How Do GPS Devices Work

If you've been spending your time fighting with old paper maps--trying to navigate outdated roads and fold the map itself--you should know that there is an easier way to find your direction. You can easily navigate with a simple touch screen, find the route you wish to take, and not spend all your time trying to figure out how to fold a map.
If you're starting to consider this option you'll really want to cover some basic ground first by looking at how GPS devices work, exactly.
Your little system communicates with satellites. These satellites find your exact position on the planet and then uses that information to find routes between where you are and where you want to go. You can tell your system that you want to get there the fastest route, or the shortest route, or that you want to avoid toll roads or high ways---and it will find that route for you. Not only will it find the way but it will go with you and tell you turn by turn which way to go. If you aren't able to make your exit in time because of the semi in the lane next to you blocking your way, that's not a problem. Your GPS will quickly reroute you and tell you where the next turn you should take is.
As an added bonus, if you suddenly need to go to a gas station, police station, or hospital you can tell that to your system and it will locate the closest one to you and tell you how to get there. This makes being in an unfamiliar area easier than ever before.
These devices make getting where you need to go much easier, and less stressful, than it ever was before with the best (and easiest to fold) paper map available.