Devices - Sat Navs

Satellite Navigation Systems

Sat Navs are now widely used by people, and where as at one time we might have bought a specific Sat Nav device, now many devices that we buy might have Sat Nav built into them (such as a car or a phone).

Satellite Navigation Systems use GPS to plan routes and give directions.  They are used by people for different purposes, drivers and pedestrians might use them to find their way to something, Geocachers use them to pursue their hobby.

Drivers:  Drivers obviously use Sat Navs to help them plan a route from the current destinations to their desired destination, but there are other uses:

• They can check their speed and it can warn them about speed cameras as they approach them (altering them with a bleep/alarm)
• They can get traffic reports where the display shows traffic jams on roads and this allows the driver to plan an alternative route avoiding the congestion
• They can choose to go the scenic route or the most direct route
• They can also locate local services such as service stations, banks, restaurants etc

Pedestrians:  More than likely use the Sat Nav system to help them find their way around a city/town.  The pedestrian will usually know where they want to go, but they just need assistance from the Sat Nav on how to get there.

Geocachers: are people who use Sat Navs to find 'treasure' and Geocaching is a hobby that some people pursue.

The above clip explains what Geocaching is all about.

How GPS works

This clip explains how GPS works using Satellites

There can be issues with Satellite Navigation Systems:

• If a driver is using it, they might take their eye off the road and cause an accident (sometime driver will try and alter the settings whilst driving which is very dangerous and irresponsible).
• The device may cause a blind spot, particularly if it is stuck to the driver window it is restricting the drivers view of the road
• The Sat Nav might take the driver on some back roads or country lanes, in some extreme cases there have been reports in the news of people following their sat nav instructions into lakes etc, but often people have reported being taken to the incorrect place.