Advantage and disadvantage of GPS - Essay Example

The use of the GPS systems and the panic buttons allow the users to be safe and find help more easily than a mobile (McNamara, 2008). c) The GPS systems ensure that the person is never lost. The GPS receivers can compare the time the signal was transmitted by the satellite and the time it was received (McNamara, 2008). The difference in time would provide the GPS receiver with details as to how far the satellite is. The receiver can also use the distance measurements from a few more satellites which would provide for the user’s position and can be displayed on the electronic map of the unit.

This can ensure that no matter where the person is, it would be impossible to lose the way (Letham & Letham, 2008). Apart from the abovementioned advantages, the GPS Systems also helps in simplifying the daily lives of many people across the world with features like ‘search nearby’ and cellular based tracking as well. Overall the system is very effective and helpful, especially in the current times where there is a high need to have complete mobility and ability to find places around more easily and effectively (Letham & Letham, 2008).

However the use of GPS systems does pose a number of disadvantages as well. These will be discussed in the next section. As seen there are a number of advantages of using the GPS systems. However there is also a great possibility of failure of the system. This can cause a number of issues, especially if the user is completely dependent on the systems (McNamara, 2008). There is also the issue of not being completely updated and this can cause the systems to be off the accurate path to some extent.

Also while travelling on the highways or within cities, if the destination is changed during the travel, the time taken to recalculate the route takes a little time. This can lead to missing a turn, or exit. Also with the various GPS system providers that are available in the markets, there are a number of companies with terrible