What if you were married to a GPS?

Whenever you switch on your GPS unit, it first searches the sky for signals from satellites to locate its position automatically. This signal comprises of two data types, the Almanac and the Ephemeris that the satellites transmit which in turn is captured by a GPS receiver to determine its location.

The Almanac contains the orbital course information of all the satellites and each satellite transmits this data for every other satellite. For this reason Almanac is not considered very accurate. On the other hand the Ephemeris contains precise course information of the satellite transmitting it. Each satellite transmits its own Ephemeris data and thus is considered accurate.

Now depending on the length of time you have not been using your GPS unit, it takes time for the device to fetch and refresh this data from the satellites. If it has only been a few hours your GPS device will become functional rather quickly which is termed as a warm start. If your GPS device has been off for a few weeks it will take longer to acquire the necessary information from the satellites and you will be having a cold start. This is true even in the case you travel a considerable distance while the GPS device has been off.

No, you don’t have to worry about loosing your GPS data like POI maps or travel logs or even if you have downloaded and installed funny alternative GPS voices.

In general, firmware is a software update or a patch for a particular hardware device that can fix some issues or enhance some features of that device. Just like a firmware update for a common electronic devices like DVD writers or Mobile phones, GPS too have firmware updates from their respective manufacturers from time to time as they come across some issues that need to be fixed or patched up.

Though firmware updates are generally harmless, you should be careful in installing one for your GPS. Thoroughly check whether the firmware update available is for the exact GPS model that you have. Never try to install a firmware update that doesn’t list your model. Secondly make sure that the GPS firmware update is never interrupted in the middle as it might render your GPS unit dysfunctional. Sometimes you can get over this problem by restarting your GPS device and try and update the firmware again. But in case you are not able to do it, you might have to send your unit back to the manufacturer for correcting the problem.

If you are experiencing some problems with your GPS unit only then you should go in for a firmware update. Like the recent update available from Garmin for the GPS Chipset Type M in the nuvi 7×5 models which fixed quite a bit of programming issues in these models. One thing that doesn’t require fixing is, that in case you have downloaded and installed funny alternative GPS voices, they will function the same. Though you can go for an updated funny GPS voice and change it completely if you want to.

Lucia Lorio, the Brazilian designer, has designed a lingerie set consisting of lace bodice, bikini bottom and faux pearl collar. The GPS device in question has been nestled in the see-through part of the bodice around the waist.

This is rather old news but I happened to come across it while browsing the web recently and couldn’t resist commenting on it. Though it can be switched on or off at will by the person who wears it and is controlled by a password for tracking the whereabouts of that person,  it still had created quite a furor specially from feminist groups across the world.

I certainly don’t think that this GPS lingerie can be used for spying except if the woman wearing it, is too dumb to notice the GPS. It’s good from the security point of view though. Now I wonder why don’t they make one for men too. A GPS underwear for men might just quell all the fuss about it being against femininity.

Another apt use I can think of for a GPS underwear is using it for playing Geocaching type of a game. The only difference is that you have a movable person to catch. Geo-catch-me-if-you-can! Are you game?

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One GPS Navigator fits the bill for all.

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The Garmin nuvi 5000 GPS navigator comes with a 5.2″ screen which is considered the largest in the portable GPS category as compared to the 4.3″ or the 3.5″ models. Its large screen size makes it a bit expensive on the pocket with a price tag of $600+. But then it’s targeted and designed for RV and truckers to give them a big clear picture with easy to handle features without causing much distraction.

The screen is readable in the sunlight and gives an extended view of the surroundings. It comes with a video input port to connect your rear view camera for safe backups and parking. One can view the speed limits for highways and keep a trip log with a kind of breadcrumb trail for up to 10,000 points. In addition to having an FM transmitter it carries a whole lot of entertainment features for on the road fun. You can listen to MP3 music, audio books or view photos.

It doesn’t have internal batteries which makes it an in the vehicle GPS navigator. This means you can’t take it out with you for navigating on foot or just using it outside your vehicle. The Garmin nuvi 5000 is a good GPS for drivers who spend most of the time on road. It maintains the right balance between useful features and on road entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, you can download and install alternative funny GPS voices and have more fun throughout your journey.

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The TomTom One 130S GPS has some high end features incorporated at a budget price. Though the screen size is 3.5″ which could be considered small but the features it carries adequately compensate for it. It comes ready with a folding mounting system to easily carry it along  whenever you leave your car. With it’s text to speech direction feature it scores a point above the TomTom One 130 GPS. You can download and install alternative funny GPS voices as a valuable addon.

Priced at $200+, it could be the GPS navigator you are looking for in a budget price. Its speaker is large and powerful to give you complete clarity and the volume automatically adjusts to the background noises. It is compatible for receiving realtime traffic detection and avoidance data.

The Easyport mount of the TomTom One 130S allows you to easily un-mount it from your windshield and put it in your pocket, bag or glove box. The mount folds neatly into the back of the GPS device. It comes with a USB car charger for charging on the road and a USB data cable for connecting it to your PC or laptop for map and voice updates. It even has an automatic day/ night back light and color display mode that is generally found in high end models.

With rest of the standard features like POIs found in a GPS navigator, the TomTom One 130S is a strong contender for gifting a GPS unit to someone special or even to yourself at a reasonably good price point.