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Myths About Gps Systems DismissedMyths about GPS systems dismissed GPS and navigation systems have been around for over three decades now. While we do rely on these systems to guide us on a daily basis, not many of us are aware of how these navigation systems are designed and function. It also doesn’t help when there is too much information being bombarded on the internet, with a number of myths that question the very functioning of these devices. Myths about GPS and navigation signals, the involvement of the government, the impact of weather on the signal strength and location accuracy among many others are creating a lot of confusion about this beneficial technology. There are facts which state otherwise and dismiss these myths. Here are common myths about GPS technology dismissed for your reference: GPS signals: A lot of people believe that GPS signals originate from independent signal stations set up along multiple routes and coverage areas to help you locate and map out your travel. However, GPS and navigation signals are transmitted through the vast network of satellites orbiting planet earth. The signal bounces off through multiple satellites to provide all the relevant data. Bottom line, these signals originate from above through satellites and not ground signal systems. The military does not control GPS signals: While many may argue that the military can monitor and control GPS and navigation signals, it is only partially true. The military has space squadrons which can monitor GPS signals, but not control them. The government still maintains all regulations of proprietary GPS systems, which is a taxpayer-funded program. The government can track your movements: This is another myth! The basic systems are just designed to receive signals and not transmit your location back accurately. Most vehicles that have proprietary GPS and navigation systems are designed to receive satellite signals to pinpoint your location and navigate. Weather can affect signals: Satellite TV can get affected due to bad weather owing to the inherent design of these signals. GPS, however, it does not get affected by bad weather. As long as the GPS systems are free of any obstruction which will block the signal strength, there is no reason to be worried about catching a signal on the go. Location accuracy also will not get affected when you are outside, regardless of the weather. GPS is accurate: This is not so much as a myth, but a technical error. While most GPS and navigation systems are accurate to the letter, this will entirely depend on your software. Updated software and apps for that matter will provide an accurate location, but this does not necessarily mean the system is flawed. Proprietary systems work well when the software is updated from time to time. Additional apps mess up the system: Traditional GPS had only one job, provide location accurately and help navigate through places. Modern-day GPS systems installed in premium automobiles have a bulk of apps installed and integrated with the system, which many people cite as the reason for GPS not working sometimes. Building identifiers, real-time traffic updates, alternative route suggestions are all just useful add-ons in your proprietary system and do not necessarily mess with the signal. Military GPS versus Civilian GPS: Unlike the myth which is being propagated to mislead people, there is no such thing as military GPS and civilian GPS. Both happen to receive the same signals from orbiting satellites, with the quality and type of equipment used being the only distinguishing factor. The bandwidth is another factor which differentiates these two signals. One of the most popular manufacturers of GPS and navigation devices is Garmin, both for civilian and military purposes.
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Affordable New SUVsIn recent the times, the automotive market in the country sees a considerable upswing in the entry of SUVs of every size and price range. The SUV is increasingly becoming popular owing to its large size, sturdier build, the promise of increased passenger safety and a host of other luxury add ons. However, while there are several tops of the range luxury SUVs that are available for prices that exceed hundred thousand dollars, there are equally a large number of new SUV offerings from manufacturers who are managing to combine efficiency, high performance and reliability with luxurious features at prices that are for the most part affordable. Here are some new SUVs, which are on the market with on road prices that are less than US$40,000. The Accura RD-X which has scored very highly on all performance and design tests, can seat 5 and offers fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon within the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. The 2018 model has scored very well on numerous crash tests and offers luxurious driving comforts at a viable price. The Land Rover is appealing to car enthusiasts who love its rugged exterior bodywork that makes it an ideal vehicle of choice for its off-roading capabilities. However, the Land Rover comes with a price tag that corresponds to its truck like capabilities, but the discovery Sport from Land Rover gives you a reliable mid-sized SUV with the option of adding third-row seating too. At a base price of US$ 32,900, the Audi Q3 is a new SUV offering from the Audi stables that is available with the high-quality interiors that Audi is reputed for. At this price and you get to buy yourself a compact SUV that comes with the greatly sought after Audi branding. Another new SUV that has received positive feedback is the Cadillac XT5. This is a midsize SUV with a moderate engine that is designed to give the user a comfortable driving experience. It has a roomy cabin and can seat five passengers very comfortably.
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Things to know before you buy an energy-efficient electric bikeAre you a biker with a love for low fuel? That might sound like an oxymoron, but low-energy bikes are now a reality. However, one often wonders if these bikes will really be as cheap and cost-effective in the long run as they are being portrayed. Let’s discuss the electric bike in this regard. Now, it would be a costly affair to switch to one. On top of that, you would have to pay for a massive electricity bill every time you charge it. Yes, that is going to cost a little more. However, understanding the mechanics of an electric bike will help us to identify the kind of costs we will incur. Firstly, we need to know the voltage and current rating of the electric bike battery that will be used. This information is available pretty easily on the front of the battery or somewhere in the owner's manual. The average electric bike would use a battery of 10 Amp-Hours for 36 volts. Since these bikes are made using a lithium-based battery, they will be able to run for 20 miles on one battery charge. Let us see how to calculate the Kilowatt-hours (kWh) of an electric bike. Here is the formula for that: 36 volts x 10 Amp-hours / 1000 = 0.36 kWh What did we do here? We simply multiplied the voltage and current and then divide that figure by 1000. This means that a 0.36 kW charge is required to run an electric bike for one hour. On an everyday basis, users would need to charge their electric bike for approximately 4 to 5 hours. In that sense, the total consumption for a charge cycle of such an electric bike would be: 5 x 0.36 = 1.8 kWh Calculating the Cost If we take the prices of a city like New York City, the cost per kWh would depend on the provider, user, and duration of the charge. For a biker in NY, we could safely assume that an average is $0.10 per kWh. By that standard, the electricity cost would be: $0.10 x 1.8 kWh = $0.18 This is an estimation but you can calculate your billing pattern based on this. It would give you a fair idea of what would it cost for you to own an electric bike.
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Home loans and mortgageWhether you are shopping for your first house or if you are moving to something better, it is better to know all the facts about home loans before making your move. There are many kinds of loans. Mortgages are the most well-known type. A mortgage is a type of secured loan pertaining to real estate or house. The ownership of the property is with the borrower who makes repayments in installments over an accepted period of time. The borrower is required to put up a collateral (asset) to secure a mortgage. The lender is able to provide higher amounts, usually with a better interest rate, as the lender can partially or fully seize the collateral if the borrower defaults. Fixed rate mortgages are the most commonly occurring type of home loans. The benefit is, you know ahead of time the repayment amount and the term of repayment is usually stretched over a period of 10 to 50 years. There is also a provision of repaying the loan quickly by paying additional amounts. In this type of loan, loan repayment goes first towards paying interest, then to paying the principal amount. The benefit of opting for Adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is that it usually offers a lower initial rate of interest than the fixed rate mortgage. The downside to it is the fluctuating nature, as the interest rate rises, so do your loan payments. An established credit history and a preset minimum amount of down payment are precursors to opting for the above-mentioned mortgages. FHA mortgages are government-backed loans with flexible guidelines. They usually have low down payments as well as fixed rate and ARM options. Those with limited down payment amount and having a challenging credit history can apply for FHA mortgage. This is usually offered to first time home buyers and high-risk borrowers, but the borrowers are required to take out private mortgage insurance. There are various other kinds of mortgages, VA loans for veterans, reverse mortgages and interest only mortgages. Refinancing your mortgage can potentially help you:
- Lower your monthly payment costs
- Shorten the term of your loan
- Get cash out of your home
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Rental rates for Cadillac SUVs across top agenciesWhen it comes to renting a luxury SUV, a Cadillac is the first choice for many consumers. After all, they're well-built, powerful, and ideal for everything from adventure-packed family vacations to showing off. Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV are the two luxury SUVs from the American carmaker. But there are also other great mid-size SUV options available, such as XT6, XT5, and XT4. If you're looking for monthly, weekly, or daily rates for renting a Cadillac SUV, you're in the right place. Below, we've discussed rental rates across popular car rentals. Hertz Hertz is one of the largest car rental companies in the country. To find the exact daily rate for renting a Cadillac SUV from Hertz, you'll need to sign up with them and share specific details like your pick-up location and date. The company will give you a flat $25 discount if you rent a full-size or above car before 31st August 2021. The vehicle is available for pick up at top airport locations, including LAX, Miami, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. Falcon Car Rental The daily rate for renting a Cadillac SUV from Falcon Car Rental is around $325/day. But if you're renting for the long-term, you can get weekly and monthly discounts of 15 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Keep in mind that you'll have to rent the vehicle for a minimum of two days and pay a security deposit between $1,000 and $5,000. Sixt With Sixt, you can rent luxury SUVs like Escalade and Escalade ESV, and even mid-size SUVs like XT5 and XT4. To check the availability of the model you prefer, you'll need to visit their official website and enter your pick-up location. Also, make sure to enter your pick-up and return date and time to check daily rental prices and offers. Enterprise Enterprise in another famous car rental company. Their Exotic Car Collection features models from top brands, including Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV. However, the car you'll receive is subject to availability in your preferred location. Enterprise offers pick-ups from many places within cities and major airports, including Phoenix, Atlanta, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Boston, and Nashville. Keep in mind that the daily rate for renting a Cadillac SUV will vary from one car rental to another. It's also worth noting that the Escalade can accommodate up to seven passengers and comes with power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats, among several other features.
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Factors affecting the price of gold
Gold has always been known as "the barometer of fear." When people are uncertain about the economy, they turn to gold and bid the daily gold price up. It is common to all that inflation and deflation are the two major factors affecting the gold prices; however, there are other fundamental as well as psychological factors that also move the daily gold price to a great extent.
Read on to know some of the factors that affect the daily gold price value.
Monetary policy
The monetary policy is exclusively controlled by the Federal Reserve, and in fact, has the greatest influence on the gold price. The opportunity cost is a crucial factor because of which interest rates influence gold prices. Opportunity loss is when you give up a near-guaranteed gain in an investment for a greater gain in another. This leads to the loss of money, which makes gold an attractive opportunity for investments.Economic data
The monetary decisions by the Federal Reserve are based on economic data like job reports, wage data, manufacturing data, and GDP growth, which can, in turn, affect the daily gold price. Since the country's economy is quite robust, low employment rate, job growth, and manufacturing expansion are some factors that push gold prices lower.Demand and supply
Demand and supply are two significant factors that can influence the daily gold prices. An increase in demand for gold will increase its price and vice versa. Moreover, a low supply of gold will lead to a hike in gold prices and vice versa.Inflation
The rising price of goods, which is also termed as inflation can impact the daily gold price. The higher the rate of inflation, the higher will be the gold price, whereas the lower the rate of inflation, the lower will be the gold price.Currency movements
The price of gold is dominated by dollar, and therefore, the movement of the US dollar is another strong factor influencing the daily gold price. The price of gold increases when the US dollar rate falls. This is due to the rise in the currency rates all over the world.