The Types of Car Navigation Systems

You no longer have to struggle with looking at a map while you are driving. Not only was that method of navigation a dangerous distraction, it was also difficult to do and often required that you pull to the side of the road to unfold the map and find your place. Thanks to auto navigation systems that are on the market nowadays, you can easily find your way in a manner that is safe and convenient.

Like any other devices which use satellite signals car GPS also picks up information from satellites. The current location and the relative distance from any place can be ascertained easily with the help of the satellites. A car GPS is fitted with specific technology which is required for vehicle navigation.

A car navigation GPS should have map storage capabilities, an antenna to receive proper signals, ease of visibility, an address book for storing addresses of places and points of interest while you are on the highway. There are many car GPS systems available in the market.. You have the option of buying a car already fitted with the car GPS system or you can purchase a portable car GPS unit which can be fitted anytime in any car.

The built in car navigation GPS system:

This offers you the flexibility of using a GPS system straight after you buy the car. This is a luxury built in for your ready use. The drawback is that this sort of GPS usually comes with a hefty price tag. However, the software is already installed and set up and working properly so you don’t have to bother with any of that.

The portable car navigation GPS system:

This gives everyone an opportunity to own a GPS system at an affordable price with all the functionalities attached to it. The portable system is easy to install and use. This again comes with two different options. One unit comes with all the maps preloaded and the other one requires the database of maps to be transferred from a computer to the GPS system.

Since you bought the navigation system for the ability to use maps, buying a unit with the maps preloaded is a big advantage especially if you do a lot of traveling. However, you can get the unit for cheaper if you load the maps yourself as you need them. It really isn’t hard to load your own maps by transferring them from your pc, but you do need to know a little bit about computers. So if you want something ready to plug in and go, the best choice is to buy a car navigation GPS system that is already loaded up and all you need to do is turn it on.

LORAN on trial.(Long-Range Navigation system)

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) has opened a public comment period that could determine the future of the ground-based Long-Range Navigation (LORAN) system. Many consider LORAN the most suitable backup system for GPS, and essential for communications network timing signals and

Publication: GPS World

Britain eyes "new" Loran.(ground-based navigation system)(Brief article)

The U.K. is considering rehabbing the ground-based navigation system to back up GPS. According to a report in FCW.com, the U.S. is looking at a similar system to ensure precision backup navigation is available. Whether your current gear will work on the so-called eLoran is not clear, as the new

Publication: IFR

Competitive marketplace stimulates fast-paced launch.(AGRI MARKETING'S PRODUCT OF THE YEAR)(Hewlett-Packard Co. LORAN C receiver)(Trimble Navigation Ltd. developed global positioning system receiver)

In 1974 a freshly minted Stanford Ph.D. named Art Lange landed a job at Hewlett Packard in the future Silicon Valley. His section manager, one Charlie Trimble, assigned Lange to electrical engineering design work. One of the projects HP was working on at the time was a LORAN C receiver, recalls

Publication: Agri Marketing

A strong case for Loran.(marine navigation electronics)

Now that the global positioning system (GPS) is here, many mariners are pulling off their older Loran equipment and giving it away. If someone wants to give you an old Loran set, take it! A Loran receiver operated for repeatability of a past position or run for precise speed over ground will be

Publication: Trailer Boats

Loran Lives for the 'Short Term'.(long range radio navigation)(Brief Article)

Just when you thought it was safe to keep on using your trusty Loran receiver, the federal government, it seems, cannot make a final decision on the fate of the reliable, low-cost system. The 1999 Federal Radionavigation Plan is finally out and calls for Loran to be maintained in the short term.

Publication: BOAT/U.S. Magazine