Choosing a GPS
GPS’s are split into several different categories. It means that to choose the right one people have to think about what they are going to be using it for.
The categories for GPS come as a basic hand held receiver, hand held mapping GPS systems, Automotive, or driving GPS’s, and also ones that will be used on either lap tops or smart phones / cell phones.
Some of the categories are pretty straight forward to understand. If you want one for your car then you get an Automotive one. However, there are a few activities that are not quite so simple to categorize.
For example, people may want to use them to help them with hiking, or perhaps other trips out into the country. In this sort of case a basic handheld receiver is always a good choice.
They are generally pretty cheap to buy and work well. Ones that work on cell phones are also becoming more and more popular, especially as the technology continues to improve, as it always does.
One thing to remember is that if you are going to be using a GPS system for going out into remote areas then it is essential to not just rely on it. People should always take a compass and a map as backup in case of battery, or other technological failure. I guess it’s basic common sense.
It’s interesting to note that the development of the Initial GPS system was started back in World War II, in fact it was actually used during combat.
During the 1957 flight of sputnik, US scientists headed up by Dr. Richard B. Kershner, were able to monitor the radio transmissions. They realized that during this process that due to the Doppler effect that the frequency of the signal changed depending how far the satellite was away. From this it became apparent that the exact position could be pinpointed based on measuring what is known as the Doppler distortion.
The first satellite system as a direct forerunner of what people use today was set up by the US navy in 1960. It consisted of of a system of 5 satellites, and was able to provide an exact fix on position once every hour.
Of course things have developed significantly since then. The present system started to take shape back in 1983. Due largely to a tragedy, when the Koran airlines flight 007 was shot down after it strayed accidentally in USSR airspace. Everybody on board was killed and at that point Ronald Regan issued an order that GPS should become freely available for all civilian use.
The first satellite went up into the air in 1989, and the last of 24 was put up in 1994. Although initially the best reception was reserved for military use, this was changed by Bill Clinton in 2000. At this point is was made available for everyone to use. This has coincided with an explosion in public use.
The upgrade has meant that people can now get an accurate fix on their location down to 65 feet, instead of the 1000 feet previously.