger buttons?
Now what about those extra fun features we all love

Does one have a built in audio player?
Does one have a built in audio reader?
Does one have a built in JPEG picture viewer?
Does one have a compass?
Does one have several audible alarms?
Does one have a clock?

What about the basics?

Is one more durable?
Is one waterproof?
Does one have the ability not to sink if it is dropped in water?
Does one weigh significantly less than the other one?
Is one slimmer?
Will one fit in your pocket or purse easily?
Is one more stylish looking?
Bluetooth capabilities

Before shopping, you should write down a list of the capabilities and functions that the portable gps system you choose must have.  You should also write down the capabilities and functions that you really want.  If you scrimp too much on this list, you won’t be satisfied with your purchase choice, no matter how much money you might save.

Of course, ease of use is also a very important factor when you are comparing portable gps systems.  If the system is not easy to use, will it be a gps system you will even use?

Picture this, you are off on your next jog or off on your next car trip.  Do you want to stop in mid course of your jog or pull along the side of the road, to pull out a manual to remind yourself once again how that new portable gps system you just bought works?  No, you just want to be able to quickly push in the buttons and retrieve the desired information, quickly and easily.

This is why ease of use should always be an essential point of comparison when it comes time to choose which portable gps system fits your needs.

To help you in choosing and to help you in comparing all the different models and brands of portable gps systems on the market today, you may want to check out some of the online reviews listed for gps systems.  If you do choose to go this route, just make sure you are actually reading a review and not an advertisement for the product. 

Two great sites for reading reviews are: consumerreports.com and Amazon.com. 

Consumerreports.com is reviews written by unbiased experts.  Most of the products they review are also tested.

Some sites will also place ratings systems on their sites to give you a clue as to what most consumers think of each product.  Most of these sites tend to prefer the star method.  Remember five stars mean that the product is great and 1 star means that most consumers thought it function poorly or that it was sold at an expensive price, etc.  If a product gets a rating of 1 or 2 stars, you should actually read the reviews as to why.

Amazon.com is a selling site, yes.  But at the end of each of their pages is a listing of customer’s reviews.  These are independent reviews that any consumer can add to the place to describe his or her experience with the above mentioned product.  Remember, though, the top of the page is the seller’s description, not a review.

Comparing portable gps systems is an easy task.  It is also a fundamental way in which to find better deals and bargains.  Take the time and do the comparing.  You and your wallet happier in the end.

Using a computer as a GPS laptop receiver is something that more people are starting to do. Most people carry a laptop with them to work so it is a natural progression to use it for this application as well. It is true it has many advantages, but it also has some disadvantages that you will want to know about as well. Read further and you will be able to discover both sides of the GPS laptop receiver.

GPS navigation systems are probably one of the more popular items these days and for very good reasons. Laptop computers are another very popular item and many people wonder if the two can meet and make one great product. Well the answer to that is yes and no. There are many different types of GPS navigation software out there that will turn your computer into a GPS system. There are some great advantages as well as some disadvantages that you should know about. Let us look at some of these so we have a better grasp on this subject.

Most people right now own a laptop computer so getting the software to transform it into a GPS navigation system is relatively cheaper than buying a GPS unit. This is one of the biggest advantages and drawing card as well. The laptop also lets you store much more than you could with just a regular unit you bought from the store. The screen size is also much bigger so you will get much more detail as well. Companies such as Garmin have introduced software for the computer at a very low price so you can get start for low out of pocket expense to see if you like it. The companies know many times by doing this you are more likely to buy a unit from them.

The advantages of the GPS laptop are many let us look at a few of these in greater detail so you know exactly where you stand. The screen is much bigger in a laptop computer so you will get a much wider view of the rods that you are traveling on. This in turn means you will make much less mistakes that you do with a smaller screen. It is also much easier on your eyes as well which means you can concentrate more on the road as well. A full sized keyboard also is something that people like about the laptop computer GPS system. The track pad allows for quick and easy navigation and trip planning. For recreational travelers the laptop GPS receiver is very hard to beat as they are always traveling anyway.

There are some drawbacks, as well you should know about so you can make an informed decision as well. One of the biggest drawbacks is you have to lug around your laptop computer. With many of the newer GPS units today able to fit in your pocket that is just not possible with a computer and something you need to look at. A dedicated GPS unit can sit on a dashboard out of the way while a laptop computer must sit on the site, which can present other problems as well.  You also will have to deal with longer cords that could get in your way and you will not be able to have someone up front if you use a laptop computer as your GPS unit.

Now as you can see there are many advantages and disadvantages to using a laptop computer as a GPS navigation system. Despite the size and security concerns, more and more people are turning to this as a viable option. The low entry level cost is one of the main reasons and the other is they already own a laptop why not put it to more use. People already understand how to operate the laptop so it is nothing new to them.  Look for the laptop GPS receiver to become even more popular in the years to come. WE take are portable computer with us anywhere we go so it is just a natural progression that this becomes a part of our everyday life. Now that we have GPS software available, it will become even more a part of it. Take your laptop to the next level by installing GPS navigation software on it. You will actually be surprised at how well it works and what it will do for you. No matter what you will never lose your way again no matter where you’re headed once you install it.

Owners of 97-06 Jeep Wranglers can rejoice as Garmin has made a product that will make navigation on those off-road trails much easier and something that Jeep owners have probably been asking for a number of years now. How well does this unit work though and can it take a pounding is probably what many Jeep owners are really wondering and we have those answers for you? Read further to discover how Garmin GPS has made a unit Jeep owners will be proud of.

When Jeep wanted to give their owners something that would take their off-road experience to the next level GPS was idea that kept being tossed around. After it was decided that was the direction they were going into only one name could get the job done, that was Garmin, and thus a partnership was formed. The new trail guide as it is know has some great features on it such as automatic routing, turn-by-turn directions and voice prompts as well. As well if you’re hungry do not worry as over 6 million points of interest were also programmed in this model from Garmin.

Inside the Jeep Wrangler, the GPS unit rests in a docking station that integrates on the dash. This is done to protect it as most Jeep owners run their vehicle very hard and protecting the GPS unit from damage took some time to figure out. The dash docking station features dual speakers and this unit has a built in computer that displays speed, odometer, total time, maximum speed and much more all at a touch of a button. One of the neat features of the Garmin trail guide is it is portable and you will be able to take it outside of the docking station for hiking, camping, fishing or just a walk down a trail as well. This is a nice touch from Garmin GPS.

The battery life on the Garmin Trail Guide is around 20 hours between charges which is a real plus. It only ways a mere 5.5 ounces and is very small so it will fit easily into your pocket of night sac without any problem at all. Now let us look a little closer at this unit and see how well it performs in rough conditions. First of all it actually access satellites quickly and gets a fix on them without any problem. Just like most products from this GPS giant, the controls are easy to operate and the screen works very nice as well. Most people wonder how well this unit can handle the pounding of the Jeep Wrangler. If early indications are an answer than it has no problem at all.

One of the nicest features I like about the Garmin GPS Trail Guide is its ability to store 10,000 points in an automatic log for future reference. This is important as it lets you retrace where you been especially if you are lost or in unfamiliar territory. When your off-roading this can happen a lot especially if your there for the very first time. I think maybe the number one advantage of this model for Jeep owners is the supplemental 140 MB of memory that comes with it. This gives you the opportunity to download maps of areas that you may be heading into which is a big plus especially if you have never been there before. It lets you see exactly the type of terrain you will run into and you can make plans according.

Overall, the Garmin GPS Trail Guide for the Jeep Wrangler is a high end product that does everything it you need it to do. Designed for the rigged off-road racing community I think more companies may follow Garmin’s lead and get into this arena. By partnering up with Mopar Garmin gets there products into more hands than ever before and there is nothing wrong with that. This unit they have made for the Jeep is a solid performer and will give you many years of service. It is designed for the dash with its own docking station, but is also a portable model that you can take outside the jeep. This is why this model is important as it serves more than one purpose and should be a big seller to Jeep owners. If you own a Jeep, give this GPS unit a try especially if you’re into off-road fun as it will get you where you want to be and find your way home again. All you have to do is insert the fun, which is the easy part.

Company in quest to create complete picture of world’s addresses; Tele Atlas seeks details worthy of video games

By Hiawatha Bray, Globe Staff  |  April 28, 2008

As he drives the streets of South Boston, Nick Littrell sees only a little of the passing scenery. But his van sees everything.

Its roof covered with cameras and antennas, the bright orange truck resembles a prop from a science fiction movie. Every 15 feet or so, the van’s 14 cameras shoot pictures from every angle - ahead of the vehicle, to the sides, to the rear, even straight up. A computer linked to Global Positioning System satellites records the latitude and longitude of every image. A pair of laser rangefinders measures the exact distance from the van to the buildings on either side.

It’s more information than any Southie resident will ever need. But when visitors from Chicago or Kinshasa come to town, the data gathered by Littrell’s van, installed on a handheld GPS unit, could keep them from becoming hopelessly lost.

Littrell and his van work for Tele Atlas NV, a Dutch digital mapping firm with US headquarters in Lebanon, N.H. His vehicle and about 100 others are on a mission to produce ultra-accurate maps of every public roadway in the United States. About the same number of Tele Atlas vehicles ply the roads of Europe and Asia. It’s all part of Tele Atlas’s ultimate goal - mapping every address on earth. “We want to have every street, every household in the database,” said Jay Benson, Tele Atlas vice president of global strategic planning.

And the flat maps now shown on GPS devices or Internet sites like Google maps are just the beginning. Already committed to mapping every square inch of the planet, Tele Atlas also wants to create digital maps with the depth and realism of high-end video games or even Hollywood movies.

“The video game industry has shown you how easy it is to immerse you in a geography,” said Benson. “Now customers are saying I want that realistic modeling experience in my navigation system.”

Tele Atlas was founded in 1984 and delivered the first in-car digital navigation system one year later. But the company mainly provided digital maps for businesses and governments. “Up until a couple of years ago, they were very specialized businesses,” said Randy Giusto, an industry analyst with IDC Corp. in Framingham.

But then came the rise of Internet map sites and cheap GPS units. Over 35 million Americans used Google’s online map service in February, according to the Nielsen Online rating service, and about 50 million of us have some kind of GPS navigation device, according to Telematics Research Group.

Somebody’s got to supply the maps for these websites and devices, as well as a steady stream of updates to reflect changes in the highway network. But there are only two companies in the world that produce these maps - Tele Atlas and its archrival, Chicago-based Navteq Corp., which was founded in 1985.

Navteq is the bigger of the pair, with 2007 net income of $173 million, compared to 24.4 million Euros for Tele Atlas - or $38.4 million at current exchange rates. Still, the surging value of both companies was made clear last summer, when Finnish cellphone giant Nokia agreed to buy Navteq for $8.1 billion. Meanwhile, GPS device maker TomTom NV of the Netherlands and Garmin Ltd., an American-run outfit that’s based in the Cayman Islands, waged a bidding war over Tele Atlas. TomTom, with US headquarters in Concord, won the battle in November by offering $4.2 billion. Both deals remain in limbo, awaiting consent from European antitrust regulators.

Deal or no deal, the mapping goes on at Tele Atlas’s Lebanon facility, which employs about 500 people. Cartographers and graphic artists work in two shifts, upgrading and correcting digital maps of North America. During a third shift, quality control experts scour the new data for possible errors. Data come from the camera vans, but also from local, state, and federal highway departments. It even comes in from map users. TomTom customers can log on to an Internet site to report errors. TomTom passes the information to Tele Atlas, which alters its maps as needed.

Workers specialize in particular regions, like Canada or the southern United States. And they’re expected to know the culture and customs of the places they’re mapping. Developers of Canadian maps must know a little French, to help them interpret road signs in Quebec. Those who map New Jersey must know about “jughandle” highway ramps; Midwestern mappers must be familiar with “Michigan U-turns.”

There’s a constant effort to update “points of interest” or POIs. These are places like hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, and ATMs, which are automatically displayed by many GPS devices. Because thousands of businesses open, close, and move every day, keeping this information fresh is a constant challenge.

Updates of Tele Atlas’s map database are issued four times a year. That was good enough for traditional GPS units, which required the user to purchase a disk or memory card with fresh map data. But as more GPS devices link to cellphone networks, Tele Atlas is moving toward real-time updates, so paying customers would receive fresh information immediately.

Tele Atlas is also moving ahead on its 3-D strategy, showing off maps of New York City, Los Angeles, and Toronto at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Imagery collected by its fleet of camera vans has been transformed into a scrolling street map that resembles a video game - think “Grand Theft Auto” without the theft.

Few GPS devices now support the technology, and Benson admits that many users will see little need for it. But others “may want to be totally immersed in the map, and look out the window and see exactly what they see on the screen.”

The 3-D images aren’t that good yet, but Benson thinks that in a few years they’ll be as sharp and clear as the pictures shot by Nick Littrell’s van. “We’re in just the baby steps,” he said.

Hiawatha Bray can be reached at bray@globe.com   Printed from www.boston.com

With carjacking at an all-time high in some of the major cities it seems the thieves have the upper hands or do them. Most people do not realize that a GPS tracking device that is installed in your car can help get your vehicle recovered before too much damage is done to it. Before GPS, we had the car alarm system that will make loud noises when people tried to steal your vehicle. For the most part these alarms were effective, but thieves have gotten smarter and will continue to get that way so we also need added help. Read further to discover how GPS car tracking system can be used for your protection and protect your car from being stolen.

One of the first steps is you will need to determine which GPS car tracking system is best for you. We have come up with some basics to help you make that decision much easier. First you will need to determine how much of a budget that you have to spend. When you are figuring this out you should also include a monthly service fee that you may have to pay the company depending on the type of service you go with. The more add-ons that you add the higher your monthly service will be, but in the long run it could be worth every dime you spend especially if you live in a high crime area.

You can also consider a simpler tracking system that does not cost as much either. Lojack is an option that you can choose which does not use GPS, but your vehicle can still be found by the cops. They install a receiver in your vehicle and when it is reported stolen, they send a signal to it so they can trace it. It has been shown to be very effective, but not as accurate as GPS.

There are many companies that offer car GPS tracking service so the best thing is to check which deal really fits best into your budget. Most companies will charge you a monthly fee, but it can be worth it though in the long run. Some of these companies can even set the system up on your computer and you can track your own vehicle if that is what you want to do. There are many different packages all with various prices depending on what you’re looking for. Many insurance companies will also give you a discount on your insurance by having these implemented in your vehicles. This is just one of the many advantages of car GPS tracking systems.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when signing up with a car GPS tracking system is not reading the contract they sign very carefully. No matter what they say up front to you it is what you sign that is, legal and binding so always remember that. Read everything very carefully and if you have, any questions ask up front so you know exactly where you stand. If you are still worried than have a lawyer look it over so you do not pay more than you need to for the service your requesting. Remember take your time do not rush yourself into any kind of a decision. This way you will make a wise choice for yourself.

Ask to see if you can connect some current customers and see how they like the service. This way you will know how well they like the company and if they keep all the promises, they make. Most car GPS tracking systems work well, but it never hurts in knowing the most you can about the company and products before spending any type of money. Many of these companies have websites when you can actually see the product in action that way you will be able to determine if that is exactly what you want or not.

A quick overview of GPS car-tracking system is it will give you peace of mind knowing that you will have a greater chance of recovery of your vehicle if it is stolen. GPS tracking services are becoming more popular than ever before as vehicles and insurance get more expensive we are looking for ways to save money. With more car thefts than ever before it is a good idea to consider a GPS car tracking system now than any other time especially if you have teen drivers who tend not to pay as close attention to their surroundings as other people do.

Garmin GPS is one of the leading sellers in the GPS industry, but what happens if you’re a beginner in GPS and where do you start. These are good points so we have composed a little mini guide to help the beginner decide which unit is best for them and will work out for the application that they intend them to. Let us get started on our Garmin GPS guide for beginners. Read further and learn all about Garmin GPS units and which is best for the beginner.

Sometimes it is very hard to navigate through the world of garmin GPS units as there are many different models to choose from this is why we have decide to make this quick reference guide for you.  First up is what we call the entry level Automotive GPS. This is where most people start and the Garmin StreetPilot i3 is probably the best unit to start out with. It will get you from point A to point B with no problems at all. Impressive performance at a low price is what makes this a very good choice to people who are just starting out with a GPS unit. You also can go with the StreetPilot i5 which has a few more features than the i3 and gives you millions points of interests at your fingertips.

When we arrive at mid-tier level, several models will stand out and those are the Garmin StreetPilot C330 or C340. These models are highly accurate and have very up to date maps and touch screen make these a winner that is for sure. If you want to get traffic feeds so, you can be updated on the latest happenings on your travels than you will want to go with the C340. Either model though is very good or you cannot go wrong with buying either one.

On the high-end automotive side of it, one of the most consistent performers is the Garmin StreetPilot 2720. This is a good solid performer that seems to get the job done quickly and with great accuracy which is something we really like a lot. This model is easy to operate and does everything you expect from a high end model and much more. I have yet to see anyone disappointed in this model.

Not everyone just wants an automotive GPS unit, as many beginners prefer the handheld models as well. Let us look over some of those as well.  The Garmin eTrex legend is the low-end entry from Garmin and for the money, this is a solid performer. It will get you where you need at a very affordable price and additional options can be added as needed. One of the more popular handhelds from Garmin.

Mid level, handhelds are a hot market right now especially for beginners and the Garmin eTrex Vista C is one of my favorites for a couple of different reasons. First of all a bright color screen makes navigation a breeze and long battery life means I will not run out of life anytime soon with this model. It has a USB connection, which means I can use it to download other maps and details, as I need them. Great little performer that you will love.

On the high end we have the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS which is a bigger handheld than the other two and performs as you would not believe. It has plenty of memory for add-ons and comes with a full complement of features that you would expect on a high end model from Garmin. If you have the money to spend than this is the handheld that you want to get your hands on.

I also know many beginners to the GPS industry are runners and exercise that is why the Garmin Forerunner is something that they may want to consider. This is a GPS watch that can monitor your workouts and still help you navigate your way home even if you’re lost. For the exercise person this is the perfect gift and even for a beginner it is easy to operate. As you can see there are many different options for the person first getting into Garmin GPS units? The hardest decision you will have is deciding which unit you will want to purchase. Garmin GPS has built their name on quality products that perform and that are why they are number one in the industry. Easy of operation makes these units perfect for the beginner who wants to try GPS for the very first time.