GPS or Map

Why are the benefits of a GPS over a map. Do you need a GPS or does work a map good enough on your bicycle journey? To answer that, we first look what a GPS is.

What is a GPS

A GPS or Global Positioning System is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) developed by the United States Department of Defense. It is managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. It uses satellites sending radio waves to a receiver which determines the precise location of the receiver.

GPS has become widely operational in 1993. It became a useful tool for ship, geologists, surveyors, ships and ... travelers.

A GPS receiver calculates its position by precisely timing the signals sent by the GPS satellites. The satellite transmit messages containing he time the message was sent, precise orbital information, and the general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites. The receiver measures the transit time of each message and computes the distance to each satellite. Geometric trilateration is used to combine these distances with the location of the satellites to determine the receiver's location. The position is displayed, perhaps with a moving map display or latitude and longitude; elevation information may be included. Many GPS units also show derived information such as direction and speed, calculated from position changes.

Although it might seen 3 satellites are enough to calculate the position, space has 3 dimensions, there us a small clock error multiplied by the speed of light which results in a positional error. Thus the information of a 4th satellite is necessary. Only when the elevation is known 3 satellites will sufficient (for example at sea).

Does a cyclist need a GPS

Does a cyclist need a GPS? Honest answer? No, in most cases a decent map will do. Even if the map is in local language (see my story about cycling without a map). So why would you choose to bring a GPS? There are several reasons pro and contra. Lets explore them:

• Why bring a GPS

When you are on the road, there are not always proper road signs. And even if there are road signs, in many countries they are not always reliable. In some circumstances I have seen road signs saying a town is 20 km away while the next says 25km. It happens.

An advantage of a GPS is that always and everywhere you know where you are. No more searching on a wet map for the location of your hotel, no more hoping that when you cross the border you will find a map of that country. You have your world map in a device as big as a cellphone.

Cycling in the dessert or in very empty areas (think of Russia, Australia) are good examples when a GPS will become essential. Without any references around you, a GPS becomes invaluable.

• Why not bringing a GPS

Do you really need to know the very exact position where you are. And I mean, on to the meter? Of course not. You need to know how you are from the next point to get your supplies. In the more populated areas of the world you will always find proper road signs, people and places where either you can stay or at least can get food and camp outside the town.

Further, a GPS is a piece of electronics. It is designed to endure and be used in wet, cold or other extreme situations. However, it is still a piece of electronics and therefore it can break down. Replacing or repairing a GPS can be an expensive business if possible at all. This depends of course where you are cycling.

Because a GPS is a valuable piece of electronics, although they are getting cheaper, it might be stolen.

I have seen people using a GPS while they were in the middle of Bangkok at Khao San Road and I can't really see the relevance of it.

But that said, the choice is yours, EBay is a good source to get them cheap.

Back to the top of GPS or Map for your bicycle journey

More Maps and GPS auctions here

Back to bicycle components

Back to bicycle maps

Back to the Bicycle Adventures.com homepage

Custom Search