Take a Bite Out of Vacation Blues With Bluetooth
By Rainer Cassell
Traveling used to mean packing along detailed and illegible maps and compasses of questionable reliability. Given the number of times travelers had to stop and pull over to check a map, it’s a wonder that we ever traveled at all! These days, modern travelers can easily find their way with a small hand held wonder called a GPS receiver.
Since GPS devices hit the market a few years ago, traditional navigation devices and roadmaps have been left in the dust. Travelers these days can glance at a GPS screen right in the car, and get clear directions on where to go and how to get there.
A GPS receiver is a small electronic device that can actually calculate your precise location on earth. The GPS is able to decode signals sent from satellites in outer space, and use those signals to tell you where you are at any given time. When combined with specialized software and electronics, the GPS is able to pinpoint an exact location on a map, and give you instructions on how to get there. This fascinating technology becomes even more incredible when you discover that it can be had for a relatively small price.
When paired with other mobile communication devices, such as PDAs, a GPS unit becomes even more useful. A PDA is a popular consumer communication product that combines a cellular phone with an organizer and Internet access. PDAs have hard drive space that makes them the perfect companions to GPS units. This hard drive space can be used for storing maps, and the colored screens are ideal for displaying maps. With their small size, it’s easy to see why so many travelers choose to use PDAs over laptop computers and other bulkier options.
Integration poses a problem with using a PDA with a GPS receiver. Most PDAs are connected to GPS receivers with either a CompactFlash (CF) card, or conventional USB wires. The size of the GPS, added to the size of the PDA, plus a CF can create a bulky and cumbersome system. Using wires, on the other hand, can be inconvenient and actually limit the usability of your navigation device. Many people are finding the best solution to the problem is through Bluetooth technology.
Bluetooth to the Rescue
Bluetooth technology is the new standard for wireless communications. With Bluetooth technology, two electronic devices are able to communicate by sending and retrieving signals and transferring data from as many as ten meters away. The information is transmitted without any wires at all.
Bluetooth with GPS Receivers
A Bluetooth GPS receiver is an electronic device that uses wireless technology (namely, Bluetooth electronics) to transmit GPS data. The data is transmitted to a second wireless device, such as a PDA, that is capable of handling the technology. For example, a GPS receiver can wirelessly transmit data to a PDA handset, but only if they are both enabled with Bluetooth capabilities.
There are many advantages to using Bluetooth GPS receivers with compatible PDAs for data transmission, rather than using CompactFlash or USB wires:
Wireless Connection
It’s not always best to have your PDA and your GPS receiver located in the same position. Without wires to bind the devices, you can position your PDA and GPS separately in the most strategic locations, to provide the best results. For example, if you are using your GPS while driving, you can position the Bluetooth GPS receiver in a spot where it has a clear view of the sky, while mounting the PDA to your dashboard where you have a clear view of the screen. There are no wires to get in the way of your vision, or hamper your driving in any way.
CompactFlash Slot
Using a Bluetooth GPS with a PDA means that there is no use for a CompactFlash. The empty CompactFlash slot can then be used as a storage space for maps or software to optimize the navigation of your GPS.
There are other benefits to using GPS equipment. Many Bluetooth GPS receivers offer companion features, such as a “Points of Interest” (POI) database, route re-calculation function and pre-stored maps.
Shop around to learn as much as you can, and compare models to find the one that suits you best. Your GPS will likely soon become a trusted travel companion.
About the Author
Rainer Cassell loves writing for some of today’s most popular web sites, on product and technology themes.
Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the technology & communications Articles Submission Service
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment