An interesting and easy to read book written by Lawrence Letham on the topic of global positioning systems and how to use them outdoors, during treks, adventure trips, expeditions and even while vacationing.

There are no real secrets to the use of GPS systems; this is not a strange kind of alchemy, and the author does a good job explaining the basics.

GPS technology is incredibly useful; today we use it in all areas of our activity, from radio instruments of aircraft to cell phones, and we never stop finding new uses for this kind of systems. For a trekker, traveler or adventurer, satellite navigation systems are a blessing, but they can become a curse too because they have some problems.

We, the people of Andinia began experimenting with GPS technology almost as soon as it came into the market, and we can say that the single most important thing that you have to take into account about GPS equipment is that you should never get lazy and start relying solely in these, just because using other systems may be more complicated.A GPS receptor is simpler to use than other navigational instruments, but that can create bad habits and an excessive dependence that in case of equipment malfunction, can prove to be fatal.

In cases such as when we are driving thorough a city and we receive no satellite signal, that may be an inconvenience, sure; but if we are trekking around, the same problem may become an urgency because we may get lost. However, in other circumstances, like when you are flying an aircraft and your navigation equipment fails, you may be facing an emergency; just think what would be of you if your are flying thorough the night and suddenly your GPS stops working. You better have something else.

Particularly in the realm of nautical activities and aviation is where we will find the most capable and sophisticated satellite navigation systems; these gadgets are complex and expensive, but they do solve lots of problems, simplify the work of any crew and cost less than comparable, redundant instruments. But this can create an excess of confidence in the technology.

For example, any GPS receiver costing about one hundred dollars will give you distance information between your position and any given coordinate. In traditional radio navigation systems such as the VOR found on aircraft, you need a special subsystem integrated into the main one to perform the same function, which is called DME.

It is not the only distance measuring equipment around, but is the standard one used before GPS appeared. However, DME is limited to a certain signal range, and only works when you have transceptors installed on the surface, usually in conjunction with VOR antennae. DME receptors that fit into aircraft are very expensive and many owners and operators are replacing them with GPS technology, which is far more cheaper.

But you cannot depend just on one technology, and GPS equipment of low price cannot match the reliability offered by high-end aeronautical and nautical systems. The problem is that they seem to be similar, and skippers and pilots may feel tempted just to grab the little GPS they have at home and take it with them to fly or sail around.

The danger of GPS does not lie in itself, but in our perceptions.Never let yourself be guided by apparent comfort and ease, because it could prove very costly to you or others.

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