Once they were only for rich and were only fitted in very high end cars but today SatNav systems are available to all. You can either opt for in-car fitted systems that are still quite expensive or you can go for handheld or protable units. This article is about latter.

What is SatNav?

SatNav is a system that comprises of 2 elements, a GPS data receiver and a CPU/display unit. The receiver gets information from orbiting GPS navigational satellites and communicates it to CPU/display unit. This unit is then able to find its exact location on planet by comparing signals from various satellites.

The unit incorporates road maps of area and places an indicator on map showing where car is on maps.

Features The units allow you to plan a journey ahead of time and then unit will guide you to you destination by displaying a map showing you where you are and direction you should be heading. Most now have voice instructions so unit will tell you, when you are approaching a junction, which turning you should take. The units are also capable of making real time adjustments to route, this means that if you go wrong way until will recalculate route to your destination taking into account wrong turning you have just made.

Maps The maps for unit can be loaded for different regions you visit, so they may have a map of UK and another for France and so on. Most modern unit have maps stored on a removable memory cards like SD cards or similar memory card but some units read directly from a CD or DVD. The display can be set to show conventional flat map view or new 3D view that shows a view as if it was above you and looking forward. This view is very good and clear.

Traffic Some units offer systems that will warn you of road works/traffic jams etc as they happen, and offer suggestion as to how to avoid them.

As far as computer displays are concerned, a PC user can choose from a wide range of sleek and snazzy models.

Whether you are crunching figures at a front office job or crouched over a blood and gore video game in some deep recess of your room, there is right kind of screen available to suit your needs.

Monitors are one segment where you are truly spoilt for choice.

Be it a 15-inch, 17-inch or 19-inch CRT monitor* or a sleeker range of LCD screens*, there is a wide range to fit your budget. Hardware Software Articles: http://www.hardwaresoftwarearticles.com/archive/index.php/

*Size and resolution*

There are two aspects you must consider when selecting a monitor: physical size and resolution.

Screen size is diagonal screen measurement, usually in inches. For instance, a computer monitor display might be 14 inches wide and 11 inches tall. This same screen has a diagonal measurement of 19 inches, which is screen size.

Monitors also have an aspect ratio.

This is ratio between horizontal dimension and vertical dimension (horizontal dimension divided by vertical dimension). Common monitor aspect ratios are 4:3 (1.3333) and 5:4 (1.25). Basics: http://www.hardwaresoftwarearticles.com/archive/index.php/f-2.html

A 4:3 aspect ratio means picture is 4 units wide for every three units of height.

Wide screen monitors are easier on eye (and much more expensive).

The higher resolution, greater ability to render more detail. If you work with graphics or enjoy graphic-intensive games, you will need a monitor with higher resolution.

With most currently available models being flat screened, difference is in size and picture quality. A resolution of 1024 x 768 is a good one for most users.

*CRT monitors*