Traveling used to mean packing along detailed and illegible maps and compasses of questionable reliability. Given the number of times travelers had to stop and pull over to check a map, it's a wonder that we ever traveled at all! These days, modern travelers can easily find their way with a small hand held wonder called a GPS receiver.
Since GPS devices hit the market a few years ago, traditional navigation devices and roadmaps have been left in the dust. Travelers these days can glance at a GPS screen right in the car, and get clear directions on where to go and how to get there.
GPS receivers are electronic devices that can calculate your precise location on earth, by decoding signals received from satellites in outer space. Additional electronic products and software can then aid the GPS in pinpointing your exact location on a map. It's incredible technology for a small gadget with a relatively small price tag.
For increased convenience and usefulness, GPS receivers are often paired with other mobile devices. The PDA is one of the most popular mobile products used for this purpose. With a colored screen that can clearly display maps, and some hard drive space for map storage, PDAs are wonderful partners to GPS receivers. Consider the small size and light weight of a PDA as compared to other options like notebook and laptop computers, and it's easy to see why PDAs have become the first choice of modern navigators.
There are certain drawbacks to using GPS receivers with PDAs. In order to connect the two units, some people use conventional USB wires, while others choose a CompactFlash (CF) CARD. Either option means that both the GPS and PDA must be kept together. But, wires are inconvenient and limit the overall usability of the navigation device, while a CF card simply adds more bulk to the already cumbersome equipment. For these reasons, many travelers see Bluetooth technology as the perfect answer.
Rescued by Bluetooth
Bluetooth wireless technology has become the open standard for wireless communication. Using Bluetooth technology, two electronic devices are able to communicate with each other, sending a receiving signals and transferring data, from up to ten meters away. The beauty of this technology is that the information is transmitted completely wire-free.
Bluetooth GPS Receivers
Bluetooth GPS receivers are electronic devices that use wireless technology or Bluetooth electronics to transmit GPS data. This data is transmitted to a second mobile device that is capable of handling the same technology. In other words, a Bluetooth GPS receiver can send data to a PDA, provided that PDA is also equipped with built-in Bluetooth capabilities.
Of course, this combination of devices offers many advantages to modern travelers. As an alternative to cumbersome USB wires or bulky CompactFlash, Bluetooth technology provides several benefits:
Flexible Freedom
It's not always best to have your PDA and your GPS receiver located in the same position. Without wires to bind the devices, you can position your PDA and GPS separately in the most strategic locations, to provide the best results. For example, if you are using your GPS while driving, you can position the Bluetooth GPS receiver in a spot where it has a clear view of the sky, while mounting the PDA to your dashboard where you have a clear view of the screen. There are no wires to get in the way of your vision, or hamper your driving in any way.
Added Storage
If you are using Bluetooth technology to transmit data, you'll have no need to plug in a CompactFlash card. The empty CF slot, therefore, can be used as a storage space for software or maps to further optimize the results of your GPS.
Bluetooth GPS manufacturers will offer further benefits with their equipment. For example, many Bluetooth GPS receivers feature a POI (points of interest) database, pre-stored maps and route re-calculation function.
So, whether your travels are taking you to the next neighborhood or another country, don't leave home without your GPS and PDA bundled with Bluetooth technology.
