Blizzards and a GPS
 Q: If I buy a GPS for my car, can I find my driveway in
a blizzard? Why can't I use it to keep the car on the
road in these conditions?
[Magellan GPS] Driving with your handy GPS.
A: You can find your driveway in a blizzard with a GPS if
you've got a good map. Keeping the car on the road is a
different proposition.
Twenty-four U.S. Department of Defense Global
Positioning System (GPS) satellites transmit time and
positioning data around the clock to every point on the
planet. Your car's GPS receiver uses this data and some
software to calculate the car's position and show it on a
digital street map of your town. If it's a good map, you'll
find your driveway, even in a blizzard.
The units, on the average give your position to within 15 to 35 feet: plenty good enough to find
your driveway. I'd hate to rely on that accuracy to stay on the road, though. That's the rub.
You may wonder whether the GPS can accurately give your position during a blizzard. Garmin
GPS, the industry leader in GPS technology, states you can. Experience indicates so, too. In
1998, Bill and Helen Thayer trekked the western Arctic on skis, following the 500,000-animal
caribou herd. On some days, blizzards cut visibility down so badly that "we groped alongusing
our compass and GPS to find our way in the blinding snow."
Icelanders make special vehicles and install GPSs for driving through snow blizzards.
Further Surfing:
GARMIN GPS
Gates of the Arctic, a season on foot with the Arctic caribou
Magellan GPS
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