Author: Rainer Cassell
Source: articledashboard.com

Remember family vacations when you were a kid? Waiting in a stuffy car while mom and dad pored over those massive road maps? Or, watching as they tried to decipher the directions given by the guy at the gas station? Makes us wonder how we ever found the cottage! Thankfully, modern travelers can use a GPS receiver to find their way quickly and easily.

The need for traditional maps and navigational devices has virtually disappeared since GPS devices hit the market. Now, travelers can simply refer to the GPS screen to access clear direction on where they need to go.

GPS receivers are small electronic devices that work by calculating your precise location on earth. This location is found by decoding signals received from satellites in outer space. Using additional electronics and software, it’s then possible for the GPS to pinpoint an exact location on a map. This incredible technology is available at a relatively small price.

GPS receivers become even more useful and convenient when paired with other mobile devices. A PDA is a popular consumer product that is easily used along with a GPS. PDAs have hard drive space to allow for map storage and colored screens to display maps, making them ideal technological GPS partners. When one takes into account the small size and weight of a compact PDA as compared to options such as laptop computers, it’s easy to see why PDAs are the choice of today’s tech-savvy travelers.

There is sometimes a problem with the integration of GPS receivers with PDAs. Connection between the two units is usually made using either conventional USB wires, or a CompactFlash (CF) CARD. The size of the GPS and PDA units together, and added to the added bulk of the CF card, can create a cumbersome traveler’s tool. On the other hand, using USB wires is inconvenient and limits the overall usability of the navigation device. Many people, therefore, are turning to Bluetooth technology as the perfect traveler’s companion.

Rescued by Bluetooth

Bluetooth technology is the new standard for wireless communications. With Bluetooth technology, two electronic devices are able to communicate by sending and retrieving signals and transferring data from as many as ten meters away. The information is transmitted without any wires at all.

Bluetooth GPS Receivers

A Bluetooth GPS receiver is an electronic device that uses wireless technology (namely, Bluetooth electronics) to transmit GPS data. The data is transmitted to a second wireless device, such as a PDA, that is capable of handling the technology. For example, a GPS receiver can wirelessly transmit data to a PDA handset, but only if they are both enabled with Bluetooth capabilities.

In addition to the ease and convenience of avoiding bulky CompactFlash cards and messy wires, there are other benefits to using Bluetooth technology with your GPS/PDA combination:

Flexible Freedom

Without wires to tie them down, you are free to position your GPS receiver and PDA device where it’s most convenient for you. Many travelers choose to place the GPS on the dashboard, allowing it to maintain a clear connection with satellites in the sky. The PDA is best mounted right in front of the driver, where he or she can clearly see the directions on the screen. With Bluetooth technology there are no wires to limit the convenience or obstruct your view of the screen.

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.