Equipment GPS tracker: Until recently, advanced GPS (Global Positioning System) technology required specialized hardware and equipment but installation of navigation maps on mobile phones using the Windows Mobile GPS Software has helped cell phone subscribers use GPS mapping on their cell phones.
The flexibility in use of Windows Mobile GPS has enabled travelers keep themselves away from a separate GPS device that allows them navigate on a journey. The system also helps in tracking and establishing the positions of cellphone users.
What is Windows Mobile GPS
GPS is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. A typical GPS system uses a group of satellites that transmit microwave signals to all GPS enabled devices to determine their current location, speed and the directions to their destination. GPS is used mostly by travelers when they are going to a new, unfamiliar destination.
Windows Mobile GPS System Functioning
A GPS system uses a number of satellites to determine the location of a GPS receiver. These satellites maintain contact with the receivers by sending continuous messages. Each of these messages is time stamped and contains the exact location of the satellite in orbit that sent the message.
These messages also contain the precise location of the other satellites that perform GPS functions. By the help of these timely messages from these satellites, the receiver determines the distance from them and hence their exact position and further directions.
Functioning of Windows Mobile GPS Software
The functioning of a Windows mobile GPS system for a cell phone is similar to that of a GPS enabled device with the only difference being that in the case of a mobile phone, the cellphone itself works as the receiver.
Another difference is that a Windows mobile GPS system may connect with other data services such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), to enable the users to locate a specific location on a map. For this purpose, the cell phone may connect with mapping services such as Google maps or other similar services to show the user a more user friendly picture of his present location and destination.
Windows Mobile GPS Software
A Windows mobile GPS software is similar in to other GPS systems. There are various facilities that Microsoft provides to the customers. Cellphone users can determine their current location on a map, find various places of interest such as gas stations, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels etc. while on the way to a destination.
A detailed map helps them locate the exact map to the place they wish to travel to. In some places, the service also helps the users find the shortest path and also the one with the lowest traffic.
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Optical Versus Laser Rangefinder Versus GPS
Accurate distance measurement is useful for golf and hunting. The main types of sports rangefinders are laser, optical and GPS.
Laser Rangefinders
Laser rangefinders send a pulse of light to the target and measure the time it takes to bounce back.
Advantages
Accurate. 1 yard accuracy is common.
Flexible. Can be used to measure distances to any point.
Wide minimum to maximum measurement range. 20 to 300 or 20 to 500 yards is common. Can measure further depending on reflectivity of target and power of laser.
Disadvantages
Heavy.
Depends on batteries.
Some are difficult to use. Need to hold steady, some people don’t get reliable readings beyond 100 or 200 yards. Can be confused by rain, snow, objects in the background (for golf) or foreground (for hunting). Some advanced models have smart modes to counter this.
Hunting rangefinders should give the furthest distance measured (to ignore branches in the foreground). Golf rangefinders should give the closest distance measured (to ignore trees in the background). Some rangefinders can be switched to either mode.
Popular brands include Bushnell (Pinseeker), Nikon, Leupold and Leica.
Optical Rangefinders
Optical rangefinders are monoculars (binoculars with one eyepiece) with built-in scales. The height of the golf flag is measured against the scale and the distance read off against a conversion table.
Advantages
Simple, light, cheap, reliable, no batteries.
Not confused by branches, rain, snow in its path.
Can be quick in hands of skilled user.
Disadvantages
Difficult to use. Need to hold more steadily than laser rangefinder to line up the scale on to the target, then read the conversion table.
Limited accuracy, 80 to 90 percent accuracy.
Assumes all golf flags are the same height, which might not be true.
Limited range, typically 50 to 200 or 50 to 300 yards.
Optical rangefinders are more suited to hunting than golf. Hunters don’t need as much accuracy as golfers and will appreciate the light weight and ruggedness of optical rangefinders.
Golf rangefinders can be used for hunting if manually recalibrated for the height of the animals hunted (instead of the golf flag). Hunters can draw up their own conversion table and ignore the golf conversion table.
GPS Rangefinders
GPS rangefinders work like GPS maps. A map of the course is downloaded into the unit. The position of the rangefinder is calculated by triangulating with orbiting satellites, and shown on the map.
Advantages
Easy to use.
Doesn’t require line-of-sight.
Shows map of area, including traps.
Disadvantages
Most require yearly subscriptions.
Depends on batteries.
Not all golf courses are mapped.
Satellite signal can be blocked by clouds.
Less accurate than laser rangefinder.
Gives ranges to a few fixed points, not flexible.
Gives ranges to front, center and back of green but pin/flag might not be in center of green.
Suitable for golf but not for hunting.
Need to install software on PC to download maps.
Popular brands include SkyCaddie, iGolf, Garmin (GolfLogix) and Bushnell.
It is possible to use a generic GPS unit (Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan) and map out the local golf course manually. This requires more work compared to a dedicated golf GPS but allows customization and there’s no annual subscription fee.
Tournament Legal
Some laser rangefinders can measure slope (tilt) angles. These are not allowed in USGA tournaments. Tournament players should check tournament rules before purchasing any rangefinders.
Too much Technology?
Rangefinders will improve a golfer’s game and a hunter’s aim. The question of whether or not this is somehow cheating or unsporting will have to be answered by each individual.
Rangefinders can be used to improve distance estimation. The distance can be estimated manually, then checked with the rangefinder. This will improve distance-estimation skills, until perhaps a rangefinder is no longer needed.
