• Home
• Local Maps
• Privacy Policy

• Accessories
• Articles
• Auctions
• Blog
• Books
• GPS
• Q & A

Subscribe

Handheld Pocket GPS Receiver: What is It, And Who Uses It?

Handheld Pocket GPS Receiver: What is it, and who Uses It?

GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. The System is a whole network of satellites that surround the earth and transmit information back at all times. A pocket GPS receiver is a handheld GPS navigator unit that can receive information from the satellites in order to pinpoint a certain location on the earth, using longitude and latitude.

The Three Parts Of The Pocket GPS

The Global Positioning System has three segments to it: the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment. The “space segment” are the satellites. These 24 satellites are orbiting the earth at about 12,000 miles above the earth. Being so high allows them to cover a great area.

The way the satellites are spaced out around the earth, a pocket GPS receiver can always get a signal from at least four of them at once. These satellites (that the pocket GPS receivers use) are traveling at 7,000 miles per hour – circling the earth every 12 hours. They use solar energy for power, but have backup batteries. They transmit back to the earth in “line of sight”, so they go through clouds, plastic, and glass, but not through mountains or buildings.

The “control segment” consists of the five control stations on earth. They track the satellites and give them corrected time and orbit information. There is one “master control station” that the other four send information to. The master control station determines what the satellite needs to know, and it sends “uplinks” to the satellites that the pocket GPS receiver is getting information from.

The “user segment” is each individual person with their pocket GPS receiver. They can be a wide range of people, with a large range of hobbies or work. These include hikers, pilots, boaters, hunters, and the military. It also includes geocachers, those playing the “treasure hunting” sport elaborated more online at geocaching.com. Anyone who wants to know where they are, where they’ve been, and where they’re going will benefit from having a pocket GPS receiver.

Is handheld pocket GPS 100% accurate?

That would be nice, but it is unrealistic to expect that a pocket GPS receiver can be totally accurate, given all the things that can cause errors in the data. A few of these causes are: a delay in data from the layers in the atmosphere, tall buildngs or mountains that the signal can bump against, errors in the clock in the GPS, inaccuracies in the reported location of the satellite, and not having enough satellites “visible”. Some things that can interfere with your handheld pocket GPS receiver. The clearer the view of the sky, the better it will work.

GPS systems

Many consumers know what GPS devices can do, but they probably don’t have any idea of all the advanced features available for users. GPS system reviews are written by tech gurus, so you know that you’ll be seeing the complete picture with GPS system reviews. Of course, you may find that you don’t need all of the advertised features of a particular model, and that is quite all right. However, if you aren’t aware of what features do, then you won’t be able to make an informed decision about the product to begin with, and you may end up spending too much or too little on the product.

Getting A Friendly Navigation System

With so many options on the market when it comes to auto navigation systems how do you choose the one that will best suit your needs? This question may seem very simplistic; unfortunately the answer is not nearly as simple as the question. There are many things to consider when selecting a personal navigation system not the least of which is what purpose you will be using the system to achieve.

Many people consider auto navigation systems for their automobiles and no other purpose. The truth is that these devices can have many very practical uses in your every day life. If you are a person who spends a lot of time outdoors, you might find that a handheld GPS device with mapping capabilities is better suited to your personality and your needs than a stand-alone type of auto navigation system. The reason being that these devices can not only be used for turn-by-turn driving directions but also for off road travels, geocaching, boating, hiking, biking, and mountain climbing among many other popular activities. Handheld devices are perfect because they can be easily removed from your vehicle and taken along with you. The portability makes them perfect companions for just about any activity in which you choose to participate.

Many newer models of cars, trucks, and SUVs are coming equipped with in dash auto navigation systems. Don’t for a second think you aren’t paying for these glorious goodies. In fact, the chances are that you are paying quite the premium price for these lovely features and aren’t even aware. The worst thing though is that if you are financing the cost of your car you are also financing the cost of your navigation system. If at all possible avoid getting into this situation unless you are particular enamored of the look of the in dash systems as they really offer no better coverage than you can find in many stand alone systems that you can easily install and cost significantly less. The thing to remember about these systems is that they are only good as long as you are in your car for the most part. You may find some that can last so many hours away from a power source (if you have a system that you’ve installed yourself rather than a factory installed system) but most of them aren’t going to offer the greatest features for activities such as geocaching or fishing.

Before you buy, seriously consider and have in mind the activities for which you will use your device. Don’t buy a device that charges for features that you aren’t likely to use and avoid at all cost an interface that isn’t easy to use. Remember you will be using this while on the road most of the time and you want a system that won’t require a concentrated effort in order to operate. We have quite enough distractions to deal with while on the road without adding a difficult to operate auto navigation system.

Auto navigation systems are great to have when you need them and even at times when they simply come in handy though you could have survived without them. For me the security of knowing that I will never be truly lost again is well worth the investment I have made in mine, I honestly believe you will feel the same way about your system once you decide which one is best for you.

The Wide Use Of GPS Devices

Among the emerging applications, GPS cell phone is a well known feature in the mobile technology and is in great demand. The cell phones that are enabled with GPS have a higher range and price, but tech savvy users do not bother shelling out few extra bucks in buying them, and the craze goes on. The applications are enhancing manifold, though in practical purposes the usage is somehow limited. Acquiring maps, receiving directions and guide to reach the destination is a significant feature of the GPS enabled phones or devices.

Over all GPS devices are very appropriate for military use to track and control forces, as they help to locate people and targets. It can also be of great help during fog, darkness or some other low visibility situations, and also while traveling as it can be employed to get directions, customized maps to a particular place from the current location. As a result, many vehicles are featured with GPS devices to facilitate travelers taking the shortest and right route.

Today, many cell phones come with GPS and this is increasing as they have the technology to locate a person through their cell phone during emergency. Coast Guard and Navy also use GPS cell phones to locate lost people. Also the device is useful for wilderness explorers, hunters and other outdoor sportsmen as they can use it to navigate to find their way in and out. Surveyors may also have the need for GPS cell phone to survey as well as establish boundaries or other locations. As for entertainment, GPS is also present in the sport game GeoCaching which uses the device to find small treasures or caches in where a person hid the treasure or cache and post the details on a geocaching website, making it a fun and interesting game.

GPS cell phone can have applications supporting over 40 sub functions and this can be beneficial as users can find whatever they want by typing in the name of place. This works similar to Google like search and finds a list of all the nearby places, initiating from the nearest location. GPS cell phone can also be useful while hiking as there is a sub function called Fugawi, that offers information on topographical features apt for camping or hiking, besides the typical map which informs the street name and other related information.

Passing on information to your friends and family or followers about the exact location you are is simply possible by using Buddy Beacon, another sub function of GPS that sends information to your choice of people within a button click regarding your location. Truck tracking for GPS is also new and has shown significant effects in proving that this tracking of vehicles keeps the overhead down and the mileage tracking allows the fleet managers to understand the vehicle maintenance and performance. GPS cell phone is known for its versatility as it also supports amusement with its sub functions such as `Digging to China`, that offers fun and entertainment.

Walking on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is a perfect holiday destination for the whole family for short breaks and holidays because of the many choices of stunning and interesting places you can choose from.

The island has a moderate climate and is perfect for long walks along the shores, cliffs and gorgeous beaches or for family picnics and other outdoor activities.

The Isle of Wight also has many carnivals and music events such as the “Isle of Wight  festival”, Bestival plus various other Jazz and Folk festivals.

Another famous festival is the annual Isle of Wight Walking Festival where the island hosts over 300 walks that cater to all ages and abilities.

But you don’t have to wait until the walking festival to take in an enjoyable walk or ramble. The Isle of Wight includes over 500 miles of well-maintained footpaths that are open all year round. So get your comfy shoes on, pack a flask and take a stroll in this designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Some of the walks include:

Dinosaur Walk. This walks entails trips to local beaches to search for fossilised forests and dinosaur footprints with the help of an expert. It’s great for the kids. Brightstone Forest Foray. A walk that describes the West Wight Landscape Heathland Restoration Project, looking at the wildlife, and Brighstone Forest’s heathland management. A Walk from the Wildside. Experience traversing the Island from South to North. A walk from the Channel to the Solent through the heart of the history, geology, and ecology of the Island. Geocaching Taster Sessions. Serves as an introduction to the popular exciting outdoor game of geocaching – a game that uses hi-tech equipment to hunt for treasure. Strawberry Lane. A high level and low level circular walk through the Tennyson and Worsley Trail to the Strawberry Lane. Speed Dating Walk. A one of a kind walk for singles where you’ll have the chance to meet other people while you take in the scenery. The walk starts in the Fisherman’s Cottage for briefing and ends there later with a romantic setting that also includes light lunch. Ghost Walks. Take in the history behind the ‘hauntings’ at Havenstreet, Ventnor Botanical Gardens and St Catherine’s Lighthouse including many others.

Isle of Wight breaks are an interesting and exciting experience for anyone. With all the unique and vast choices of activities and events you and your loved ones can experience, it will always be a holiday you won’t forget.

So what are you waiting for? Book your Isle of Wight accommodation now and have a great holiday.

Next Page »

Copyright © 2010 Geocaching and GPS information, news, reviews and products Log in

Log in