Facts About Refurbished GPS Devices - What You Should Know

Have you ever noticed that there seems to be a huge abundance of refurbished GPS devices for sale, within just about any given ecommerce store that can be found by doing a google search? It is really no big surprise, considering the popularity of the hand held, and especially the automotive GPS devices. But the other, more interesting reason for this, will be covered in the following paragraph.

So why are there literally thousands, if not 10's of thousands of refurbished GPS devices out there? Well, that brings us to the important points of WHY so many GPS devices (along with any electronic devices in general) end up being labeled as "refurbished". Oddly enough, most of the refurbished GPS devices have actually never even had a problem at all, and in some cases, they are still brand new, literally still factory sealed. The most common reasons for electronics based products (IE: GPS devices) becoming "refurbished" are:

1. The product was a "return" by the customer that purchased it, which means that they returned the item to the store that they bought it from within 30 days of the purchase date. More often than not, there is literally nothing even wrong with the product; the person who purchased it just ends up not wanting it.

2. The product sat on the store shelf too long and became "overstock". When this happens, the store will either sell the product for a clearance price, or send the product back to the manufacturer; when the product is sent back to the manufacturer, the manufacturer will, in come cases, label the product "refurbished", and then sell the "refurbished" product to specific retailers/wholesalers for a greatly reduced price. The funny part about this is the simple fact that the product is still literally brand new, and has never even been opened at all.

3. The product was a "demonstration" or "display model". When this is the case, the product eventually gets sent back to the manufacturer; the manufacturer then inspects (and repairs, if necessary) the product, and labels it as refurbished.

4. The product was opened. When this is the case, there is nothing wrong with the product, other than it needs to be sent back to the manufacturer to be repackaged, in which case, oddly enough, it is then labeled as "refurbished".

5. Shipping damage. When this happens, it usually just means that only the box that the product was in got damaged, but if anything other than the product was damaged (accessories, or the actual unit), it is completely fixed or replaced by the manufacturer.

6. There was a defect in the product. This is actually probably the most rare scenario. When a product has defect (or cosmetic damage) it is sent back to the manufacturer for repair, and anything that was broken or defective is replaced with brand new parts; when the process is complete, the product is literally brand new again, and is actually less likely to become defective than the non refurbished products sitting on the shelves of the retail stores; this is due to the fact that refurbished products under go very extensive testing.

So with that being said and done, anyone looking to pick up a GPS device for about half the normal retail cost, may want to consider buying one that has been "refurbished". As stated above, most of the refurbished GPS devices (or refurbished electronics in general) have actually never even had an issue at all, but were just returns or overstock items. Also, even if the refurbished product DID in fact have a defect or cosmetic damage, it is completely repaired with brand new parts, thoroughly tested, and is then repackaged with all of the original items and accessories that would normally come with it.

By Matthew Betourney

Top 10 GPS Navigation Systems

Are you looking to get a GPS Navigation System in the near future? If so, there are plenty on the market. Although, if you’re going to spend money on one, make sure it is one of the best selling to make sure you get your money’s worth!

Top 10 GPS Navigation Systems:

Garmin nüvi 350 - The Garmin 350 is one of the best selling GPS Navigation systems on the market! This one in particular is small enough to fit into a purse of even a pocket! It easily mounts on your vehicle’s windshield with its included suction cup. This Navigation system is a compact 700 MB GPS navigator with an MP3/audiobook player, a world travel clock and a photo viewer!

Garmin nüvi 200 - This is a great thin, sleek and pocketable GPS. It comes with an SD card slot for storing any of your media and additional navigation tools, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to five hours of battery life. With this Garmin, you will never have to worry about getting lost again!

Garmin nüvi 660- This is another great GPS Navigation system made by Garmin. If you’re looking for any type of direction in the areas for the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico you’re in luck thanks to this GPS! Also, this GPS includes nearly 6 million points of interest that includes hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions!

Garmin nüvi 360 - If you’re looking for something that is on the more affordable side, yet still gets the job done, this is the way to go! This GPS includes turn-by-turn directions with actual street names, real-time traffic and weather information for your convenience! Also, it includes maps for all of the United States, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Canada. Although, that’s not all, there is also Bluetooth wireless technology with hands free calling!

Garmin nüvi 270 - This is a great GPS if you’re looking for full coverage of the United States and all of Europe! It has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to five hours of battery life, has many street names and turn by turn guidance and several points of interests to choose from. Also, it comes with a picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, a measurement and currency converter, a calculator and more!

Garmin nüvi 650- This is a great GPS if you’re looking for one that comes with preloaded maps for U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. This GPS also comes with automatic routing, 3D/2D map viewing, and turn-by-turn voice directions to help you while your driving. Also, it gets better, it has built-in travel and entertainment tools that include a digital music player, JPEG viewer, currency converter and more!

Garmin nüvi 760- Last but certainly not least for the Garmin’s we have the 760. This GPS comes with a 4.3-inch diagonal touch screen color display and Bluetooth technology for hands-free calling. Also, this GPS is extremely helpful for trying to locate parks, restaurants, ATMs, gas stations and more. It gives you step by step directions for finding the places you need and helps you avoid the hassle of getting lost!

TomTom ONE- If you’re on a tight budget and you’re looking for a great GPS Navigation system that gets the job done, this is one to check out! The TomTom ONE includes turn by turn spoken directions, a real-time traffic capability, millions of points of interest and has a preloaded with map of the United States and Canada!

TomTom ONE XL- This is another great GPS Navigation system that comes with a lot for less money! With this GPS you will have included real time traffic information, a complete map of both the United States and Canada, Bluetooth capability for hands free calling and turn by turn spoken directions for your convenience.

TomTom ONE 125 - This is by far one of the cheapest and best GPS Navigation systems on the market. You can get this GPS for just a little under $100 and it still comes with many great features. With this GPS you will receive instant map updates, millions of points of interests, turn by turn directions and preloaded maps of the United States.

Preventing GPS Disasters

If your GPS device told you do drive off a cliff or ford a raging river, would you do it? You may respond, of course not, that's stupid. Unfortunately, many people substitute technology for common sense, often with tragic results.

Satellite navigation systems are changing the way in which we navigate from place to place by land, sea or air; in remote wilderness areas or through congested urban streets. The GPS system has been called the greatest advance in outdoor navigation since the invention of the compass and has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, a useful tool for map-making, land surveying and recreational navigation. An estimated 50 million navigation devices, including in-car systems, handheld or portable units and smart phones, will be in use in the United States this year.

Whether you're prospecting, hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, or taking a hike in the back country, a GPS receiver can help you reach your destination and return safely - but only if you know how to accurately use it and recognize its limitations.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a complex network of more than 30 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. The GPS network, also called NAVSTAR, was originally intended for military applications, however when Korean Air Lines Flight 007 was shot down in 1983 after straying into the USSR's prohibited airspace, President Ronald Reagan issued a directive making GPS freely available for civilian use as a common good. The GPS works all the time, in any weather condition, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

Powered by solar energy, the numerous satellites that make up the GPS space segment orbit at approximately 12,000 miles above the earth. Moving constantly at speeds in excess of 7,000 mph, the satellites each make two complete orbits of the earth in less than twenty-four hours. The GPS satellites are kept on track by small rocket boosters. Primarily operated on solar power, the satellites also employ backup batteries in anticipation of power loss during a solar eclipse.

The first GPS satellite was sent into orbit in 1978, with a full constellation of satellites achieved in 1994. Weighing approximately 2,000 pounds, each satellite is about 17 feet across with the solar panels extended and is built to last about ten years. Replacement satellites are constantly being built and then launched into orbit.

GPS signals can be affected by multi-path issues, where the radio signals reflect off surrounding terrain such as tall buildings, mountains or large obstructions. This increases the travel time of the signal and can cause inaccuracy. The number of satellites visible, or the more satellites a GPS receiver can "see" will also affect accuracy. Electronic interference, buildings, terrain or sometimes even dense foliage can block the signal reception and cause positioning errors or prevent a position reading at all.

Anomalies like high static discharge during lightning storms, humidity, ionized air and barometric pressure can definitely cause false information, data error or miscalculations. A satellite signal slows as it passes through the atmosphere. Ionosphere and troposphere delays may cause distortion. GPS units normally will not work indoors, underground or underwater.

In automotive GPS receivers, metallic features in windshields, such as window tinting films or defrosters elements can degrade reception inside the vehicle. Receiver clock errors are also common. This type of error occurs because a receiver's built in clock is not as accurate as the atomic clocks onboard the GPS satellites and will reflect varying timing errors. These distortions can result in positioning errors of hundreds of miles.

Unreliable data is also a major contributor to GPS errors. With an incalculable number of roads and millions of miles of ground to cover, it is impossible for any data system to be 100% accurate. A road network is a constantly changing entity; roads are diverted or closed, construction reroutes traffic while weather affects road conditions. The data feed used in GPS units is dated. Fresh updated content may not be available for several months. It is important to remember that this data is updated quarterly at best and in some cases only released twice a year.

Although GPS Navigation is becoming increasingly popular, these units have the ability to highlight human error. A GPS devise will attempt to advise you depending on the destination your have entered. An incorrect address or a mistake in spelling are common errors. Instead of making our lives easier, some of these devices are so technologically enhanced they are very difficult to use. User mistakes account for the majority of GPS errors, however a GPS receiver has no way to identify and correct these mistakes.

GPS technology isn't perfect! It's imperative to pair its directions with a healthy dose of common sense. Many drivers exhibit a surprising willingness to rely on gadgets instead of experience. They are finding that satellite navigation may replace paper maps, however following the GPS's not always reliable directions, many users are getting hopelessly lost, hitting dead ends or road closures and even swerving into oncoming traffic.

Even if you are not blindly following erroneous, computer-generated instructions, research studies tell us that "using GPS while behind the wheel is actually more distracting and less safe than unfolding a paper map and using it to find your way". A large portion of drivers, according to the study, relied exclusively on their GPS unit for directions, "rendering them completely oblivious to the world around them."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marlene_Affeld

Garmin Streetpilot C340 New Years Sale!!

Hello Everyone!

While supplies last we have this Remanufactured GPS on sale for ONLY $139.95! For anyone just wanting a great beginners GPS this would be the one. This is the sale of the year! Simply click on my website and you will find all the details.
Hurry because they are going fast!

Kim

Winter Backcountry Safety Using GPS Tracking Units

Tragic headlines describing the death and injury to back country users during the avalanche season are becoming more common place. Skiers, snowmobilers, hunters and winter campers are finding that this year's heavy snow pack has created a high avalanche risk in places that normally would not experience the threat. Most back country users are equipped with GPS tracking units, Avalanche locator beacons, probes, and shovels in an effort to minimize risk.

Even the best equipment will not substitute for the application of common sense. It goes without saying that if the land management agencies are forecasting avalanche conditions in an area that you are planning on entering then you should just plain not go. That being said most outdoor adventures do not like being told that they cannot utilize the resource. Careful planning and training can reduce the risks of a backcountry trip.

Most land management agencies will have maps available that will show where the greatest avalanche risks are located. Using handheld GPS units you can waypoint all of the highest risk locations that you need to avoid. Make sure that you and everyone in your party has a good working knowledge of your avalanche transceivers. Obviously you should never go into the backcountry in winter by yourself.

In addition every member should also carry a GPS locator unit similar to the SPOT. These units will allow you to call for assistance no matter where you are. However they only work when the sky is unobstructed. Obviously if you are buried by 6 feet of snow it probably will not be able to maintain satellite contact. Hopefully your entire party will not be caught in the avalanche so that the GPS tracking units can be initiated by a survivor.

Once the SPOT or other GPS emergency beacon is activated help should be on the way. You will then need to use your avalanche transceivers to located buried party members. Top of the line transceivers will not only tell you the exact location of the buried individual but also if they are alive and how deep they are buried. Organization is critical after an incident. One person should concentrate on locating all the buried members carefully marking each site. Other party members should begin to extricate buried members using your shovels. Never get caught in the winter back country without a shovel as it can be the difference in life or death.

In most cases you will have less than 20 minutes to locate and dig out each buried person. Rescue agencies will in most case arrive too late to assist in the location and recovery process. Occasionally some people do survive for much longer periods of time in low water content snow pack. You must work as fast and as efficiently as possible.

Obviously you can have the best winter backcountry gear available but unless you practice using it correctly it will be of little value in an emergency. Make sure your transceivers and GPS tracking units batteries are charged or fresh and always carry spare batteries in case you are trapped in bush for an extended period.

Again the use of common sense in conjunction with good planning and application will reduce the risk of death and injury while in the backcountry during avalanche season.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Kesel

Happy New Year To Everyone!

Great to see comments on here from people! Thanks for following this blog. If there is anything anyone wishes to read about please let me know and I will see if I can find some information for you.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! All the best to everyone in 2009!

Kim

Making GPS Tracking Personal

When it comes to keeping up with loved ones, nothing can give you added security like a GPS tracking device. You can implement personal GPS tracking to give yourself more peace of mind about the welfare of children or elderly relatives. A GPS tracking device can give you up to the minute information about someone's whereabouts and keep you informed of their movements.

But have you ever thought about using a GPS tracking device to keep track of yourself? Are you not just as important, valuable and in need to protection as the rest of your family and friends? If you are a person who travels a lot, you may want to use a GPS tracking device to allow your loved ones back home to keep track of you.

Whether you find that you do a lot of travel for fun or for work, you could benefit from personal GPS tracking. You know how they say that you should always tell someone where you are going? Well, for some people that is not possible. Plus, if you like to explore a little, you may veer away from your planned route. And there is nothing wrong with that, but it can't hurt to have an extra layer of security should you end up lost, ill or hurt somehow. Someone who had your itinerary will know that you have not made your next planned stop. That person can call you to see if you are okay. If you do not answer the phone or return that call within a certain amount of time, they may send help your way.

Those of you who like to hike and have all sorts of outdoor adventures, have probably had enough close calls to know how valuable it can be to have someone who knows how to reach you in case of an emergency.

Many of us who care for others, seldom think of our own safety. We are too busy worrying about everyone else. But it would be a mistake to not put the same protective measures in place for yourself that you have implemented for the other people in your life. So many of us think we are invincible, and while we are quite capable and quite strong, we are not super-human. GPS tracking can provide the safety net we need.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_McCord