IranMap

Have you ever asked yourself, what does the L, M and T mean on Garmin nuvi devices? If so, here is the answer:
The code denotes some of the “extras” that come with nuvi devices.

The “LT” stands for lifetime traffic, which means that nuvi provides subscription-free traffic alerts for the life of the unit. This option is standard on most of Garmin units and it’s a great sanity-saver for commuters or anyone who doesn’t care to sit idle in traffic jams.
“LM” stands for lifetime maps, which means if your nuvi comes with this, you can download the latest maps for your unit up to four times a year. And, the “LMT”, means lifetime maps and traffic.

More than half of AA (The Automobile Association in UK) members with a sat nav have said that it is the best device they’ve ever had in their car but 22% admit that the sat nav sometimes distracts them and almost one in three (30%) said their sat nav had taken them to a place they didn’t want to go.

Younger drivers (18-24) are much more likely to have a sat nav – over half (52%) of the younger age group have a sat nav compared to just 28% of the over 65s. Overall only 14% trust the sat nav not to get them lost so it’s no surprise that two thirds always carry a road atlas in their car on unfamiliar journeys.

Whatever your age it’s important that you understand the limitations of a sat nav system so that you can get the best out of it without getting into trouble.

1- You’re driving, not the sat nav
You can’t blame the sat nav if you commit an offence or have an accident. It’s your fault.

2- Trust your eyes not the sat nav
People have been marooned in fords, driven into rivers and down railways because their sat nav told them to. If the road looks wrong, don’t take it.

3- You know what you’re driving, the sat nav probably doesn’t
If you have a large vehicle or a caravan, you can’t be sure that a road is suitable just because the sat nav tells you to go down it. Watch for signs.

4- Watch the road not the sat nav
A sat nav can give all sorts of information about where you are going, much of which you don’t need.

5- Don’t block your view of the road
The sat nav should be in your line of sight. You don’t want to have to look down or turn your head a long way, but it should not block your view of the road. Put it where it won’t injure anyone in an accident.

6- Don’t try to programme the sat nav while driving
Programming on the move will take one hand from the wheel, two eyes from the road and a brain from driving. Always pull over before adjusting settings.

7- Use all of the features
On a complicated, busy roundabout, it is unwise to take your eyes off the road to look at the sat nav, and much better to receive spoken instructions.

8- Check the route is practical before you go
Is the sat nav taking you to the right Farnborough? Hampshire, Warwickshire or Kent? If you put in the wrong destination, it will take you to the wrong destination. Does the route look right?

9- Update the sat nav regularly
It needs to know about new roads, new traffic systems and generally keep itself up to date.

10- Thieves like sat navs too
If it’s detachable, always take it out when you leave the car. Mounts or suction cap marks also attract thieves as they know that drivers who remove the sat nav from the window tend to leave it in the car.

GPS is one of the latest and most innovative developments in the world of communications. Due to the nature of the technology, which thrives off radio signals delivered by a network of satellites orbiting the earth, it is easily able to extend its functionality to mobile phones as they work in similar fashion with cell phone towers.

Many of the cell phones today have GPS capabilities that allow them to perform a wide range of useful functions. Connecting with emergency response teams, location tracking and navigation are just some of the abilities cell phone owners enjoy.

From Space to Your Phone
Navigation systems in general are supported by the aforementioned constellation of satellites. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, these satellites are orbiting the earth in cyclic patterns. A minimum of four satellites are accessible to any single point on the earth at any given time, which enables them to start tracking the device. Once the device has been activated, the satellite signals are automatically transmitted.

The exact location of your cell phone is determined through a process known as trilateration, in which three satellites work collectively to narrow down location points. During this process, a fourth satellite compiles the information and determines a match. Distance calculations are based on how long it takes the signals to travel between the satellite and GPS receiver.

Mapping capabilities are then displayed on your screen via the cell phone network’s database. The accuracy of these maps will all depend on how frequently your provider makes updates to its database.

Improved Accuracy through Your Mobile Phone
In order for any GPS unit to function properly, there must be a clear line of sight between the sky and the receiver. Because this is not always possible, it is very common to receive inaccurate readings or no signal information at all on a sat nav device. Using your GPS-enabled cell phone in a building, near a tall building or in the obstruction of trees may result in these signal problems.

To achieve better results, many of the newer cell phones rely on Assisted GPS, as this enhanced technology uses a cellular network’s assistance server in addition to the satellites. Using cell towers, the phone relays satellite data to the server. Because the server has the ability to process incoming data at higher rates than sat nav receivers, the information is transmitted faster, which often results in better accuracy than what the device could achieve on its own.