Many people are under the impression that the only benefit a GPS has for the average person is that it is a more convenient way to get driving directions. And while it is a very convenient way to map navigation, there is far more that the average person can do with a GPS than just use it for mapping.

Here are a few uses for a GPS that may get you thinking about purchasing one.

1.) A GPS can help you locate a lost child. There are several GPS devices on the market that are designed to be used for this purpose. Some look like watches that lock on a child's wrist. Others look similar to cell phones. Some are even equipped with panic buttons that allow the user to press a button during times of distress, signaling that he needs help. The signals from these devices are often transmitted to a central location that will then call you on a predetermined phone with the location of your child. Of course, these devices can be used for other people besides children.

2.) A GPS can help you locate a lost pet. A tracking device is placed on your pet's collar or in a special backpack that can be fitted to your pet. When your pet goes missing you can retrieve the information about its whereabouts through the type of transmitter that you have chosen. Two popular methods of retrieving the information are through a cell phone and the Internet. There are also software programs available that will alert you if your pet has gone out of boundaries that you have predetermined.

3.) When working in conjunction with your cell phone, a GPS can allow you to call for assistance from anywhere, and your location can be tracked. This means that if you get into a car accident in a location that is difficult to identify, emergency vehicles can easily find where you are. Or, if you are hiking in the woods and become injured, help can track you down.

4.) You can use your GPS as an exercise monitor. If you walk, run or cycle regularly and like to change your route frequently, a GPS is a great tool to use. It can let you know how fast you are moving. It can also tell you how much distance you have covered. You can easily ensure that you get the exact number of miles in that you want, even when you are taking an unfamiliar route.

5.) A GPS device can help you create a high tech scavenger hunt. A GPS scavenger hunt is much like a traditional scavenger hunt. Teams of people have to hunt down clues which lead them to their final destinations, often collecting items along the way. However, the teams use GPS handheld receivers to get from clue to clue as opposed to traditionally written directions.

These are just a few of the things that the average person can use a GPS device for. There are hundreds of other uses for a GPS that don't involve driving directions.