Whether you use your Corvette for business, pleasure, cruising, or a combination of all three, a global positioning system (GPS) can make getting to your destination more efficient, direct, and-in many cases-more fun. A GPS is a unit that keeps track of your position with respect to where you want to go, and, in some cases, does a great deal more.
Factory-installed GPS navigation units first became available for the Corvette with the C6, but you can easily install and use an aftermarket GPS unit in any year Corvette without altering the interior or marring any of the surfaces.
We'll take a look at some of the better aftermarket GPS units in this article, but before getting into the nuances of the GPS units themselves, it might be a good idea to give you some background on the entire GPS satellite system in general.
GPS-What It Is And What It DoesWhen people talk about GPS, they usually mean a GPS receiver. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is actually a constellation of 27 earth-orbiting satellites (24 in operation and 3 extras in case one fails) that provide navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world. The system is operated and controlled by members of the 50th Space Wing, located at Schriever AFB in Colorado. The U.S. military initially developed and implemented this satellite network as a military navigation system, but soon opened it up to everybody else.
Each of these 3,000- to 4,000-pound, solar-powered satellites circles the globe at about 12,000 miles (19,300 km), making two complete rotations each day. The orbits are arranged so that at any time, anywhere on Earth, there are at least four satellites "visible" in the sky.
A GPS receiver's job is to locate four or more of these satellites, figure out the distance to each, and use this information to deduce its own location. This operation is based on a simple mathematical principle called trilateration.
The GPS provides 24-hour navigation services including:*Extremely accurate, three-dimensional location information (latitude, longitude, and altitude), velocity, and precise time *A worldwide common grid that is easily converted to any local grid *Passive all-weather operations *Continuous real-time information *Support to an unlimited number of users and areas *Support to civilian users at a slightly less accurate level
GPS satellites orbit the earth every 12 hours, emitting continuous navigation signals. With the proper equipment (e.g., a GPS receiver), users can receive these signals to calculate time, location, and velocity. The signals are so accurate that time can be figured to within a millionth of a second, velocity to within a fraction of a mph, and location to within 10 feet. GPS receivers have been developed for use in aircraft, ships, and land vehicles (including bicycles), as well as for hand carrying while walking or hiking.
The GPS Program office is working to significantly enhance many of the functions being provided by current positioning and navigational equipment, and this will result in even greater accuracy at lower cost. Functions such as mapping, aerial refueling and rendezvous, geodetic surveys, search and rescue operations will benefit from these enhanced GPS capabilities.
Such capabilities were put to the test during Operations Desert Shield and Storm. Allied troops relied heavily on GPS to navigate the featureless Saudi Arabian desert. Forward air controllers, pilots, tank drivers, and even cooks used the system so successfully that several U.S. defense officials cited GPS as key to the Desert Storm victory.
The Delta II expendable launch vehicle is used to launch GPS satellites from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, into nearly 11,000-mile circular orbits. While orbiting the earth, the systems transmit signals on two different L-band frequencies. Their design life is 7.5 years.
The GPS Master Control Station (MCS), operated by the 50th Space Wing's 2nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, is responsible for monitoring and controlling the GPS satellite constellation. The GPS-dedicated ground system consists of five monitor stations and four ground antennas located around the world. The monitor stations use GPS receivers to passively track the navigation signals on all satellites. Information from the monitor stations is then processed at the MCS and used to update the satellites' navigation messages.
The master control station crew sends updated navigation information to GPS satellites through ground antennas using an S-band signal. The ground antennas are also used to transmit commands to satellites and to receive the satellites' state-of-health data (telemetry).
Selecting A GPSWhile the prices for GPS navigation units range from a few hundred to well over a thousand dollars, price isn't the only thing you should consider when selecting a GPS receiver. Here are some other factors that come into the equation:
Size-the size of a GPS receiver is directly related to the size of the viewing screen; the larger the screen, the larger (and heavier) the GPS unit will be. While a large screen makes viewing easier, it also makes the GPS unit bulkier and, in some Corvette models such as sharks, this extra size is not an advantage.
Map Data-in order for the GPS to provide guidance, it has to have route and destination data available. Some GPS units have a built-in hard drive that comes pre-loaded with all the map, road, and highway information for the entire 50 states, and some include Canada as well; others need to have the data uploaded to their storage systems via CD-ROM(s) supplied with the unit. The ability to upload the latest mapping data is very important as new highways and roads are constantly being built. I learned first-hand how important having updated map data is when the GPS unit I brought along for use in my rental car at FunFest 2005 couldn't find 1 Mid America Place.
Single or Multi-Purpose-while most stand-alone GPS units are intended solely for navigation purposes, there are a couple of units that work in concert with notebook computers or PDAs that add navigation to the other capabilities and applications of the device. Generally speaking, these are often the most economical GPS solutions, since you're not paying for the computer, just the navigation capability.
Cream Of The CropIn researching this article I had the opportunity to spend some time with each of the following GPS units, and while each of them had particular strengths or features I liked, collectively they represent the best values as far as automotive GPS units go. Please bear in mind, however, that manufacturers are constantly updating their product lines, so by the time you read this article these models may have been replaced by newer ones. The features and capabilities of these models should serve you well as a guide when you go GPS shopping.
Cobra Nav One 3000Includes: 12-volt cigarette lighter plug for power and windshield suction cup mounting bracket.MAP: $669.95 www.cobra.com
Special Features*Large 5.2-inch diagonal color LCD display with 320x240 pixel resolution*Built-in 20GB hard drive with detailed maps of the 48 states, plus Canada metro and Hawaii*Internal gyroscope keeps you on the map if GPS signal is lost (i.e., tunnels or urban canyons)*Infrared beaming feature allows easy transfer of addresses from PDAs *Trail mode allows you to go off-road and mark waypoints
Cobra's Nav One GPSM 3000 was the first portable navigation system to offer a 5.2-inch high-resolution 320x240 color display for viewing day and night. The Nav One has many features, including an automatic brightness control, which adjusts the display automatically using a photo sensor and a backlit keypad. The Nav One GPSM 3000 Navigation System is the latest unit from Cobra to feature their I.A.S.A.P (Intelligent Accelerated Satellite Acquisition Protocol) technology, for faster acquisitions and uninterrupted satellite signal operation. The unit also permits you to transfer contacts into the system from your Palm OS or Pocket PC PDA using an infrared port. The Cobra Nav One is equipped with a 20GB hard drive that contains detailed mapping from Navteq for the 48 states, plus Hawaii and also detail for the metropolitan areas in Canada. The detailed data also includes two million points of interest, such as restaurants, hotels, banks, gas stations, and more. The Nav One allows you to search by street address, POI (point of interest) name, and a business telephone number (a handy feature). Just pick your destination and the Nav One GPSM 3000 will guide you with vocal directions, and if you miss a turn it will automatically recalculate and get you back on track.
Another nifty feature of the unit is its built-in gyroscope-in tunnels and underpasses the gyroscope takes over and will keep you moving on the map. With the trip planner you can program up to ten destinations in each plan with up to five saved plans. The GPSM 3000 also features Trip Data; you can see an odometer, trip timers, speedometers, and a Trail mode so that you can use the unit off-road and mark your favorite spots for future navigation to them. You choose from three different languages: English, French, or Spanish for both text and spoken directions.
The unit mounts to the windshield via a suction-cup mount, but because of its size, it tends to obscure forward vision. I found that resting it on the console of a midyear or C5 made it much less obtrusive, while still affording a good view of the large display screen. The volume of the spoken directions is adequate, even with loud exhausts. The Nav One 3000 comes with a one-year warranty and measures 4.73-inch high by 7.91-inch long by 2.28-inch wide.
Lowrance iWay 500CIncludes: windshield suction cup mount, motorcycle mount, speaker/cigarette and hardwire power cable, USB interface cable, 110VAC to 12VDC converter, cover and cleaning cloth.MAP: $799www.lowrance.com
Special Features*5-inch diagonal high-resolution color touchscreen display*Built-in 20GB hard drive, contains detailed maps of the continental U.S. and Canada*Includes 10GB of storage for MP3 music files*Advanced graphics and simplified operation with 5 "hard" keys for common functions
The iWay 500C is a fully loaded vehicle navigation system with an extra 10GB of memory for MP3 files. The iWay 500C features a 5-inch diagonal touchscreen, super-bright, 320x240 resolution display that is superb even in direct sunlight. The built-in precision 12-parallel-channel WAAS receiver can get you accuracy up to 3 meters (under 10 feet). The iWay 500C has a 20GB hard drive with 10GB preloaded to hold the highly detailed Navteq turn-by-turn database for the continental United States and Canada. Just select an address or a specific POI (point of interest) and the iWay 500C will guide you there with both verbal and visual directions.
The iWay 500C also allows you to change between overhead view and 3-D views of the road ahead, and it lets you customize your trip by avoiding toll roads, interstates, and even left-hand turns. If you inadvertently miss a turn, the unit automatically recalculates the directions to get you back on track safely. The 500C has memory to save up to 1,000 of your favorite locations, so you can easily navigate back to them at any time.
The unit is easy to operate thanks to its touchscreen and 5 primary keys, which put most of the iWays functions just a touch away. The iWay 500C comes with lots of accessories, including a cigarette power adapter with a built-in speaker and a 11/48-inch stereo jack, and a hardwire cable with a 11/48-inch stereo jack for wiring into the vehicles stereo system. These provisions are especially useful considering the unit is an excellent MP3 music player in addition to a full-featured GPS system.
The iWay 500C has 10GB of storage for up to 5,000 (depending on compression) MP3 files, so you could literally drive coast to coast without running out of music or repeating any tunes. Key music functions include: browse files, play lists, repeat, on/off, shuffle, equalizer, pause, stop, scan, skip forward, skip reverse, and volume. Another nice plus is an included 110VAC-to-12VDC power adapter for in-home transferring of music files, and so on. The unit carries a one-year warranty and measures 6.1-inch high by 4.5-inch wide by 2.15-inch deep.
Garmin Street-Pilot 2620Includes: Infrared alphanumeric remote control, AC adapter, PC/USB cable, external speaker with 12-volt adapter cable, dash and friction mounts.MAP: $664.99www.garmin.com
Special Features*3.3-inch diagonal high-resolution color touchscreen display*Built-in hard drive contains detailed maps of the entire United States and metropolitan areas of Canada*Infrared wireless remote control permits easy operation of the unit from a distance*WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) enabled support delivers highest degree of GPS accuracy
The StreetPilot 2620 is a plug-and-play portable automotive GPS navigator that features MapSource City Navigator detailed maps pre-loaded on the unit's internal hard drive so it's ready to use right out of the box. Using the 2620, you can navigate to a specific address or access an industry-leading database of more than five million points of interest, including lodging, restaurants, gas stations, and local attractions. The intuitive, menu-driven touchscreen ensures that navigating the unit is as easy as navigating the road.
While the display screen is smaller than both the Cobra and Lowrance units, it is still quite easy to view, and the resolution is excellent. An unique feature is the remote control unit, which permits operating the unit from a distance. Of all the units covered in this article, the 2620 is the only one that has a remote-control feature. The 2620 carries a one-year warranty, and its dimensions are 5.6-inch wide by 2-inch deep by 3.2-inch high.
ALK CoPilot Complete 5Includes: USB Active Sync cable, slipcase, stereo headphones, active external antenna, 12-volt in-vehicle power adapter, suction windshield mount.MAP: $499.99 www.alk.com
Special Features*Mitac Mio 168 pocket PC with integrated GPS circuitry*240x320 pixel 65K color screen*MP3 Player capability and software*Windows Pocket PC Operating System
The CoPilot Complete 5 GPS Navigation System is a fully functional, highly portable GPS navigation system that includes everything you need for in-car satellite navigation-plus, you can use it while walking or riding your bike when you're not in your Corvette. CoPilot's fast route calculations and spoken turn-by-turn directions make it easy to reach your destination and difficult to get lost. But in the event you make a wrong turn, the unit will dynamically reroute you in seconds to get you back on track. In addition to its GPS capabilities, it's also a full-featured Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and it includes a Windows Mobile Pocket PC complete with MP3 player, picture viewer, e-mail, Microsoft Office, and other utilities and games. The 1GB Secure Digital data card comes preloaded with all street-level map and point of interest data for the United States, and it's ready to use right out of the box. The unit has a one-year warranty, and it measures 4.4-inch long by 2.74-inch wide by .95-inch deep.
Dell GPS Navigation SystemIncludes: GPS receiver, DC car adapter (cigarette lighter), Axim connectors (2), Pocket PC windshield suction mount, GPS application, and map software CD ROMs.MAP: $199.99 www.dell.com
Special Features*Available for Dell Axim X50/X51 Pocket PC models*3.5-inch QVGA TFT color screen*Available in cabled and bluetooth wireless versions*Store mapping data on secure digital or flash memory cards
If you have a Dell Axim 50 or 51 Pocket PC, this is an excellent and cost-effective way to add GPS capability to it. The application and map data software comes on CD ROM, which is uploaded to the Axim's secure digital or compact flash memory storage card while it's connected to a PC. Once loaded, the connection to the PC can be terminated, and you're ready to get in your Corvette and get GPS guidance to your destination.
The Dell GPS Navigation System is available in either cabled or cableless Bluetooth versions, but both work the same way. An external GPS antenna is placed on the dash to acquire a satellite fix, the power adapter is plugged into the cigarette lighter, you input your destination address, and off you go. Spoken turn-by-turn directions are given, as well as overhead and 3-D map views of the route. there's also the option of having text directions displayed.
The beauty of both this and the ALK CoPilot system is you have a full-function pocket PC to use for other tasks when you're not using it as a GPS unit, whereas the stand-alone units, aside from the MP3 player capability of the Lowrance, are dedicated GPS navigation units and nothing more.
Since the Dell GPS Navigation system is an add-on, the dimensions of either the Axim 50 or 51 apply here.
Talking Road Whiz-A Poor Man's Gps?What's your option if you don't want to shell out the big bucks for a GPS unit, but you still want to know where there's gas, food, rest areas, hospitals, and the like along your planned route? The Talking Road Whiz may be the solution you're looking for.
Priced at under $40, this battery-operated, hand-held unit is simple to use, and it locates over 80,000 services near interstate highways from your location. In addition to helping you locate food, gas, motels, campgrounds, diesel fuel, shopping malls, tourist sites, and more, it tells you the distance and travel time to the exit, then direction and distances off the exit to the desired service including chains and local businesses.
The unit talks to you in a clear voice so you don't have to take your eyes off the road, and it provides both screen and voice prompts. The preprogrammed data provides coverage of the entire U.S. with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. The unit's dimensions are 6-inch high by 3.25-inch wide by 1-inch deep, and it weighs a mere 5 ounces.
The Talking Road Whiz is available at Office Max stores nationwide, selected Target stores, and Discovery Channel stores, or purchase it online at www.talkingroadwhiz.com or by calling toll-free (800) 274-0971. A Spanish-speaking version is also available.