GPS is one of the popular navigational devices today. Aside from its use in military, people in the civilian world have also found good use in this kind of technology. It is now popular to hikers and backpackers who heavily relied on compass and tracking instincts before the commercial and popular use of GPS.

Now known as a novelty electronic device, GPS receiver can now be found in some phones and watches. Many cars, mostly newer models, have been integrated with GPS receivers to help first- time drivers and those who drive in unfamiliar places. GPS receivers are of great importance to hikers, mountaineers and backpackers. The receivers can provide nature trekkers with several benefits and one of which is to keep the trekkers on track with their hiking course and trails.

With the reported advantages of GPS and GPS receiver, many who are new to this may have some questions in mind. Perhaps, the most common is this: What is GPS?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is the global navigation system that utilizes a constellation of two dozens of satellites orbiting the earth. The satellites have an altitude of 12,000 statute miles. They are the sources of navigation and worldwide positioning information 24 hours a day without the interference of weather to the GPS receiver.

The GPS system is constructed by the United States Department of Defense. Its purpose is primarily for defense system of the country. The 24 satellites are managed and controlled by the USDOD. It is officially called NAVSTAR GPS.

The accuracy of the GPS technology could be another concern. Before May 2000, the GPS satellite signals contained random errors. These errors are known as SA or Selective Availability. The US government disabled it and released the appropriate transmissions of the satellite for civilian use. The change made GPS- secured locations ten times as precise as they were before the SA was disabled.

If you have come to ask if the use of GPS has a certain cost, then it would be probably yes and no. Yes, for you have to purchase a device that has a GPS receiver. And no, the use of GPS is free for public use.

Another breakthrough in navigation technology is the enhanced version of GPS which is the Differential GPS or DGPS. It utilizes terrestrial radio beacons to transmit corrections of the satellite positions to the DGPS receiver. Recreation-grade GPS receiver units may only require the purchase of another receiver antenna for the DGPS signals to be accessed. Although the use of GPS and DGPS are free, there are competing positioning systems with commercial orientation that can provide correction signals for a certain fee. Subscription is necessary to gain access of the service and features.

GPS receivers have certain functions. There are online stores that offer GPS receivers for hikers and backpackers.

If you want to have GPS receivers for use in nature trekking, you may have to consider some features for this kind of navigational device. GPS receivers can provide information to a hiker's location, distance and direction, tracking and route creation. It can also have certain features that may be necessary for a backpacker or hiker. Some GPS receivers may lack certain features. Although it often comes down to personal preference in the choosing of GPS receivers and features, there are certain features that are necessary or somehow useful to have in that kind of electronic device.

They include:

• map screen,
  
  
• built-in maps,
  
  
• map memory that is at least 20 megs,
  
  
• route capability,
  
  
• waypoints with at least 500,
  
  
• multiple datum capability
  
  
• Screen size and readability,
  
  
• Bearing to next waypoint
  
  
• 12 channel parallel receiver system
  
  

You can check some online stores for GPS receivers and the mentioned features. If necessary, you can make a consultation to professional hikers who have extensive knowledge about GPS. One thing that is important is that the GPS receiver should serve its purpose taken into account the preciseness in performance.

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