GPS Tracking Your Car To Keep Tabs On Your Teenage Driver

Categories: GPS Articles | April 30th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

Using GPS to track vehicles - it is not exclusively for the spies and the police anymore. With the benefits of this powerful technology, companies are allowing consumers to take charge of their lives and install GPS devices in their vehicles.

The reasons to use GPS tracking can be many: you can use these devices to help recover a stolen vehicle, or can help keep an eye on your car when you loan it to someone (to ensure they remain at the speed limit and drive safely), or they could even be used as an aid to parenting a teen rebel. How you choose to use GPS tracking is up to you.

One of the more interesting to uses of this new technology is helping parents in parenting their children. By installing a GPS tracking device in your car or truck, you get an instant awareness of your son's driving habits and location. This can be very important for several reasons and in the hands of a wise and discerning parents can be very helpful in educating children to respect the law and be safe.

Cars are an important part of teen culture. They are the main way that teenagers these days travel. Teenagers used to go on foot, by road, bike, or had to get bus tickets to get around. The car has replaced all these forms of transportation and have become the great engine of adolescence.

Because cars are so important to teenagers, you know that once your child is legally able to sit behind the wheel they will begin hunting to get the keys in their hands.

They will say: "Come on Dad, I need to get the keys so I can drive to the house of Sarah. Everyone is going to see a movie there!" Or they may say something like: "But mom, it will be much easier for everyone if I just drive to school in the morning and drive home from soccer practice." To be honest, there is often a lot of validity to what they say.

It really is easier for our young people to drive themselves around. It make us spend less time driving around and running errands. But there is something in us that wonders if it is really good for them to be alone so often. "Is it safe?" we wonder. "Are they going to drive like we would like? Will I know where they are?"

Tracking your teenager with GPS is a great way to help you learn the answers to all your questions while enjoying the convenience of leaving the teen to drive themselves around.

If you are not familiar with how the GPS is able to follow the car of your child, here is a brief introduction:

GPS means Global Positioning System and this system consists of a dozen satellites orbiting the earth. These satellites emit a radio signal such that GPS receivers can pick up.

The device is used to track your car by taking these signals that communicate information to your unit and processing that information. This information may include the time that the transmission was sent via satellite and the satellite that sent the message. Your GPS unit takes the information and uses mathematics - specifically the principles of unity trilateration - to calculate the position at some point in time.

If you only had a GPS logger that would be the end of it. But a GPS device that can be used in a car your child drives will not be a GPS logger, it will be a GPS pusher. This device will transmit the information to a processing center where the company you purchased your subscription will interpret the data and make it available to you via the Internet or some other means.

The information that it will deliver often includes the speed and direction of the teen that you are tracking. They will even keep a history of car's position for a month or more!

Using GPS tracking on your teen's car is certainly a valid way to learn information about your teenager that they might withhold from you otherwise. Parents have a right to know where their teenage is.

If you are interested in more information about this topic check out Track Your Teen's Car With GPS, an article where this topic is explored in greater detail. There are other alternatives to car tracking - one of which is gps tracking teens with cell phones.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

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How to Use a GPS

Categories: GPS Articles | April 14th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

There are hundreds of different GPS trackers but most of them work in the same similar method. The idea behind a GPS tracker is to help you to map out a route to the destination you are headed from the destination that you are located. It is best that you start from where you are in order to get the best route for where you are going. You can text in your information or you can ask verbally for the information that you need. It is important that you pay attention to the instructions that you are given and if you miss a turn then you will need to reprogram your GPS so that your instructions will coincide with where you are actually located so that you can end up at the proper destination.

The government found that this little device very useful during desert storm and other events that our soldiers took part in the Middle East to help them from getting lost and to make sure that they were in a safe district. It is a very useful invention but it was a very costly one for the government. The government decided to turn it over to the public for use and this help defer the cost of making the GPS. The manufacturers are always improving on inventions and were able to add some additional perks like weather conditions, traffic control; road construction notices all very vital information for the average consumer. These new added conveniences made the GPS even more demanding amongst the average consumer. Now the GPS is used all around the world by just about everyone as a means of finding the right direction to where you are going.

When it comes time to find a GPS that suits you, make sure that you check out all the electronic stores in your area so that you can play around with it before you buy it because they do all vary. You’ll find that some give you the traffic and will find you restaurants while others just tell you where to go. The only thing that I recommend when it comes to a GPS is that you never be cheap with the device because you’ll get what you pay for when you buy one at a discounted right. If you buy a no name brand or one that looks cheap, you’re going to install it and have a hard time using it.

I have a GPS and I love it. I would recommend one that’s easy to use and can be programmed rather easily. If you have to type in fifty things to get it working, I would move onto another one. Make sure you get one that talks and can show you where local restaurants are. If you can get one like this, you’re going to find that they are a lot easier to use than most of them out there. There are literally hundreds, so do your homework one day and see which one will fit you and your car.

Find the best GPS receivers and more of Tom's work all at FINDgascards.

Article Source: How to Use a GPS - ArticleSpan.com

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What Other Car GPS Reviews Don’t Tell You

Categories: GPS Articles | April 14th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

If you've checked out other car GPS reviews, the only thing you probably got was a ton of confusion. And while finding the GPS system that's right for you can be a bit complicated, hopefully you'll feel more informed after reading this article.

Since their introduction to the consumer market two years ago, prices of GPS units have dropped substantially. You may be able to get a model with more features than you think for a lot less money than you think. To help you figure out what you want, we'll talk about the main manufacturers, the various models available to you, and how much you can expect to pay.

Certainly, there are a number of companies who make GPS receivers, but the top three are Garmin, Tom Tom, and Magellan. Garmin is by far the industry leader, with almost 50% of the total market. They offer a wide selection of products at different price levels. Tom Tom, a newer company, is making its mark in the industry by offering low prices. Magellan was one of the original companies to make GPS units. With a great company name and tons of great products, it's hard not to buy a Magellan.

Most car GPS reviews might leave it at that, but I want you to know what features you can expect on any basic model made by any of the above companies.

All GPS receivers include a touch screen interface, maps of the lower 48 states, and a database of Points of Interest (POIs). They also calculate the best way for you to get from where you are to where you want to go, and they give you directs via spoken voice prompts.

For just $150, you can get the Garmin nuvi 200, the Tom Tom One and the Magellan Maestro 3100, all basic models that will perform all the tasks I listed above.

But if you're looking for something a little snazzier, there are tons of extra features available on more expensive models. For instance, more maps of places like Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Europe, and Mexico. Pricier models also offer bigger screens, Bluetooth technology, real-time traffic and weather reports, many more Points of Interest, and multiple routing.

Models with these features run around $350. The Garmin 660 can do all of the above except the multiple routing, and for a little less $350. The Tom Tom Go 720, which is also a little less than $350, has the same features. Magellan's Maestro 4250 does what the Garmin and Tom Tom models can, but for only a little more than $250.

If you're still looking to spend more, each of these companies offers great proprietary features, including Magellan's deal with AAA, that allows users to have their Tour Book right inside the device. It is, of course, for AAA members only.

Car GPS reviews can only offer you so much information. It's now your turn to research the markets on your own to find the product that is most suitable for you and your budget.

To read more great GPS Reviews, check out my website. Lee Cole is a true GPS enthusiast! Take a look at his website to find out more information!

Article Source: What Other Car GPS Reviews Don't Tell You - ArticleSpan.com

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The Benefits of Handheld GPS Units

Categories: GPS Articles | April 10th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

The first step to choosing a unit is looking at all of the different categories that are available. The six basic categories of units are automotive, handheld, PDA, laptop, aviation and marine. The most important thing you need to do is decide which one you need based on where and when you are going to use it.

Basic handheld GPS units are generally less expensive and can even be as low as one hundred dollars. They are just as accurate as the more expensive handheld units, but they do not have as many specialized features. Most basic handheld GPS units have or can display your location, usually in the format of your choice, a compass heading, the elevation above sea level, the accurate time, typically in both twelve and twenty four hour formats, satellite location and signal strength, the ability to calculate the distance traveled, the ability to record your path as a set of waypoints, the ability to navigate routes, and the ability to retrace your steps. The main thing you will find in the most advanced handheld GPS units that you will not find with a basic one is the mapping capabilities.

Handheld units are great because they can vary so much in size, which makes them very easy to customize them for whatever your needs may be. Some of the smallest ones are as tiny as a basic cell phone and this can make them very easy to travel with you, whether you are walking around a new town or camping on a backpacking trip. Also, handheld GPS units are completely self contained, which means that there are no external attachments. However there are some exceptions like the ones that have receivers that run on external power, like from a car. Also, some units have are built with a jack for an optional external antennae and other units can be connected to a laptop or a PDA for expanded uses.

There is another group of units known as handheld mapping GPS receivers. These units display maps that are pre loaded onto the device, but have been uploaded from a PC. These units are typically larger than the ones that do not have mapping capabilities, but they are still fairly inexpensive. Regardless of which one of the handheld GPS units you choose, you will be happy that you got one, especially the first time you find yourself lost in the woods.

To know more about handheld GPS units, please visit our website.

Article Source: The Benefits of Handheld GPS Units - ArticleSpan.com

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GPS Reviews Comparison - How to Choose the Right Model

Categories: GPS Articles | March 15th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

If you're like me, choosing the right GPS receiver is a little daunting. What helps is a good GPS reviews comparison, where you can learn what various models do and how much they cost. In other words, you need a guide!

Choosing the right GPS device is critical. Prices have dropped over the past two years, and you can probably get a model with more bells and whistles than you think you can. To help you form your game plan, let's first talk about who the main manufacturers are, then what various models do and how much they cost.

There are a number of companies that make GPS receivers, but the big three are Garmin, Tom Tom, and Magellan. Garmin is the industry leader with by far the most market share, and also a much broader range of products than anyone else.

Magellan actually was one of the first companies to make these nifty little devices. They were essentially the pioneer. And Tom Tom is the new arrival. Although new, Tom Tom has made great inroads on the market shares of the more established companies by offering great products at great prices.

Any good GPS reviews comparison should tell you what you can expect to buy. So, let's run over the basic features that you'll get with any GPS receiver.

All GPS receivers have a touch screen interface, maps of the lower 48 states, and a database of Points of Interest (POIs). All receivers also calculate the best route from where you are to where you want to go, and they give you directions via spoken voice prompts.

The base models of either Garmin, Tom Tom, or Magellan will do all of this and more.

For around $150 you can get the Garmin nuvi 200, the Tom Tom One, or the Magellan Maestro 3100. These three models all cover the basic features I mentioned.

What if you want more? How much is that going to cost?

Well, let's run over what more you can get.

Upgrades are: more maps (Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Mexico), bigger screen, Bluetooth, real-time traffic and weather, many more POIs (how about 6 million!), and multiple routing.

You can get most of this stuff for $350! For instance, the Garmin 660 can do all of the above except the multi-route calculations. It sells for slightly under $350.

Magellan's Maestro 4250 is a direct competitor and can do essentially what the Garmin 660 can. The 4250 is currently selling for slightly more than $250.

Tom Tom's comparable receiver would be the Tom Tom Go 720, which is currently selling for less than $350.

Of course, you might be willing to spend more!

As you go higher in price, each of these companies offers great proprietary features. Magellan has a deal with AAA, for instance, to include their Tour Book right in the device. (For AAA members only.)

A good GPS reviews comparison can only do so much, however.

Now you need to actually get on an informative website and start browsing.

To read more great GPS Reviews, check out my website. Lee Cole is a true GPS enthusiast! Take a look at his website to find out more information!

Article Source: GPS Reviews Comparison - How to Choose the Right Model - ArticleSpan.com

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