A GPS system is a miracle to some people, typing in the address they want to travel to and having the detailed instructions read out in a clear audible way to guide them all the way there. A GPS system is included to provide accurate positioning in real time. A GPS system is typically installed by a professional electronics installer similar to a car stereo system to ensure optional coverage and signal penetration this also reduces maintenance time and costs due to faster implementation. Further, many GPS come with up to a 5-year battery life as compared to a traditional 1-year clock battery.

A GPS system is not just for the individual either. A great number of small businesses are now installing such tools into their company vehicles as a way of managing their fleets. A GPS system is pretty much the standard for major dispatching companies every where else in the developed world. As a reference for example, Bermudian taxi drivers have liscenses awarded based on them working 16 hours a day, with mind to multiple drivers sharing the vehicle. A GPS system is integrated into the taximeter for calibrating and cross checking of input odometer pulses to provide reliable, consistent distance measurements by the taximeter. This taximeter system combines a GPS receiver/computer module with a taximeter computer module through an interface circuit.

GPS data can be very precise but is often thought to be inaccurate in some instances. GPS receivers convert the satellites' signal into position, velocity, and time. This information is used for navigation, positioning, time dissemination, and research. GPS receivers have now been built into cell phones, PDAs, and other handheld devices.

As acceptance grows, so do the number of applications being considered for GPS services, including transportation, e911 services, aviation, and marine deployments.

GPS system time differs from the universal time scale (UTC) by the number of leap seconds which have been inserted into the UTC time scale after GPS has been initiated in 1980. The current number of leap seconds is part of the navigation message supplied by the satellites, so a receiver's internal real time can be based on UTC. GPS systems can vary greatly in how and what they do. Some simply tell you where you are. Well it has to simple too or people wouldn't buy the things!