GPS has become a mainstay in our daily lives. It is being used by transportation systems worldwide by providing navigation for aviation, ground and maritime operations. Disaster relief and emergency services depend upon GPS for location and timing capabilities in their life-saving missions. The accurate timing that GPS provides facilitates everyday activities such as banking, mobile phone operations, and even the control of power grids. Farmers, surveyors, geologists and countless others perform their work more efficiently, safely, economically, and accurately using the free and open GPS signals.

Handheld GPS units are being offered by companies such as Bushnell, Garmin, C-Map Charts, National Geographic, and Magellan. The Garmin eTrex Vista H combines all of the most advanced GPS features into one unit. It has a built-in base map showing highways, interstate and railroads along with a general outline of lakes, rivers, coastlines for the entire USA. Bushnell is known for its excellent outdoor products. The Onix 400 is a rugged and waterproof unit armed with a 20 channel receiver for the best sensitivity in any environment.