GPS Essentials: Making Sense Of That GPS Latitude And Longitude Coordinates

| Saturday, December 10, 2011
By Warren Hayiltonn


GPS navigation systems are any device that receives Global Positioning System signals for the purpose of determining the device's current location on earth. The Global Positioning System is actually a constellation of 27 satellites that orbit the earth, 24 of which are in operation, and the remaining 3 are back-ups. GPS units scan for at least 4 of these satellites, determine the distance to each, and utilize these details to pinpoint its own location. This process is called trilateration.

These devices are used in a variety of settings - commercial aviation, military, as well as land and sea transportation. Nowadays, you can already buy handheld devices that have non-vehicle applications just like those utilized by sportsmen and backpackers. These portable gadgets ordinarily have digital compasses, altitude, pressure, and thermometer sensors, as well as varying levels of routing, waypoint tracking, and plotted course capabilities.

There are also GPS devices which act as personal trainers enabling their wearers to monitor and share different aspects of their workouts like speed, number of laps, and miles traversed. These features are the reason why Garmin 305 reviews and Garmin 205 reviews are very encouraging. Another reason why Garmin 205 and Garmin 305 reviews are positive is that they allow you to view your path on a map, save locations you want to remember, create routes, and find your way home. Garmin 305 and Garmin 205 reviews also highlight their impressive sensitivity even under dense canopy.

When using these personal navigation devices outdoors, knowing how to read GPS coordinates is important. GPS gadgets will tell you where you are in relation to the equator and the prime meridian by giving coordinates which are written as hemisphere - degrees - minutes - seconds. Displayed on your gadget are 2 sets of coordinates and these are the latitude which is your North or South coordinates, and longitude or your East or West coordinates.

If the coordinates provided are N 38 53' 22.09" and W 77 2' 6.86", this means you are slightly over 38 north of the equator, and a slightly over 77 east of the prime meridian. To find out where you are on a map, use those coordinates and find out where they intersect.




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