GPS helps people determine their location, choose the right path, plan trips and trips, and walk in unfamiliar places. GPS for a laptop is not so relevant, since this category of devices is not as mobile as tablets or smartphones. But the serious computing power of a computer allows you to implement those functions that are inaccessible to compact gadgets. On big screen it's easier to find the desired point and see the entire route in detail, and the GPS receiver can be connected to a serious mapping application.
What is needed to install GPS in a laptop:
- The laptop itself
- GPS receiver connected via USB
- Program for working with GPS
Instructions for installing GPS for a laptop
- Install a program to work with GPS. To do this you need to run installation file, downloaded from the Internet or located on installation disk. In most cases you will receive the necessary program complete with GPS receiver. If you have a receiver without the appropriate software, then you can buy it on the Internet or choose some free version. Another option is to try to find the required program on the gadget manufacturer’s website.
- Complete the installation process by following the on-screen prompts. As a rule, it is enough to click the “Next” button.
- Plug your laptop GPS into an available USB port on the side or back of your laptop. Often, when installing software, the installer will ask you about this.
- Open installed program to navigate by double-clicking on the icon on the desktop, or find the program shortcut in the Start menu. If the program came with the receiver, it should automatically recognize the GPS module. Otherwise, you need to go to the program settings and find the device connected to the laptop there. Look for the wrench or gear button in the toolbar, or find the corresponding item in the menu.
- Check the correct operation of the geopositioning system, move around, evaluate the sensitivity of the system. Check how quickly and accurately your location is determined.
How to make a GPS navigator from a laptop
Unlike many “gadgets,” a laptop has a significant advantage – versatility. The same device can serve its owner as a work tool, an entertainment center, music player, cinema... The scope of laptops is very wide. With the help of simple steps you can even make a GPS navigator from your laptop. To do this, you need to solve only three problems: equip your laptop with a GPS receiver, install the appropriate software and conveniently place it all in the car.
Welcome, welcome!
The GPS receiver can be connected via USB or BlueTooth. The USB GPS receiver is more convenient in terms of power supply. It does not need a battery or an additional cable to connect to the cigarette lighter; there is no need to charge such a module at home. USB receiver may be in the form of an antenna and wire or look like a regular flash drive.
The second option is more compact, but problems may arise with the quality of signal reception; such an antenna cannot be placed on dashboard and not take it out. However, modern GPS receivers are sufficiently sensitive, so in most cases you can choose any option. The BlueTooth receiver is convenient because it can be used not only with a laptop. This receiver is suitable as an external GPS for pocket computer or smartphone.
It's all about the cards
There are quite a lot of navigation programs that can be installed on a laptop. They differ functionality and available maps. Listing them all is quite tedious, but a few words need to be said about the main programs. For off-road travel, the OziExplorer program is suitable. It allows you to use regular scanned maps of the area. Paper maps are still superior to electronic ones in terms of quality and topographic detail. But for driving on roads and in the city, it is better to use programs that work with electronic GPS maps.
CityGuide is famous for its high-quality and detailed map of St. Petersburg, as well as the ability to receive information about traffic jams. For GIS Russa there are many free cards, drawn by enthusiasts. Garmin MobilePC is a car navigation program from the world leader in navigation. The Garmin MobilePC interface is the closest to a regular car navigator and is simple and understandable even for a novice user.
Now let's try to take off with all this!
The most difficult thing is to install the laptop in the car in such a way that it does not fall or slide while driving, on sharp turns and during emergency braking. The simplest mounting option is for the passenger in the next seat to hold the laptop tightly in his hands. At the same time, you can appoint him as a navigator, then the driver will not be distracted by the screen at all. You can try to secure the laptop to the dashboard using a backing with a non-slip base. Not the most reliable option and only suitable for small laptops. You can securely install a laptop of any size using a special car bracket. Such a mount is not cheap, but the design inspires confidence and allows the driver to use the laptop independently. without worrying about its safety.
Using a laptop as a navigator is quite justified. Large display, versatility, ability to use different navigation programs. Considering that standard navigators with big screen, which are installed in place of a double-din radio, are quite comparable in price to a new middle-class and even high-class laptop, then a +GPS laptop turns out to be not only a convenient, but also an economically viable solution. Therefore, we recommend that all those who value functionality and do not want to carry around a bunch of different equipment with them just get a small GPS navigator for laptop. solving the navigation problem once and for all.
The article was prepared by Susanin specialists
Today, GPS navigation has become commonplace. So you won’t surprise anyone with it. Naturally, there are a lot of devices on sale in the form of mobile GPS navigators installed in the car. But some users are not satisfied with them. Drivers decide to use their own laptop as a navigator. Well, that's a good idea. But there are several important points, which are worth paying attention to.
GPS Navigation Basics
Before talking about what a laptop navigator is, you should take a short excursion into the history of the creation of the global positioning system (GPS). The corresponding idea appeared back in the 60s. last century. It was implemented 20 years later. Now, speaking about GPS and without going into technical details, it can be noted that the entire system is built on three main components. This space satellites, ground receiving and transmitting stations and the navigators themselves.
The satellites revolve around the Earth in circular orbits (20,200 km) with a periodicity of 11 hours 58 minutes, completing a full circle per sidereal day (23 hours 56 minutes). GPS navigation, roughly speaking, is based on measuring the difference in the time of signal transmission and reception. In this way, the distance between several points is determined. The satellites rotate in six planes (four satellites in each). There are 32 modules in one segment. This allows you to accurately determine the location of any moving transceiver device.
Using maps
With development computer technology appeared in the world electronic cards. Of course, a laptop navigator can use them, but there is one small problem. The fact is that without a GPS connection, it will be simply impossible to track your current location either on the navigator itself or on the laptop. Such maps are only suitable for estimating the desired route of movement, nothing more.
It goes without saying that modern electronic maps are very accurate. There are even 3D models. Naturally, they are all updated periodically. There is probably no need to explain that there can be many reasons for this, say, the construction of new residential areas, the construction of new roads, etc.
Selecting a GPS receiver
All idealists should be immediately upset. Not a single laptop navigator program will work without a means to establish a connection. In this case, there may be two main solutions. Probably, any user will object, they say, why connect a standard navigator to a laptop if you can use it standalone? Note that connecting a laptop to a global positioning system has its advantages. Agree, the laptop has a bigger screen.
The first way is to use an antenna. Its advantage is that the antenna can be moved freely. In the second case, a special device is used, similar to a regular flash drive. But both devices connect to the laptop either via Bluetooth or using a universal USB port. What exactly to choose, everyone decides for themselves. A device in the form of a flash drive for a laptop is best suited, although in some cases there may be signal loss.
Software
Although a GPS navigator for a laptop has accompanying software in terms of installing the same drivers or maps, many experts recommend using third-party software, which is universal for all types of devices connected to laptops from different manufacturers. When combined into one system, a laptop navigator can use two types of software: offline programs and applications that require the Internet or GPS.
For example, the Microsoft Auto Route app is best for exploring local attractions. There is detailed description, say, architectural monuments or museums, as well as detailed instructions for the driver. The only negative is that you will have to constantly monitor updates, because construction does not stand still. When using programs with an Internet or GPS connection, the chances of finding the shortest route and avoiding any unforeseen situations increase significantly. This is understandable, because you can control your location on the map at any time. certain moment. Moreover, the latest information about the state of roads in terms of traffic jams, etc. is always transmitted from satellites.
Device Compatibility
In order to connect a laptop GPS navigator directly to the system, you first need to install drivers. This is done in a standard way. Either the operating system itself will detect the device and install the appropriate driver, or you will have to install it manually using the original distribution. Next, you will need to synchronize the laptop navigator with computer system. When using cable and port USB problems should not arise. When connecting via Bluetooth, you will need to activate the connection on the laptop (it is always active on the receiver), and then proceed to search for devices. When the receiver or navigator is identified, communication is established. You can start working.
Advantages and disadvantages
There is much disagreement about the pros and cons of such integrated systems. But the most important theses are not difficult to formulate. The main advantage is that the considered system has a higher accuracy in determining the current location. But the main disadvantage is the size of the laptop. After all, it’s clear that you can’t put a laptop on the panel under the windshield - there’s not enough space. And leaving it on the seat next to you is also not an option. Well, you won’t turn your head to the right every couple of minutes!? Now it’s worth thinking about the feasibility of using such systems. At least in passenger cars this is very inconvenient. Another thing is trucks. Truckers who drive along European routes certainly have somewhere to place such a unique GPS system.
- Laptop running under Windows control XP or Windows Vista
- External GPS receiver connecting via Bluetooth
Step 1: Connect the receiver
External GPS receivers connect to a laptop via Bluetooth. Read our article for details on how to connect a laptop and an external GPS receiver via Bluetooth.
Step 2. Configure the COM port
In order for the navigation program to “see” the GPS receiver, that is, to be able to receive location data from it, you must specify the settings of the virtual COM port through which the program connects to the GPS receiver. Thus, through a “virtual” port that does not physically exist in the form of a connection of wires, data will be sent from the receiver to the navigation program. But first you need to find out these COM port settings: that is, its number in the system. You can read the instructions for the device or determine the COM port connecting the GPS receiver to the navigation program using an additional utility, for example GPSinfo - it is usually present on the disk included with the GPS receiver. You should install this program on your computer, run it and select the Scan COM-ports option. The program will check the virtual COM ports of the system, and you will see which COM port is used by the GPS receiver. At this stage, it would be a good idea to check the functionality of the GPS receiver. To do this, select the COM port that works with the receiver and click the Start GPS button. If everything works, then in the lower part of the program window the lines for receiving data from the satellites of the global positioning system should “run”. After finishing working with the GPSinfo program, you must stop it by closing the program window (or clicking Stop GPS), otherwise it will not allow the navigation program to connect to the GPS receiver.
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