7. Geolocation - How addresses are defined
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Addresses for any GPS device are derived from a process called Reverse Geocoding. The
device tracks a latitude and longitude geographic location and then derives an address based
upon a database of addresses compiled by the government. The geographical coordinate is
then mapped to the nearest known address. The
nearest known
address is an important
concept here. Obviously it is virtually impossible to accurately pinpoint each latitude and
longitude on the face of the earth so addresses may be off by a house or two, or may be an
estimation of the address. Addresses are determined by lot numbers from the US census, so
the returned address is only good as the database from which it is derived. This is true for every
GPS device on the market today. All GPS devices use this same process. So...the device may
be working properly and tracking all of the right locations, but the addresses might be off by a
few numbers.
Our accuracy claims are based on geographic location on the earth, meaning the universal
latitude and longitude coordinates. Most people, however, are accustomed to travel using a
numbers-and-names address system. For that reason,
all
GPS devices on the market today
utilize a process of converting latitude and longitude parameters to best known and available
address.
Addresses are derived from a U.S. government database, based on census reports. The
database is the best information available, but it is not perfect. The numbers can be off by a
house or two, or the address might be an estimate, based on the data that is available.
Based purely on latitude and longitude pairings, LandAirSea Systems GPS tracking devices are
among the most accurate you can buy.
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