GPS Tracklog

2007 GPS preview

We're begining to get an idea what 2007 holds in store for GPS receivers, and wireless connectivity is the watch word. The CES Innovations Award 2007 winners have been announced, and we've seen confirmation of one unit and the unveiling of another.

Garmin nuvi 670 / 680

The next Garmin nuvi comes with with MSN Direct, and is billed as the first GPS navigator offering dynamic, geo-referenced information like traffic conditions, weather forecasts, fuel prices, and movie times from the MSN Direct network.

Bushnell ONIX400CR

The Bushnell ONIX400CR (pictured at left) is another step up in the Bushnell GPS line we covered earlier this week. The ONIX400CR integrates GPS and XM capabilities to provide the outdoor enthusiast geo-referenced satellite photograph and XM weather content in a "made for the outdoors" portable design.

Dash Express

The Dash Express^TM is the first Internet-connected automotive navigation device that connects people to the information that empowers them in their cars.

We're inching ever so closer to map updates on the fly, and a whole host of other goodies. We'll know more about next year's units at CES in early January.

Magellan RoadMate 2000 update

I recently had the opportunity to spend some quality time with a Magellan RoadMate 2000, and I learned some interesting things, like the fact that this is not really a "crossover" GPS unit designed for backcountry use! Check out my Magellan RoadMate 2000 review for the update.

Related post:

• Magellan RoadMate 2200T

A new nuvi?

Well, it figures. Barely 24 hours after I got my nuvi 660, Engadget reports rumors of a nuvi 670 / 680. This one is supposed to have MSN Direct connectivity.This could bring weather forecasts to your nuvi without XM, along with more traffic options, Outlook calendar sync, and more. Of course, it may mean another service plan to pay for too. Don't expect this one to hit the shelves before January at the earliest. Maybe Garmin will let us know officially at CES.

Related posts:

• Great deal on a Garmin nuvi 660
• Garmin nuvi 660 review
• Garmin nuvi 360 review
• Garmin nuvi 350 review

I got my nuvi!

Yep, I finally broke down and bought a nuvi 660. From GPSNow of course (and I noticed today that Amazon’s price has gone back up). I gotta say, I was impressed with the speed of delivery. I ordered my nuvi on the day after Thanksgiving (Friday), and it was here Monday afternoon. Total shipping and handling? $7.55 for USPS Priority Mail. And no sales tax. Man, you can’t beat that!

So far, I’ve been very pleased with the nuvi. As always, Garmin comes through with very intuitive menus. This is one of their true strengths.

What else have I noticed?

MakeGPI - POI loader for Macs

A fellow on GpsPasSion has developed a Garmin POI loader for Macs - MakeGPI.

And here's another Mac tip from GpsPasSion - how to upgrade your nuvi firmware with a Mac.

I'm not a Mac person, but I do keep my eyes open for these things, and as of today, I've created a new category -- GPS and Macs. Follow the link and scroll down for some treats from the archives.

Bushnell GPS to feature aerial photos and satellite imagery

Bushnell has announced two new handheld GPS receivers that can accommodate aerial photos and satellite imagery (and apparently USGS topo maps). This comes hot on the heels of Lowrance announcing their iWAY 600C auto receiver. Assuming someone else doesn't beat them to the punch, Bushnell will have the first non-PDA, consumer handheld GPS with this capability. Outdoor enthusiasts have been waiting a long time for a ruggedized GPS with this capability.

There are two models -- the Onix200 and Onix200CR -- the only apparent difference being that the CR has a color screen with higher resolution. Amazon says that the Bushnell Onix200 will be available sometime after December 22. The Onix200CR is due in February 2007.

Bushnell is hyping a screen layering feature, but it appears to only layer a navigation compass on the screen, rather than allow you to blend topos and aerial imagery. I'm a little disappointed that you can't layer topo maps and aerial photos, but another concern is cost.

At first glance this doesn't look too bad -- $1 per map or photo, 25 for $20 or an unlimited annual subscription for $79. Which begs the question, after a year do I own the imagery or do I have to download it again every time I want to change images?

And consider this quote: "The ONIX200 series unit will store up to 12 photography (satellite or aerial) downloads at one time. Choose images of the same land at different levels of zoom, or broaden your coverage area by storing photos of separate areas."

With only 32 MB of user memory, the Onix200 series will accept only 12 images. And from that quote, and the layout of the download site, I assume that each time you change zoom level, it's a different image and therefore another map or photo you are charged for.

Sounds a bit limited to me. Maybe Garmin will bring this capability to CES.

Discontinued GPS receivers

Listed below are GPS receivers we have reviewed, that have been discontinued by the manufacturer, along with recommended alternatives. Please note that many of these are still available for sale, at eBay! if not at other online retailers.

Discontinued Garmin GPS receivers

• eTrex Legend C (Recommended replacement: eTrex Legend Cx)
• eTrex Vista C (Recommended replacement: eTrex Vista Cx)
• GPSMAP 60C (Recommended replacement: GPSMAP 60Cx)
• GPSMAP 60CS (Recommended replacement: GPSMAP 60CSx)
• GPSMAP 76CS (Recommended replacement: GPSMAP 76CSx)
• StreetPilot 2610 (Recommended replacement: StreetPilot c320)
• StreetPilot 2620 (Recommended replacement: StreetPilot c330)
• StreetPilot 2730 (Recommended replacement: StreetPilot 2820)

Waypoints - November 25, 2006

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, this has been a relatively calm week, but I do have a little bit of news and updates from the world of GPS (and maps)...

Updated GPS reviews

I've updated the following GPS reviews this week.

• Garmin zumo 550 review - Updated with link to first Amazon consumer review of the zumo 550.
• Garmin Forerunner 305 review - Updated with link to Forerunner 305 review at Race Athlete.
• Garmin StreetPilot i2 review - Updated with link to Lord Percy review of the StreetPilot i2.

Fast loading topos, aerial photos and weather radar on Google Maps

I've posted before about sites that mashed up Google maps with topo maps, and I haven't been all that impressed to date. Finally someone got it right though. Acme Mapper uses TerraServer imagery, providing access to topo maps and aerial photos (DOQs). And it loads fast. Now if it only had a GPS interface!

Via The Map Room

Related post:

• Convert Google Maps search results to GPS waypoints
• Get maps and aerial photos online: TopoFusion
• Free topos and aerial photos: USA PhotoMaps

The affect of global warming on GPS

A story in today's Arizona Daily Star gets it wrong, and right, when they talk about the impacts of global warming on GPS. Quoting from a commentary in the journal Science, they say:

"Temperature directly affects atmospheric density," wrote lead author Jan Lastovicka, of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Prague.

"At altitudes between 200 and 800 kilometers, atmospheric drag causes measurable decay of the orbits of satellites and space debris."

...Changes in the ionosphere, where satellites orbit, can affect how radio waves travel, making GPS systems less effective, the commentary said.