Friday 7 August 2009

GPS - How It Got On Your Dashboard

By Matt Meeano

Humans have always sought to use tools to help them survive. Through out millennia, Mankind has used tools to adapt and overcome the sometimes harsh environment he has found himself in. As time has dragged on, Man has fashioned ever more complex and high tech tools. These tools have enabled him to build the hunt for game, build the Pyramids and cross oceans. Today, that same thirst for invention has given us GPS, or Global Positioning system

It seems every other person has a GPS device of some sort. And why not? GPS tracking devices allow people to keep track of their loved ones and their vehicles and allow them to keep from getting lost on their out of town trips. While it is nice to admire GPS for the technological marvel it is, one should be informed of what GPS is and how it works.

As you may already know, GPS is used around the world in navigating land and sea. This is accomplished via a constant connection to satellites in geo-synchronous orbit above the Earth. The satellites send signals to the GPS units and the receivers in the units take this signal and the information is relayed back to the satellite. The information that is decoded and translated is then used to determine the units exact position on the Earth.

During the 1970's and 1980's the satellites for GPS were deployed for the United States military to use in navigation for their units on land and at sea. It wasn't until the '90s that GPS was allowed to be used for commercial use. Since that time, GPS has rapidly wormed its way into the marketplace and into our lives. It is so widespread and commonly used that a good unit can be found inexpensively.

All this makes GPS technology affordable to consumers everywhere. And since it has become more affordable, GPS systems are now seemingly in every vehicle on the road. By helping you make sure you are going the right direction, GPS saves you time, money and frustration on your next trip.

Buying a car gives you an opportunity to get GPS built into the multimedia system inside the dashboard. This means that you can not only get the functonality of GPS but the car will be worth more when you go to sell it. However, if you have a vehicle without a built in GPS, you should go buy one that fits your financial situation and preferences.

The last thirty years, GPS has gone from military hardware to an item on our dashboards that we cannot live without. What a journey, huh?

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