For those who have never used or owned GPS devices, many of the terms used by the companies and users can be disconcerting.
In order to make researching and purchasing GPS devices as easy as possible, these terms and definitions have been compiled for your use.
Active Antennas - These Antennas are attachments to GPS devices so that signal strength is increased. In cases of severe weather, many of these antennas are waterproof. Specific antennas are only compatible with specific GPS units.
ATV GPS - All Terrain Vehicle Global Positioning Systems. These are nits designed specifically for off-road vehicles.
Basemap - This map, or series of maps, is the lowest level maps in a GPS device. This map is what you will base your waypoints and additional street maps off of. All GPS devices come with a standard basemap that covers highly populated regions, cities and other areas.
Batteries - Most GPS devices use some sort of battery. AA is commonly used, although many systems are now using specialized batteries specific to one device.
Black Spots - These are areas where your GPS device cannot access satellites in orbit. These occur in caves, tunnels and other regions where satellite signals can not penetrate. Some cities also have these spots, due to interference in the area, as well as the layout of buildings and other structures.
Data Cables - These are cables that lead from your computer to your GPS device. These tend to use the newer USB or the older serial protocol.
Destination Point - This is your final point of arrival in your route. This will be the address or latitude and longitude you have input into your system at the origin.
ETA - Estimated time of Arrival. Many GPS units will calculate this for you based on your current speed, and how far you have left to go. As some advanced GPS units include the speed limits for the regions you are going through, they may base the numbers off of that. Aviation GPS units will have this number as a specific time.
ETE - This is the amount of time that you have left on the current 'leg' of your journey. This is primarily used in Aviation, although car-navigation and Marine navigation systems will use it was well.
Etrex - This is a Garmin's beginners' GPS device.
e911 - This system is for use primarily with cell-phones, although some car based navigation systems provide support for it. These systems are designed to enable GPS tracking when 911 is dialed or the key is pressed to activate the service. This permits those who can not speak to communicate their location and needs to receive quick assistance.
Garmin - This company is one of the top three GPS satellite systems for public use. They offer a wide range of devices, including marine, handheld, Automotive and ATV devices.
Geocaching - This is a popular 'sport' among GPS owners. With information regarding position, scavenger hunters search for waterproof containers containing treasure. This style of scavenger hunt is a real challenge, especially in suburban areas. Anyone can participate, as long as you have a GPS unit. The only rule you'll need is to make certain you leave something in the cache once you have found it, and not to place caches in delicate, historic or archaeological sites.
Glonass - This is the European version of the Navstar system. Created out of Russia, the Glonass system serves all European countries. The Glonass system uses different configurations than the Navstar system, which makes these two networks of satellites incompatible with one another.
GPS - GPS stands for Global Positioning System. This is the overall system that allows your devices to be tracked and gather information on its location. The basic system incorporates a receiver and satellites.
GPS Receivers & Transmitters - These devices are part of the core GPS system. By sending a signal to a satellite, they can determine their location and transmit that location back to the satellite. These receivers come in many forms.
GPS Tracking - Most systems are not GPS tracking compatible. GPS tracking is the system that permits family, friends, and other authorities to track your position. Most GPS devices for road use do not include this functionality. OnStar, and other similar systems, incorporate GPS tracking. e911 uses GPS tracking when emergency calls are placed.
Handheld Receivers/Locators - These devices are primarily used for on-foot travel. They contain a mixture of functions from the base types of systems so you can take them anywhere with little difficulty. These units are especially useful for those going on camping trips or on walking tours of cities.
Latitude & Longitude - These two numbers are your exact position on the planet. Longitude is your location to the east and west. This measurement is based from the Meridian in Greenwich, England. Latitude is the measure of how far north or south you are, based on your position from the equator.
Magellan - This company is one of the competitors with Garmin and Navman. They focus on having easy to use, yet comprehensive Marine, Handheld, Automotive and ATV GPS tracking devices.
Marine Receivers - These receivers are designed for water-based use. Instead of streets, the basemaps include reef and other marine areas, ports, and shore side features. Waypoints for these units can be used to remember good fishing spots and shipwrecks. Upgraded maps tend to include more shores, ports and common waypoints.
MapSend - MapSend is a product by Magellan for their customers. This product contains a broad range of maps, waypoints and other points of interest. There are several different versions of this program, including one for the United States, Worldwide basemaps, European Streets and American Streets.
MapSource - MapSource is Garmin's map updating system. Similar to Mapsend, there are different versions that can be purchased. MapSource is also compatible with a variety of third-party software. However, the third-party software should be used with caution, as Garmin will not support any issues that arise due to the software.
Memory - GPS devices have a set amount of Memory, or storage space, for maps, waypoints and other data. Memory expansion chips or cards can be purchased to store a variety of maps if you plan on going on long trips where the base memory is insufficient.
Mounts - These accessories are what hold your GPS units in place. Most common type are Car Mounts, Marine Mounts and ATV Mounts.
Mouse Receiver - These devices allow laptops and other transportable computer systems to gain access to GPS services with ease. These systems are designed for use primarily in cars. Many of them support up to 12 satellites, as well as a variety of different operating systems. Mouse receivers are commonly found with USB attachments.
Navman - This company offers some of the best handheld and full-sized GPS systems available on the market. This company competes with Garmin and Magellan, providing similar devices to their competitors.
Navstar - This is the GPS developed by the government of the United States. This system works primarily in the United States, although there is support for Mexico and Canada as well. This system is not compatible with Glonass based GPS devices.
NMEA - The National Marine Electronics Association. This Association is the driving force behind the improvement of Marine based technology on a business level. NMEA certification is proof of high level of quality in marine based GPS systems.
OnStar - An in-car navigation system complete with tracking and emergency services.
Origin - This is the originating point in a route. This is either your home, or the location where you input your destination. This point of Origin will dictate the route your GPS unit and maps will determine for your trip.
Power Adapters - Every GPS device can make use of power adapters in cars and other vehicles. Each GPS device will use a different type of power adapter, so expect to have to purchase a specific one unless it comes with a bundle you have purchased.
RoadMate - Magellan's Premiere GPS navigation tool for cars. Can be converted to other uses.
Satellites - These are a primary part of the GPS system. There are many satellites in orbit around the planet to provide full coverage of supported areas.
Service Providers - These providers allow you to access the satellites and gain updates for your GPS devices. These tend to be the manufacturer of your GPS device, such as Garmin, Magellan or Navman.
Signal Strength - When you use your GPS device, it will have a signal strength. This is how strong the contact between your GPS device and the satellites in orbit are. Areas such as tunnels, caves and black spots, are renown for having very low or no signal strength.
Street Pilot III - Garmin's Premiere GPS navigation tool for cars. Can be converted for marine and other uses.
Triangulation - This is a method of determining the position of a fixed point through use of two other set points. This is one of the basic foundations for high accuracy GPS tracking. By having two satellites determine the location of your device, or the fixed point, a more exact measurement can be determined.
USB - USB is a type of port on computers. Many GPS devices use this port to transmit data from the GPS device to the computer, and vice versa. The cables used for this port have a rectangular end, with a small slit in the center. The other end, which plugs into your GPS device, maybe a different shape.
WAAS - Wide Area Augmentation System. This system is a series of satellites and ground antennas that correct data transmitted between Satellite and GPS devices. This system allows for routes to be more accurate, within a range of roughly three meters. This system hits the three meter accuracy range 95% of the time.
Waypoint - A waypoint is a location on your route that is not the destination or the originating point. These can be tourist attractions, gas stations, hotels and rest areas, as well as other locations, depending on the type of GPS device you are using. Waypoints allow you to plan a full route with little trouble.
The terms within this glossary are designed to assist you in the selection and purchase of your GPS device. While there are many more terms beyond these, the knowledge of these definitions will give you a more rounded idea of what to expect when purchasing a GPS device.
About the Author
Rebecca Blain is a hobbyist writer who enjoys taking care of her fish and educating people about GPS running watches, Navman GPS units, and everything GPS!