GPS is a common tool and a hot Christmas seller in United States

Friday, Dec. 26, 1997 | 11:03 a.m.

"They're real common," said John Peele, an executive for Trimble Navigation of Sunnyvale, Calif. "Hikers have them, people have them in their cars, they're as common as the TV."

First developed by the U.S. military, GPS was introduced to the general population nearly a decade ago. But easier-to-use systems and lower costs have spurred sales in the past few years.

They can be found in boats, taxi cabs and even golf carts at some ritzy resorts.

"They're going to have them in just about everything," Peele said. They range in price from about $100 for a simple receiver to $50,000 or more for a complex one.

The system works by communicating with an umbrella of satellites orbiting the Earth. The receiver unit picks a satellite signal, and when three satellites link up with GPS, the user can record precise latitude and longitude.

The system has landed American Richard Bliss in serious trouble with the Russian government, which accused him of espionage. The 29-year-old field technician for Qualcomm, a San Diego-based telecommunications company, was using GPS equipment to make land surveys in an attempt to locate receiving and transmitting stations for installation of a Russian cellular system.

The Russian Federal Security Service said Bliss was using the equipment to map sensitive facilities and jailed him for 12 days. Qualcomm and the U.S. government protested, saying Bliss was doing nothing illegal. He arrived in San Diego on Thursday, though he may return to Russia to face the charges.

"What we were using is similar to what's sold in The Sharper Image, Radio Shack, or any of those stores," said Christine Trimble, a spokeswoman for Qualcomm.

Outdoor enthusiasts say GPS doesn't replace a map and compass, but it can give a pinpoint location, get you where you want to be, and back. The system is particularly useful when landmarks are scarce or confusingly similar - for people who know how to use them.

Merchants said GPS units were popular gift purchases this Christmas.

"We're real low right now just because they are hot sellers," said Doug Clark, a salesman at a Fry's Electronics chain store.