GPS system to begin failing next year?

SongwriterFan · #1 05-19-2009, 03:36 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...e-to-breakdown

mud4feet · #2 05-19-2009, 04:12 PM

Since these same satellites are responsible for aiming our arsenal, I seriously doubt the reliability of this article. I use GPS daily (sub-centimeter accuracy) and all my information tells me that it's getting BETTER every day - they've added the Russian satellites (GLASNOS I believe it's called) to the array and are in the process of adding Asian satellites also. Trust me, the military might "jam" it (like they did in the early GPS days - called it "selective availability), but it's not "going bad". Sounds like someone just wants some more money (surprise, surprise!!!!!).

kev2225 · #3 05-19-2009, 04:53 PM

Nope. Again, just another scare tactic like the whole Y2K fiasco. Was never a threat to disrupt the country, yet they wanted you to believe it so they could make a buck or two. Bet this is much the same way. Seems like this country makes a living anymore off of consumer scare tactics.

Stixx · #4 05-19-2009, 05:18 PM

my GPS already took me in the middle of nowhere a couple of times and it is a state of the art Garvin from BMW. Having been in the USAF for four years nothing would surprise me , but I'm sure that it will eventually work itself out with the advent of all the new satilites going up .

SongwriterFan · #5 05-19-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mud4feet

Since these same satellites are responsible for aiming our arsenal, I seriously doubt the reliability of this article.

How about this (more detailed) version, then?

http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/Lat...ategoryId=1385

stratokatsu · #6 05-19-2009, 07:20 PM

I'm about to buy a GOS for the golf course. If it starts giving me wrong distances, I'll know the article is true...

Stixx · #7 05-19-2009, 08:11 PM

what's a GOS?

Yoder · #8 05-19-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kev2225

Nope. Again, just another scare tactic like the whole Y2K fiasco. Was never a threat to disrupt the country, yet they wanted you to believe it so they could make a buck or two. Bet this is much the same way. Seems like this country makes a living anymore off of consumer scare tactics.

I agree fully. The feds and private industry would not let it happen. Scare tactics will only entice the consumer to buy more...and they will.

Bob Womack · #9 05-20-2009, 05:48 AM

Remember this maxim: In the Federal Government, it is virtually impossible to get funding for humdrum update projects and department budgets without an impending crisis or a pork barrel. The EPA discovered this years ago. Speaking of which, today I needed the seat heaters to counteract the 50' chill in my car on the way to work.

Bob

SongwriterFan · #10 05-20-2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoder

Scare tactics will only entice the consumer to buy more...and they will.

What exactly is it that people would buy MORE of given this story?

If anything, they'd hold OFF on purchasing GPS units/software/etc.

unimogbert · #11 05-20-2009, 07:57 AM

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SongwriterFan · #12 05-20-2009, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unimogbert

Lemme guess - GPS satellites?

Where can I get one? What kind of warranty does it come with?

Point taken . . but I suspect that we should start replacing them BEFORE they start failing.

Then again, maybe having limited GPS capability would keep us out of wars we don't need to be in.

unimogbert · #13 05-20-2009, 08:44 AM

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jyee · #14 05-20-2009, 09:49 AM

there's no point in replacing them since the world is going to end in 2012 anyway.

valleyguy · #15 05-20-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyee

there's no point in replacing them since the world is going to end in 2012 anyway.

Ah, those Mayans and their calendar. I think they just ran out of space.