From the GPS nav unit on your dashboard to sophisticated flood prediction models, new uses for GPS technology seem to be multiplying exponentially. A new website developed by NASA and its partners — GPS Application Exchange – recently debuted that is devoted to sharing the practical uses of GPS technology.

It’s been nearly 50 years since the Navy’s precursor to today’s Global Positioning System, Transit, was developed for military use. The satellite navigation system maintained by the U.S. government, called NAVSTAR GPS, has grown from five satellites in 1960 to about 32 today. The standard term for such systems is Global Navigation Satellite System or GNSS. Similar systems are operational or in development around the world. The Russians are in the process of restoring their GLONASS network. The European Union is developing Galileo. China is working to expand its regional Beidou navigation system to global scope. Japan is one of several countries with a nationwide system, and India expects to be operational with its own regional IRNSS system by 2012.  

Since 1983 when President Regan declassified GPS for civilian use, GPS technology has become so prevalent that today it impacts our daily lives in myriad ways. NASA’s new website provides a resource and forum for exploring and sharing practical uses of GPS. Earthquake-riddled Japan is using its regional GPS array to plot physical ground movements in an effort to create an earthquake warning system. Iceland is using GPS-equipped snowmobiles in search and rescue missions. In Bangladesh, GPS is being used to develop a flood-control plan by tracking flooding caused by frequent monsoons. In the U.S., GPS systems are now used to track wildlife patterns, herd cattle and keep track of kids to protect against kidnapping.

U.S. consumers are already aware of the growing capabilities of even the most basic GPS consumer products. Handheld GPS units and automotive navigation devices can track even the most obscure locations. Naturally, they can pinpoint the locations of restaurants, stores and gas stations; but some can also tell you if there’s a bear on the trail up ahead and where the fish are biting. GPS is quickly becoming one of those “can’t live without it” necessities of modern American life. Fortunately, ActionGPS puts owning a GPS within the grasp of every consumer. Visit ActionGPS.com to check out our complete line of top-selling Garmin and TomTom GPS devices at highly affordable prices.

As you may know, Garmin and other GPS navigational devices come with all kinds of alerts. They not only keep you on course, they also let you know what you will experience as you go. You can get traffic alerts to let you know which areas you may want to avoid. Your GPS device can alert you to weather conditions. Since many GPS devices come pre-loaded with points of interest (POIs) and allow you to add your own favored destinations, a GPS device can let you know that you are near a restaurant you like. There are even some GPS devices that will inform you of where you can get the best deal on gas to fill your tank.

But did you know that some GPS devices can also alert you to the presence of wildlife? This may not mean much if you are traveling through the urban jungle, but if you are in some bodies of water it can make a big difference. More and more boaters are using GPS navigation devices to aid them with navigation.

Garmin entered into a partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s Manatee Awareness Coalition (MAC). Information about manatee zones is available on all new Garmin GPS chart plotters. Boaters can also buy navigation chips (SD cards) to update a GPS device that they already own.

Information about where the manatee zones are, and how far they extend is invaluable for boaters. This data empowers the boaters to do their part to help protect both manatees and the bay’s shallow-water sea grass meadows.

If you are looking for a Marine GPS device, look no further than ActionGPS.com. They have some great GPS devices like the Garmin GPSMAP 178C or the Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx Portable Handheld Outdoor Color GPS
that will take you through charted and uncharted waters.

If you already have a Garmin, then you know how great these products are. Garmin does more than navigate you, they make sure that you have exactly what you need to make traveling around town or out of town a stress-free experience. Not only do they help you direct you to your destination, they also provide you with great information like the location of the nearest gas station or hotel and traffic updates so you can plan ahead. And if you have a Garmin with Bluetooth capabilities then you know that you can catch up with friends and relatives or tell them that you are on your way without having to take your eyes off of the road.

Since a Garmin navigational device can already do all of that, the company just took the next logical step: Garmin is soon to offer the Garmin nuvifone. Garmin now estimates that the nuvifone will be available to consumers by summer of 2009.

“The nüvifone is an all-in-one device offering unmatched integration of utility and function in a single mobile device,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s president and COO. “This is the breakthrough product that cell phone and GPS users around the world have been longing for — a single device that does it all.”

With the nuvifone, Garmin fans will have the world wide web at their fingertips and get rating information for their intended destination. The nuvifone will also have personal communication functions including e-mail, text messaging and instant messaging. And here is the great thing about the Garmin nuvifone: you will be able to use the phone at the same time that you are getting GPS directions.

However, if you like to keep your functionality separate or if you just cannot wait until next year, you can still get a great Garmin Nuvi now. ActionGPS.com has a great selection when it comes to Garmin GPS devices, so visit today and get your own Garmin.

With higher fuel prices and more stringent shipping demands, more and more truckers are looking to GPS for assistance. In the past, truckers used GPS navigation devices to track loads and map out routes. These days they are also using GPS technology for its turn-by-turn navigation.

While there is no official survey to chart just how many more truckers are using GPS devices to find their way around, their popularity is evident by the increasing presence of GPS devices on the shelves on the trucker stops around the country. Not only are truckers trying to get ahead by buying their own GPS devices, some of their bosses are also looking to get into the act. Trucking companies are buying large quantities of GPS devices and having them installed in all of their vehicles.

Even the Federal Highway Administration has taken notice and issued reminders to truckers and all drivers that they need to program their GPS navigation devices prior to starting a trip. That way, they will not need to try to program the device and drive at the same time.

When used properly, GPS navigation devices can make the roads safer for everyone. Truckers and others can drive confident that they know where they are going. There is no need to look away to consult a paper map.
Truckers who use GPS devices can avoid making sudden lane changes that can endanger passenger cars. And with a GPS device like the Garmin StreetPilot C550 GPS Automotive Navigation System that gives traffic updates, truckers can avoid problem areas and road closures. The FM TMC traffic receiver notifies drivers of upcoming traffic delays. By just touching the screen, a driver can view traffic details or recalculate a route to avoid traffic.  The StreetPilot also come equipped for hands-free calling and an MP3 player to make long trips a little less tedious. The StreetPilot C550 and similar GPA navigation devices are available at ActionGPS.com.

We’ve mentioned before how a GPS navigation device can get you ready for competition. Looking for further proof? Look no further than Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong. Armstrong is a gold medal winner and top notch athlete. She and her coach went to Beijing ahead of time to check out the terrain and train for what they had heard would be unbearable air pollution.

Now it is one thing to train, but it is another thing to train and also capture and analyze data from the experience. Armstrong did this using a GPS device. Without the GPS device, she would have had to rely solely on her memory of training in Beijing for the many months she had between her trip and the actual Olympics. Her husband urged her to take on of his GPS devices with her to China to get an elevation profile as she rode and this advice proved to be invaluable.

Once she was back in the U.S., Armstrong was able to export the data from the GPS device. She used this information to search out a course that would approximate the one she’d be competing on as part of the Olympics. The ability to find a similar trail combined with the elevation data gleaned on her trip to China definitely helped Armstrong and gave her the edge she needed to capture a gold medal.

A GPS device like the Garmin Edge 605 Cycling Fitness Training Navigator GPS will automatically measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned and altitude.  The customizable cycle computer shows up to eight different data fields for continuous feedback With a simple connection to your computer, you can join a worldwide network of cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts through Garmin Connect our new, one-stop site for data analysis and sharing. You can also upload the optional Garmin Training Software for further analysis.

ActionGPS.com has the Garmin Edge 605 and other great GPS devices designed for cycling.

The day is coming when paper maps will be no more than antique shop curiosities. Like cassette tapes, VHS movies and (soon) analog TV, roadmaps and street directories are becoming modern day dinosaurs. Maps have gone digital and GPS devices are now the preferred method of getting from point A to point B. In fact, incoming college freshman, most born in 1990, have never known a world without GPS — or caller ID, Harry Potter, Nintendo Game Boy, karaoke, plastic soda bottles, and late night TV with Leno and Letterman, according to the Beloit College Mindset List, an annually published list of common collegiate references geared to help college professors update their teaching references and make the rest of us feel old.

GPS technology was developed by the military and honed to deadly accuracy during the Gulf War. (They bragged about hitting targets the size of a 50-cent piece.) When they first hit the consumer market, GPS devices were a bit unwieldy and exorbitantly priced, kind of like early mobile phones. But like phones, which have gone from the size of a hefty brick to not much bigger than a credit card, advances in electronic circuitry have trimmed the size and price of GPS units each year. Today, you can buy a GPS unit that fits in your pocket or purse for less than the cost of your monthly cell phone bill, particularly if you live with teenagers.

GPS devices have become so popular that sales topped $4.1 billion last year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. In a CEA survey, 18% of online adults already owned a GPS device and 24% wanted one. With online suppliers like ActionGPS offering GPS devices at highly affordable prices, there’s no reason to live with envy. Owning a GPS is within the financial grasp of even the most budget conscious, particularly if you buy one of ActionGPS’ very affordable factory refurbished models. To view our full line of GPS devices, visit the ActionGPS website.

What does cooking have to do with GPS navigation? A whole lot actually. If you want to get to a restaurant you’ve heard got rave reviews and you don’t know where it is, a GPS navigation device can help you get there quickly, before your stomach starts growling.

Alton Brown, chef extraordinaire and star of several shows that can be seen on the Food Network has found a GPS device to be essential to his mission. He has a new show where he is traveling around, tasting and sampling foods in restaurants, farmer’s markets, and even people’s homes. In the episodes that are airing now, he is traveling through the Caribbean. He and his crew don’t have time to wander around (as fun as that might be) so I have it on good authority that they are using Garmin products to help them find their way to their various destinations.

Since it is Alton Brown, you know he is likely wandering off the beaten path in his destination and his culinary choices. And the great thing about having a GPS device along for the journey is that you can veer away from downtown or well-used roads and still stay right on course. In one interview, Brown mentioned that is was good to have a GPS device to navigate on some of the islands that didn’t have roads.

Brown also said that his GPS device of choice is the Garmin Colorado. The Colorado is waterproof, making it perfect since Brown will be taking trips arounf 15 Caribbean islands for his current show. He also said that he like all if its marine functions and found the Colorado helpful because it calculates distance.

Even if you are not trekking around as many islands as Alton Brown, you will still find that your travels will be that much easier if you take along an Outdoor GPS device, like the Garmin Colorado. Visit ActionGPS.com to get one of your own.

Field & Stream, a publication whose tagline indicates that it is “The World’s Best Leading Outdoor Magazine,” has named the Garmin Colorado 400t on its list for the “Best of the Best: Top New Outdoor Gadgets of 2008.”  For Field & Stream to recommend a GPS device, it has to be really be able to go the distance.This is quite an honor and if you are looking for a GPS device to accompany you on your outdoor treks and journeys, consider the Garmin’s Colorado.

The Colorado has what you need for serious climbing or hiking. It’s map detail includes national, state and local parks and forests. The Colorado will keep you abreast of elevation, trails, rivers, lakes and other points of interest. The 3-D map view will make it possible for you to really get a feel for your surroundings. Plus, the sunlight-readable display will make it simple for you to get a good read on map details.

The Colorado’s trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed and more relevant information that you need.

It also has an electronic compass to keep you on track. It will give you bearing information, whether you’re moving or not.  Plus, its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver allows you to locate your position quickly and precisely. Dense foliage and deep canyons are no match for the Colorado 400t: it maintains its GPS location in some of very hard-to-reach locations. The reliable Colorado is made to keep you from losing your way.

You can also keep track of your friends too. With the Colorado 400t you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with other Colorado users.

The rugged Colorado is jam-packed full of great features. Visit ActionGPS.com to learn more about how one of the outdoor GPS devices from Garmin can give you a boost on all your hiking adventures.

Those wonderful geeky guys at Consumer Reports just put automotive GPS devices through their paces, giving Garmin’s Nuvi series its highest rating. I love the CR crew. They put products through their paces and don’t pull any punches when they tell you how they held up. CR is my Bible when I’m looking to invest in a new product, whether it’s a new car, a DVD player, laundry detergent or a GPS unit, I know I’m getting honest, accurate information I can trust. They haven’t steered my wrong yet, and they’ve kept me from plunking my money down on some well-advertised lemons. But enough about my favorite guys in white lab coats; here’s what they said about GPS devices.

After exhaustive testing, Consumer Reports awarded the Garmin Nuvi 760 its highest rating. Nearly identical are Garmin’s Nuvi 650, Nuvi 660 which is Bluetooth enabled, and Nuvi 750 widescreen. All of these outstanding GPS automotive navigation systems have nearly identical features and are available from ActionGPS. ActionGPS makes it easy to compare units. Just check the box next to items you want to compare and click the Compare Selected button at the top or bottom of the product list. Action GPS gives you an easy to read table that compares major features. At a glance you can determine the product that best suits your individual needs. When you choose the unit you want, make sure to check the product list for refurbished units. ActionGPS’ factory refurbished units offer you a considerable savings over our already low prices while still providing you with Garmin’s great one-year warranty.

Other GPS units that received CR’s highest rating include the Garmin Nuvi 660, TomTom Go 920T (very similar to the 910), and Garmin Nuvi 350. CR noted that consumers can realize a considerable savings with no loss in quality or major features by purchasing a slightly older Garmin Nuvi or TomTom Go model. Some of the new bells and whistles are fun, but primarily expand peripheral uses and do not increase the automotive GPS function of the devices. For a complete listing of features and specifications, visit the ActionGPS website.

Git along little doggies! In the not too distant future, a unique GPS device may help cowboys round up the herd. Now being tested at the government’s Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico, the “Ear-A-Round” uses a GPS device to track and monitor a cow’s location and movements. A remote-controlled wireless headset transmits sounds directly into the cows’ ears, enabling cowboys to direct their movements from a distance. Researchers hope the device will allow ranchers and farmers to herd their cattle from afar, without hitting the dusty trail.

Developed in cooperation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the hat-like GPS device sits atop the cow’s head and is held in place by a “cap” with holes that fit over the cow’s ears. The units are powered by a small solar-energy panel affixed to the top of the rectangular device. About the size small shoebox, the odd looking “caps” make the test cows look like a herd that’s been invaded by Borg.

The purpose of the project is to improve animal distribution on the landscape to prevent overgrazing and animals overrunning sensitive areas. “It has the potential to give farmers a much finer control of pastures, finer management of where animals are and a better use of the land,” said Daniela Rus, MIT professor of electrical engineering and computer science. With the GPS device ranchers will be able to check on their herds by logging onto a computer. They’ll be able to direct them away from overgrazed pastures and into better food areas.

Researchers hope the devices will eventually enable techno cowboys to round up and herd cattle with the sound of their voice. USDA researcher Dean Anderson, a 30-year veteran of remote herding technology, has been working with the test herd, training them to respond to cowboy herding songs. If the project is a success, Anderson envisions a fenceless West with GPS technology keeping herds in a virtual paddock.

Last month, a GPS navigation device helped a pilot and his wife to rescue a man who was near-death in Nevada’s Black Rock desert.

The pilot saw what appeared to be a person lying face down in the sand. This pilot was also a former police officer and he knew that people become stranded and die out in the desert. Still, he wasn’t certain that it really was a person. Unfortunately, pranksters can deter a Good Samaritan from helping because it is possible that no one needs help.

Still, the pilot decided to mark the spot where he saw the body as a waypoint on his Garmin GPS device. This helped the pilot later when the pilots wife saw some movement. She initially thought it was a dummy with clothes on. As it turns out, it was indeed a reala person who was in real need of medical attention.

You don’t have to have a story nearly this dramatic to appreciate the usefulness ofa GPS navigation device. A GPS device can help you get to where you need to go so that you do not end up stranded. A device that allows you to program points of interest (POIs) can keep track of favorite spots so you can spend your mental energy on other tasks.

Plus, a GPS device does not only have to be used to get you where you want to go in your car; it can get you where you want to go in ANY car. Think about it: you can get directional help no matter how you travel.

Visit ActionGPS.com to check out GPS devices made by Garmin and other manufacturers.

Check and follow the ActionGPS twitter page for some interesting micro-blogging:

http://twitter.com/actiongps

- ActionGPS Staff

If you happened to hear about the existence of Oregon geocoins, this is not urban legend. Oregon geocoins really do exist and they are out there…now it is up to you to find them. The coins are silver and have a blue rim. And that is about all we can tell you. You can’t expect us to do all of the work for you, now do you? Geocaching is about the joy of the hunt, after all.

Intrepid seekers were already finding Oregon geocoins just weeks after the Garmin made announcements about the Oregon, its latest line of GPS devices for geocaching and other outdoor pursuits. The Oregon follows in the footsteps of the Colorado line. All of Garmin’s handheld GPS devices are durable and ready for anything. You can also upload Geocaching.com GPX files for family fun or solo geocaching exploration. Your adventure, your choice.

In fact, the Oregon geocoins were made to celebrate the Oregon line of outdoor GPS navigation devices.  The Oregon is a rugged device that was made with geocaching in mind, as it was crafted to persist despite dust, dirt, wind, humidity and even water.

With the Garmin Oregon, you’ll be certain to find the treasures you seek.  It doesn’t matter how long it takes because with the Oregon you’ll get up to 16 hours of battery life. And in addition to getting bragging rights for the treasures you find, you’ll also get to show pictures since the Oregon comes with a built-in picture viewer.

You can check out the Oregon’s features and pre-order your own Garmin Oregon or choose another Geocaching GPS device at ActionGPS.com.

We are pleased to announce that the ‘GPS Learning Center’ is now live at ActionGPS.com!

The Learning Center is filled with both basic and advance content to help you learn more about GPS units, help with product selection, and to enhance your user experience if you already own a GPS.

We will be adding content to this section regularly so check back often for updates.

Click here to visit the Learning Center.

- ActionGPS Staff

Consumer Reports, an organization known for their rigorous testing of a variety of consumer products recently put GPS navigation devices to the test. And you will be happy to know that devices from the top-notch brands that Action GPS sells such as Garmin, Mio, and TomTom, were included in the mix. Being examined by Consumer Reports is very important because there are any number of brands that Consumer Reports probably didn’t even consider testing.  We can’t tell you exactly what they said because they save the info for paying customers only.

What was Consumer Reports looking for? Well they rated GPS devices in five categories:
Ease of Use (paying a lot of attention to how easy it was to enter a destination and look for points of interest);Routing Options; Controls; Mount Design; and Portability. They also added scoring for convenience features like USB and A/C power cables, trip computer and Bluetooth capabilities.

But really you don’t even need Consumer Reports to tell you which GPS product is the best for you. Once you figure out what capabilities best suit you and your lifestyle, certain GPS products will stand out as more suitable than others. Still, we know that you need a little help and that making purchasing decisions are much easier when you can compare. This is why Action GPS has decided to launch the Action GPS Learning Center.

Expected to be up and running next week on August 11, the learning center will provide you with the basics. You can turn to the learning center for information about GPS technology, using Bluetooth headsets and geocaching techniques. In addition to basics you’ll learn ways to enhance and make the most of your GPS device.