Getting lost is a thing of the past.

GPS (Global Positioning System) devices allow users to establish their precise location, virtually anywhere in the world, and design the shortest or quickest route between two places. While the technology has only been available to the public for less than 15 years, the range of fantastic, useful GPS products is amazing.

GPS devices are generally sold in three different categories:

• Hand held
• In-car
• Mobile phone

They all work by collecting location information from satellites, with people able to then view their location on a map in real time. The collection of locations for landmarks and other points of interest then makes locating nearby services, or finding the best route to another location, a snap!
Hand held GPS devices

Hand help GPS units are great for adventure-minded people looking for some insurance against getting lost. Bushwalkers, hikers and other outdoorsy people can ensure they never stray too far from the track.

Many of these units look like a mobile phone, although they don't require a mobile phone network to operate. They also don't rely on map data such as street maps, unlike the more common phone and in-car models.

Hand held GPS units can also save information such as your route so-far, distanced travelled, distance remaining, time spent walking and more. You can also plot the locations of interesting features along the way, making it east to find again or tell others about it.

Unlike some of the latest mobile phones with inbuilt GPS features, handheld GPS units don't need a mobile phone network to work, and unlike a car navigation device, they don't need an electronic map to be useful.

Popular hand-held GPS brands:

• Garmin
• TomTom
• Navman
• Magellan

In-car GPS units

Toss out your dog-eared old street directory.

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