Welcome back!
Yesterday we spent some time in the kitchen with a gift idea to make holiday baking a little more manageable. Today, we're going out on the road, so to speak. For those thinking I was plugging the latest album from Willie Nelson - sorry to disappoint.
Today, the day before Thanksgiving, is traditionally one of the busiest travel days of the year. Travel-wise, we're going to look at the road rather than public or commercial transit. Today, we'll look at a device that has helped some, came around too late for others, and despite technological advances can still bewilder some folks. Today we're talking about the GPS.
What is it and how does it work?
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is not that new. They have been improving over the years in cost and accuracy. These devices connect to a series of satellites orbiting the Earth. When they have enough information from the satellites, they can tell you your location, with accuracy depending on the device. In addition to the satellites overhead, they rely on preprogrammed or downloaded maps to give more accurate detail on where you are - or how to get to the next place.
Where is it?
Today, there are several GPS device manufacturers, such as Rand McNally, TomTom, and Garmin. In addition most of the latest "smart phones" have included (and additional) GPS apps available from repositories like the iTunes Store or Google Play Market.
But I have it on my phone:
It may seem redundant, but sometimes it's worthwhile to have a separate device. Why? Sometimes there are problems with cell towers, or a phone's battery, or someone calling through at the wrong time, or a service interruption, or.... A standalone model frees up the phone for use. There's also the pesky issue that not everyone has the latest in smart phones. Typically the GPS will plug into the cigarette lighter in the car, drawing power to run and charge.
Economic Value:
This will depend on the unit purchased. Some like this from Rand McNally with built-in wi-fi come at a steeper price, but includes features that are geared toward RV users. Some of the Garmin and Tom Tom models can easily be purchased for under $100. As a gift item, this can be especially useful for someone prone to getting lost, or who takes a lot of road trips. The scenic route may be nice, but with the price of gas, one of these may "pay for itself" in a couple of trips made - without getting lost!
Personally, there is a GPS app on my phone. It works OK, from what I've seen, sometimes. I've encountered problems with it in the recent past - even after updates. We have a stand-alone unit, as well. So far, it's performed well. I prefer to have that around, though, as I'd rather not tie up the phone or its battery.
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