In this issue:

10 Ways to Use Your New GPS
What is a POI?
Did You Know?
New User Tip - 4 Ways to Protect Your GPS from Thieves
Popular Mechanics: Kudos to Colorado 400t
Spring Means Geocaching

10 Ways to Use Your New GPS
by: James Bunting 
 
The GPS, or Global Positioning System, was originally developed by the military to pinpoint targets anywhere in the world. It has been used for a host of civilian applications for some years now.

Today, GPS devices are now portable - they can not only be fitted in your car, but also come as hand-held devices the size of a cell phone! If you have a GPS device, or are planning to get one, here are a just a few things you can do with it:

1. Travel - You can use your GPS device to get from point A to point B without getting lost. You can check to see if you are on the right path.

2. Locate your parked vehicle - if you forget the spot where you parked your car, a GPS device can easily locate it for you.

3. Set notifications for your travel route - No more missing an exit on a freeway, and then taking a 3-mile detour! Your GPS navigator can guide you along the way so that you don't miss any turns or highway exits.

4. Record your exact travel path - If you are going to a secluded place that doesn't have an clearly defined road, you can record the way you went and then play it back to some one else, or you can use to go to the same place next year!

5. Use it as a speedometer - A GPS device can track your speed. If you are ever stopped for speeding, use it to prove to the cops how fast you were going.

6. Use it to give your exact coordinates if your car breaks down - If you are stranded on a highway, you can use the GPS to give the towing company your exact location, so they can reach you faster.

7. Locate your camp - When camping, you can locate your camp without getting lost if you happen to go for a hike or a nearby town.

8. Search and rescue - You can mark the spot if someone happens to fall off the boat or has a similar water emergency. GPS has been used with tremendous success in search and rescue operations.

9. Boating - You can determine where you are in the water, without having to look for landmarks.

10. Find your teenagers - If you have teenage kids, take the worry out of their late night forays with a GPS. You'll always know where they - and your car - are at all times!

A GPS can be very useful in lots of situations, as well as great fun. Many websites offer fun tips and equipment or all your navigation needs, including GPS systems and more.

Source: James Bunting 

What is a POI?

POI stands for Points of Interest. These are locations, typically business storefronts, that exist in auto GPS devices. Some typical POI's are gas stations, hotels, restaurants, police departments, hospitals, shopping malls, or historical locations.

The data for the POI databases is collected from a variety of sources. In some cases the mapping companies collect it, sometimes the data is provided directly to mapping companies from larger chain locations, and other times the information is gathered by companies who specialize in creating business directories, (like the Yellow Pages). The data typically includes the physical address, name of the location, category of the POI, a phone number, and the geographic coordinates.

Did You Know?

Windshield GPS Installations are Illegal in Some States

Currently, there are two sates that prohibit drivers from putting suction cup mounts on their windshield while operating their vehicle– California and Minnesota. To find out exactly what the restriction is and what your alternative mounting options are check here:
- The Laws -
In California, you will want to refer to Vehicle Code Section 26708(a) for all of the details. In Minnesota, you will want to refer to Section 169.71 for the details. These outline what you can and cannot mount on your windshield as well as visibility requirements.

You might want to try a Bean Bag Mount

A “bean bag mount”, also known as a “friction mount”, takes a similar approach to the plastic disc, except instead of affixing it to the dash with adhesive, the bottom has an “anti slip” coating and surrounding the plastic disc is a bean bag which adds weight and prevents the mount from sliding around on your dash. This sounds odd at first but they are rock solid and hardly budge. They won’t take 4×4 off road abuse, but they work extremely well for most applications.

New User Tip - 4 Ways to Protect Your GPS from Thieves

OK - so you have your new GPS, and you want to keep it. You may not know that they are also hot items for thieves. So while lots of people are realizing that GPS units are very helpful for navigation, thieves are realizing that a quick smash and grab makes for an easy to sell unit that can net a few hundred dollars without much work. The Boston Globe in 2007 announced that GPS thefts in the city of Boston went up about 5X compared to those in 2006. You need to protect yourself.

Four Easy Tips to Avoid GPS Theft:

1) Take the GPS and its mount off the windshield/dash and stow it.
2) Take the GPS with you when you leave the car for an extra level of precaution.
3) Consider wiping the suction cup marks off the windshield with a soft cloth – they can tip off thieves that there’s something valuable in the car.
4) Instead of mounting on the windshield, consider using a friction mount on the dash to avoid the suction cup marks on the windshield altogether.