By Edwardo Mascasas

GPS, or Global Positioning System, is exactly what the name implies: a global positioning system. GPS systems use radio waves and satellites to determine global location. Since 1994, a constellation consisting of twenty-four global positioning satellites has been in place in space.

Each satellite circles the Earth twice on its own orbit, which is about twelve thousand miles from Earth. Using basic science, these satellites are used to find a specific location on Earth

Today, GPS systems can be found almost anywhere, from farm equipment to laptops. One of the most popular global positioning products, though, is used in the car. These GPS systems assist drivers as they try to find their destination on the next block, in the next city, or in some state across the country.

One of the GPS service providers can be linked to many other mobile devices you have. Be it a cell phone, a PDA or a laptop, Tom Tom GPS will provide comprehensive and fast service.

Mainly, these GPS systems have voice assisted directions along with a map to guide drivers. Many also have information about restaurants, gas stations, and popular tourist destinations built-in. This allows a driver to search for what he or she is looking for, even without an address.

Some cars contain an athermic heat shield in the windshield that will effectively block all GPS signals for this or any other unit. You may discover that a spot up near the rear view mirror is clear and the unit can be mounted at this spot. The unit must be upright and lying horizontally for an excellent reception so you will have to devise a mount.

The supplied manual recommends an external antenna but there is no connector on the unit for an external antenna. A re-radiating antenna would work of course. Further options consist of mounting the unit on the rear deck by the rear window and using an extension cable to reach the ppc connection.

The procedure is simple as well. The GPS is on whenever the cable is plugged into a live accessory outlet. When the unit has a fix, the lamp will blink slowly. When the unit is having a bit of problem with the fix, such as when driving under dense foliage, the lamp will blink immediately and inconsistently as it tries to recover.

The reception ability is excellent and comparable to other mouse type GPS receivers. It is greater than before with the excellent Dead Reckoning mode in the software when being used with TomTom Navigator.

Tom Tom is very cautious about the potential of this GPS and it is being emulated by so many other GPS products manufacturers. It gives information to use the SiRF chipset so it should match the qualifications of any other GPS apparatus using the chipset. There is also a built in antenna that is enough to provide good reception from the dashboard location. Tom Tom GPS guarantees that it can take up 45 minutes the first time it is used to search the sky and find initial fix.

After installations of the hardware, you’re home free, you can start enjoying the benefits and advantage of using Tom Tom GPS systems on your vehicle. Protect your investments, Tom Tom GPS is your trusted ally in GPS tracking and GPS system products.

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