Consumer Reports on GPS: What the Experts Have to Say

Consumer reports on GPS (Global Positioning System) devices say that GPS locators can be a very handy and fun device to own for both professional and recreational purposes. By utilizing satellite receivers floating around the earth, a GPS is used to provide you with exact information on your longitude and latitude.

There are many obvious and not so obvious uses for GPS locators that may amaze you. For the purpose of helping you to decide whether or not a personal GPS device is right for you, here is a guide to the uses of a GPS and how they can benefit you.

Wonderful Uses for a GPS

The uses of a GPS range quite a bit. The most obvious use for one of these machines is to use it to find your exact location if you are lost somewhere. With exact information of your location, you can aid rescue workers in finding you or help you find a nearby road.

Another use of the GPS is to find other locations and determine your relative distance between you and them. For example, if you are driving down the interstate and you see a highway that might be a shorter route between you and your desired destination, GPS devices will tell you not only if it is shorter, but also how much shorter and how long it will take to get there.

Finally, you can also use a GPS as more than just a locating device. Some can be used as asset management devices (depending on its GSM status), some can be used for mobile communication, and some can even be used to search the Internet. These, of course, are just the practical uses of a GPS; there are many fun uses as well.

A common game for people who own GPS devices is known as geocaching. Geocaching is a game in which participants are given an array of different waypoints (coordinates of longitude and latitude), and they must be the first team or competitor to get to each location first. While most people cannot participate in a game like this because of practical responsibilities (most games take usually a month), it is very easy to make a scaled down version of this game, with just one waypoint or two, on a family camping or hiking expedition.

Benefits of Owning a GPS

When using a GPS tracking device, you have a better understanding of your location and the location of other things, giving you an advantage when it comes to transportation. As a driver, it can be tough to memorize routes and highways when you're out on the open road. With this handy piece of hardware, however, you can find any road you need to with ease. Being able to track the most direct route will save you a tremendous amount of time and money, especially with ever increasing gas prices and vehicle maintenance costs.

Honestly, with all of the benefits and uses of GPS devices, can you really afford to live your life without one of these extremely handy devices?