It is known that Theseus, the winner of the Minotaur, managed to find a way out of the maze due to female cunning: the beautiful Ariadne gave him a hank of thread, unwinding which the hero marked his way. Hearing this story, modern schoolchildren are only surprised, because in such cases it is much easier to use the navigator.
Well, forgive the characters of the ancient myth. After all, they did not have the Internet, and Ariadne could not download a detailed map of the Minotaur's labyrinth. The greatest invention of our days - the system of global positioning( GPS) - helps to quickly and easily find a road in any locality. Which is better to buy a navigator? The answer to this question you will find in this article.
Types of navigation systems and devices
The first receivers for working with the satellite navigation system were installed on airliners and sea vessels. The cost and dimensions they had were such that the use of these devices in a conventional car or, even more so, for hiking was out of the question. But in the sea transport they were simply irreplaceable.
If the position of the aircraft can be tracked using radar, then to determine the coordinates of the ship radar installation will be useless: it works only at high altitudes. To navigate in the sea, you had to use bulky instruments, complex calculations and thick volumes with special tables. With the advent of GPS to determine its location in the sea it became as simple as on land: the navigator screen will display the exact coordinates at any time and in any weather.
With the development of technologies, the cost of global positioning services has gradually fallen, and devices that receive the satellite signal and display the exact position of the user on the map have become increasingly compact. Today, in addition to powerful professional systems for aviation and maritime transport, manufacturers produce such varieties of navigators:
Automotive
These devices are the most common and in demand. Because they do not have to be worn in their hands, manufacturers do not seek to save on weight. Thus, car navigators are the most functional: they are equipped with large comfortable screens with high resolution, a "long-playing" battery and the most powerful "hardware", that is, a processor, memory and other electronic stuffing. Which navigator to buy in the car? The answer to this question depends on many factors:
- the amount you are willing to pay;
- country and cities in which the navigator will be predominantly used;
- the need for "mirror" services( mapping congestion on the roads of cities).
The kit must include a stand with the ability to easily attach to the car's torpedo, as well as a cord to power the device from the cigarette lighter.
Motorcycle
Virtually no different from car, but have good protection of the body against moisture and road dust.
Pedestrian( Wrist)
The construction of such devices is a real test for any manufacturer. It is necessary to make the device sufficiently functional, to provide for the possibility of a long battery life, but at the same time to achieve compact dimensions and a small weight. Which navigator should I buy for hiking and tourism? Choose a model in a shockproof case with a built-in camera and an Internet connection. In this case, you will not need to carry multiple devices at the same time. This advice will tell you not only what is best to buy a tourist navigator, but also help you choose the best navigator for fishing.
Which gps navigator is better to buy? Choosing the right
Like any computer, the navigator consists of hardware and software.
The "hardware" refers to:
The processor
"Brain" of the entire device, its speed depends on the speed of operations and detailing the picture. If you decide that it is better to buy a car navigator with a good screen, do not save on the processor, otherwise the picture will "slow down".The best option is a processor with a clock frequency of 400-600 MHz.
RAM( RAM)
Also affects the speed of the device. How to choose a navigator? It is desirable that the amount of "RAM" was at least 64 MB.
Flash Memory
Here programs and all data are permanently stored. The volume of this memory today is not so important, because in modern models there is a slot for connecting an external memory card. However, if you decide which inexpensive navigator is best to buy without unnecessary bells and whistles, buy a model with a "flash drive" size of 2 GB.
Screen
The high resolution of the screen provides a better picture, but requires a more powerful processor and a more capacious battery. Optimal dimensions: 4.3 inches( resolution 480 × 272) and 5 inches( resolution 800 × 480).
Additional features of
This category includes the integrated camera, access to the Network and Bluetooth. These functions are not available in all models, so you have a choice: to overpay for them or to find a device easier. For Europe, for example, it is better to buy a navigator with the Internet, since there is a very developed Wi-Fi network.
Battery
The standard of quality in this matter belongs to the company Garmin. Its navigators can work autonomously for more than 4 hours. If you are going to go hiking and do not know yet which navigator is better to buy, pay attention to the devices of this manufacturer.
Software is most often bundled with a navigator. It is divided into the following groups:
Operating system
The type of OS you will have to work with is rigidly linked to the model of the selected navigator. The most widespread are Windows Mobile and Windows CE.This is not the best OS, but under them a lot of programs are enforced. With the Android system it's the other way around: it's better, it has a more intuitive interface, but the number of programs written for this system is still limited.
cards You can choose different cards for your navigator, although some manufacturers( the same Garmin, for example) produces maps that are oriented only to their navigators. The availability of a high-quality map is the basis for the operation of any navigator.
Navigation program
Helps to develop an optimal route, navigate the map and much more. Now the most common are such navigation programs:
Navteq( USA)
Convenient program without special "bloat."Large bright buttons, contrasting arrow-pointers and high-road marking make this program very convenient for users with poor eyesight.
IGo( Hungary)
Is more topographic, displays more data and is able to represent some details in 3D format. Also, it has a more flexible system of settings, but a more complex interface.
"Navitel"
Russian development, is characterized by high speed and a lot of settings. Which navigator is best for Russia? The one that is equipped with Navitel. If you have access to the network, the program actually displays the current information about traffic jams on the roads.
"Visikom"
The best program-navigator for Ukraine. The interface, however, leaves much to be desired, but the maps are drawn in very detailed, and this applies not only to large cities.
