GPS navigation systems: high-tech tools for your outdoor adventures

Navigation systems help you find your way on sea or land. When hiking or backpacking, if you venture off the trail, you need to know where you are and where you're going. Of course you can use a compass and map, but modern technology has updated traditional navigation systems. Now you can determine your position with the push of a button on a hand-held device called a GPS.

GPS stands for global positioning system. A network of satellites in Earth orbit constantly broadcast signals to GPS receivers. The receivers lock on to the signals from several satellites and use triangulation to find the latitude and longitude, making GPS the most accurate of navigation systems. Using these devices, you can journey to within 10 meters of your destination.

Once reserved only for military use, the original GPS systems were bulky and expensive. Now, you can find scaled-down units with prices and features for every budget. Programmable, upgradeable and portable, global positioning devices make high-tech navigation systems available to the average hiker or backpacker. You can program your start and end points into a GPS. Then, as you trek, the device will inform you if you go off track. You can buy all kinds of electronic maps for GPS -- from national parks to huge urban centers. All in a compact unit that stows neatly in a corner of your pack. Battery-powered or rechargeable, global positioning systems can add a measure of safety to your outdoor adventures.

Satellite technology has enabled navigation systems to evolve into the GPS -- an easy-to-use, affordable system that increasing numbers of hikers and backpackers have added to their outdoor gear.

For more information on related products and services, please choose from the following menu of items:

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About The Author:

Rita Liotta is a successful author and publisher at www.1st-at-gps-tracking.com. Recommending gps equipment and associated products
23-06-04