Many people want a GPS device because they have seen their friends use these fantastic little tools but then they ask that inevitable question:  What is GPS?

Many of us have a general idea of what GPS is but beyond that…NADA.

So, let’s try to explain what GPS is without a lot of the techno babel that we are accumstomed to seeing.

Let’s start by asking this question:  Do you know what GPS stands for?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System.

A GPS device has the ability to pinpoint exactly (with 10ft or so) where you are, or where other things are, in the world.

Initially, locations were expressed in longitude and latitude.  However, these terms meant little to lay people.  Thus, systems were developed to express longitude and latitude in more user-friendly manners, like pictures on a map.

Thus, now-a-days, when we use our Portable GPS Navigator, we do not see the actual longitude and latitude coordinates.  Instead, we see nice graphical maps of where we we are and where we want to go.

This, obviously, is an oversimplified definition to the question What Is GPS?

But, to provide intellectual banter at your next cocktail party, you may want to define GPS as:  “A Global Positioning System that determines exact locations through the use of 24 or more satellites which calculate earthly coordinates by converting atomically correct time into distance and then triangulating the earthly source.”

Or, you may just want to pull out your new GPS and show them all the cool features.

They may be slightly more impressed!

If you would like more technical details, please see our category entitled GPS Explained.