gps devices

If several layers of tinfoil were wrapped around a GPS device, would it block the satellite's view of the GPS?

satellites have absolutely no knowledge of where a GPS unit is. In fact, the only signal that the sattelites will RECEIVE is from the military. The satellites can't receive signals from your gps anyway, but tinfoil might prevent your gps's view of the sattelites. Basically, the satellites are like a loudspeaker and your gps is like a microphone. It listens to the sounds to figure out where it is, but doesn't give off any sound.

2008-05-25 14:38:46 by tsukiyomi_the_kami

Nokia has again set a standard for phones. This GPS demo is very cool....

Do GPS devices already have maps pre-loaded in relation to the country they are made/intended to be used in? Or can they be used universally?

GPS's can be used universally.

However, most GPS's that I am familiar with have limited memory so they usually come pre loaded with maps of the country in which it is purchased. USA bought GPS would have USA maps pre loaded. I believe you can buy/dowload european maps BUT they would overwrite the USA maps. Therefore, if you plan to do this you would need to backup the USA maps before installing the Europe maps. If you don't do this then I think you will have to buy the USA maps all over again.

2008-04-05 13:57:50 by Missusme

Price: $69.95

High-sensitivity GPS performance with core GPS functions like current position, height, and heading
Set a "home" waypoint so you can always navigate back to where you started
Clear distance and direction to the closest geocache along with information like size, terrain, difficulty, and GC code
A "found" list allows you to mark geocaches as found and review them later
Updatable with the latest U.S. geocaches and caches for other countries with the optional Geomate.jr Update Kit (sold seperately)

I came across this store that states near real time http://astore.amazon.com/traffic-enabled -gps-devices-20 and was curious to find out.

What they are refering to is TMC (Traffic message channel). Well, they claim it is real time but it actually is delayed traffic report. TMC is offered by ClearChannel which owns half of broadcasting frequency. First current traffic condition is analyzed from various source. Upon confirmation, data is sent to traffic management center where data is sent to various radio station and TV station. At same time it is sent to TMC center. Finally, from here, traffic message is transmitted at TMC frequency. Now you have traffic data that is probably 10~20 mins behind current traffic status. This probably goes for all traffic report except for those Live NEWS with chopper hoovering over a freeway .

2007-11-02 22:51:58 by Dilbert

Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
Hard Carrying Case for 5" GPS Devices

Several people have been suggesting that "the mining company refuses to pay for GPS tracking devices for miners to wear"... How can people be so STUPID? They refuse to pay for them because they are totally useless... GPS doesn't work underground, in fact NOTHING works at the depth these miners are. Dang, I hate stupid people that don't know to shut up.

Lack of information with plenty of open mouth, I guess. It's a sad story as the tragedy increases with 3 rescue workers killed as another portion of the mine collapses.

But anyway, people look for answers to why things happened the way they did, but on the way they start playing the blame game. Even with GPS, if it did work underground, how would it have helped men who were killed instantly? Some tragedies are unavoidable and no one is to blame when earthquakes happen and the earth shifts.

Mining is very risky - always has been and probably always will be.

2007-08-17 11:28:57 by VirtueOfIntolerance

I want to get a gps device for hiking, but Im not sure what kind to get. and under $400

TomTom, Garmin, Magellin(sp?)

2009-05-04 22:50:01 by Alex Ross