European GPS – Best Auto GPS System for the Old Continent

Auto navigation has benefitted immensely with the GPS application; incorporation of maps is one such example of technology making life easier and safer. The European GPS is mostly free with improved accuracy and continuous service. Besides navigation the European GPS will spawn a huge industry.

PHOTO BY FLICKR.COM/MROACH

European GPS - EGNOS and Galileo

The European GPS was launched primarily to reduce dependency on global navigation systems controlled by other countries. Besides being more accurate it is also under civilian control with assurance of availability at all times except under extreme conditions. This makes the European GPS safer to help run trains, land aircraft, navigate ships, and guide cars.The already-in-use - European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) - is a precursor to EU’s Galileo project. It uses three satellites to deliver almost five times more precision than the US system (2 meters vs. 10 meters) along with continuous availability.It’s only befitting that the European GPS be named after the famous Italian astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei. This ambitious European collaboration eventually involving 30 satellites has incorporated an atomic clock that is accurate to within 1 nanosecond per day. Perfect synchronization is vital for such systems to pinpoint a user’s location. This project is officially simply referred to as Galileo to help differentiate it from NAVSTAR (American, and more commonly only called GPS) and GLONASS (Russian) GPSs.

Auto GPS Systems for Automotive Navigation

To avoid confusion with the American ‘GPS’, Auto GPS Systems are now more commonly called Automotive Navigation Systems. These systems are used in automobiles and use a GPS navigation device to help the user get directions to other locations which are in its database.A good navigation system has 4 characteristics: clarity of instructions, screen size, connectivity, and most importantly the maps. The first two are influenced by the GPS console manufacturer but the other two governing factors are dependent on the service provider.Besides directions, newer systems also relay information on traffic congestion and alternative routes, and even nearest public transport.

GPS Europe Map - Preloaded and Downloadable

For GPS Europe maps there are 2 options: purchase a device with maps of Europe already preloaded or use a standard model and buy regional maps to be loaded later. Some services include language guides and call out the street names when giving directions, the latter particularly helpful in speed crazy countries. One can even download maps onto GPS enabled phones.Another invaluable tip: choose software that differentiates between dirt tracks and narrow asphalt roads from ordinary rural roads. Though GPS-enabled smartphones are increasingly gaining popularity in the portable navigation sector, the PND has stood its ground by sporting features that augment its original purpose.