Study: GPS Devices Could See Problems in 2010
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Posted: 6:02 PM Jun 3, 2009
Study: GPS Devices Could See Problems in 2010
A new government report shows consumers could have issues with their GPS devices by next year if something isn't done.
Reporter: Brad Myers
Email Address: Brad.Myers@wsaz.com
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- GPS navigation devices have revolutionized the road trip in recent years.

"They help you get to where you're going and do a lot better than pulling out a map on the side of the road," Alex Altizer said.

Altizer installs GPS systems, car stereos and other tech devices at Car Stuff in Huntington. He says with turn-by-turn directions, gas station finders and many other tools, GPS has made driving even easier.

"it is a luxury," Altizer said. "It's nice to have."

GPS works by using 31 different government satellites that pinpoint your location. But there is a new worry those very satellites are getting too old, and could even fall.

The news came out with a recent report from Congress that warns of "an increased likelihood that in 2010, as old satellites begin to fail, the overall GPS constellation will fall below the number of satellites required."

"The people that would be frustrated on that is the people who paid money for them," Altizer said. "They already have them, but they are just out of luck."

The U.S. Air Force is trying to calm consumer fears. They say they are handling the issue and there is only a small risk the GPS system will see problems.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Gary on Jul 5, 2010 at 10:36 AM

The GPS on my boat, a Garmin 540, has not been able to acquire reliable satellite reception for the last two months.
Posted by: Curtis on Jun 26, 2009 at 10:13 PM

I'm a diretv installer and I wouldn't know what to do with out my gps. I got to places I've never heard of before and alot of them are not on a map. So if my gps dies I gotta go by customer directions and alot of them don't know where thay live or don't give good directions.
Posted by: to: Debbie, better, et al on Jun 15, 2009 at 08:22 AM

Debbie, these tech advances and inventions were meant to make our lives easier. GPS doesnt dumb down America, it saves us time. Paper maps have no live updates, and can rarely find a hotel or restaurant. Thy are both distracting, but I would rather see someone tapping on a GPS rather than unfolding a big map behind the wheel. My son will learn how to read a map. Then, he will probably never need to use that skill set in his life.
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