GPS Systems
GPS systems are designed to get people where they need to go. If you haven’t ever used a GPS navigational device in your car, you are really missing out on the advantages of always knowing where you are and in what direction you need to be traveling. If you can imagine the possibility of never having to ask for directions again, you are ready to look into GPS systems.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. This is a network of twenty four satellites that orbit the earth about 12,000 miles above the earth’s surface. They were originally launched by the US military department to aid with navigation, troop deployment and artillery fire, but in the 1980’s an executive decree allowed civilians to use the satellite signals for their own navigational purposes. The applications for GPS have become endless as GPS enthusiasts continue to develop navigational devices for almost every outdoor activity that exists. The reason why GPS is better for auto and outdoor navigation is because you do have to have a clear view of the sky to pick up the satellite signal. This makes GPS systems great for vehicles, truck fleets, hiking, hunting, skiing, boating, fishing, camping, and travel.
Understanding how GPS works will help any one interested in GPS systems to purchase and use the model that is right for them. The first thing that someone wonders about is how a navigational device as small as the Magellan Maestro 4250 automatically displays their location on a color LCD screen after they start using it. The Maestro 4250, designed by Magellan GPS systems, is like most GPS devices in the fact that it receives what are called almanac, ephemeris, and pseudo-random codes from the orbiting satellites. This data lets the device know where it is in relation to the satellite and its position on the earth. In the case of the Maestro 4250, this information is displayed on a 4.5 inch color display, which has preprogrammed maps with cities, street names, six million points of interest, and AAA tour guide information.
More importantly, the Maestro 4250 lets you program and store your own personal routes. This is accomplished by first creating “waypoints” or “points of interest.” Waypoints can be any fixed point like your house, a shopping mall, an airport, or a fishing pond. Once you program and save the coordinates, simply select this waypoint as a destination and the navigator will create a route for you. As you drive along, the navigator will tell you where to turn, keep track of how fast you are going and tell you the estimated time of arrival. The Maestro 4250 can also tell you where the nearest gas stations and restaurants are along the way. By keeping a track log, it can also guide you back the way you came and store the route for future use.
The Maestro 4250 also comes with an integrated track receiver that offers onscreen traffic reports in real time. The Maestro 4250 automatically recalculates your estimated time of arrival based on traffic conditions and prompts you to reroute when a quicker way is available. You can also customize your route further by choosing the fastest time, shortest distance, and whether you would like toll roads or freeways. Also, if you are using the Maestro 4250 while driving, the Maestro will give you turn-by-turn voice guidance and verbally answer questions for you like estimated time of arrival.
When purchasing a GPS navigator, there are other things to look at like battery life, size and weight, antenna configuration and price. The Maestro 4250 is considered to be in the mid-price range and is pocket-sized for use in the car or out-of-doors. It is powered by the battery of your car, but also has a rechargeable battery that provides about four hours of usage on its own.
Posted in General GPS Information
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