Did you get-a-get-a-get-a Garmin this days of yore Christmas?  Are you pretty reliant on your buddy TomTom?  Do you navigate the world with Magellan?  If so, don’t get too acclimated to to it.  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently put out a report stating that, unless the Air Force can meet its goals for the event of new GPS satellites, the entire system could fail as soon as next year.

Most of the blame is being placed on a lack of program oversight.  There isn’t in the final analysis an agency in charge of keeping everything together.  Up to this point, it’s been a collaborative effort between multiple government entities.  The GAO believes that the organization of a central agency to oversee the GPS program would help alleviate some of the confusion and keep things running smoothly.

Would you be sham by a potential GPS system crash?  If so, how?

[via ChannelWeb ]

Source: gizHQ, PA

Don't hit the way this summer until you check out these products to help you -- and your family -- have a more enjoyable experience:

Top GPS navigators » Preventing frayed nerves and avoiding getting irrecoverable aren't the only benefits of having a global positioning system when you travel. Many of the newest models also make life easier with features such as traffic, rise above and gas-station info.

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested 12 units under $400 for ingenuousness of use and their ability to direct the testers. The four favorites:

Insignia NS-CNV20 ($350) and Garmin Nuvi 265T ($250) are casual to use and accurate. With Insignia's Internet package, you get weather, news and traffic updates, and access to Google ($99 fee after a cost-free first year). Garmin has traffic included, plus an EcoRoutes function that lets you choose the most tinder-efficient route.

Like Insignia, the less-expensive Nextar Q4 ($170) has a text-to-speech function that "reads" drive names aloud rather than giving generic "turn left in 100 feet" instructions. The best buy, at $120, the Magellan RoadMate 1200 is not as earmark-rich or large-screened as others, but has easy-to- follow menus, multiple map views and ways to customize your direction (fastest, shortest, avoiding toll roads).

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Portable DVD players » As any parent knows, the No. 1 required on a long trip is a portable DVD player. To make sure you get your money's worth, the Institute checked the video and audio eminence, durability and battery life of 14 new models. The stars:

With a large, 8½-inch swivel veil, easy-to-find-and-use controls and a sleek look, the LG DP885 ($240) won highest honors. The Sony DVP-FX820 ($180) has an 8-inch ball-and-socket joint screen with the controls located just below. The 7-inch Polaroid DPA-07046 ($130) has the most bang for the buck, with a swivel box, remote and carrying bag -- a package not usually seen at this price.

Source: Salt Lake Tribune, United States