Sunday, January 24, 2010

Using GPS Only For Long Travels

By Eugene Smith

GPS mapping systems stands for Global Positioning System. They have become extremely popular lately in reducing the need for road maps and faulty direction givers. Car owners are astounded that they ever got by before GPS was invented.

Most cars are starting to come with them built in to the dashboard. This looks very nice and modern. If you are thinking about buying a new car, this is an option to consider. The dealer can also install one into a car you already own, too. But if you do not car so much about chic looks, you can find a cheap one and just plug it into your cigarette holder. It will work just as well.

This is how GPS works: there are satellites all around the earth to which these systems are programmed. They are basically tracking chips that locate where you are. They are also connected to things like Google Earth or Yahoo Maps via the satellite. By knowing where you are and where you want to go, the GPS will lead you there by way of voice prompts and an interactive map. It can teach you shortcuts or lead you around detours and construction.

Though this is very helpful, GPS can lead to some bad habits. If you are one who really needs to study a map to figure out where you are going--despite the vocal prompts--it could be far more dangerous to look at the map on the GPS while moving than it would be for you to pull over and check a road map. Even glancing to see the map on the GPS can be dangerous.

People can rely on them way too much. You should know your surroundings reasonably well and follow road signs. That is why they are there and that is how drivers have found their way for decades. GPS is purely a helpful, emergency system that is good for vacations.

These systems are not infallible, either. They can make mistakes or miscalculations. Drive according to your own logic and use them only when you get stuck. Do you really need this shortcut now? Is there a chance it could lead you into a more time-consuming drive?

But if you are going somewhere you have never been before, the system can tell you how much longer you will have to drive. It can point you toward gas stations and restaurants, making your trip shorter because you will not have to hunt for these things. This is the true reason why GPS was invented.

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