Thanks to the rapid growth of the technological world the way we play and enjoy different sports has only improved. Marine based sports like sailing and fishing have certainly benefited from the advancements that have been made. The Global Positioning System, GPS for short, is one such technological advancement that has impacted marine or water based sports immensely making them far safer and easier than ever before.
Whereas mariners in the past had no way of determining their course on the world's oceans except by watching the stars, today's sailors and fishermen enjoy far safer navigating thanks to GPS technology. The Garmin GPSMap 541s Marine Navigator is but one such device that makes use of signals sent to it from satellites orbiting the earth which allows a person to pinpoint their exact location on the world's oceans, rivers, etc, any time they need to.
It was the US Department of Defense that developed GPS technology back in the 1970's and as the technology has evolved over the years it has become available to anyone. GPS makes use of 24 satellites orbiting our planet and aligns four of them to pinpoint a person's location on earth with alarming accuracy. Naturally this is a very useful device for anyone who enjoys being out on the water.
A number of marine GPS gadgets are offered in the market these days. Every single one of them is waterproof and contains a variety of features that would help sailors plot a course anywhere on the water. It allows the user to receive information on his present position in an integrated electronic map since this unit has pre-programmed information for all lakes, rivers and nautical signs, making it an ideal companion for every sailor or boater on the water.
The Garmin GPSMap 541s Marine Navigator and other GPS units similar to it provides you with a detailed analysis of what things look like beneath the surface of the water as well. This is incredibly useful for a fisherman as it allows him to discover where the fish are gathered, as well as being able to discern between fish and other objects. This helps anyone who fishes whether they do so for fun or for a living.
Smaller and portable GPS receivers are normally employed for recreational purposes and would contain points of reference for the latitude and longitude. These points and routes information can be stored in the unit and are termed as chart plotters, the most recent development in the present GPS technology. The nautical charts are scanned and stored as digital files and then exhibited on the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen. The overlying positions are supplied by any GPS receiver similar to Garmin GPSMap 541s Marine Navigator. As soon as the positions are identified, the GPS receiver would offer the appropriate course information for the navigator, a significant leap to simplify the navigation process for professional and casual boaters.
For anyone who enjoys being out on the water a GPS unit is a very useful and necessary addition to their boat. Users can accurately pinpoint their precise location and safely and simply plot their course from one destination to the next without any fear of miscalculating. For fishermen the added features are a real help providing them with detailed information about where the fish are as well as giving them up to date weather forecasts so that they can enjoy their fishing experience safely. A GPS receiver is essential for anyone who puts safety first. Besides all the wonderful information available at your fingertips this device will also be useful should an emergency situation arise and your exact location is quickly determined, making rescue operations faster.
