GPS or Global Positioning Systems, consist of earth based command and control stations and a constellation of polar orbit satellites. Each satellite transmits information describing it's precise orbital position. All satellites use the same frequency, allowing the use of a fixed tuned receiver. Using position information received from at least 3 satellites, a GPS receiver/navigator can calculate it's two dimensional position on the earths surface, its latitude and longitude. At Marine Electronics Center we carry hand held or fixed mount GPS from brands like ACR, Eagle, Furuno and Garmin. There seems to be no end to the conviences GPS brings to boating with features like chart plotters, combination GPS units with fishfinder, coupled with other technologies like computers,route planning software, mapping, depth sounder, fuel flow guages and digital charts.  Please browse our ever expanding selection of GPS equipped hardware.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING GPS

• Is the number of satellites a GPS receiver tracks important when selecting a GPS ?

Answer = Modern GPS receivers typically are capable of tracking between 8 and 12 or more satellites. Most times a GPS will use data only from satellites above the users horizon, and it is uncommon for more than 8 satellites to be sufficiently above the GPS users horizon. What this means is any GPS system capable of dealing with 8 satellites at one time should provide all the performance you need.

• Where should I mount & aim my GPS antenna ?

Answer = For a GPS system to function correctly the antenna should have an unobstructed clear view of the sky. The antenna should not be located at the same height or close to the radar antenna. It is also not recommended to mount the antenna high on the mast of a sailboat, the antenna motion created by the pitch & roll of the vessel is likely to complicate data processing for the GPS. Typical antenna locations are at the stern rail, radar arch, or T-top frame.

• How accurate is a GPS ?

Answer =  A GPS  fix is said to be within 300 feet/100 meters. A GPS receiver equipped with (DGPS) Differential GPS is said to have an accuracy of approx 30 feet/10 meters. The DGPS uses a land based receiver to measure the error and transmits corrections to your DGPS equipped receiver.

• Does GPS work in all weather conditions ?

Answer = Yes , Satellite GPS works in all weather conditions

• What is better, Hand held or Fixed mount GPS ?

Answer = That all depends on how you intend to use the GPS. Hand held units are fully portable and, with todays technology, have programable internal memory that can accept information down loaded from your computer, limited only by the size of memory. Fixed mount usually offers larger, more visable screens, more options and better position fixing then hand held units. Some offer internal antennas for easier mounting options, others offer external antennas for clearer antenna line of sight to satellites.