Having Safe Adventures With Outdoor GPS

| Sunday, September 4, 2011
By Jashua Moses


Has there ever been an instance where you found yourself wondering where exactly you are? If so you may concur a vague answer that does not completely solve the question. However, newer modern technology the question is easy to answer. The creation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) makes the ability to find your location quite easy... and accurate.

Essentially, the belief that the concept of the GPS navigation concept started hundreds of years ago when explorers first used the stars to navigate their position is partially correct. The first "official" and modern form of GPS technology first appeared in the 1950s. These systems were initially developed for military use. A joint venture with the US Department of Defense, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Ivan Getting has allowed for these many excellent technological advancements. The process originally maintained eight satellites twirling the earth and was commonly referred to a Navigation System with Timing and Ranging (NAVSTAR).

Nowadays, the GPS realm is comprised of 24 orbiting satellites the spin around the earth twice a day and transmit information regarding location and time. A Garmin GPSMap 78sc Handheld GPS Navigator or, really, all handheld GPS receivers can do what is needed to determine your precise location all over the earth whether you are hiking in the Adirondack or sailing across the Indian Ocean. A GPS receiver will work through figuring out the distance between the satellite and the user relying on signals that are picked up between a minimum of three satellites. However, if elevation info is required, the system will need to tap into at least four satellites.

People that love the great outdoors and wish to go venturing on adventures will find a handheld GPS receiver a must have. This device would help those that are pilots, boaters, hikers and others find their exact location through a simple and basic push of a button and entering their general location into the memory. A GPS will guide such people to where they wish to go and return back to where they were. A high quality GPS unit along the lines of the Garmin GPSMap 78sc Handheld GPS Navigator and new releases of GPS models that have the potential to present clear data presenting latitude and longitude, Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) and UTM (a grid employed by the Bureau of Land Management).Units such as this must maintain a tracking log that will allow users to effectively retrace steps without much difficulty. The GPS receivers must also be highly sensitive to cover an enhanced satellite reception despite potentially being in a deep canyon or an area that is covered in dense trees.

With outdoor GPS units, it is best to procure systems with a battery life that will last around 12 hours and this should encompass the combined use of compass and GPS. Such a unit must also be able to upload/download data to the hard drive and include a mapping system (A computerized one) while also displaying the information as visually clear as possible. The memory of the GPS should be able to store upwards of 500 waypoints.

Because a GPS unit will be exposed to all manner of different weather conditions and might have to endure rough handing, the casing needs to be rubber-made and durable. The backlights need to be strong enough so that the data can be read in low light or even pitch black scenarios. Garmin GPSMap 78sc Handheld GPS Navigator and other more modern GPS receivers have built-in electronic compass that can help determine where the user is and know the direction he's heading even when standing still. There will be more features with the higher cost GPS units. Acquiring a decent GPS of any price is worth it since outdoor technological navigation makes outdoor adventures exciting, enjoyable, and safe.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment