Technology Space

GPS navigation today is almost irreplaceable thing for any tourist. People so have got used to these convenient and easy devices that using of other searcing resources is almost not possible.

However, how to choose to yourself the GPS-navigator completely corresponding to your own requirements? After all the modern market dazzles with every possible configurations and executions of these so useful and necessary devices.

To begin with it is necessary to define the purposes which you are going to carry out by GPS-navigator , and to familiarize with their classification.

There are two different types of GPS-navigators – portable and external. Portable are ideally suited for tourists, travellers and sportsmen. These are the devices specially “ground” under GPS, are completely standalone and are very often delivered in a heat – and water-proof tanks. Also in many cases they have number of other very useful functions: possibility of upgrade of navigation charts (through the COM-interface, USB or Bluetooth), a compass, definition of height, speed of the object, etc.

Power supply of such devices is carried out by means of batteries АА, ААА, either Li-Ion or Li-Pol accumulators. Accumulators are much more economic, however batteries are easier for changing in case of a discharge. Many models of portable GPS-navigators have such useful function as screen highlighting, it is very convenient in night conditions, however thus period of maintenance of batteries strongly decreases.

It is possible to mention the disadvantages of such devices – insufficiently aesthetic appearance – navigators in a heat – and moisture resistant tanks are unsightly enough, great and inconvenient for their usage in city boundaries.

The external GPS-navigator represents the unit which is connected to “the head” device, and carrying out data transfer with it on any interface (more often interface SDIO). Such navigator has no own display and batteries, and uses possibilities of the “head” device as which the notebook or a handhold computer. There are the models of such devices intended for field conditions, however they have weak spots – plugs for connection, and they cost more expensive. Recently in the market there was a handheld computer and smart phones with the built in GPS-receivers that is very convenient, compact and inexpensive variant.

It is necessary to give special attention to automobile GPS-navigators. They have the holder and the original program of the navigation developed specially for motorists.

Having defined with type of the GPS-navigator, it is necessary to pay attention to its following parametres: first, the size , the resolution and chromaticity of the screen. The resolution is usually designated here so: «320х240». The more the size of the screen and the resolution, the easier from it to read, the bigger part of the map is located on it.

Secondly, a memory size (for cartographical instruments). Thirdly, accumulator capacity (defines duration of functioning). Fourthly, power of the processor (influences speed of operation). Fifthly, weight and dimensions and at last, presence of additional functions.

The big advantage of the GPS-navigator is low cost (150-200$ – the portable or automobile navigator, 110-170$ – external, from 200$ – more advanced variants). Being once confidential military development, GPS system was widely adopted today among civil, having opened for general usage with so many doubtless accomplishments and advantages.