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Tom Keating
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GPS

GPS - Global Positioning Satellites

Garmin Nuvi 350 stolen in Disney World

October 6, 2007

I'm down in Disney World with my wife, daughter, and mother-in-law and a Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS was stolen at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. Although the road signage is great around Disney, I was using a Garmin Nuvi 350 portable GPS to get around.

I wasn't using the suction cup since it leaves a ring on the window which indicates to thieves you either have a radar detector or GPS. Either can fetch a pretty penny on eBay. Anyway, normally I carry the Nuvi with me into the parks since I don't trust leaving it in the vehicle. It's also handy for mapping where you left your vehicle for a quick getaway.

However, since we were going to a water park and would be leaving our stuff basically on a lounge chair out in the open, I figured leaving the GPS in the vehicle was safer.

I was smart enough not to leave the GPS unit on the dashboard, which is basically saying "come steal me".





Portable GPS vs. in-car GPS

September 28, 2007

The debate of whether portable GPS units are better than in-car GPS units has raged for a few years now. I've always been a big proponent of portable GPS units, ever since I installed Destinator1 on a PocketPC 5-6 years ago. It was a heck of lot cheaper than spending $2,000 for an in-dash navigation system in my car. Well, Marketwatch apparently came to the same conclusion that portable GPS units often trump in-dash units in an article written today.

According to the article, Consumer Reports gives the highest marks to the Garmin Nuvi 660 at about $700.

Bluetooth GPS fits on your keychain

September 20, 2007

One problem with portable Bluetooth GPS units is you probably keep forgetting it in your car or last location you used it. If you are traveling and need GPS functionality, you're screwed. You'll have to stop at a gas station, buy a map, and read directions the old-fashioned way. Blech!

Sony takes on Apple

September 4, 2007


Sony must be reading my blog, since just last week I suggested Sony take on Apple by offering a universal multi-media device that does gaming, mobile calling, video playback, MP3 music, and GPS navigation. I jokingingly called this hypothetical Sony device the Sony PlayStation Multimedia Video GPS Phone - or Sony PSMVGP for short. I knew Sony would be the perfect company to take on Apple and especially that juggernaut known as the Apple iPhone, when I said, "Sony, an expert in electronics, TV screens, and gaming, is the perfect company to take on the Apple iPhone."

I explained last week, "Sony If Sony were smart, they'd come out with a Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) with built-in GPS, GSM cellular service, and wireless Internet functionality. This hypothetical device would blow away the Apple iPhone.


Garmin nüvi 700 GPS

August 30, 2007


Garmin today launched the new nüvi 700 series GPS satellite navigation system, which includes the nüvi 710, 750, 760 and the nüvi 770. The nuvi 700 series includes enhancements to its user interface, a hidden integrated GPS antenna to make it compact and stylish, and it comes with traffic reports to tell you of any congestion ahead and safety camera alerts for mobile and fixed cameras.

Each nüvi in the 700 series has traffic alerts, with a free lifetime subscription to traffic services. This enables drivers to avoid congestion and find alternative routes via the sat-nav. Garmin uses the patented Cyclops technology to provide highly accurate safety camera alerts for all its sat-nav systems.


TomTom GO 920 T

August 30, 2007

Today, TomTom launched the TomTom GO 920 T, their latest "high-end" premium GPS unit featuring TomTom's most extensive map of Europe and North America. The GO 920 T is considered TomTom's newest flagship model and features a large 4.3" touchscreen. It comes preinstalled with complete maps of Europe and USA & Canada on the 4 GB internal memory. The GO 920 T includes the new Enhanced Positioning Technology which results in a more continuous navigation experience for those pesky bridges and tunnels.

Garmin Edge 605 & 705

August 29, 2007

I love Garmin GPS units, and I love to go biking, so why not combine the two passions with Garmin's new series of GPS units the Garmin Edge 605 and Garmin Edge 705, which lets cyclists share routes wirelessly while adding SRM power compatibility. Today, Garmin launched the Edge 705 and Edge 605 featuring  integrated personal training systems for recreational and advanced cyclists. The Edge 705 and Edge 605 provide mapping capabilities, street navigation and a 2.2” color display in addition to tracking vertical profiles, climb and descent, altitude, speed, distance, and time.


According to Garmin, "The Edge 705 represents several breakthroughs in cycling technology, including SRM compatibility and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity. Through collaborative efforts with SRM — a pioneer in mobile power diagnostics for bicycles — Garmin for the first time gives cyclists the opportunity to monitor GPS position, power, heart rate, speed, cadence, altitude and gradient on the same display"
Imagine if Lance Armstrong had this technology, he'd of won 10 in a row!



Provia A1 GPS - too cool!

August 27, 2007

The Provia A1 navigator GPS isn't your typical utilitarian GPS that gets your from point A to point B. No siree, Bob! The Provia A1 navigator is more like the iPhone with it's sleek design, 7" touchscreen, and cool 3D graphics. This Provia A1 GPS just begs to be carried around just so you have cool gadget bragging rights. The Provia A1 navigator is from Korea’s HTMS and features a Samsung 800 x 480 resolution widescreen touchscreen 7-inch display.

TomTom lets users share map updates

June 13, 2007

Out-of-date maps suck. As a huge GPS fan I've encountered my fair share of inaccurate GPS map data. But TomTom’s new Map Share software combines cartography with community features that allow users to update maps on the go and then later share the map data with other TomTom users. This still isn't direct P2P GPS functionality with automatic traffic data sharing, but it's a start.

So when is this useful?

GPSMirror Warns of Speed Cameras to Avoid Speeding Tickets

May 16, 2007


NaviGadget reports on the "GPSMirror" from SpeedCheetah, a rear-view mirror with integrated GPS that uses its built-in database to look for "accident black spots, common mobile cameras, and fixed safety camera locations," to help you avoid getting one of those nasty speeding tickets from one of these fixed camera locations. It also shows your heading and speed and warns you if you are above a predetermined speed.

The $400 price tag is definitely a bit steep especially since my Garmin 2720 and my other GPS units allow you to download speed camera waypoints from the Internet for free - and these are fully functional GPS navigation units to boot, where as this GPSMirror is a one-trick pony. Still, if you have a heavy foot, some cash to burn, or just love gadgets, then it can't hurt to get one of these.


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