Portable GPS devices, or global-positioning systems, are used to track locations in vehicles or on foot. Portable GPS units tell you exactly how to get to where you need to be and sometimes provide information about stops you can make along the way. When shopping for a portable GPS unit, you may come across words that are unfamiliar to you. Understanding the meaning of these words and phrases helps you shop with confidence.

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Multimedia file

A multimedia file contains graphics, video, audio or animations. Most portable GPS units use these types of files in their software.

I recommend: Discover more about multimedia files at Net Industries. Skills For Access provides more information about multimedia files.

Differential beacon receiver

A differential beacon receiver is a tower or station that sends GPS locations with frequencies around 300 KHZ. These receivers are used to make a GPS signal stronger.

I recommend: Garmin provides information about the history of differential beacon receivers. Nav Tech GPS also has information about differential beacon receivers.

Waypoints

Waypoints are areas or points on your route where you can stop. Many waypoints are pre-programmed into a portable GPS. Some GPS units allow you to configure waypoints that are not already programmed in to the system.

I recommend: Wiley Nautical has more information concerning waypoints. Read more about waypoints at Beeg.

Text-to-speech

Text-to-speech (TTS) is a computer application that allows the GPS device to create words and sentences from text. TTS on GPS devices allows you to hear the directions instead of reading them.

I recommend: Learn more about text-to-speech at Tech Target.

SD card

An SD card, or secure digital card, is a memory card that uses flash technology to store information. SD cards are commonly used in cell phones and cameras. They are used in GPS devices to store routes and trips for use at another time.

I recommend: View detailed information about the capabilities of SD cards at Hans-Jürgen Reggel. Read more at the SD Association.

WAAS

WAAS stands for wide area augmentation system. WAAS was designed by the Federal Aviation Administration to supplement the GPS system. WAAS uses ground stations across the United States and GPS satellites to triangulate locations.

I recommend: Learn more about the WAAS system at the Federal Aviation Administration's website. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association supplies articles about WAAS systems.

Portable GPS units let you get on-the-spot latitude and longitude readings whenever you need them. They will also help you to navigate in unfamiliar areas. GPS is a satellite-based positioning system, consisting of 24 satellites that orbit the earth every 12 hours. These satellites are constantly transmitting radio signals toward the Earth.

Tapping into these signals with portable GPS units will help your business to run more efficiently. You will be able to find the quickest route to your destination or store the locations of potential expansion sites.

Use the following to find the portable GPS units your business needs:

1. Purchase handheld models from a portable GPS units provider.

2. Work with a retailer to find portable GPS units that come as backpack units.

3. Equip your company vehicles with portable GPS units for cars and trucks.

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Buy handheld portable GPS units for maximum portability and convenience

Handheld portable GPS units allow you to get geographic coordinates wherever you can carry them. These models are the most affordable GPS units, and can offer good accuracy.

I recommend: The GPS Store offers a range of handheld portable GPS units. The company offers low priced second-day shipping. Tiger GPS carries a variety of handheld GPS models from multiple manufacturers. This company offers a price match guarantee and same-day shipping.

Purchase backpack portable GPS units to improve your geopositional accuracy

Portable GPS units requiring a backpack and antenna give users high accuracy. These units are ideal for detailed mapping and surveying projects.

I recommend: NSIA offers backpack GPS units that you can connect to handheld computers in the field. The company also offers custom database creation services to help you organize your data. Navtech GPS offers differential backpack GPS units. You can choose the brand of GPS receiver you want incorporated into the system.

Ensure your vehicles get you where you need to be by equipping them with portable GPS units

Portable GPS units can help to ensure that a delivery gets to the right location at the right time, or that you make it to an important meeting in an unfamiliar city. Because of their portability, you can buy a few GPS units and move them from vehicle to vehicle when needed.

I recommend: GPS-Planet carries a large selection of portable GPS units for cars and trucks. Some of the models on its portable GPS units list of products allow you to purchase additional maps for your unit. GPS Discount offers many GPS units for your vehicles. Look for the moving "In Stock" icon to see if the model you are interested in is available.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Not all portable GPS units are the same. There is a range in prices, and you often get what you pay for. There is even a range in how accurately each unit locates your position on the Earth. The higher priced models usually offer better positional accuracy or additional features. Before purchasing any portable GPS units, compare a variety of models.

Portable and handheld GPS units are growing in popularity daily. Many companies now provide delivery drivers, salesmen, and repair or installation employees with GPS units. A GPS, or global positioning unit, is a device that can tell the device's exact location and give directions to or from where it is. GPS units ensure that your employees are never late because of bad directions or because they are lost. Providing portable GPS units education and training for employees ensures that your employees know how to operate the handheld GPS.

To provide portable GPS units education and training to employees, you must first educate them in how the system works. Give employees tutorials about GPS units to give them an overall picture of operating the GPS. Present "how to" articles and educational videos about GPS units to educate employees about specific functions of the GPS system.

1. Locate basic information about portable GPS units.

2. Find tutorials about working with GPS software.

3. Discover "how to" articles for operating a handheld GPS unit.

4. Watch videos about programming and operating a GPS system.

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Read basic information about portable GPS units

Basic GPS information gives you and your employees an understanding of how the GPS system works and its basic functions. This information gives you a firm foundation to build your GPS training on.

I recommend: Find basic information about how GPS systems work at Garmin. Understand how GPS systems work with information from the National Air and Space Museum.

Take tutorials about working with GPS software

Tutorial guides cover all aspects of GPS systems. These guides teach you complete knowledge of a handheld GPS system. Many of these guides are interactive and offer a combination of written, visual and software-based training.

I recommend: Find detailed tutorials about GPS units and GPS software at Trimble. Don Bartlett provides a practical tutorial guide for GPS devices.

Locate 'how to' articles for operating a handheld GPS unit

'How to' articles are similar to tutorial guides, however they only cover specific area or features of a GPS unit. These guides can help you target specific problems or complete specific tasks on the GPS.

I recommend: Find "how to" articles about portable GPS devices at eHow. Wonder How To offers a wide variety of articles about handheld and auto GPS units.

Watch videos about programming a GPS system

Videos are a great way to educate people who learn better with visual and audio stimulation. There are a wide variety of educational and training videos for those who want to learn more about GPS systems.

I recommend: REI provides videos and articles to help you learn about GPS units. Demand Media supplies a wide selection of educational videos about GPS devices.

Portable GPS units pricing and costs vary based on features and options included with the unit. Portable GPS units give latitude and longitude readings to help navigate and plan routes. They are useful for single travelers or fleets of vehicles.

Research portable GPS units information before making a purchase. Since units can be expensive, it may be necessary to get only the features needed, especially when you need to equip several employees or vehicles. To find portable GPS units pricing:

1. Browse offerings from a portable GPS units directory or a provider of vehicle mounted systems;

2. Check out handheld units that can often be modified for vehicle use;

3. Look for specialized products like backpack kits and GPS unit accessories.

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Get prices from a portable GPS units provider for vehicles

Portable GPS units that mount in a vehicle keep you from getting lost and will get you where you need to be on time. There is a wide range of prices for vehicle mounted GPS systems. The most expensive ones have touch screen capability and large screen displays, as well as other features like MP3 players and XM radio.

I recommend: Most vehicle mounted GPS systems are in the $500-$600 range, but lower priced portable units are available for less than $200. Check GPS-Planet and AnythingGPS for a range of models and prices.

Get a portable GPS units list for handheld units

Handheld units are useful for hiking, hunting and walking. Some units can be modified for use in a vehicle.

I recommend: Handheld units can be purchased for less than $150 up to $600. Basic units have base maps and the ability to save way points. Higher end units have built-in cameras with geotagging ability, high resolution displays and memory. Check out a range of GPS units at The GPS Store. Another low cost option is a personal location finder from TigerGPS. This small, portable unit costs less than $200 and allows you to mark a location so you can find it again.

Find prices for portable GPS units backpack kits

Backpack kits contain a GPS, antennas and cables all within a rugged backpack. They are useful for hiking, as well as keeping track of children and adults with Alzeimers.

I recommend: Find a portable backpack kit at DPL Surveillance Equipment for less than $500. NavtechGPS has backpack kits for around $1,200. They also offer monthly leasing options.

Find portable GPS units pricing and costs for accessories

There's a wide variety of accessories for GPS units. They include mounts and belt clips to make the units more portable. Some models can have maps installed that show the topography of specific regions.

I recommend: Find chargers, belt clips, mount kits and other accessories for less than $20 at Marquel. 4X4Books offers topography maps for around $100.