1. The space component, which consists of 28 satellites, each in its own orbit about 11,000 nautical miles above the Earth. Each satellite is built to last about 10 years. Replacements are constantly being built and launched into orbit.
2. The user component, which consists of receivers, which you can hold in your hand or mount in your car.
3. The control component, which consists of five ground stations, located around the world, that make sure the satellites are working properly.

Each GPS satellite transmits an accurate position and time signal. The user's receiver measures the time delay for the signal to reach the receiver.  Measurements collected simultaneously from four satellites are processed to solve for the three dimensions of position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) and time. GPS receivers then display the user's position, velocity, and time.

Let's take a look at one...

GPS devices come in a variety of sizes, shapes and options to best fit your needs. If you need to do a lot of driving and navigating as part of your work, you'll find a GPS saves valuable productivity time and offers unexpected benefits such as being able to quickly locate local amenities like schools and shopping.  On-screen maps give a clear understanding of where a home or business is located in relation to surrounding roads and points of interest.

To get a practical view of how a GPS can be an important asset to your business as well as personal life, let's take a look at the top rated Garmin Nuvi 350.

Because most of us have access to more than one vehicle, a pocket-sized, portable GPS like the Garmin, is just the ticket. The lightweight Garmin Nuvi 350 is about the size of a deck of playing cards and easy to take with you and install in any vehicle with a suction-cup-mounting mechanism.

The very first time you turn on your Garmin it collects the satellite information needed to determine your current location. Most systems take around 30 to 45 seconds to acquire a fix during a cold start.

Once you've entered your destination, the Garmin calculates your best route and displays it as a highlighted line on the touch-screen map with a vehicle (of your choosing) that travels along the route. You can select from a variety of map views and scrolling the map is as easy as dragging your finger across the screen. As you travel along your route, the Garmin will tell you when each turn is coming up. The voice options include a selection of male and female voices of various nationalities.  Turn-by-turn text directions are also available.

Concerned you might not hear a spoken direction? No problem, the voice typically warns you of your upcoming turn just after you've completed the previous one, then again as you approach the turn. Additionally, you can opt for a warning tone that will sound to get your attention just before every voice prompt.

And what if you do miss a turn? It's not really a problem. Since the Garmin GPS always knows where you are, it also knows you've missed your turn and will recalculate your route to get you back on track!

A portable GPS is also handy if you're traveling and will be using a rental car.  Just think how easy your business trips and vacations can be with a portable GPS.  Before you leave home just enter the destinations you want to go to.  When you pick up your rental car, turn on your GPS and it will automatically find you, telling you how to get to your destination and what time you're expected to arrive there.

Stops along the way...

If you have multiple destinations to make on your trip, just enter them into your route and Garmin will take you there, always letting you know your estimated arrival time.

Getting a little hungry? Just tap the screen for "Food" and you'll see restaurant options on your route.  Don't worry if you can't find anything that suits your fancy, as you drive along, Garmin will refresh the information based on your current location.  Additionally, for any "Point of Interest" you select, Garmin will display the address and phone number so you can call ahead should you need to.

Points of Interest are organized into categories and sub-categories for quick searching by name. They include such things as gas stations and other automobile services, restaurants, hotels, ATMs, schools, shopping, recreation, entertainment, hospitals, community services, amusement parks, transportation, and more... so much more!  You don't need to know where everything is, the Garmin Nuvi 350 does that for you!

A GPS gives you the freedom to just go off and explore, knowing that it will always lead you back home or to your office.  No matter where you wander, you can't get lost!

It's more than just maps and directions...

The Garmin Nuvi 350 is a complete travel companion, even offering entertainment as you travel... you can download MP3's to listen to as well as audio books. If your trip takes you out of the country, Garmin includes a currency and measurement converter. There's also a variety of useful words and phrases that Garmin makes available in five different languages along with a translation dictionary. And you don't just read the words and phrases, Garmin speaks them for you. If needed, you can even download European maps and a language guide.

Need to keep track of your travels for business expenses? Garmin does it for you, telling you how many miles you've traveled and how long you've been on the road. It will even tell you how fast you're going - a great resource for checking your speedometer accuracy. Another feature that those who sit in commuter traffic might find interesting is the one that tells you how long you've been moving during a trip and how long you've been stopped for.

Why do you need a GPS?

Understanding how significantly a GPS can transform your work and your life is somewhat elusive until you actually have the opportunity to use one in your day-to-day activities.

• First there's the safety factor...  you'll never run the risk of being lost in an unsafe place and having to ask a stranger for directions. 
• You'll never again be dangerously distracted while driving by having to read a map or printed directions.
• You'll never again have the stress of not knowing which way to turn or which direction to go in.
• You'll always know what time you'll arrive at your destination, allowing you to call ahead if you'll be delayed.
• You'll be an instant expert in knowing where everything is located...  in your home town or in a place you've never been to before.
• When you're on the road and need anything on the spur of the moment, you'll be able to locate it in seconds - no matter where you are in the entire United States.
• Safety... knowledge... peace of  mind...  once you own a GPS, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.   

Online resources:  Garmin website, search for best purchase price on Garmin Nuvi 350 at Price Runner

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