The days a person has to use paper maps sprawled out on the hood of the car to find the directions to get from one place to another are gone. Why is that you ask? It' because of a technology called GPS which is an acronym for Global Positioning System. GPS is not a new device it's just that it has become much more affordable making owning one within the reach of more and more people.
GPS devices were an exclusive technology of the military. Now however, they have become very popular with the general public. GPS's can be purchased in various types. There are hand held models, which as the name implies can be held in your hand, and there are display models that are mounted permanently in your car. There are some that talk and some that don't.
The GPS device is controlled by satellite and works by entering in a starting address and a destination address. Once that information is put into the GPS, the GPS will guide you step by step, turn by turn until you have arrived at your destination. Some GPS systems will actually talk to you and tell you exactly where to turn and when, others are simply an interactive map that will show you on a display when and where to turn, but will not give verbal directions.
With a GPS the driver doesn't need to have a paper map in the glove box or a large area to open the map in. There is no need to be able to read a map at all. The GPS will show or tell you where to turn, it also will show or tell you where you are at, and which direction you are currently heading. So no more hassles with a large map while you drive. You can keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road while still getting directions.
I remember going on vacation trips as a boy. My dad would drive and my mom was the navigator. With a GPS you no longer need someone to navigate. This is particularly nice if you are traveling alone. Have you ever gotten lost in a city or took the wrong exit off the freeway and didn't realize it until you were completely lost? With a GPS you won't worry about it again. Because the system will tell you exactly where you are, if your car brakes down in an unfamiliar place you can call for help and be able to give another person directions to exactly where you are.
Not only are GPS systems useful for drivers, but they are also very useful to anyone that is unfamiliar with any location that they are in. Take for instance hikers. With hand held GPS systems, they can make the most of their hike and if they get turned around, they can find out how to get back on track if they know which direction they should go in relation to the direction they are currently headed.
Keep in mind that if you purchase a GPS device that it would be a good idea to understand its limitations. The technology is truly handy and will save you a ton of hassles. But it is important to understand that there may be places that the GPS cannot get a signal from the satellite and if that happens it will not work. It is still a good idea to have some back up travel map just in case. All in all you will greatly benefit having a GPS device of your own.
Have you ever known someone who just could not read a map? You may have tried to teach them how but in spite of your best efforts they just could not get the hang of it. A GPS is an electronic device and it is a very good idea to become familiar with how it works. Because like some people and map reading, some people have trouble understanding electronic devices. So before you actually leave for any trip and you plan to use your new GPS make sure you have mastered how to use is. Happy travels.