GPS systems could begin to fail next year

[tyler811]

Old school maps are back.

A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has come out recently that reveals a scary, yet real, truth about our aging GPS system satellites. The ones that orbit our planet and provide consumers, businesses and military with accurate positions for everything from where to drop a smart bomb to directions to the nearest Starbucks.

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Olds comes though again

Senior Anandtech Moderator
Common Courtesy

 

[olds]

 

[XZeroII]

The gov't already said that everything will be ok and there is nothing to worry about.

 

[IronWing]

Holy Homing Pigeons, Batman! Millions of Americans will have to learn where they live and how to get to the grocery store!

 

[dman]

The Quote in the OP is completely useless, this one would have been better:

"The aging satellites are running on a 20-year-old system which has been maintained by the U.S. government since the early 1990's and could need to be replaced and/or updated within a year. "

*Could* need to be replaced =/= will fail next year

Eventually, yep. Not worried though.

 

[Bateluer]

Oh noes, how will I track my runs without a Forerunner?

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: dman
The Quote in the OP is completely useless, this one would have been better:

"The aging satellites are running on a 20-year-old system which has been maintained by the U.S. government since the early 1990's and could need to be replaced and/or updated within a year. "

*Could* need to be replaced =/= will fail next year

Eventually, yep. Not worried though.

It would be even better if he searched first.
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=38&threadid=2304150

 

[hiromizu]

I'm glad I use iPhone's GPS which should be unaffective.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: hiromizu
I'm glad I use iPhone's GPS which should be unaffective.

unaffected or ineffective?

 

[JulesMaximus]

GPS is handy and I like it but I could easily live without it.

 

[yhelothar]

can't see this happening... way too much of the military depends on it for the us government to just let this happen

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
GPS is handy and I like it but I could easily live without it.

I do a lot of back country riding. It comes in handy.
My GPS (Garmin GPSMAP76) just died. It's costing me $89 to get an out of warranty replacement.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: hiromizu
I'm glad I use iPhone's GPS which should be unaffective.

unaffected or ineffective?

"Me fail English? That's unpossible!"

 

[MotF Bane]

Originally posted by: hiromizu
I'm glad I use iPhone's GPS which should be unaffective.

:laugh:

 

[venkman]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
GPS is handy and I like it but I could easily live without it.

I do a lot of back country riding. It comes in handy.
My GPS (Garmin GPSMAP76) just died. It's costing me $89 to get an out of warranty replacement.

buy a new gps

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: venkman

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
GPS is handy and I like it but I could easily live without it.

I do a lot of back country riding. It comes in handy.
My GPS (Garmin GPSMAP76) just died. It's costing me $89 to get an out of warranty replacement.

buy a new gps

I looked at them but I don't see the need to upgrade when all I would really get is a color screen. I only use it for trails and not highways.
Plus, I already have the data cable, carrying case and ATV mount.

 

[0roo0roo]

money beg time basically...
leak to public..guarantee funds

 

[Snapster]

Worst case you could use Galileo if navstar starts to fail, at least until a replacement is considered. Galileo offers up to 1m precision and altitude (non military), no doubt military offerings are a tad better.

 

[Colt45]

There's always GLONASS.

 

[rh71]

I don't really need a gps, more like an onboard moveable map is fine. I just need to see whereTF I am in relation to the streets around me to find where I need to go... I can lead myself. On screen I can zoom and can still drive... with a real map it is way too small in most cases to pick up where I am everytime while driving.

 

[foghorn67]

Back to sextants again!

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: venkman

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
GPS is handy and I like it but I could easily live without it.

I do a lot of back country riding. It comes in handy.
My GPS (Garmin GPSMAP76) just died. It's costing me $89 to get an out of warranty replacement.

buy a new gps

I looked at them but I don't see the need to upgrade when all I would really get is a color screen. I only use it for trails and not highways.

I have a 76S but I went ahead and upgraded to a 76CSx, mainly for the 24k maps but also for the SiRF chip. Both are great units.

 

[newb111]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: hiromizu
I'm glad I use iPhone's GPS which should be unaffective.

unaffected or ineffective?

Clearly both

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: venkman

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
GPS is handy and I like it but I could easily live without it.

I do a lot of back country riding. It comes in handy.
My GPS (Garmin GPSMAP76) just died. It's costing me $89 to get an out of warranty replacement.

buy a new gps

I looked at them but I don't see the need to upgrade when all I would really get is a color screen. I only use it for trails and not highways.
Plus, I already have the data cable, carrying case and ATV mount.

I have one on my motorcycle. It's so much better than putting a map in the map pocket on my tank bag. I bought a refurbished Garmin 2720 on Amazon.com for $107. I frequently ride out in the canyons around here and I don't know many of those roads very well.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: venkman

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
GPS is handy and I like it but I could easily live without it.

I do a lot of back country riding. It comes in handy.
My GPS (Garmin GPSMAP76) just died. It's costing me $89 to get an out of warranty replacement.

buy a new gps

I looked at them but I don't see the need to upgrade when all I would really get is a color screen. I only use it for trails and not highways.
Plus, I already have the data cable, carrying case and ATV mount.

I have one on my motorcycle. It's so much better than putting a map in the map pocket on my tank bag. I bought a refurbished Garmin 2720 on Amazon.com for $107. I frequently ride out in the canyons around here and I don't know many of those roads very well.

I have a map in my map bag too as I read a map WAY better than a GPS. I also carry a compass.
But some times it's easier to get coordinates on the GPS to look up on the map. Plus it quicker than doing a resection and in thick trees you can't do a resection.