Evolution of the GPS Receiver
By: James Schwille (email)
As technology improves, so does the equipment that is available. The first hand held GPS receiver was introduced in 1988. Compared to what we have available today, it was large (7.5in x 3.5in 2in). The model the military uses today is approx. this size.
In contrast, the GPS receivers that are available today have a greater number of features and are considerably smaller. Notice how thin this first model is.
Advances in technology have made it so that many more features can be offered. The next receiver is in color and has local road maps as an overlay that can be used to navigate while driving.
If extra features do not interest you, small models are available with strictly the GPS capability and the associated tools such as waypoints and course tracking.
Finally, accessories are available that utilize a laptop computer or a cell phone to pick up the GPS signal. Since the equipment uses the computer or phone to process the information, the actual receiver can be quite small.
