Bike Sat Nav

Sat nav devices are very popular these days; being a global technology it's something that can be used anywhere in the world, as long as you have suitable maps available. However, as with any kind of new technology, you have to get used to -and understand- a lot of new jargon. Here is a translation of some of the most common phrases you may encounter:

GPS
This is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. It refers to a series of satellites in orbit around the Earth. Due to their positioning, no matter where you are in the world, you can receive a signal from multiple satellites.

GPS Co-ordinates
If you have a GPS receiver, it communicates with a number of satellites. Based on the responses received, the receiver can determine the exact location. This location is given as a series of co-ordinates. This is much the same as when you use an A-Z street guide: first you look up the street name, this then gives you a page number and reference. GPS co-ordinates are similar, just on a global scale.

Sat Nav
This is a quick way of saying satellite navigation. A sat nav device contains a GPS, which communicates with the orbiting satellites in much the same way as regular GPS. What is different is how the information is presented: instead of just giving you the co-ordinates, the sat nav combines the GPS data with digital maps. Now you can get a visualisation of your location, along with nearby landmarks and street names.

The primary use for one of these devices is navigation. You enter an address, which is translated by the sat nav into GPS co-ordinates, and are then given step-by-step instructions on getting to the address.