What kind of GPS devices can you find on the market?

Do you want to know what kind of device you have to use in order to connect to the global localization satellites? I’ve made a detailed presentation about all types of GPS devices you can find on the market.

Dedicated GPS devices

When someone refers to the general term GPS (ex: I bought a GPS), he/she refers to a dedicated device to this function, which must have a receptor capable to communicate with the GPS satellites, through a built-in receptor. These are usually bigger equipments, that can be put rather in your car, on the windscreen or on board. Most of them have a car charger, and some of them even have a special antenna that can be fixed on the exterior, for a better reception of the satellites. A conclusive example for this group is Garmin nuvi 1360 or Mio C720b, both of them with a 4,3 inch screen. GPS Best Prices can be found here.

It seems pretty difficult to carry it in your pocket, doesn’t it?

These equipments have been especially created for the terrestrial geographical location, and the big and tactile screen makes them really easy to use and to be observed in traffic, when you can’t really pay too much attention doing too many things at once.

Motorcycles GPS

What if you have a motorcycle? You can’t really mount something like that on your yoke, because for sure, that’s not quite a smart idea. But happily there’s a GPS for motorcycles too. Unfortunately, you don’t have too much options, because in Romania Garmin is the only one who has brought such equipments, and the Zumo 660 model is the latest one of them. These equipments are humidity-proof, windproof, shockproof and motor oil-proof and have more commands for your left hand so the right one never leaves the handlebar. Also, the menu has big icons, that you can touch even with your gloves on. Here is where you can find details about the other GPS equipments for motorcycles.

Sailing GPS

Obviously, there are also equipments for the time you leave the land and you get on a boat, barge or a yacht. Considering the budget and boat’s size, you can choose between a portable device, for example Ifinder Hunt (which especially helps you in sea hunting or land hunting – link) and one that’s more of a board processor, more exactly a chartplotter (this is how complex boat localization devices are called), for example Garmin GPSMAP 4210. This one has a 26,4 cm screen and a lot of functions that helps you sail, assisted of course by the GPS.

Devices with GPS function

What’s different from a dedicated GPS device? The GPS localization function for these equipments (PDAs, smartphones, mobile phones) is a secondary one. Any PDA or intelligent mobile phone can be used as a GPS receptor. Some of them even have a built-in GPS receptor, for example the new HTC Touch Pro2 or Mio A702M. Even though their design is totally different, considering the built-in maps, they both can catch as well the GPS satellite signal.

External Bluetooth devices with GPS function

Other equipments (mobiles or smartphones) can have the same function, but don’t have a built-in receptor. This doesn’t mean you can’t connect them separately. For example, HTC GPS Just Mobil is such a device, which once connected to a mobile or a smartphone has the ability to pick up GPS satellites.

But be aware! The mobile or the smartphone should have a preinstalled GPS software and maps in order for it to work properly. Nokia has created an equipment called Bluetooth GPS Module LD-4W, especially to transform Nokia in GPS navigators. As it’s name says, it can connect to the mobile through Bluetooth and is compatible with 50 Nokia mobiles.

Tracking with GPS devices

Last but not least, GPS is a smart way of tracking your goods. Cars, motorcycles, etc now have a hidden gps vehicle tracking sensor that really comes useful when they got stolen and you can find out very fast where is your car or bike.

But don’t hurry yet to buy such a receptor. At least not until you verify it’s compatibility with your mobile phone. Good luck!

Tags: Bluetooth, car, gps, mobile phone, motorcycle