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.

Related post:

• Garmin BlueChart g2 incorporates aerial photography
• What kind of maps can I put on my GPS?

Comments

[Osman Wilson]

Dear sir,

I want you to give me a quotation on the best prices you can offer for the below items.

Item Description Qty Price

ONYX200 GPS 4 ONYX200CR GPS 2

Regards
Osman

[Rich Owings]

Osman,

Sorry, but we do not sell anything from this site.

[Ricardo]

Hi
I hate this gps... I spend all my credits and I could not enter images in. The tracks or waypoints can´t use in another program like ozi or compegps.... the life of battery sucks... I live in Ecuador and I had that use to biological proyect and I couln´t... I would like get images in to gps with other program if you know the way, please say me...
Ricardo (ECuador biologist)

[Rich Owings]

Thanks Ricardo. The reviews I've seen have been pretty bad.

[Josue]

Hi, unfortunately I bought this gps in my last trip to USA without reading before the users' comments on the internet.

I bought it to use it with my mountain bike on the forest in México. But I'm not able to download the satellital maps, so is useless here.

I would like to send it back and try to recover my money, but don't know if I can make it since I'm in México.

Do you guys have some advice about how can download and use maps in this region or at least recover my money?

Thanks and Regards