Digital Lifestyles Reference Guide

Aug 27, 2004

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Accuracy

Accuracy is the most important feature in a GPS receiver. Every consumer GPS receiver supports accuracy to 49 feet. A smaller subset of GPS units with support for Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) , which coordinates position within 9-23 feet depending on both horizontal movement and changes in altitude. While accuracy may in fact be closer to 9 feet, consumer units supporting WAAS never claim better than 23 feet of accuracy in marketing materials.

Address Location

Address location works similar to car navigation to locate a specific point on the map by street address.

Altimeter

Altimeter readings provide data for increase and decrease in altitude. GPS receivers provide altimeter data in one of two ways. 4-satellite quadrangulation is widely known to be inaccurate. A more precise method is via onboard barometric altimeter.

Antenna

Antenna options determine the versatility of a GPS receiver is. A GPS antenna requires an unobstructed view of the sky to obtain accurate location information. Some receivers rely on an onboard antenna, requiring the physical GPS receiver to have a clear view of the sky for proper function. Greater versatility is achieved using an external antenna connected to a port on the receiver.

Battery Life

Battery Life is a key feature for any electronic device. Until they invent a hand crank GPS receiver, spare batteries or backup solar power will be necessary for any extend trip beyond the ready availability of electrical power. Continuous use battery life is the most important aspect of longevity; the faster batteries drain while a GPS receiver is on, the more backup power you'll need on hand. The other component of battery life is power conservation mode.

Basemaps

Basemaps provide core routing in North America, Europe and Australia. The rest of the world is more limited in public GPS data. Without a basemap, you need to know the fundamentals of map reading. Basemaps are typically very basic, including most major details in a give continent, but not details about specific regions of each continent.

Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs keep track of your path via a series of points so you can find your way back.

Clock

Most GPS receivers include a built-in clock. Some support atomic time. Most will attempt to calculate expected arrival time based on start time, rate of travel and distance.

Compass

GPS-based compass readings typically require a minimum speed of 10 miles per hour. Some receivers include a digital compass which works just like a magnetic compass.

Coordinate Display

Coordinate display is the fancy name for showing you the latitude and longitude you're your current location.

LCD Screen

LCD screens are found on every handheld GPS receiver The major differences between screens are: resolution; screen size; contrast and brightness control; color or monochrome; supported detail like route maps, coordinates and topographical maps.

Memory

Like your computer, more memory is almost always better in a GPS receiver. Memory determines how much mapping data may be stored in the GPS. Eight megabytes of memory is the minimum for functional mapping and storage. Some receivers include considerably more or expanded memory via a card slot.

Rocker

A rocker or thumbstick, like a mini joystick on the front face of a GPS receiver, provides natural navigation of menus and map locations. Without a rocker, a clumsy series of button presses is required to navigate menus and maps.

Routing

Routes and Waypoints lead you from start to finish via a series of marked locations, similar to driving directions on a car navigation system. Most handheld receivers are limited to a maximum of 20-30 waypoints per trip with an upper limit of maximum waypoints determined by the amount of memory in the GPS. Typically routes are reversible so you can find your way back.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing is like insurance; you need it but you hope you never find out the extent of your coverage. It determines ability to survive rain, drowning in lakes and puddles and other water hazards. If a receiver is rated water resistant it can likely take a few drops of rain and may survive a very brief submergence. Waterproof supposedly means the GPS will survive a swim in the lake. Floating, which isn't really water resistance, is another anti-water damage feature.

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