This month at the Lodge we have brought out a lot of GPS news from around the world. The big news had to be the release of 6 new units from Garmin - the Streetpilots i2 and i3, the iQue M3, the Streetpilot 2720, the StreetPilot c340 and the Quest 2 - all on July 15th! They followed that up with a new Weather enabled (XM WX Sattellite Weather) GPSMAP 376C. Could this be the start of a weather enabled feature set on more GPS units?
We have a lot more planned for the future, more head to head reviews, reviews of the latest models on the market and the news as it breaks, so come on back. Add GPS Lodge to your My Yahoo or your My MSN page so you'll know as soon as we update with more news, information and reviews.
The Mio 269is an interesting blend of GPS / Sat Nav with a beautiful screen and a hard drive with the added ability to play MP3s. So, do you really need an MP3 player that does navigation and vice versa? Why not?
GPS Lodge.com is part of the Blogpire network, a growing network of blogs providing quality content across a range of subjects. Some of the best posts this week include:
Sales of GPSs are being driven by a lot of people who are data obsessed these days claims the NY Times. Come on what is the problem with wondering where you are, what your heart rate was at the time and what is the altitude? Well today the NYT took a quick look into some of these devices, including highlighting the Garmin Forerunner 301 (wrist mounted GPS with heart rate monitor - shown here). While the argument rages on the subject of injecting too much technology into an otherwise pleasurable outing, we ask, Why not, isnt that part of the fun?
Read more: NYT By Data Obsessed
Read more about some good software to feed the data obsession, MotionBased web service allows you to upload your GPS tracks and analyze them as well as get graphical readouts on attributes like speed, altitude, pace, heartrate, etc. You also have the ability to "Dot Race" where you run you GPS tracks side by side to see who wins the virtual race, or maybe where you are stronger this week in training than last week on the same course. See the GPS Lodge review of MotionBased.
Pocket-link has a great review of the Garmin Streetpilot C330. I don't currently have a GPS in my car, but I did see yesterday in Hyampom, CA outside a little general store, a pair of motor-cross bikes with a GPS mounted on each of them for mapping trails. Yep. Nuts. They use these little GPS rigs to help the forest service map trails.
"As little as eighteen months ago, the idea of adding GPS to your car was something only those buying a high-end number or able to afford a two-grand post-purchase solution were capable of. The introduction of GPS into PDAs forced a re-think of the market and now it’s possible to find a wide range of GPS devices suited to all types of user."
UPDATE: Buy a Garmin, Magellan or TomTom GPS Unit at Amazon and get up to $50 back
UPDATE: there have been a few price changes on this offer. The good news on the Garmin Forerunner 201 as there was a price drop on this item: Garmin Forerunner 201with $25 certificate = $89 after promotion
The new Waypoint 200 from Mobile Crossing has been released and looks like it has an interesting set of features. This PDA (Pocket PC) based GPS solution is Bluetooth enabled, and comes with a bluetooth GPS receiver module. The Bluetooth ability also powers the capability to download realtime traffic and weather information through your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. The first year is free for this service, and for a subscription after 1 year. The traffic maps cover a handful of top cities, mostly West Coast and Minneapolis and Chicago with the promise of more cities. It comes with built in Navteq maps and spoken word directions. Street Price $749 to $799. Read more at the Moble Crossing website
GPS Review: Garmin Streetpilot 2720 vs. Magellan Roadmate 760
A lot of people have been looking for a review on the Garmin Streetpilot 2720 and the Magellan Roadmate 760, simply asking "Which is best?" So here is a quick run down of the feature sets of the two new automotive targeted GPS receivers. They are two feature packed devices coming from two well regarded manufacturers, but here at the GPS Lodge, we were wondering what set them apart, and which one was worth buying.
Magellan donates eXplorist 200's for National Scout Jamboree
Magellan announced today that they will sponsor a geocaching course at the Boy Scout National Jamboree in Virginia, which runs from July 25th through August 3rd. This will be the first time that the boy scouts will teach advanced navigation using the GPS. Magellan will donate their eXplorist 200 handheld models that offer easy to use interface. Sounds like fun. So, let me think, 40,000+ scouts on 73,000 acres looking for geocaches across one week's time.... that adds up to a lot of batteries.
We wanted to let you know you can read GPS Lodge.com everyday by either coming to the web site or by reading our RSS feed. We want to be able to deliver GPS Lodge.com in as many formats as possible so you can read it when, where and how you want.
RSS means Really Simple Syndication. To use it, you need an application on your computer that reads XML files. This application is called a feed reader or aggregator. Basically what happens then is this: you type in the address of the RSS feed you want updates on, and every time something new happens on that site, it just pops into your feed reader. No more traveling around to your favorite links to see if they've been updated, you just let the feed reader do it for you.
One of the easiest ways to read GPS Lodge.com is to add it to your My.Yahoo page. Click here to add it to your My.Yahoo page.
If you don't have a My.Yahoo page, you'll need a feed reader. We recommend FeedDemon for PC users and NewsFire for Mac users. However if you have a Macintosh you can use the built in Safari browser to read our feed. I use Safari myself and love it. You can also view it on the web using BlogLines.
Once you've installed it, copy the URL of any feed you want into the reader and you're on your way.
We have also made it very easy to subscribe to the GPS Lodge.com Feed by using the options below:
Five handheld GPS units are reviewed in the August issue of Money Magazine. Not exactly an in depth review of all handhelds, but they take a look at a decently broad range, and evaluate them for their overall value. The highest rated handheld was the Magellan eXplorist 600 with an "A" rating, and then Garmin GPSMAP 60CS with an "A-". The handhelds range from a low price (and low feature set) of $126 on the Magellan eXplorist 100 to the high of $536 on the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS (approx. street prices). (continued)
HP is selling their rz1710 pocket PC unit complete with a GPS shoe for use in a car as the HP rz1710 Navagator. The Pocket PC is free to use as needed during the normal day, but pop this thing into the GPS mount in the car, (works in portrait or landscape format) and you are ready to go. You can't use its handheld features while navigating, which could be a pain.
Garmin introduced yet another GPS receiver today, after a rocking week last week where they introduced 6 other devices. This is not exactly a low end, plain old consumer targeted device though, but could signal a direction of things to come for new Garmin models. The great new feature that is available on the GPSMap 376c is the ability to overlay weather on top of your map, and position. This feature allows you to see where storms are in relation to you in real time and make plans accordingly. This would have been a wonder the other day when I got caught in a thunderstorm with my Vista C out on a 70 mile bike ride. Can they get that technology in a handheld?
Buy a Garmin, Magellan or TomTom GPS Unit at Amazon and get up to $50 back
Now through August 1st - Amazon is running an offer to give you a credit for up to $50 towards a future purchase when you buy selected Gamin, Magellan or TomTom GPS models between July 19th and August 1st. Basically you need to buy a Garmin, Magellan or TomTom unit, they send you a code worth up to $50 towards a future order. Not a bad deal if you shop Amazon regularly. They will email the code by September 26, 2005, and it will expire by October 27, 2005. See the Special Offer information at each of the links.
GPSLodge takes a look at the Garmin Forerunner 201. We have one coming in, and we will give it a full review in a few weeks. The premise of the Garmin Forerunner 201 is to bring the GPS technology with you while you are out running, hiking, on the water training, or biking. It is more to measure where you went versus where you are going - which is OK, but keep this in mind as you consider it. Overall, the concept is a great idea. With a wrist mounted GPS, you can capture training detail and download it onto a PC which lets you analyze it eight different ways and track your progress.
New Product: Garmin StreetPilot c340 - compact, traffic enabled
Garmin introduced the Streetpilot c340 today along with the other crop of new models. The Streetpilot c340 is a compact lower priced model that has adopted the traffic ready feed features of the higher priced Streetpilot 2720. (See related coverage HERE).
What's New This Weekend on the Blogpire - Win $50 and $25?
See the latest news from all of our weblogs this weekend. If you want to win $50 visit Single Serve Coffee.com and if you want to win $25 visit Kitchen Contraptions.com. Visit both and win $75!
Continuing the huge string of new product releases today, Garmin announced new additions to their StreetPilot line, the Garmin i2 (shown at right) and Garmin i3(shown below). Both are about the size of a baseball, and are designed to be entry level additions to the StreetPilot line of car GPS receivers. While they are small, they seem to offer a lot.
Garmin announced the new iQue M3 today, the handheld Pocket PC based GPS receiver. The M3 sits below the iQue M5 in the iQue line, and gets a slower processor and less memory than its big brother.
Garmin has launched a new high end GPS receiver for the car, the Garmin Streetpilot 2720. This adds to the line of portable StreetPilots, and is capable of text-to-speech and optional traffic capability.
Garmin announced the launch of the Garmin Quest 2 GPS receiver for North America today. The product is designed for out of the box use in North America - it comes loaded with base maps for the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Continue reading:"New Product - Quest 2 GPS Receiver"
This thing sure is ugly but boy it might just save your life. This is a dedicated personal security device based around a 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM phone and GPS receiver. If you're ever stuck in the himalayas and need to try and get beyond just eating people and possibly get rescued - this is for you.
When I'm Geocaching I know I need to listen to some tunes and instead of bringing my not so waterproof iPod I bet one of these little GPS meets MP3 wonders would be great. Problem is? They may not make it outside of Korea. Bummer. Besides navigation and music these portable devices video as well.
Sony has entered the GPS receiver market; taking on familiar names like Garmin, Magellan and TomTom, with an automobile GPS unit. It has a 2GB hard drive, a color screen. Stuff Magazine from the UK sees some of of its features a bit deficient versus the TomTom models, like the Go 700 that features more storage, and a touchscreen instead of the buttons on the Sony model. Longer term, Sony could be a big force in the GPS world..... or they could cough up a new Betamax. Time will tell. Price on the street is TBD, with a launch scheduled for August.
Did you lose your children or mother in law just the other day? Well, now with this cool little mobile phone you can keep track of them. The Sazo GPS is abou the size of a credit card and comes with a GPS on board. I like the integration of mobile phone and tracking for purposes like this. Granted I don't want to know what my mother in law is doing all the time - but my kids - well I need to know until at least 15 where they are at all times and then at the end of the evening. :-)
Save $20 on Garmin Forerunner 201 - Special Offer from Amazon.com
Today is the LAST DAY for a special offer through Amazon.com on the Garmin Forerunner 201 model, the wrist mounted GPS training aid. Their price before the discount is $114.05, $94.05 after the special offer discount.
From the Amazon.com site:
Special Offer: Save $20 instantly on the Garmin Forerunner 201 wrist-mounted GPS personal training device. Offer valid through July 6, 2005. Requires promotional code SAVEDRUNNERS.
NOTE: See recent Special Offer on Garmin Forerunner 201 at Amazon HERE - through August 1st.
The Smart blue Mini from SysOnChip is a tiny Bluetooth enabled GPS receiver designed to be your keychain. Small enough to fit in your pocket, it would be able to go anywhere you want to go. This tiny GPS Receiver is designed to pair with Bluetooth enabled PDA's, SmartPhones, and computers.
Continue reading:"SysOnChip Portable Bluetooth GPS Receiver"
GPS REVIEW UPDATE: Garmin eTrex Legend C and Vista C
Update and Tips:
After using the eTrex Vista C handheld GPS Receiver for some time, we are still very happy with it here at the lodge. Along the way we ran into a roadblock that the manual didn't detail, but we've got a solution for you here....
Google Maps has been well recieved, and Google Earth probably won't disappoint. Google Earth launched in beta recently with the ability to view satellite images of anywhere on the planet.
Continue reading:"GPS integration available on Google Earth Plus"
UPDATE: Geocaching and Jeep Summer Promotion and Contest - Win a Vista C or a New Jeep
Geocaching.com and Jeep Contest UPDATE: Use your GPS Receiver to have fun this summer with geocaching.com. The contest has you out looking for travelbugs and taking pictures according to the themes below to win prizes. The new July goals or themes are posted over at Geocaching.com. They are as follows: July Goals Americana 1. State Symbol (Flag, Flower, Capital, Bird)
Take a photo of your travel bug with a state symbol; picture or real thing 2. American Flag
Incorporate the American Flag into a photo with your travel bug 3. Historical Landmarks/Memorials
Take a photo of your travel bug at / on a landmark or memorial of note; picture or real thing
GPSLodge.com Round up for July
Continuing our series of head to head reviews (the first being the 
vs. the 
Continue reading: 
Come on what is the problem with wondering where you are, what your heart rate was at the time and what is the altitude? Well today the NYT took a quick look into some of these devices, including highlighting the Garmin Forerunner 301 (wrist mounted GPS with heart rate monitor - shown here). While the argument rages on the subject of injecting too much technology into an otherwise pleasurable outing, we ask, Why not, isnt that part of the fun? 
This PDA (Pocket PC) based GPS solution is Bluetooth enabled, and comes with a bluetooth GPS receiver module. The Bluetooth ability also powers the capability to download realtime traffic and weather information through your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. The first year is free for this service, and for a subscription after 1 year. The traffic maps cover a handful of top cities, mostly West Coast and Minneapolis and Chicago with the promise of more cities. It comes with built in Navteq maps and spoken word directions. Street Price $749 to $799. Read more at the 
They are two feature packed devices coming from two well regarded manufacturers, but here at the GPS Lodge, we were wondering what set them apart, and which one was worth buying. 
Five handheld GPS units are reviewed in the August issue of Money Magazine. Not exactly an in depth review of all handhelds, but they take a look at a decently broad range, and evaluate them for their overall value. 
HP is selling their rz1710 pocket PC unit complete with a GPS shoe for use in a car as the HP rz1710 Navagator. The Pocket PC is free to use as needed during the normal day, but pop this thing into the GPS mount in the car, (works in portrait or landscape format) and you are ready to go. You can't use its handheld features while navigating, which could be a pain. 
Garmin introduced yet another GPS receiver today, after a rocking week last week where they introduced 6 other devices. This is not exactly a low end, plain old consumer targeted device though, but could signal a direction of things to come for new Garmin models. The great new feature that is available on the GPSMap 376c is the ability to overlay weather on top of your map, and position. This feature allows you to see where storms are in relation to you in real time and make plans accordingly. This would have been a wonder the other day when I got caught in a thunderstorm with my Vista C out on a 70 mile bike ride. Can they get that technology in a handheld? 
GPSLodge takes a look at the Garmin Forerunner 201. We have one coming in, and we will give it a full review in a few weeks. The premise of the 
Garmin introduced the 
Continuing the huge string of new product releases today, Garmin announced new additions to their StreetPilot line, the 
Garmin announced the new 
Garmin announced the launch of the 
The Smart blue Mini from SysOnChip is a tiny Bluetooth enabled GPS receiver designed to be your keychain. Small enough to fit in your pocket, it would be able to go anywhere you want to go. This tiny GPS Receiver is designed to pair with Bluetooth enabled PDA's, SmartPhones, and computers.
Mailing List
Subscribe - RSS
