August 31, 2005
August 31, 2005
GPSLodge.com Monthly Round-up for August 2005
We've had a fun month here at the GPS Lodge, as we've been busy bringing you a whole bunch of GPS news and GPS reviews. We have seen many reviews on great GPS receivers hit the web, like the Magellan RoadMate 760, the StreetPilot c330 and the TomTom 700. We have seen some fun things like the GPS enabled mobile phone games, and a Nintendo DS hacked for GPS use.
We got some good feedback on our MotionBased software and website review, noting our sound and balanced review of the service.
We were also happy to bring the good news of a fix for the automatic shut off issues with the eTrex line by shimming the battery contacts so the next time you hit a bump, with the thing mounted on the handlebar, the GPS doesn't shut off. We have heard from users of the eTrex vista, the eTrex Legend, the eTrex Summit and the eTrex who have had these issues. Yea, Garmin tech support never heard of the issue. We did. Problem solved.
In August, we saw some potentially great handheld GPS introductions from Magellan, including the Magellan eXplorist XL - with its massive screen, largest in the class (3.5" measurement), and the Magellan eXplorist 210 a potential blockbuster product that can effectively take on the aging Garmin Legend - an ever popular entry level mapping GPS. Finally, Garmin was not lost in August with their announcement of new RINO's: the Rino 520 and 530 models boasting up to a 12 mile range of communication.
In the coming months, look for more home made reviews of GPS receivers, and GPS news from the world when it hits.
Thanks for stopping by,
Scott Martin
Editor, GPSLodge.com
August 31, 2005
August 31, 2005
August 31, 2005
GPS News: Garmin selects SiRF as supplier
Gamrin has announced that it will incorporate SiRF starIII architecture into some upcoming selected units. "As the market for new GPS-enabled devices grows, we continue to introduce feature-rich products designed to improve people's everyday lives," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "SiRF's high sensitivity architecture is well-suited for some of our soon-to-be-announced products, and will help us achieve our mission of enhancing the GPS experience. We look forward to working with SiRF on these devices."
ReadMore - PressRelease
After this news hit the markets, SiRF Technology Holdings stock rose on the news, up $3.21 or 14 percent, as analysts took the news to signal that SiRF is gaining a leadership position in the market for chip and software designs.
"We believe Garmin is scheduled to announce a slew of products for the second half of 2005 in the (consumer portable navigation, recreation and automotive) markets that should benefit SiRF," Jim Liang, an analyst with SG Cowen said in a note Wednesday.
Here at the GPS Lodge, we say "Great Bring them on we can't wait."
August 30, 2005
GPS News: Fine Drive 300
Fine Drive has released the Fine Drive 300, a flash memory based automotive GPS device. It has 128MB internal memory with additional expandability in an SD slot. It gives you turn by turn voice guidance for easy directions, and NAVTEQ maps of the US and Canada. The big 3.8 inch color LCD touch screen and remote control (optional) make it easy to see and use.
Related News: Fine Drive announces the Finedrive 400 and Finedrive 500
Continue reading: "GPS News: Fine Drive 300"
August 29, 2005
GPS Ruining Golf in the UK?
Could something as simple as a GPS ruin golf in the UK? Golf's governing body, St Andrews-based Royal and Ancient Golf Club, has yet to rule on the legality of a new GPS device that would tell the golfer how far to the bunkers, green or the pin. "Every time a golfer moves along a hole, the device will receive instant information on course lay-out and exact yardages to hazards such as bunkers and the greens beyond from a satellite thousands of miles above in space.
Jeremy Cooke, the managing director of manufacturers' Golf-Plus.UK Ltd, said: "Using global positioning satellite technology provides a constant stream of accurate information that helps you to play the correct club every time you hit a shot."
Continue reading: "GPS Ruining Golf in the UK?"
Still Going: Huge Sale on Garmin GPS Devices
Just an update, the sale is still on today, but again, who knows how long it will last. Amazon is having a pretty massive sale on Garmin GPS's. From our work in looking at the prices, they are dropping the prices by $10-$40 off of their already discounted prices, depending on the models.
The Big Garmin Sale
Save up to 48% on select Garmin GPS. Find special low prices on Garmin's bestselling in-car GPS units including the just-released c330, on handheld GPS units like the waterproof eTrex, and even on chart plotters and fish finders. Take advantage of these low sale prices before they're gone.
Here are a few of the hot models to check out the prices:
Garmin StreetPilot c330
Garmin Forerunner 201
Garmin Forerunner 301
Garmin eTrex Legend
Garmin GPSMAP 60CS
Garmin eTrex
Garmin StreetPilot 2620
August 27, 2005
GPS Lodge Review: MotionBased Website Helps Analyze GPS Data
MotionBased website service takes data obsession to a whole new level. It's a well thought out service that allows you to upload your GPS track data to their website, and allows you to analyze it in various ways through charting and other graphical methods. The other key aspect of the website is that you can also search through their very large TrailNetwork (>90,000 uploaded routes available to search) and look at prospective routes that you might enjoy. Overall, it the system still has a ways to go as far as features and ability to help you get the best out of the data, but the technology and usefulness is still impressive eye-candy, and fun to use. Best of all, the standard features are free so you can try before you buy (plus membership is around $8 - 12/mo.).
Getting Started - See MotionBased's QuickStart guide
Continue reading: "GPS Lodge Review: MotionBased Website Helps Analyze GPS Data"
August 25, 2005
August 24, 2005
Huge Sale on Garmin GPS Devices
Who knows how long it will last, but Amazon is having a pretty massive sale on Garmin GPS's. From our work in looking at the prices, they are dropping the prices by $10-$40 off of their already discounted prices, depending on the models.
The Big Garmin Sale
Save up to 48% on select Garmin GPS. Find special low prices on Garmin's bestselling in-car GPS units including the just-released c330, on handheld GPS units like the waterproof eTrex, and even on chart plotters and fish finders. Take advantage of these low sale prices before they're gone.
Here are a few of the hot models to check out the prices:
Garmin StreetPilot c330
Garmin Forerunner 201
Garmin Forerunner 301
Garmin eTrex Legend
Garmin GPSMAP 60CS
Garmin eTrex
Garmin StreetPilot 2620
GPS Review: DigiWalker 269 GPS MP3 Player
The Mio DigiWalker 269 is a portable GPS unit that allows you to navigate turn-by-turn in car, or on foot. Not only does it navigate, it also plays MP3 audio files with its built-in player. Not bad in a little handheld device.
Overall sounds like a pretty good unit, but is missing some of the tweaks that may hold it back from being a great unit, like not being able to listen to MP3's and navigate at the same time. Despite this, there are a lot of good things to say about it.......
You can see our other postings on the Mio 269 for background: Announcement, and then first review from the Inquirer, also a pretty good overview and first hand review from DV Hardware.
Continue reading: "GPS Review: DigiWalker 269 GPS MP3 Player"
Moto phones to track kids for parents via GPS
Moto is working on phones specifically deisgned for cautious parents to give to their kids. These phones may have adult content censoring, and GPS tracking devices that would allow parents to know where the kids are. There are already several very kid friendly phones out there with minimal functionality designed to keep kids protected and keep the whole thing simple to use.
via Forbes
August 23, 2005
What's next for the GPS?
A decent article came out from the news service this week on the future of the GPS, and where the technology can go from here. While we all await more features, longer batery life and better maps on the existing units, there are a whole lot of things that may be in the wings waiting for us. Reasearchers say that the GPS technology, "Can be used to guide visitors through museums. Other innovators plan to use it to beam cell-phone ads to specific locations, to enable stores and restaurants to lure hip wireless customers who are strolling in their neighborhoods."
Continue reading: "What's next for the GPS?"
August 20, 2005
Quick GPS News: Mio Readying a new GPS enabled PocketPC with Bluetooth
Mio's next GPS-enabled PocketPC will feature Bluetooth 1.2 wireless connectivity, according to the Bluetooth Qualification Program (BQP) website.
Called the A201, little else is known about the device beyond the fact it has a built-in GPS receiver, as per Mio's current GPS PocketPC offerings.
So What?
The A201 appears to be in addition to the current Mio 168 Pocket PC (shown here) with integrated GPS, or may potentially be an outright replacement. The Mio 168 does not feature integrated Bluetooth. Of course the Bluetooth enables wireless sync of the PocketPC, or one would hope so. With on-board Bluetooth TomTom is integrating the ability to download traffic and weather service through their TomTomPlus services, as well as the ability to update the voices used to route you to your destinaiton with the text to voice feature. The TomTom is also able to function as a speakerphone whenin the car and paired to the phone. Who knows if any of these features will be present on the upcoming Mio A201.
August 19, 2005
The Best of the Blogpire
It's been a big week for the Blogpire. Shaving Stuff.com was Yahoo! Pick of the Day for August 18th, and 3 of our Blogs are ranked in the Feedster Top 500. Kitchen Contraptions.com comes in at 280. Single Serve Coffee.com comes in at 357. TV Snob.com comes in at 495.
We also added a new title to the Blogpire - The Cooking News. We think you'll enjoy the recipes, wine info, and other cooking related items each day. Michael & Jennifer are both total foodies and will bring you the best of what they find each week.
Single Serve Coffee: Brugo Self-Cooling Coffee Mug, Single Serve Coffee.com Makes Feedster Top 500 Blogs, and Review: Krups 1010 Home Cafe Pod Brewing Machine from Single Serve Coffee.com
Kitchen Contraptions: Flip Flap The Solar Powered Plant: Our Money Where Our Mouth Is, simplehuman Organize This! Contest, and Meat Tumbler
Shaving Stuff: Lavender Pre-Shave Oil, Get a $50 Gift Certificate When You Buy A Braun Electric Razor, and Shaving tips from a/MEN/ity
What's All The Racquet: Wimbledon game for your mobile phone
TV Snob: Great Olevia LCD TV Customer Service Experience, Touchscreen PC LCD, and Samsung HLR4667W 46" Widescreen HDTV Drops below $2500
Shirt Snob: Mr. Housing Bubble tee, Great T-shirt from Threadless and Busted Tees
GPS Lodge: US Marines going to Iraq with Garmin 76S and 76CS GPS Receivers and GPS Review: TomTom GO 700 GPS Unit
August 18, 2005
US Marines going to Iraq with Garmin 76S and 76CS GPS Receivers
US Marines will be using Garmin 76S and 76CS GPS recievers pre-loaded with Iraqi street maps and packaged with hardened Pelican cases and with RAM Military Mounting devices and external antennas. The companies that are doing the work to pre-load and equip the units are Homeland Security Technology (HST), along with GPS World Supply. As well as having GPS receivers pre-loaded with Iraqi streets, HST has the ability to pre-load with Afghanistan databases.
August 16, 2005
TomTom GO 700 GPS Review
TomTom is not as well known in the States as it is in the UK, where they is a market leader for the Automobile segment. They have a strong performer in the TomTom GO 700 as it is easy to use, with its standout software with loads of customization, and accurate mapping capabilities.
See our Review of the TomTom GO 300 from GPS Lodge
Continue reading: "TomTom GO 700 GPS Review"
FineDrive F400 Car GPS System
Asian FineDrive have recently announced the trendy FineDrive F400 Car GPS System.
FineDrive F400 Car GPS Features Include:
- Displays 3D cards
- Bulit-in SD card solt along with a 320GB hard drive
- 4" color Screen
- MP3 playback capability
The Finedrive 300 is available in the USA, some time in the future the 400 will just may be to. http://www.fine-drive.com/
via MobileWhack
August 15, 2005
GPS-enabled Mobile Phone Games are here...
Today Boost Mobile announced the first GPS-enabled Java cell phone games in the United States with 2 games "Swordfish" and "Torpedo Bay" that were developed by Blister Entertainment.
The games use the GPS capabilities of most cell phones to figure out where you are, then it creates a virtual playing field that you get to play on.
Continue reading: "GPS-enabled Mobile Phone Games are here..."
Last Day: Save $100 on Magellan RoadMate 700 at Amazon.com
Through August 15th, you can save $100 on the Magellan RoadMate 700.
See the special Offer Details:
Special Offer: Save $100 instantly on the Magellan RoadMate 700 Vehicle GPS with windshield mount. Offer valid through August 15, 2005. Requires promotional code MAGEMATESAVE. (Applies only to products sold by Amazon.com.)
August 13, 2005
New Magellan eXplorist 210 - Map Expandability, Large Internal Memory
Magellan announced that they will launch the Magellan eXplorist 210 , beefing up the eXplorist line to include GPS mapping capabilities in a low priced handheld GPS model. The eXplorist 210 includes USB conectivity, 22MB of space to store downloaded maps, a 2.3" grayscale display, and accuracy to 3 meters, all in a water resistant shock resistent case.
Continue reading: "New Magellan eXplorist 210 - Map Expandability, Large Internal Memory"
August 12, 2005
This Week's Best of the Blogpire
Another week and another best of the best from the Blogpire. We've had an amazing week finding the latest kitchen, coffee, poker, tennis, TV, fashion, and gps offerings.
We also want to remind you that publishers and supporters of Blogpire Productions have participated in the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) this past weekend and we are donating all profits from the Blogpire this weekend (August 12th & 13th) to the cause. The PMC donations go to the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber cancer institute.
Donations can be made at: http://www.pmc.org/egifts/giftinfo.asp?eGiftID=TA0037
Now, on with the Best of the Blogpire!
Continue reading: "This Week's Best of the Blogpire"
August 11, 2005
GPS Review: Garmin StreetPilot c340 - compact, traffic enabled
UPDATE: CNET has taken a look at the Garmin StreetPilot C340 and has a few more details on the new unit. specifically they add some info on the traffic avoidance features:
"The c340 also shows you congested traffic areas via color-coded maps, but to take advantage of this feature, you'll have to purchase the optional traffic receiver for $199.99, which includes 15 months of service."
See our Article: Garmin StreetPilot C340 Arrives for Review at the GPS Lodge
Our previous article from July 15th is below:
Garmin introduced the Garmin 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. Read more on the GTM FM Traffic reciever in our article covering its launch. ).
Continue reading: "GPS Review: Garmin StreetPilot c340 - compact, traffic enabled"
GPS Review: Garmin i3
Garmin has announced and is in the middle of launching a whole bunch of GPS receivers. On July 15th they announced six new models including the Garmin StreetPilot i3, a compact color GPS reveicer that is designed to be an entry level automotive GPS unit. CNET has reviewed the unit and there are a lot of upsides and a few downsides. Garmin has claimed to target "commuters, college students, and corporate travelers who are looking to experience the ease and enjoyment of GPS satellite navigation for the first time."
GPS Lodge has the Garmin StreetPilot i3 in for Review - read the article.
Continue reading: "GPS Review: Garmin i3"
August 10, 2005
New Products: Garmin Rino 520 and 530
Garmin's Rino line just upped the ante today with the launch of two more Rino radio/GPS units. Garmin says that they have "up to a 12-mile communication range, large color display, mini-USB interface, and built-in auto-routing basemap. The Garmin RINO 530 has the same features as the Garmin RINO 520, plus a seven-channel weather receiver, electronic compass and barometric altimeter." Ouch a twelve mile range? Time to chuck those junky FRS radios hanging around the closet, you know the ones that boast about the 2 mile range? Hold on before you do that, read on.
Continue reading: "New Products: Garmin Rino 520 and 530"
New Product: Garmin Trail Guide for Jeep
Targeted at Jeep Wrangler owners, and available through Jeep dealers, Garmin has announced the Garmin Trail Guide. The device was unveiled at Camp Jeep, in Pennsylvania.
"The Trail Guide is the ideal navigation device for Wrangler owners,"said Gary Kelley, Garmin's director of marketing. "Whether traveling the highways, negotiating the byways, or hiking on foot, the Trail Guide is every bit as versatile as the Wrangler itself."
Continue reading: "New Product: Garmin Trail Guide for Jeep"
New Product: HP iPAQ hw6710 and hw6715 mobile messangers with GPS functions
So, I wouldn't normally announce the launch of a new HP iPAQ here, but what the heck, they have GPS functions and has "GPS navigation from TomTom." Did you read the interview article we posted that Engadget did with Magellan's Christian Bubenheim, where he said that "All mobile devices will be able to integrate GPS very cost-efficiently." He was ultimately talking about cell phones, but here we go, jump on board because here they come.
Not that this launch is new or dramatic, but in the wake of that interview, and the fact that the HP release is not primarily a "GPS based handheld", like the Garmin's M3 or M5, which is most definitely a GPS device in the form of a Pocket PC. I guess my point is that GPS functionality is going to be a barely noteworthy extention of the handheld fnctionality list much like SD cards, WiFi, a color screen, etc.
Read more at engadget.com.
New Product: Cobra NAV ONE 4500
Cobra has started a teaser campaign for a new Cobra that is pre-announcing the NAV ONE 4500 with Real-Time traffic information. This would most likely be similar to the Garmin StreetPilot2720 and StreetPilot 340 - the FM, RDS signal from Clearchannel. See our articles on the
StreetPilot 2720 or the
StreetPilot c340, as well as our comparison of the
StreetPilot 2720 vs. the RoadMate 760.
August 8, 2005
Interview with Magellan's Christian Bubenheim
Engadget.com sat down with the VP and General Manager of Thales' Magellan consumer products Business, which includes the Magellan GPS systems.
He talks about the various areas of their business, including the automobile navigation segment, where the market is most advanced in Japan (go figure), Europe, and finally North America, where he says that,
"[The North American] market is doubling year over year. We're the market leader in the North American market with the RoadMate series."
Continue reading: "Interview with Magellan's Christian Bubenheim"
August 6, 2005
The Best of the Blogpire
We scour each week to find the best of the best from all the Blogpire blogs. We've got some juicy morsels for you this week and some info on an event all of our blogs are sponsoring.
Publishers and supporters of Blogpire Productions are participating in the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) this weekend and donating all profits of the upcoming August 12th weekend to the cause. Nearly 4,000 cyclists will take part in the ride this August 6 and 7, 2005. They will travel six different routes, riding between 89 and 192 miles over one or two days, through 46 scenic Massachusetts towns.
More can be learned about the PMC program at www.pmc.org, and donations can be made at:
http://www.pmc.org/egifts/giftinfo.asp?eGiftID=TA0037
Now on with the best of the best:
GPS Review: Garmin eTrex Legend vs. Magellan eXplorist 300
What's All The Racquet.com: Wilson Pro Staff Review and
Killer Find for Bargain Tennis Equipment!
Shaving Stuff.com: Gillette Mystery Solved and Seiko Cleancut - The Pornstars' Choice
TV Snob.com: Analog and Digital TV for Notebook PCs and Al Gore's Cable Channel Off to Rocky Start
Shirt Snob.com: Giant Robots!!! and Butterscotch Stallion
Single Serve Coffee.com: Win A Bunn My Cafe! and Black Mountain Gold Gourmet Coffee Pods
Kitchen Contraptions.com: Make Burgers Like the Pros! and Personal Chocolate Fountain
Just The Chips.com: A Chip and a Chair and Tournament Poker Cleans Up Its Act
August 5, 2005
GPS Review Update: Garmin Vista, Legend and regular eTrex Shut Off Problems
A lot of our readers have complained about the Garmin eTrex Vista, the Garmin eTrex Legend or the Garmin eTrex units shutting off automatically when the GPS is mounted on a handlebar mount while cruising down a bumpy trail, or bumpy road. A while ago, we got in touch with Garmin Technical support, and they claimed that there was no known issue with the unit that would cause this. We have had the problems ourselves and we have a solution for you.
Continue reading: "GPS Review Update: Garmin Vista, Legend and regular eTrex Shut Off Problems"
August 4, 2005
GPS NEWS: Nintendo DS Hacked for the GPS good
We saw this and thought we would pass this along in the name of fun. Here is a nice story about a good hack to a Nintendo DS hacked to include Google Maps and a GPS connection. The Google Maps are had through a WiFi connection, while the GPS is had through a serial connection to a Trimble based Lassen iQ GPS module. Not exacly somehing that you may breing out to the field for geocaching, but not a bad little project for hacking the DS.
More at engadget.com
August 1, 2005
TomTom Upgrades Map Set
TomTom announced that they have map upgrades available for select models of the Go and the Navigator 5.
Go upgrades (does not apply to Go 300 and Go 700 that already have the updated maps):
Latest maps of US and Canada, Contiguous map of US on one SD card (1GB), for easier planning. Easier route planning with multiple stop capabilities, along with improvements to data entry and route planning.
If you bought your product after March 15, 2005, you get a good discount on the SD card version ($99.99 - Go upgrade) or a free (+ Shippping) CD with the updattes on it. If you bought before March 15, 2005, you need to pay $49.99 for the CD and $149.99 for the SD Card (Go Upgrade).
See more information on the TomTom website for the Go models or the Navigator 5 model.
Track your teens (or your husband or your wife) via GPS
Want to know where that kid went to with the car? Discrete Wireless, the maker of truck fleet based tracking devices has released a home version that also hooks data into the internet for some remote control spying right from the comfort of your own home. parents can see the data on the website, or get it delivered via email, or via cellphone, and cal provide alerts based on some pre-defined criteria. While this might work once, or twice, who is going to use their car to go do anything fun if they know their parents are watching their every move? Take a friend's car until his or her parents get too smart and put one of these devices on their car too.
Read more at engadget.com
or at Discrete Wireless website.
'
Now we're talking. Faithful readers know we like to use our GPS devices out on the road while we bike, and here we go with the 
The 
Avis has announced a new feature on their Avis Assist system that is available with car rentals for an added $9.95 per day. Different from the Hertz NeverLost system that evolved to the consumer offering as the Magellan RoadMate 700 series, the Avis Assist is a Moto phone that allows you to get in touch with the call center, and they download directions to the handset that can then walk you through the directions. The software and service is available for other Moto phones through the 
Garmin and Trafficmaster PLC signed a deal today for Trafficmaster to provide RDS TMC - Radio Data System Traffic Message Channel - data feed service on Garmin's newly released premium Automotive GPS devices - the StreetPilot c340 and the StreetPilot 2720. 
Here's a nice write up of getting the TomTom Navigator 5 to work on the Palm Treo 650. for a little under $300, you can lturn your Treo into a TomTom powered turn by turn GPS navigator. Now there were some bumps along th eway, and the process took forever because of slow to get activation codes, but the thing was up and running with only a few hitches. This can be summed up with, "The activation process was a complete nightmare and I'm hoping that I'm the exception rather than the rule."
A decent GPS review has hit the wire on the 
Another positive review of the 
Pharos has released a new compact GPS reciever that includes MP3 support in a small handheld size that can go anywhere as well as funciton well as an automotive navigation system. 
Magellan announced today a new addition to the eXplorist line, the 
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