Waypoints – September 15, 2007
September 15, 2007 by Rich Owings
Waypoints is an occasional posting of GPS and related news briefs.
GPS in the news
- Yes, your GPS can lead you into places you shouldn’t go. Especially if you disregard the signs saying "not suitable for motor vehicles." Via Yahoo! Tech.
- What’s happening with GPS navigation in China.
GPS and non-GPS tracking
- A non-GPS DIY anti-theft tracking system for your car.
- A GPS fleet tracking system turns into a theft recovery device.
- And um, a .doc tracker.
High end GPS hardware
- Magellan introduces a high-end professional GPS. Sure wish we had those features on affordable consumer models. More on the Magellan MobileMapper CX.
- Or maybe you would prefer a military GPS.
- GPS for parachutists.
- Tele Atlas helps bring voice controlled navigation to Mercedes.
Garmin
- A Garmin Edge 605 / 705 preview.
- Win a Garmin nuvi 200. Heck, its easier than winning one this way!
- Screen shots from the Garmin nuvi 700 series.
TomTom
- A TomTom TMC FAQ.
- Recording your own voice for the TomTom GO 720.
- TomTom strikes a deal with Toyota.
- TomTom partners with UK tourism agency.
Virtual globes
- Yahoo Maps MapMixer looks really cool. More from Ogle Earth and Mapperz.
- Take a 3-D virtual tour with EveryScape. Via BlinkGeo.
- 54 new countries in Google Maps.
GPS and Macs
- iGPS is a Garmin to Mac GPS tool.
- Mac Mini at sea.
- RouteBuddy 1.4 has been released.
GIS
- Free open source GIS classes online.
- If you use OziExplorer or a GIS program, you’ve probably come across world files. Here’s a world file primer.
- Free GIS data for Wyoming.
GPS and cell phones
- Know when your BlackBerry toting buddies are nearby. Via Digg.
- Nokia Maps gets an update.
Updated GPS reviews
- Garmin eTrex Legend HCx review – The first consumer review has been posted at CNet.
- Garmin nuvi 200 review – A consumer-written review has been posted at GPSNow.com.
- Garmin nuvi 200W / 250W review – I’ve linked to a great review posted by GPS Lodge.
- Magellan Maestro 4050 review – PC Magazine gives 3.5 out of 5 stars in their review.
- TomTom GO 510 review – Rama Roberts posted his initial thoughts upon first trying out his 510.
All the news that doesn’t fit
- I keep hearing great things about Sanyo Eneloop batteries.
- Random Connections blogs on their geotagging workflow. Via BlinkGeo.
- Navman unveils the S-series.
- If our tax dollars are paying for traffic data, why do we have to pay for it again? (See the last half of the article.)
- I’ve posted before about Disney World maps for your GPS. This Groundspeak thread has more to add, including a collection of over 900 waypoints!
- Magellan has posted updated RoadMate 2200T firmware. Via Allory.
Filed under Waypoints
You may be able to pick up a nice Sanyo Eneloop battery set at your local Costco. I heard about someone else getting it in Southern California, and I picked up one in my local (North SF Bay) Costco. It includes 8 AA batteries, 4 AAA batteries, a 4-battery charger, two AA-to-D adapters and two AA-to-C adapters, in a carrying case, all for about $30. Great deal!
Yeah, I saw that on Groundspeak. I’m hoping to make trip to the city in the next couple of weeks and will be on the lookout for that.