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GPS vehicle tracking devices can electronically determine the location of your vehicle, though you should understand that they work best under open skies, and thus are ideally suited for use in the outdoors, away from tall buildings or thickly wooded areas. There are many uses for the GPS vehicle tracking device, including calculating the number of miles a car has traveled, locating the vehicle in a parking lot, or functioning as an aid to prevent stolen cars from completely disappearing out of sight.

Helps Police Track down Stolen Vehicles

In fact, to keep track of where the vehicle is even when it has been stolen, both police and auto insurance companies make use of the GPS vehicle tracking devices. Another use of the GPS vehicle tracking device is to help in the navigation of the vehicle, particularly when you are traveling in an unfamiliar territory. With a vehicle tracker hooked on board your vehicle that is connected to a laptop, you will be able to obtain location and direction of travel very easily and accurately. Your GPS vehicle tracking device also comes in handy when you wish to know where your family members are when they are out on the road in their cars, and some of these GPS devices can be connected to 911 phones to help speed recovery and assistance in case of an emergency.

There are two different types of GPS vehicle tracking devices available, and these are either real-time, or passive. With the real-time option, it is possible to track the vehicle live on a website through the use of specialized software loaded on a computer. Once connected to the Internet, you will be able to gather significant amounts of information in real-time about location, direction of travel and speed of the vehicle. The passive GPS vehicle tracking system is not as sophisticated, nor does it cost as much as the real-time counterparts. It can be planted inside the vehicle, and whatever information it provides within approximately fifteen minute intervals can be downloaded onto a computer to know where the vehicle has been.

There is a lot of innovation being made in GPS vehicle tracking devices every day, and you can be sure that something new is always being added to these high-tech systems. If you decide to purchase one of these units, make sure that the device you do choose has a compact flash GPS, is weatherproof, is wireless, and is also upgradeable. However, you should be prepared to pay more for these new devices, as they will usually cost significantly more than the older versions. Most find that the extra features on the newest units make them well worth their higher cost.

GPS units are more popular than ever and there are more fun things to with GPS capabilities than ever before. There are GPS systems for cars and boats; for activities like fishing, hunting and camping; and even activities that are built around GPS technology. So many choices in function and fun make a GPS a valuable tool to add to your inventory of gadgets and devices indeed.

GPS technology is loosely based on radio technology, since the scientists who developed this concept were inspired by German radio technology, which was used to accurately guide planes for landing in poor weather conditions and at night. The process guided the planes by programming two radio towers to sound different signals for the pilot landing the plane. When the two sounds blended to make one, the pilot would know he was properly aligned with the runway and could land safely.

It is this same principal of using multiple signals to focus on one point that is the essential basis of GPS technology. GPS units use multiple satellites to chart the exact whereabouts of a GPS receiver. This function makes these units handy for outdoor sporting, boating, and simply traveling the city most effectively.

Geocaching

Geocaching is a new treasure adventure game that was invented at the turn of the century. In this game, a player will use his GPS unit to find a specific location where a box of some sort can be found. The game begins on the Internet, and a person interested in playing can go to any geocaching website to select a location to hunt for. Once the player has chosen a location, he would enter the coordinates into his GPS unit. Most GPS units can guide a player to within 100 feet of the target (some times closer). From this point the player can use the compass feature of his GPS unit to zero in on the geocaching box.

Nearly every geocaching box has a log and a prize of some sort; the log is to record who has found the box and what was found in it so multiple users can play the same box. Some people even put a disposable camera into the box so the treasure hunters can take their photo, and the person who created the box can post the pictures on his website. The prizes the geocaching players can find, with the help of their GPS units, can be a wide variety of things. Some boxes request that the player switch the item he found for another the player brought with him. Others have a set amount of prizes in the box and request that the host company be contacted when a finder takes the last prize.

Geocaching is a fun and free game to play with a GPS unit, and can be enjoyed by individuals, groups or even families. This game combines technology and adventure in the great outdoors in a new and fun way.

Keeping track of your family members is greatly simplified when you use a GPS tracking system in a car, or near the home. The GPS tracking system enables a parent to know where his children are and thus ensures peace of mind in knowing that he can locate his kids in a hurry, if necessary. Many parents use these systems as a matter of routine today, in an effort to keep their children safe when they are out of their parents’ sight.

Now a Standard Item in Cars

The GPS tracking system has now become a standard piece of equipment in many cars, and it is the device that enables a driver to find his way, map locations and follow the movements of others. It is a great help as a means of protection for your valuable items, since the GPS tracking system is highly effective at providing a fixed location of where stolen objects are. Teenagers behind the wheel can be a source of worry to parents, and the GPS tracking system can be useful for keeping a close eye the teenager that is out in the car. It also provides great assistance in case the car breaks down, since the GPS tracking system can be used to inform parents about the location of the broken down vehicle.

However, the GPS tracking system should be used with caution in these situations, because it does give rise to some privacy concerns. While it is a useful tool that provides users with additional safety, the information that is provided should not be abused. The other advantage of using a GPS tracking system is that it is easy to install and the directions for use are usually very simple to follow and understand.

Fleet car owners find the GPS tracking system to be especially useful in tracking their cars or trucks and are used by most of the key trucking companies in the United States. The amount of information available about trucks and their drivers is indeed quite considerable, and that is why trucking companies and cab services use them to track how much time the truck or cab has been on the road, which routes they have traveled, and whether they have made any unscheduled trips along the way.

The GPS tracking system has so many uses that there is something for everyone with this type of technology. Police use the GPS tracking systems in their quest to solve crimes, and to help them respond more quickly to emergencies. While the safety features of these devices are numerous and obvious, the privacy issues that these units evoke are equally compelling. Consider carefully what your options are when using one of these units, and make sure that you use it in a practical and ethical manner.

One of the most pressing issues today is one that pushes the boundary between safety and the invasion of personal privacy. Is the use of cell phones for GPS tracking really the best way to keep people safe? Or is it actually an infringement upon personal rights and privacy?

Cell Phones that Act as GPS Tracking Devices

Until recently, there were few options for tracking people with GPS technology; this may have been because there was not much of a market for such technology. It used to be that if you wanted to use GPS technology for emergency purposes, expensive equipment was required. However, after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the demand for emergency tracking services on cell phones has increased. Cell phone companies have struggled to meet the demands of the public and meet the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The FCC instated the requirement at the end of 2005 that all cell phone companies be able to trace cell phone calls to a location, if it were 100 meters or less away from the receiver of the call. In order to meet these and other FCC requirements, cell phone companies have begun to include GPS tracking technology into handsets for cell phones. However, the GPS tracking technology that is used in cell phones differs from the technology that is used in other GPS receivers, such as the tracking devices used by hikers. Cell phones, for the most part, do not allow the user to directly access the GPS tracking data, and in order to obtain an accurate location, the cell phone network must be contacted. Also, only when a 911 emergency call is made is the GPS tracking data transmitted.

Which Wireless Networks Support GPS Tracking Technology?

There are several wireless companies that offer GPS tracking technology as a part of their services. Cingular, T-Mobile, and AT&T are well known for having the largest coverage. Other companies, such as Nextel and Sprint, place more emphasis on the quality of the data.

Back to the Question at Hand

In light of this information, is using GPS tracking in cell phones working against the right to privacy? Under the current regulations by the Federal Communications Committee, GPS tracking using cell phones is limited to emergency situations. The only way that someone can be tracked by his cell phone is if the person doing the tracking has the right service, network, and cell phone as well. There are consequences for using GPS technology for tracking someone without permission. Overall, the laws and limits that are in place allow the use of GPS tracking in cell phones to be a matter of safety, and not one of privacy.

More stolen vehicles are being recovered faster with the use of GPS trackers, and many more freight shipments are arriving on time since companies starting placing GPS trackers in their delivery vehicles. Lost animals are also being returned to their owners quicker due to the technology built into tracking systems.

GPS trackers are being used by delivery vehicles to keep track of their vehicles throughout the day. It can help if a vehicle is stuck in traffic, when they find out they can notify the next customers and inform them of the delay. If the vehicle is considered way off course, they can attempt to contact the driver to see if there is a problem such as the vehicle being stolen. Many fleet vehicles are also being equipped with GPS trackers to insure the drivers remain in their assigned territories.

Insurance companies love GPS trackers as they help in the rapid recovery of stolen vehicles. When a vehicle is reported stolen, the vendor that supplies the tracking service can quickly find its current location and notify authorities. Many insurance companies offer a discount for vehicles equipped with GPS trackers.

GPS trackers A Pet Project For Some Owners

Using radio frequency information detection (RFID), similar to that used by some companies to track shipment information, small chips are being placed in the collars of animals to help locate them if they become lost or stolen.

Working on the same principal as GPS trackers, they emit a signal, which is picked up by a receiver tuned to a specific frequency, and gives the animal’s location. Some veterinarians have determined that placing the chip under the skin will provide better protection as collars can be removed.

Another recent use for GPS trackers is in protecting children from kidnapping. By placing GPS trackers in their clothing, or by giving them a cell phone equipped with the device, their whereabouts can be determined at any given time. If they stopped at a friend’s house to play without letting you know, you can quickly determine they are safe and then take steps to insure it does not happen again.

One issue with GPS trackers is that their use may be limited by their surroundings. Satellite signals will not penetrate heavy structures made of concrete and steel and they may get “lost” in the ground clutter in busy city settings. You will have to wait until the system is in a clear area in order to re-establish the signal.

GPS tracking technology can be a way for a parent or business owner to keep track of their most precious cargo or to keep an eye on their kids or employees. Finding the right GPS tracker can be tricky, however, and the two most important factors to consider are your budget restrictions and your intended use for the device. A reasonable price for a real time GPS tracking unit is $500-$700. Many of these trackers will also require a monthly fee from the company providing the network and software. This is a good option for business owners needing to keep a closer eye on their employees or cargo.

The benefit to choosing a large GPS tracking device is that the batteries will last longer than those in the smaller units. Most will last a minimum of three months, but often the batteries can work for up to a year at a time. This means that beyond monitoring, the tracking units aren’t likely to need much maintenance. On the same price scale, small GPS trackers designed to fit inside of a package can be a good option for short term use. The batteries inside of these trackers will usually last about 12-18 hours. There are extra battery packs available for extended use, but they will often only extend the use by one to three days.

Think Smaller

For people looking to keep their families safe with the use of a GPS tracker, the more expensive units may not be the most practical. There are several choices for parents to keep watch over their children electronically, and some of those include wrist bands and cellular phones. The wrist band devices are suitable for small children between the ages of two and ten years. Up to four children can be monitored on one receiver; and while neither the wrist bands nor the receiver is an actual GPS tracker, they do operate in much the same way.

The receiver is able to track each of the wrist bands with their own separate mark within the described area. If the bracelet is removed, tampered with, or goes out of the parent’s customized safety zone, an alarm sounds to alert the parent of the problem. The range of these devices is usually around 350 feet outdoors and 200 feet indoors. The tamper feature can be disabled if using a clip instead of a wrist band, making the device more appropriate for older children or elderly folk in need of extra safety in crowds.

Cellular phones can be a great GPS tracking device for children and teens. Some companies, such as Disney Mobile, will allow its subscribers to track the other phones on their calling plans from the Internet, so parents can always know where their children are located.

At one time Global Positioning System (GPS) technology was far from accessible to the public for everyday use. If one wanted to use GPS systems technology, it was necessary to purchase expensive computer hardware and software. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. As GPS systems technology has improved, companies have continued to provide more and more options for portable GPS systems — that is, GPS devices that can be carried around with you and used on a daily basis. Portable GPS systems devices have continued to evolve, even since they were first developed in the early nineties.

How can Portable GPS Systems Devices be used in Everyday Life?

GPS technology may appear to be complicated and difficult to use in everyday life, however, this is simply not true. Many uses for this technology have developed since the technology was first introduced, and GPS companies have continued to provide products that meet these demands.

Portable Global Positioning System units can be placed in the car to be used while driving, and some automobile companies have even gone so far as to install portable GPS units into the car. In this situation, a portable GPS systems device would be used primarily for directional purposes. It may make for a faster and more efficient trip, or lessen the likelihood of getting lost.

Portable GPS devices can also be used in the event of an emergency. Cell phones, for example, are capable of sending global positioning signals that provide your exact location to the wireless character. This service could be used effectively in an emergency situation, allowing rescuers to find your location much more quickly.

Businesses and land surveyors also make use out of GPS receivers. Land surveyors use the devices to easily map out areas and plan roads. Businesses use portable GPS systems, which are capable of being plugged into a personal computer or laptop, to send data from one place to another. They can also be used to keep track of merchandise on the road, and employees when necessary for security purposes.

What Features are Common in Portable GPS Systems Today?

Portable GPS devices have evolved greatly, and today they include a wide range of useful features. Most commonly, a modern portable GPS receiver will include: touch screen display, voice direction, Bluetooth capabilities, preloaded maps, mp3 player capabilities, anti-theft features, and high sensitivity GPS receivers.

As the World Turns

Portable GPS units have become an essential part of daily life. Whether for use in business, navigation, emergency, or simply for your own personal use, portable GPS devices play an extremely important role in the global positioning technology that continues to develop.

Shopping in a GPS store can be quite adventurous. Whether shopping online or in a local computer store, the varieties of GPS devices are numerous. From GPS watches to GPS handheld car devices, the GPS store is becoming the store of the future. Your best bet in shopping for a GPS would be in checking out a specific GPS store. A GPS store found online is probably a wise choice in finding whatever you are looking for. The larger ones are very knowledgeable about all the different styles and types of GPS devices. These stores are usually very credible in their merchandise.

A good GPS store will always give you information on the latest GPS devices. They will also provide you with summaries and ratings of the top performing GPS’s in their specific categories. For example, the TomTom GO 910 is the top-of-the-line car GPS. A good GPS store will inform you about this. It will go into detail about the TomTom and give you its opinion on each feature. This store’s pricing will be competitive and they will fight for the latest in technology. Just because an item is more expensive than another does not mean that it is the best. You must depend on the service personnel to advise you on this, and that is why it is good to find a store which you can trust.

Specific GPS Units

A reputable GPS store will always carry GPS software and marine electronics. They should carry automotive GPS units, motorcycle units, handheld GPS devices, chart plotters, fitness/training GPS units, fixed mount GPS’s, GPS accessories, brand accessories, GPS/FishFinders, GPS/FRS radios, laptop/PDA GPS units, and other choice products. Their salespeople or customer support staff should be extremely well-versed in all the technical areas of the different GPS units. With the advancement of GPS devices in all areas of life, many of these stores are popping up everywhere.

Since various GPS units are used by firemen, soldiers, sailors, hikers, lumberjacks, delivery people, drivers and sportsmen of all kind, your local GPS store will undoubtedly be a common sight in every neighborhood. Maps will soon be completely unnecessary if the craze for GPS devices stays on its upsurge. When you find a GPS store that meets your needs, it would be a good idea to stick with it. With all of the new technology being developed everyday; your GPS store will soon become your best friend. Whether it’s online, or down the street, locating a GPS store is a very good idea, and a very important step in keeping up with the technology of the future.

Soon after 1978, the NAVSTAR GPS (Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System) became operational in the United States. This was the first Global Positioning System (GPS) and was designed for the use of the United States military and other friendly forces. At that time, GPS receivers were considerably larger than they are today; however, they were already relatively small as the users of most of the receivers at this time were anticipated to be on the battlefield or in the nosecone of a missile seeking a course correction.

Currently, there are 30 active satellites in the constellation of satellites that defines the current GPS, where three or four of these are denoted as backup satellites. Although the operation of the GPS is managed by the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee, and supported by the PNT Executive Secretariat, operational and logistics support is in the hands of the US Space Command. The objective of this GPS continues to be to provide land, sea, and airborne travelers the information to know their three dimensional position, velocity, and time, 24 hours a day, in all weather, and anywhere in the world.

The Role of the GPS Receiver

A GPS receiver’s job is to locate four or more of these satellites in order to use a process known as trilateration to determine the GPS receivers’ position. The more reference points (satellites) the GPS receiver can tune into, the more accurate the positioning calculation will be. The GPS receiver actually performs the calculations itself. It starts by analyzing the high-frequency, low-power radio signals from the GPS satellites which are traveling with the velocity of the speed of light. The signal from the satellite is itself encoded with a message that says when the signal was sent. The GPS receiver knows when the signal was received. The velocity of the wave is known, because the receiver has now calculated how long it took for the signal to get to it. This tells the receiver the distance, in miles, from that satellite to the receiver. The GPS receiver does this for three, four or more satellites, and from this information, it can “triangulate” its own position. The more satellites a receiver can tune into, the more accurate the position will be.

The Components of a GPS Receiver

Most standard GPS receivers must have an antenna that is tuned to the frequencies transmitted by the satellites, custom receiver-processors, and a very highly-stable clock which is often a crystal oscillator. Particular models may also have a continuously updating display showing location, usually in latitude and longitude, and will sometimes include the velocity as well. Although we now have an almost universal capability across the world with phones, PDA’s and cars, all having their own GPS receivers, it is important to note that this system is still operated by the United States military and is provided primarily for the public good.

Getting lost and staying lost is becoming more difficult everyday as the price of a GPS receiver has fallen drastically over the past decade to enable just about everyone to have one. Hunters, travelers and even construction workers have use for a GPS receiver, however knowing how to interpret the information will determine just how valuable it is to carry.

Two dozen working satellites, plus a few spares, are circling the globe over 12,000 miles up, continually sending signals to the ground. By checking the current time, the distance between the satellite and the GPS receiver as well as altitude, the receiver can offer a location on the ground. By receiving information from four or more satellites the location can be even more exact as the overlapping information will allow the GPS receiver to find a probable location based on information from multiple sources.

While signals from a global position satellite are traveling a long distance to reach the GPS receiver units, there are some barriers to the signals getting through. Parking garages, for example, may block the signals and storm activity may slow the signal down causing locations to be slightly off track.

GPS Receiver Part Of Larger Units

Those hiking through the wilderness, such as hunters, may lose their bearings and having a GPS receiver with them can help them find their way back home. Travelers like the fact that their car system can tell them where they are if they get lost, and if they subscribe to a navigational service, can quickly find the directions to get back on their intended route.

Construction workers count on their high-tech GPS receiver to pinpoint their location by accepting signals from up to 20 different satellites. This gives a much more accurate location and when looking for property boundaries, this can save a lot of time for construction. It can also help in locating underground utility lines and prevent them from being damaged during digging.

Many businesses will have a GPS receiver in their office to help keep track of their vehicles, if equipped with tracking devices, and also keep track of shipments to better determine estimated arrival times. They can also use this equipment should a vehicle become lost or stolen on its route.

For persons traveling a GPS receiver can help if they get lost. By calling local authorities they give them their current location and get directions to where they need to go.