System maintenance scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at 7:00am to Sunday, June 4 at 8:00am. Customers and agents will not be able to access online accounts or make payments during this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Finding your destination used to mean keeping your eyes on the road while you glance at an oversized map draped over the steering wheel. Technology and the introduction of GPS Navigation to consumers have transformed how we find our way.
What is GPS Navigation?
In 1973, GPS or Global Positioning System was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense to be used for military purposes and in the 1980’s was available for civilian use. The system is composed of satellites that orbit the earth and transmit signal information to stations on the ground (or “receivers”). The GPS receivers on Earth take that information and use triangulation to calculate the user’s exact location.
GPS Navigational Units
GPS Navigational units are portable units that can either be mounted in your car or transferred from vehicle to vehicle. Once a destination is entered, it will then walk you through your trip, giving exact directions to your destination. Current GPS unit prices range from $250 to $600.
How to choose a GPS Navigational Unit
Cell Phone Technology
Nearly all new cellular phones sold have some built-in GPS receiving capability. Those that do not can request the service from their cellular phone provider.