Why Hikers Should Not Leave Without Equipping Handheld GPS Units

Portable digital devices are an ongoing trend that continues to rise in popularity because of the large variety of devices available and many of these devices are actually inexpensive. Many individuals around the world carry at least one portable device and that device is likely to be a mobile phone. Other devices like handheld GPS units may not be as common but these compact devices can perform a surprising number of operations that can greatly benefit hikers. Here are a few reasons why any hiker should have a handheld GPS unit.

Great for Getting Started

Many handheld GPS units are useful even before the hiking trip begins. With various maps preloaded into these units, hikers can start planning a trail even before they reach their destination. Some of these handheld GPS devices have the basic functions of a car GPS device so they can provide directions to the starting point and can actively track the car's position in real-time to get an idea on how long the trip will take.

Highly Customizable

Handheld GPS units do not only serve as electronic maps but they are customizable as well. Starters can add markers or points to these maps so users can effectively return to a certain spot in case they get lost. Many handheld GPS models have several points of interests built in and users can still add more. Different routes can be made to plan for hiking purposes to ensure that hikers never go off course. Many GPS units can also connect to a laptop or desktop computer so users can download additional maps online and upload these maps to the handheld GPS unit so it feels like new once again.

Tracking Possibilities

There are many different handheld GPS units available on the market today and each GPS unit may have a different set of features. The most basic handheld GPS devices are solely focused on navigation while the midrange and high-end units come with various monitors so hikers can track their progress in different aspects. One of the common monitoring features keeps track of the speed, time, and distance which can be useful for competitive hiking. Others are more useful for those want to stay fit or work out to become healthier. Some devices may have heart rate monitors and other related features. Since these GPS units are rather easy to carry and can have large screens, handheld GPS units are more reliable than fancy digital watches.

Certain devices may have enhanced tracking capabilities if other users have the same model or family of GPS devices. If compatible, it is possible to get the locations of other hikers equipped with those specific GPS devices. This saves a lot of time in regrouping if something goes wrong.

Communication Convenience

Mobile phones are supposed to do the job in making sure that everyone stays in touch. But for hikers, mobile phones are not always reliable because the remote areas may yield no signal. But GPS devices rely on satellites and the signal can remain fine as long as hikers are out in the open. Certain GPS devices may be able to communicate to other GPS devices of the same type while other handheld GPS units can contact emergency services in case an unexpected problem takes place.

Any type of hiker would greatly benefit from a GPS device. The best thing is that these devices are not bulky at all so it never hurts to place on in a pocket and take it out whenever tracking is needed.

Best Selling GPS And Navigating Devices

GPS and Satellite Navigation aids, or sat navs, have a place in almost every car. These little technological devices have gone from luxury to necessity in a very short time. High end vehicles are now including sat navs as standard, showing that without a doubt they are here to stay. The Garmin nuvi 1370/1370T is a popular choice with many of today's motorists. This neat and compact sat nav has a large 4.2 inch wide screen display with touch screen for ease of use. It is pre loaded with city navigator maps of both North America and Europe, and switching to the public transport mode allows you to see metro, tramway, buses and rail systems. The built in blue tooth allows you to make calls with a compatible cell phone. A Traffic information system is included in the 1370T model.

The Garmin nuvi 265W/265WT is another popular navigation system which has found its place in the market. This ultra thin, sleek model is great for popping into your pocket if you are traveling and are going to use a hire car. The North American city navigator maps are pre loaded and it can also be used as a portable blue tooth device to enable hands free calling with a compatible cell phone. The 4.3 inch touchscreen is in full color and is well lit for driving at night.

If you are looking for a sat nav system with a larger display, check out the Garmin nuvi 1450LMT. Costing around $190, this is a highly sophisticated piece of equipment perfectly suited to the regular traveler. There are over 6 million points of interest listed in over 48 states, and there are free traffic and map updates to keep you up to date with the constant changes you have to deal with while driving on today's busy highways. The 5 inch color display unit is back lit and has full touchscreen technology. There are advanced navigation tools built into this unit, including voice activated instructions to take you round every twist and turn of suburban driving. Other travel tools include a world clock, JPEG picture reader and currency converter.

For an extra $10 you can be the proud owner of the Garmin nuvi 1490 LMT. This has all the features of the 1450LMT but that extra $10 gets you built in bluetooth with built in microphone and speaker to give you hands free talking while you drive. It also shows you the economy routes to get from A to B quicker thus saving time and money. Overall, the only difference between the units is the addition of bluetooth, and this is well worth $10 of anyone's money.

If you are looking for satellite navigation on a budget, you won't go far wrong with the Garmin nuvi 205W. For around $90, this sat nav basically does what is says on the tin. The 4.3 inch screen is touchscreen and displays maps in both 2D and 3D. The handy locater which tells you exactly where you are is invaluable should you suffer a puncture or need to call the emergency services. The 'hotfix' feature calculates your exact position within seconds to get you on your way quicker. All in all, if you need a sat nav to get from A - B, this little unit is ideal.

Mobile Worker Solution To Public Sector Cost Reduction

As the bleak economic picture continues with tougher times likely to be still ahead, town hall councils and local authorities will be struggling to maintain the most cost efficient transportation departments as possible under the deepest budget cuts, and still plan for effective measures to deal with another possible severe winter ahead.

In addition, staggering rises in fuel prices will topload daily running costs and eat up barely sufficient budgets, creating a real urgency to find and operate real workflow solutions in an effort to keep key social services functioning in the community they serve.

It has become common practice for local authorities and public sector organisations to implement fleet tracking or mobile workforce tracking, which will not only reduce costs as a proven technology but is also a regulatory Duty Of Care measure. As a result, many council procurement officers who recognised commercial vehicle tracking systems as an industry standard tool across private fleet businesses instigated fleet GPS tracking to play a vital role as an integrated operational tool within their own public sector transport departments.

A vehicle fleet tracking system now forms an indispensable part of daily scheduling in key authority areas of responsibility including, building or pest control, waste management, refuse collection, cleansing or environmental services and parking enforcement.

In addition, the importance of a mobile worker solution, deployed strategically across both urban and rural environments, and where vital community services need to be always in operation, is critical for independent social services home visits, where mobile phone tracking can be invaluable. Another area of crucial operation is the emergency services, where a realtime vehicle tracking device is essential at all times.

Coping with the ever increasing severity of winter conditions, a specifically engineered winter maintenance system, which links with a standard vehicle tracking device provides local council and private contractor managers with advanced reports and greater, direct control of gritting fleets. Vehicle deployment in time sensitive response to changing weather conditions can be based on clear, measurable, detailed management information of flow rates, salt usage, and time/date history recording.

Planning for an extended tough economic climate ahead, there is, undoubtedly, considerable benefits to local authorities and public sector contractors for installing live vehicle tracking technology. Not only is there set into place compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLA's), key industry regulations, enhanced security and workforce duty of care, there is also much needed, invaluable mobile asset tracking management of vehicle location, route planning, availability and maintenance scheduling alerts.

Does Your Elderly Parents or Child Need a GPS?

Children
Currently, kids are the greatest group at risk for abduction. Child abductions by a family member is really a family nightmare, with over 203,000 occurrences in the United States every year. Even though a large majority of child abuductions are done by a member of the family, it is the child that usually is afflicted with serious life long emotional and psychological damage. An additional 58,200 are kidnapped by non family members each year.

Teen-agers
You teenager may not like it, but a GPS unit can help your teenager in many ways. Pressure from peers has not changed and at times this age group has problems saying no. A GPS system may also protect personal property from getting stolen like costly musical instruments, phone, iPods, and most important... cars. GPS trackers also have the ability to determine exactly how fast your licensed teen is driving.

Seniors
Early onset Alzheimer's makes up about 5 -10% of suffers and can hit ages ranges as young as thirty to forty years old. Even though little is known about how exactly it begins, hereditary predisposition leads to the illness as the individual begins to show signs and symptoms of forgetfulness and memory loss. In addition to these two traits, problem solving can be a trait of dementia. Even if your elderly parent can still remember their way around the neighborhood, they can be in danger of having one of these symptoms. A lot of individuals will assist a lost kid but very few individuals can identify the indicators of a lost senior citizen, and many times they don't get the assistance they need right away.