GPS Myths

We’ve all heard horror stories about GPS devices so here are our top myths about navigation systems.

 

It costs money to use – False. After initial purchase it is completely free to receive satellite signals. Other services such as traffic management, weather reports, MSN direct are usually charged for.

It will send me in the wrong direction – False. If you haven’t updated your maps in a while then it is possible that roads may have changed direction and been re-routed. You’re still meant to be able to read road signs!

It will send me under low bridges – Possibly True. Map data normally doesn’t contain detailed information about bridge height or narrow roads. If you’re driving a high vehicle and you see a low bridge don’t think that the GPS will lower your vehicle and help you fit under it. They’re good, just not magic!

Governments can track my whereabouts – Possible. Depending on which navigation system you use it is possible that a GPS system could be used to track you. None of Mio’s does.  But since most in-car GPS systems can only receive information from satellites and not broadcast it to others, the government can’t see where you’re going. Your cellphone on the other hand is another matter!

It won’t work on cloudy days – False. GPS systems work using direct line of sight to the satellite, so trees and buildings may get in the way, and you probably won’t be able to use it inside. But clouds have no effect on the signal.

GPS is the same as GPRS – They are not the same. GPS means Global Positioning satellite and they work on the concept of getting your GPS system to receive positioning signals from the 27 satellites in orbit around the earth. GPRS is General Packet Radio System and is a simple method of transferring data on cell phones.  Support the NMA group in your area.

The satellites send maps to my GPS – False. Apart from the fact that the amount of data that this would require is astronomical it’s just plain silly. The maps are preloaded on to the device or sold separately for adding later.

GPS’s automatically record where you’ve been – Partially true. Not sure where this one came from, but cheating husbands can rest assured that their wives won’t be able to see where they’ve been from their GPS device.  Some brands products do send route information back to a central computer, but none of Mio’s do.

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