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By James Neely

One of the latest crazes in the consumer electronics market is the proliferation of GPS devices which are being placed into more and more vehicles.

What is it? The term GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Once only used by the military, this system now allows normal citizens to track devices that are equipped to communicate to a satellite and have that data retrieved in very useful and functional ways.

You especially see this in the devices that are manufactured by several companies that make them for the automobile after-market sector. As a dashboard mounted device, you can track to within a few feet, where you are located. Furthermore, you can get directions from these devices which will guide you to your destination via voice commands.

The other version of the GPS devices come in the form of a service that is offered by an automobile manufacturer called Onstar. This allows monitoring of your vehicle and gives the monitoring base a constant stream of information about your vehicle including when you have been in an accident and the ability to unlock your doors for you. Also, it can tell you when your vehicle needs service, too.

How does it work? The GPS device in a vehicle or other mobile object, communicates to a satellite in orbit which then sends data down to a central location from where it is accessed by subscription. This data has proven to be very valuable with many sectors of the economy such as delivery, asset tracking and the like.

How much does it cost? Standard dash mount GPS devices for navigation purposes in passenger vehicles cost less than $100. This is the most basic of device and provides on-demand directions and maps and the ability to save locations in order to provide consistency to the driver. From there, the consumer devices offer more elaborate options for obtaining data during driving. This pushes the cost into the hundreds of dollars for the unit, plus the subscriptions that are necessary to obtain the additional information services.

What will it do? With a GPS device you can get ‘turn-by-turn’ directions between two points on a map. Also, you will get a map so that you can see the route that is being suggested. Other devices that are more elaborate include points of interest on the map including restaurants, and other notable locations including speed traps and radar sites.

What are the benefits to me? Not only can GPS do all of the above, but with more sophisticated systems than this, you can also track assets with laser-like precision providing time and location data, as well as speed verification. All very useful for customer-driven businesses where performance is critical.

You can benefit from the many advantages of vehicle-based GPS devices whether you are a business or a common citizen. Take a look at the offerings and make this a part of your life today.