The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based radio navigation system developed and operated by the U.S. Department of Defence. GPS permits land, sea, and airborne users to determine their position, velocity and the time 24 hours a day, in all weather, anywhere in the world. The GPS signals are available to an unlimited number of users simultaneously. The GPS satellites can be used free of charge by anyone.

Binatone develops the latest navigation software to bring GPS data and up-to-date map information together in a way that works perfectly with today’s portable devices.

In order to locate your position, your Binatone receiver must have a clear view of the sky. It will not work if you are inside a building or in a tunnel. If the GPS signal is too weak, your Binatone navigation product will not know your current position. It will try to calculate your position based on the road you are on and the speed and direction you are travelling. When the GPS signal is lost, the Driving View is shown in black and white.

* Note: some athermic heat-reflecting windscreens and built-in windscreen heaters block GPS signal reception inside the car. The magnetic, waterproof Binatone External Antenna overcomes this and ensures optimal GPS reception, should you place it inside or outside the car.

Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate, thanks to their parallel multi-channel design. Certain atmospheric factors and other sources of error can affect the accuracy of GPS receivers. Binatone GPS receivers are accurate to within 15 meters (49 feet) 95% of the time. Generally, users will see accuracy within 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet) under normal conditions.

This is probably the most common question. The solution is simple. Your Binatone device needs to see the sky above. Imagine that the satellite signal has the same properties as a small beam of light. Anything that gets between the satellite and your Binatone device will stop that light getting through. Your Binatone needs continuous contact with the satellites in the sky. As with light, the signal from the satellites will pass through glass.

The process of acquiring satellites normally takes 1-2 minutes however you should not worry if it takes up to 10 minutes to acquire the its first fix.

To locate your position, you need to get signals from at least 4 satellites. If you receive signals from less than 4 satellites or the signals are not strong enough, the accuracy of your position will be affected. Please make sure you are not using your device indoors, under a bridge or in covered areas.

Finding a GPS signal
In the following cases it can take up to 10 minutes to find your current position:
You start your Binatone device or GPS receiver for the first time.
You start your Binatone device or GPS receiver after not using it for a longer time.
You start your Binatone device or GPS receiver after it has been relocated without using it (e.g. after travelling by plane or train).
Always, make sure that you are in an open place without tall buildings or trees around you.

Clear View
Your Binatone device must be outdoors to locate your current position.
Try repositioning your device in your car; ideally, try to position it at the lowest possible point directly on the windscreen.

Some vehicles have a heat reflective shield embedded in the windscreen, which may prevent your device from locating your current position. If this is the case in your vehicle, use the Binatone External Antenna Kit (sold separately).

Tip: As a reference, place your device outside your parked car to see if it can find your current position.

Specialist on-the-road survey teams check the roads for the exact positions of new or removed safety camera sites in all the European countries of your subscription. Above all, a dedicated Binatone Safety Camera Team monitors a large number of the sources reporting new Safety Camera information in Europe, particularly our users and government websites. The team permanently reviews and verifies all reported and existing locations for each particular region (Scandinavia, Western, Central and Southern Europe). We do everything possible to ensure that all active safety cameras are included in our updates

Binatone also uses real-time information received from a large amount of customers, who report new or removed safety cameras using their devices.

For safety and optimum performance, your device should be placed in a position on your windscreen that does not block your view of the road in any way and enables an optimal usage of your device.

Some athermic heat-reflecting windscreens and built-in windscreen heaters block the GPS signal reception inside the car. If you can not get a signal, an external GPS antenna to be placed outside the car (sold separately)

Binatone is using at present the best digital map data available on the market. In order to obtain the correct map data, Binatone and its map suppliers, rely on local government and other local organisations across the whole world to supply us with the most accurate and up to date information for millions of roads, streets and lanes.

On average, 8% of roads in the world are changed; our map supplier has thousand of people driving through the countries collecting data and analyzing satellite images to register these changes. The process of updating map takes time.

Some Binatone devices have the map and application preinstalled in the internal memory; this means the device works without a memory card. The memory card slot can then be used for additional maps.

Note: If you use memory cards to install additional maps, you also need to install the Binatone application onto each card.

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An easy test is to take the GPS receiver out of your car, go in the GPS status menu to check the GPS signal strength; when the signal is strong enough (3-5 green satellites), take the GPS receiver inside the car and close the windows.

If the signal strength drops (No green satellites), then your windshield is athermic and you need to purchase an external antenna.

Unfortunately rising sales of satellite navigation devices have also led to a rising number of thefts. If thieves gain access to your vehicle they can remove portable Binatone device in an instant. The police have been re-issuing standard warnings reminding you to close windows, lock doors and remove your Binatone system when you exit your car. You should either take your Binatone device with you or lock it in the boot. Always take your windscreen mount, and the car charger with you; don’t leave any Binatone products on display. It is also advisable to make a record of the make and serial number and mark the system with your postcode using an ultra violet pen. By doing this your device can be more easily traced if stolen.

Usually. Most systems can be switched and will work in any vehicle. But there have been concerns expressed that some cars do not cope well with Binatone equipment due to heat reflecting windscreens. This is because heat reflecting windscreens stop the GPS receiver from receiving its GPS signal. It is a good idea to try any new Binatone unit out in your car before you buy. You will quickly see if it's working or not.