Forget GPS: 5 Replacements You Need to Jump On

No matter the age, every person on the planet needs to use GPS at some point in the day. Whether you are trying to locate a newly opened pizza restaurant or finding a shorter route to work, you need the GPS system.

Here is a stat by Statista to confirm what I just said. Researchers at Statista monitored the GPS activity of Americans in the last four weeks in 2018. The study was conducted under the total consent of the participants. They found that people of all ages use their cell phones for maps/GPS navigation.

However, you should know that GPS is primarily designed for the American territory and hence, it is not as accurate elsewhere. Just like wireless carriers, now you can use a new more effective regional navigational app when visiting a new country. Read this post to learn more about regional satellite navigation systems.

Here Are the 5 Best Gps Alternatives You Need To Check Out ASAP

1) BeiDou

BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) is a Chinese satellite navigation system used by China and regions surrounding it. India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, etc are the countries where a BeiDou navigation system can be used. In 2018, to make sure the BeiDou satellites continue to work efficiently, China sent back up satellites into space. Currently, BeiDou 3 satellites are being designed and they are considered to be the best ever, in this region.

2) NavIC

When it comes to space exploration and satellite technology, India is not far behind. Researchers at ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) have come up with a regional navigational system called NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation). 

Also, Read The Changing World of GPS Navigation

NavIC is still in the testing phase, but large business corporations are expecting it to replace GPS, within the next two years. Unfortunately, NavIC is operational in India and the countries surrounding it. To use NavIC, you will need a smartphone with a specific receiver. 

3) Galileo

This satellite navigation system is named after the famous Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei. In 2016, the European Union (EU) began working on this project with an intent to remove all the dependency on the American GPS. They wanted the residents of Europe to use Galileo instead of GPS on their smartphones. Galileo provides an independent high-precision positioning system. Far better accuracy than GPS.

4) Quasi-Zenith

The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System is a Japanese satellite navigation system that makes use of already existing signals from the GPS to come up with more accurate and precise information. As the name implies, this system contains a total of four satellites. Anyone from the Asia-Oceania region can use this system.

5) GLONASS 

GLONASS (Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema) is another great alternative to GPS. This radio-based satellite navigation system can be used from anywhere in the world. Apart from GPS, GLONASS is the only navigational system with global coverage. Currently, GLONASS satellites are also being used by the manufacturers of GPS-based devices. It makes the receiver even more accurate. You should also know that just like GPS, GLONASS was also developed by the military.  

The Bottom Line

These are the five alternatives to popular GPS. Within the United States and regions adjacent to it, there is no better satellite navigation system than GPS. However, if you happen to reside in other parts of the world, make sure to check out the relevant navigation systems.