GPS : How does it work, wht do i need for it to work ?

Question

Wht all is needed ,for a common man to get access to Gps.
if i have a gps reciever, do i need anything else, like a service provider or something ? or just a reciever connected to a pc or pda will work ?

Answer 1

Yep, just a receiver. Plenty of people use a basic receiver to go "geocaching" - finding "treasure" by GPS.

http://www.rei.com/rei/learn/noDetail.jsp?storeId=8000&langId=-1&catalogId=40000008000&URL=rei/learn/camp/gpsf.jsp

Answer 2

Yes just the receiver is all you need. Some don't need to be connected to anything; the display is built into the receiver. GPS is based on a system of satellites launched by the US government origianlly used for military applications. Since your tax money paid for them no service fee is required.

Answer 3

I bought one for my stepfather who is completely technically illiterate and he loves it. It was very important that it doesn't need to have maps loaded to it from the computer, which would have just confused him. if you are the 'common man' make sure not to skimp too much and get one that has complete access to the continental US (some only cover one region at a time). If you stop just short of the kind that talk to you should get the most bang for your buck.