Your GPS Device (that you are about to own) is a sophisticated electronic device that is capable of constantly listening to many satellites and crunching some serious numbers into perfect navigational coordinates at your disposal.
In simple terms, your GPS unit is basically an antenna that picks up signals from the network of orbiting satellites and uses complex mathematics to “triangulate” your position on Planet Earth.
As long as your GPS unit is up and running, it will be getting information from at least 3 of the orbiting satellites to use in calculating your position, as well as your current speed and direction.
The Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Network consists of many satellites that are orbiting the planet twice a day and provide the ability to get an Earth position on the surface, as well as up to 60,000 feet above the planet.
Turning Your Coordinates into a Visual Map
Thanks to sophisticated GPS mapping software, your GPS receiver is able to overlay the location coordinates of your current location on to detailed maps that are stored in the memory of your device.
The GPS mapping software is what brings those boring old coordinates to life, allowing you to easily see where you are and where you may be going in full rich color, topographical relief, and in relation to the nearest Starbucks.
This is where the power of consumer GPS devices comes to life. With newer 3-D technology (shown in the image above), the GPS device provides a real-world view of your position and direction. Amazing!
Go ahead and click on the image to see a full-size view…it won’t bite 
Limitations of your GPS Device
- Must Have Line of Sight: One of the downsides of GPS navigation technology is the need to have a “line of sight” with the GPS satellites in the sky. Using the GPS inside your house or office building will not work so well. This can also be a problem when you are traveling in the city, where skyscrapers and tunnels can block the signal.
- Forget Underwater GPS: Another limitation of GPS devices is that they do not work under water. The signals emitted from the satellites are not strong enough to penetrate even a thin film of water, thus you SCUBA divers are out of luck.
- Altitude Readings Can Be Inaccurate: As some units provide altitude readings, be aware that these are calculated readings, not from direct navigational “fixes”, like the location positions. These readings can be off by at leas 30 meters at any given time, so bring your altimeter if you need accurate altitude readings.
As you can see, these units are marvels of technology and combine many different technological advances into a tiny little package for you!
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