Is GPS a worthy investment?

Question

I recently got accepted into George Mason University, and I will be travelling in a new area, so I will need to know where I am going for a little while. Also, I am planning to make a trip to Illinois and I will need directions there. Other than that I can not see much more travelling in my itinerary. I think it would be neat to have, but these things cost money; and I don't want to lease. By the way, I am planning to purchase fora Windows Mobile based Pocket PC. I may buy standalone if that proves to be a better deal. Thanks.

Answer 1

I too have wanted GPS but waited. It looks like this will be a common features on mobile phones very soon. But those phones costs a lot of money. The standalone GPS electronic devices need constant upgrades you do with CDs. When I get serious again about a navigation system, I'm going to look real closely at web browser-capable cell phones and see if any offer graphics capabilities for Yahoo Map. Those GPS system you install in cars seem to be the most common auto breakins of late.

Answer 2

What are you going to study? How much influence does GIS have in that field? What do you do for recreation? Does it involve travel or curious exploring? All of these have a connection with GPS including research, recreation, education and data collection. You should only get a stand alone if you are going to use it in the most limited way most of them are restricted to. Otherwise, by using the Pocket PC, you can extend what Google Earth and other GIS resources can give you to provide insights and knowledge. As somewhat silly examples, while reading a book that included the effects of a breakdown in civilized life, it referred to flooding of English farmland at lower altitude than a nearby river because of embankment rise. I was able to take Google Earth to the site and measure the altitudes. I could have moved a route to GPS software. A columnist here in Dallas used Google Earth to locate and track the lower ground on which a creek once ran and explain why there was 3-4 feet of water on his street and the failure of storm water control by the city. He used GPS plotting to walk the edges of the area.