How to locate your way with Car GPS

Only a reminder . . . a large number of car DVD GPS receivers will comprise of a provision for you to gain access to your position in Latitude as well as Longitude.  (Of course, the datum would be WGS84.)  plus, if you know your position and have mobile phone connection, emergency personnel could reach you much faster than might otherwise be possible.

For me to discover my location whit help of my (older) Nuvi 260W, I begin by accessing "Tools" from the start up screen.  This takes me to a page which includes an icon labeled "Where am I?", which is the magic icon that will point out me my position, as well as other detail.

I can choose the format of my location from 3 choices:  decimal degrees, decimal minutes or decimal seconds.

To change the device's format, I choose the "Where to?" icon on my startup screen, then hit an arrow to go to the second page menu, which shows me an icon labeled "Coordinates."

Once I access the "coordinates" page, I use the "Format" option to make the changes I wish.  (Notice that the receiver will let you "Go To" a location defined by coordinates — which you can enter — as well as to an address.)


Your receiver will probably have a different menu structure than mine, but it's worth taking the time to snoop around through the menus to learn where your lat/long position is to be found.

If you're ever needing to know the detail — say to report your location when you are broken down on some back path, or an accident in an new place — this is a handy piece of information to keep in mind.

And keep in mind . . . your car GPS system probably has a battery, which means it could keep on to offer you with your location for awhile if you must leave your car.