Here's the final article in my tech series. I have saved the best for last. Besides a cell phone, the most useful tech device you can bring on a home exchange is a Global Positioning System.
A GPS will bring you right to the door of your exchange home, no matter how confusing the directions provided by your swap partners. Once you arrive, the GPS "points of interest" function will help you find the nearest market, hospital or tourist attraction.
Whether you realize it or not, you are probably stressed out when trying to get around in an unfamiliar area. A GPS removes that stress. If you take a wrong turn or want to avoid a closed street, it will re-route you.
OTHER GPS USES
When I went on a bike ride from the Fabulous 40th Birthday Chateau swap home, I just started riding without a route. I didn't worry about remembering each turn to find my way back. When I was ready to return home I just turned on the GPS, pressed the "Find Home" button and followed the turn-by-turn instructions to my door.
Most GPS units can calculate routes for cars on large roads or bicyclists/walkers on small roads. You can request routes that use the highway or avoid it.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
How does a GPS work? Think of the GPS as a radio. It receives transmissions from satellites over head. When it connects with three or more satellites, the GPS is able to determine where you are located.
A GPS comes with detailed computer maps. When it knows where you are it can figure out how to get you to your destination. With one exception, a subscription is not required to use a GPS. You buy it and don't pay anything else (unless you want additional services, like real-time traffic, that some GPS companies offer).
GPS LIMITATIONS
You must be outside or in a car to use a GPS. If you try to use it inside your home it will not be able to get a signal (unless you buy a long auxiliary antenna). It might compute a route but it won't start guiding you.
In a large city with many tall buildings, it may take longer for a GPS to get a signal or it may lose the signal frequently. Changing the GPS's position in your vehicle may help with this.
THE GPS INVESTMENT
You can get a GPS for as little as $20 or over $1000. Tune in next time to learn how to get started and see my top GPS picks.
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