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There are many professional uses for GPS systems. Some are simple, such as using a GPS system to find a worksite before it is actually surveyed. Others are more interesting. One is the GPS Compass. A pair of GPS systems can accurately determine direction without worrying about magnetic declination, as magnetic north can be slightly different than true north in some parts of the world.

Weather Reports Another professional use for GPS systems is to increase accuracy for weather reports, with special systems able to determine information such as air density, temperature, moisture and electron density. This information can be fed into computer models in an attempt to increase the accuracy of the system.

Emergency Services

Perhaps the most dramatic uses are for emergency services. Both in terms of calling in locations when initially reporting the issue and aiding first responders to quickly find the location afterwards. E911 requires that all mobile phones be locatable by GPS, though not all parts of the US are E911 compliant at this time. GPS location is actually less power hungry than the radiolocation system which was the previous standard while increasing the accuracy.

Digital Cameras

Some digital cameras can be connected to GPS systems and insert the datetime group and location into the picture, useful when there is reason to desire pictures to be tied to a specific time and place, such as pictures of work sites or crime scenes.

Some tasks require precise timing and are connected to GPS systems, not for location but for timing. The systems are self correcting to ensure the GPS itself requires very accurate time in order to function, and there is no reason for other devices not to take advantage. So some devices such as seismology sensors which are in known locations have an integral GPS in order to keep that accurate time.

Surveying

Surveying is also becoming a GPS dominated function, with Survey quality GPS systems used to place survey markers, roads and buildings. Mapping quality GPS systems are used to keep accurate locations down to 10cm. Geophysicists and geologists use GPS systems to record locations in realtime, which can be of exceptional value in circumstances such as a volcanic eruption, a sinkhole or other rapid movement.

Military The original intended use for the GPS system was military, and the armed forces are still heavy users of the technology. The systems are so popular that some soldiers who are not assigned a GPS system will buy a civilian system for the added convenience of having one at any time it might be needed.

Navigation

Boats and ships make exceptional use of GPS systems. From knowing where they are on the chart to quickly reporting the location of a crisis such as a ship in distress or man overboard, a working GPS system turns navigation from a task requiring an extensively trained professional to a task that can be accomplished quickly by an amateur. This does not mean it isnt a good plan to have such a trained professional handy, of course.

Practical Solutions provides complete GPS, mobile navigation/mapping and other hi-tech solutions! Check us out at: http://www.ps-gps.com