One Little Device Can Make Road Life A lot Easier...
First, because you can always use the device to search the most efficient route, hence the system can allow you to reduce your fuel consumption.
Secondly, anyone who has sat in miles of traffic know that you can go crazy inching a long when you know you have that important client waiting for you to show up.
I had a recent experience traveling back from a business trip. Coming off a long drive (6 hours), it is @10:00 PM and I was cruising along and about 1 hour from home. Then, I see the red tail lights up ahead.. Yup, an accident 2-3 miles ahead and no one is moving. I immediately went to the GPS and found that I could get off the next exit and bypass the traffic mess.
Keeping in mind, that I probably would have never attempted it without knowing where I was going since the neighborhood I was driving into was very rough.
And last but not least, the internal struggle all couples go through when you do not not where you are and you have to be at grandma's new house for dinner. The GPS will keep the spats to a minimum as you will never need to ask the gas station attendant for directions again!
Even though GPS technology has been around for awhile, there are always new innovations and creative designs that consumers will love...
We will try to include various information on types, designs and tidbits on where the industry may be going with future trends.
Visit us often as we continue to add to this site and feel free to add comments along the way...
Automotive GPS Systems
Is your Sanity and your Marriage worth $200.00?
The Eternal Struggle
We have all been there... Like the "Griswolds on Vacation", you and the family are taking that special trip.Everyone is happy in the beginning. You tool down the highway merrily singing and plying "I Spy" and "Punch Buggy"..
After a few hours you decide to take the dreaded "Shortcut" and you end up off the highway in cow country with nothing around for miles. Then, they turn on you, all of them begin to criticize your navigational skills and ability to survive.
We will never get there" she comments over and over. And suddenly, it is "Mutiny on the Bounty". An uprising of the troops, who see their vacation time dwindling away by the minute as you struggle to navigate through the treacherous terrain...
Now, consider that if you had a GPS device the story would have been much different... Not only do you take the dreaded short cut, you have a confident navigator "The GPS" to steer you to your destination along the most efficient route...
Vacation is saved, your Children see you as their Hero and your Spouse? Well, it is safe to say you are still sleeping in the bedroom...
What is GPS...
and How does it work?
GPS was designed for the military but about 20 years ago, in the 1980s, the system was allowed to be used by anyone.
GPS is always available, rain or shine, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is available anywhere in the world.
How it works
These 24 GPS satellites orbit the earth twice a day in specific orbits constantly transmitting signals of information to earth.
GPS receivers receive information and triangulate the signal to to calculate the device's exact location.
The GPS receiver uses this information to compare the time a signal was transmitted by one of the satellites with the time it was received.
The delta in time allows the GPS receiver to know how far away from the original satellite and measure it with distance measurements from other satellites. The receiver can determine the device's position and display it on the electronic map.
All I want for Christmas is a GPS
Garmin nüvi 760 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Automobile Navigator
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Amazon Price: $199.99 (as of 07/06/2009) 
List Price: $399.99
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Garmin GPSMAP 276C GPS Receiver
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Amazon Price: $407.90 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $746.99
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Garmin Portable Friction Dashboard Mount for nüvi Series and StreetPilot C5XX Series GPS Navigators (C530, C550, and C580)
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Amazon Price: $24.78 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $39.99
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Motorcycle / Bike WEATHERPROOF Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W 250 250W 255 255W 260 260W 270 3100 310 250 560 570 650 660 670 680 75 760 770 780 850 860 870 GPS
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Amazon Price: $77.88 (as of 07/06/2009)
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Garmin nüvi 360 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Text-To-Speech
Release Date: 10/04/2008
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Amazon Price: $168.68 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $279.99
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GPS Saves Gas
GPS enables more efficient travel routes
The Aberdeen Group reports that "Companies who use MRM (mobile resource management) services have seen a 19.2 percent reduction in miles traveled since using the service. This factor results in less fuel consumption"The same holds true for Consumers who use a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in their travels. People are starting to realize the same results in a reduction in their gas consumption. In addition to saving gas, consumers are saving trees by not having to print multiple pages of directions.
According to Israel Ronn, general manager of Cellocator, the Products Division of Pointer Telocation Ltd. the GPS is being credited to saving money for large truck fleets in multiple ways... Pointer Telocation provides automatic vehicle location systems for fleet management, car and driver safety, public safety, road-side assistance, vehicle security, and asset management. "With tracking units equipped with sensors that send signals back to management headquarters at a consistent frequency, managers can measure a vehicle's performance, including optimal speed, tire air pressure, and others factors that affect the use of gasoline," Ronn said.
If you average a 20 percent decrease in gas use, it would basically allow a car that travels about 400 miles on a 20 gallon tank (getting 20 miles per gallon) you would save about 4 gallons per fill-up;
One unit costing about $100 could save the average driver hundreds of dollars over a short period of time which is a very high ROI. Additional fuel savings would be realized if the user subscribes to live traffic updates to their GPS that would bypass oncoming traffic accidents and backups.
Save Gas
PERFORMANCE SAVER'S VORTEX GENERATOR ALL VEHICLE ALL ENGINES
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $24.99
Water4gas Users Manuel & Gas Savings Techniques Cd-rom
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GAS FUEL SAVER UNIVERSAL- ALL YEARS ALL TYPE ENGINES - ALL MAKE AND MODELS
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $9.49
Tornado Gas Saver KI70 Air Management System
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Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $69.98
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Gas-saving Devices: Fuel Saver or Consumer Scam
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Amazon Price: $5.88 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $5.88
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GPS TIPS and Advice
- ConsumerReports.org on Yahoo! Autos
- Consumer Reports provides Buying Advice on GPS
Mirror, Mirror
New Device integrates GPS
Azentek selling a new integrated GPS and handsfree calling device that replaces the current rear view mirror on the windshield.Using a small 4.0" Touch screen LCD monitor to provide display a crisp viewing screen, the device concept creates a more suitable environment for most drivers to incorporate GPS and handsfree calling into the driving experience.
For those looking for an alternative for the clunky device attached to your dashboard, this might fit the bill.
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Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPoor Man's LoJack
Find your car anywhere
A new device Blackline Snitch, was designed to recover your automobile if stolen.The Seeker in conjunction with the BlackLine Recovery ServiceTM will allow your stolen vehicle to be tracked down and recovered by authorities.
Obviously, the intent is to recover the vehicle if stolen, but it also has the ability to track the vehicle in real time.
This can be especially helpful for worried parents trying to find their teenage drivers if they are running late with the family car and can utilize a standard web browser, to identify the whereabouts of the vehicle.
The company website reports that: "The Seeker is a combination of always-on, 2-way cellular communications, GPS, and motion-sensing technology. Seeker provides peace of mind for vehicle owners and improves safety for family members by knowing their whereabouts."
GPS Security Perimeter
Seeker has a perimeter monitor built in that enables the BlackLine Recovery Service if it leaves the designated area.
Automatic arming and disarming
Seeker features BlackLine's AuraTM technology that similar to a smartkey detects your keyfob and disarms the system automatically.
Motorcycle GPS
A Quick Review
Some have wondered if GPS units can be used on Motorcyles, and the answer is ABSOLUTELY!If you think about it, Motorcyclists are even more suited for GPS units as many tour countrysides, obscure mountain passes and lazy little towns.
Garmin's Zumo® 550 is one of several units specifically designed by bikers to be biker friendly.
Glove-friendly touchscreen with left-handed controls makes it easy to operate
High brightness, sunlight-readable, UV-resistant display makes it easy to view your screen
Motorcycle console for trip information, including fuel gauge to warn you when it's time to fill up
Motorcycle mount with universal mounting hardware so you can mount it anywhere
Included motorcycle and automotive mount (with integrated speaker) for riding or driving
Custom caps available in a variety of colors to reflect your style
Vibration-tested, waterproof and built with fuel-resistant plastics to withstand the elements
Motorcycle GPS
TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters
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Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $699.95
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Motorcycle / Bike WEATHERPROOF Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W 250 250W 255 255W 260 260W 270 3100 310 250 560 570 650 660 670 680 75 760 770 780 850 860 870 GPS
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Amazon Price: $77.88 (as of 07/06/2009)
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Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Garmin Zumo 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
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Amazon Price: $664.86 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $964.99
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GARMIN Zumo 450 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
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Amazon Price: $699.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $799.99
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TomTom Car Mount Kit for the Rider 2 Motorcycle GPS
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Amazon Price: $76.98 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $89.95
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YouTube vids
Realtime GPS Vehicle Tracking a reality!
GPS Vehicle Tracking in realtime! This is ABC news coverage of the only true realtime tracking system on the market that does 5-second and 10-second updates! Used with permission.
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