Satellite navigation systems for your car used to be expensive accessories. But due to the rapid development of technology and rising competition, prices have slumped over the past few years so that almost everyone can afford sat navs nowadays.

The technology of satellite navigation systems resembles the one once used in submarines when they were on or near the surface and is the main global positioning system (GPS) of international military services. While originally developed and designed for military purpose in 1960-70 sat navs are now available for civilians, too. The principle is based on satellite signals determining the position of a sat nav receiver which is part of every in car sat nav system. Military devices have an astonishing accuracy with a maximum error of only one metre. Even though civil sat navs can’t keep up to this, they can easily position where about on a road the receiver is. However, the accuracy mainly depends on the number of satellites supporting a signal.

As a consequence of the rising popularity of sat nav systems for cars, the latest devices don’t only locate your position and give directions but include traffic, conjunctions warnings and even roadwork. Here, the recently launched TomTom Go 720 Traffic Edition has set a new milestone. It is able to receive live traffic updates via an RDS signal and takes them into consideration when calculating routing. It further suggests alternative directions if necessary and provides different routes depending on the day and time.

Nevertheless, with these additional features TomTom introduced a new generation of sat navs and thanks to an improved sensitivity to satellite signals almost no accuracy errors occur. It is expected that other leading manufacturers like Navman and Garmin will soon offer similar products with an equivalent feature. With a price range of over £200 the TomTom Go 720 Traffic Edition is still reasonably priced considering the technology. However, it might be worth being patient and waiting for a second generation as usually technical innovation comes along with troubles and often needs to be improved and adjusted.

Generally speaking, a sat nav is useful for every driver and especially for those who think that the philosophy of getting from A to B is more a game of pure chance than logical routing. If you tend to write directions down rapidly on a piece of paper, napkin or anything else that’s just within your reach then you should go for a reasonably priced satellite navigation system. This will not only save you money but also valuable time and you’ll reach your destination more relaxed.

Where would we be without our GPS systems? Many of us now have some kind of satellite navigation and as it eliminates stress and hassle, many more will look to Sat Nav to find their way.

 

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