Ancient history reminds us of people who have traveled and explored the world. Even up to this day, man never stops exploring the universe. These travelers just wouldn’t stop trying to find out some discoveries that they are also willing to share to the world. When before, men use natural instruments to guide them in their travel, today men created the GPS technology to help them track their travel and location more accurately.

Almost all of the best places in the world have already been explored (or so we thought). Man’s intellect has led into the discovery of the instrument called compass. With the use of navigational compass coupled with the ability to read maps, man can already find his away around in case he gets lost or is not familiar with a certain place.

With the introduction of Global Positioning System technology, compass and map reading somehow made a little back seat. Just a little background information, though, GPS technology was once conceived for use only in the military. In 1980s, however, this technology was already shared to the public.

With GPS satellites, it’s already possible for whereabouts to be accurately tracked. The receiver gets its data from more or less three of the twenty-four interconnected orbiting satellites. Besides the location, GPS also makes it possible to record speed when traveling, including the expected time of arrival, calculated based on the recorded speed.

GPS technology can also have maps incorporated in the units but it usually depends on the purpose behind the use of Global Positioning System (e.g., if it is intended for driving, sailing, jogging, and many others). When these GPS units do not have maps included, the purchase and download of any particular map should be easy because it can be done online. As a matter of fact, maps are usually offered online for free.

Compass and GPS – both of these units are meant to be used to guide the individuals who are out in their travel adventure. Using them can have some advantages or disadvantages.. It is generally recommended not to rely a hundred percent on these devices.

For the record, the top players in the GPS business today are Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan.