When traveling long distances to unknown places, you need to monitor your location and stick to the chosen route. There are many different navigation methods that will help you achieve this. We have selected the most accessible and effective, which today many call the best.
Using GPS Devices
When traveling long distances, the best navigation method is to use various GPS devices. In most cases, they are all extremely accurate and easy to use. For trips by personal transport, you should choose car GPS trackers. They do an excellent job and provide information about the vehicle’s location anytime.
Alternatively, you can use personal GPS trackers. These portable devices with a long battery life will function effectively in the car and in cases where you need to get to your destination on foot or by public transport.
Smartphones and iPhones can often perform the functions of a personal GPS tracker. These modern gadgets make it possible to determine your location with minimal error.
They can also be used to track your movements relative to various objects on the map (for example, roads, bridges, rivers, lakes, populated areas, etc.). The only problem may be the limited period of autonomous operation.
If you fail to replenish the battery in time, the gadget will run out of power, and it will be impossible to receive navigation data.
Using Mobile Apps
Continuing with the topic of modern gadgets, we cannot help but recall an effective navigation method involving various mobile applications. It is available to all smartphone, iPhone, and tablet owners who are planning a long trip.
Today, there are many applications that provide the user with accurate navigation information. These include official applications from giants such as Google and Apple, as well as many products from lesser-known companies.
In most cases, they all work effectively and allow you to track your location in real time. Most navigation applications are free, which makes them available to everyone. However, several paid products give users additional features and access to a broader range of navigation data.
Modern applications work due to built-in GPS sensors, Wi-Fi modules in iPhones, smartphones, tablets, and other devices, and the ability to connect to various mobile networks. Such diversity allows everyone to choose the method of recording data that will be optimal for a particular area.
Using Paper Maps
In the 21st century, modern technologies have become an integral part of our everyday life. They have simplified the performance of many tasks, including helping to obtain more accurate navigation information.
Despite this, we still have not entirely abandoned paper maps. Today, they seem a little outdated, but they can be instrumental during long-distance trips. In some cases, such maps will even become your only navigation tool to help determine the correct direction of travel.
This will happen in the event of failure of various electronic devices or entry into places remote from populated areas (where the signal may be very weak or completely absent).
Obtaining certain information using maps can be problematic for some travelers. To do this, you need to have a specific experience and be able to find matches between a picture printed on paper and the area in which you are.
If you learn this in advance, even in the most challenging travel conditions, you can determine your location and build the optimal route.
Finding Landmarks
An effective navigation method during long-distance trips is to find specific objects on the ground that are landmarks on your chosen route.
Initially, this method seems complicated, but it is one of the most straightforward and accessible to everyone. It can be used even when turning on GPS trackers and other modern devices is impossible.
Natural objects, bodies of water, roads, settlements, and various structures are often used as landmarks. Their locations remain unchanged throughout their existence, so you can navigate by them during the trip.
Having reached a particular object, you will know that you are moving in the right direction and how many kilometers from your endpoint. To find landmarks, you can use binoculars, monoculars, thermal clip-on systems or other similar optics that will help you quickly inspect large areas.
To do this, you will most likely have to stop (if you are traveling by car) and spend some time. However, the information received will always be as accurate as possible. You can only make a mistake if several identical objects are on the route (for example, similar bridges or bodies of water).
Using Stars
One of the oldest navigation methods known to people is determining your location and the correct route by the stars. Hundreds of years ago, it was the only available method.
Still, today, it is used only in the most challenging situations when it is impossible to use modern devices and the methods described above. However, navigation using the stars remains effective and will continue for several million years.
There are many ways to navigate by the stars. Each uses particular celestial objects (individual stars or constellations), which become prominent landmarks.
Depending on their location, it is possible to quickly determine the current location and the direction you need to move to reach your destination. This navigation method is far from the most accurate and becomes utterly useless in cloudy weather.
In addition, it requires specific knowledge in the field of astronomy, which not all travelers have. Despite this, everyone who plans long-distance trips should study this method. One day, it will help you find the correct route and escape a difficult situation.
Navigation is essential during long-distance trips. It allows you to track your location and choose the proper routes. Current navigation methods most often provide the opportunity to receive helpful information, which will help you avoid getting lost in unfamiliar places and successfully reach your intended destination.