Welcome to Making Tracks GPS!

Through our dedicated and knowledgeable staff, we want to provide you with the information needed to make an informed decision about which features will suit your Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) needs and the models that have those features.  We have provided links for you “techies” with specific detailed information.  Visit the US Coast Guard site for general navigation information.

The GPS program came on line when the first satellite lifted into orbit in 1978.  Since then, 24 satellites have been deployed, covering the entire globe.  GPS was initially designed for the military, but has developed into a valuable civilian program with unlimited uses such as automobile direction finding, hiking, nautical charting, geo-caching, and product tracking.

Handheld devices are available that provide data for specific locations, and the location and straight line track to “way points” input into the unit, and can become more sophisticated, using basic over-laid maps and routing instructions.  Handheld units are designed to be small, rugged, generally water resistant and easy to use.  The advantage is the ease of use and portability; that is their limitation also as they have limited battery life and data storage capability.  These smaller GPS units are great for hiking and for a super, new family sport called “Geo-caching” where GPS coordinates are used to find “treasures.”  There are literally thousands of geo-caches, with many sure to be near your home.  

Automobile devices are usually physically larger and more sophisticated than the handheld units.  Screens can be presented in a mono-color or in full color and are much larger for ease of use while driving.  Automobile units have more memory to accommodate map data, points of interest and search capabilities not available in the smaller handheld units.  These units are operated continuously, when in use, so they will also have an external power source.  Manufactures have various methods of address input and routing that is worth looking at prior to purchasing one of these higher priced units.  What may seem intuitively obvious to the designer may be tedious to you.  These GPS units come in two levels of complexity.  They either uses maps down loaded from software on your computer or they have data permanently installed.  In either case, the map data can be updated, usually for a price, from the manufacturer’s web site.  The screen type and memory generally determine the price.

Nautical devices have developed the fastest and are more technologically advanced than their terrestrial brothers, with overlay maps as well as multi unit inter-operability with sonar and radar systems.  Use of an integrated differential system along the US coast increases their accuracy for navigation.

Price Considerations:

We support our manufacturer's pricing policies.  Generally there are three policies:  Minimum Retail Price (MRP), Minimum Advertised Price (MAP), and no restriction.  Please use the INFORMATION REQUEST FORM button to inquire about discounts. 
 
In your quest to get the best price, please consider that most manufactures will not warrantee equipment purchased through internet auction sites.  They may also not warrantee items purchased from vendors that do not respect their pricing policies.  A small percentage, but not all those type vendors, warrantee by exchanging equipment.  This is the case with Costco.

Military and Emergency Service personnel, please contact us through the "Information Request Form" button for special pricing.

Please browse our pages.  We have a good mix of units that will appeal to all levels of user.  Making Tracks GPS looks forward to providing you quality service to meet your GPS needs.  Feel free to contact us for questions on the technology or about specific units. 

If you have any questions regarding this site or GPS equipment application, please use this "Contact Us" link or the "Information Request" button provided to the left.