GPS reviews, news, tips and tricks
Waypoints is a weekly link roundup of (mostly) GPS related odds and ends. To get many of these stories as they break, follow me on Twitter.
It’s that time of year again – when all the gadget makers descent upon Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. In this special edition of Waypoints, I’ll cover GPS-related stories that didn’t get their own post, as well as share others’ perspectives on stories we did cover. You can see the rest of our CES coverage here.
UPDATE: We now have a dedicated Nike+ SportWatch page with links to hands on reviews.
In perhaps the biggest surprise yet at CES by a major GPS player, TomTom has partnered with Nike, announcing the Nike+ Sportswatch GPS. This is the second time I’ve heard “game-changing” from TomTom this year, and I’m inclined to believe its hyperbole, unless they mean they’ve entered a new market heretofore dominated by Garmin. It appear that this isn’t a one-off deal, as the most telling line from the news release is this quote from Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director, TomTom Consumer:
“It is part of TomTom Consumer’s strategy to move into the fast-growing sports and fitness market.”
UPDATE: It looks like they’ve changed the model number on this one from the 2505 M LIVE to the 2535 M LIVE.
UPDATE 2: Read my hands on review of the TomTom GO 2535M LIVE.
TomTom is finally bringing HD Traffic to the US with the TomTom GO 2505 M LIVE. The company claims this is a killer app, a game changer. Why? They say that three things make it better than current live traffic options:
UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the TomTom VIA 1535TM. I’ve also posted resource pages with links to reviews for the VIA 1405TM, 1435TM, 1505M and 1505TM.
TomTom is brining its VIA series to the US, a mid-range successor to the XL and XXL product lines. Already available in Europe, the VIA series features a new hardware design, with an integrated (inseparable) Easy Port mount, resulting in a thinner, more pocketable profile. The series will feature the new Webkit-based interface found on the GO 2000 line. Also notable – some models will be the first mid-range, non-GO units to feature Bluetooth and voice command. What you won’t find on the VIA series is the 2500’s capacitive touch screen or HD Traffic.
UPDATE: See my hands on Magellan eXplorist 310 review.
The Magellan eXplorist 310 has been announced ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show, bringing an entry-level model to the new eXplorist handheld GPS line. The 310 utilizes the same hardware as the eXplorist GC, which has a smaller, non-touch screen as opposed to the eXplorist 510, 610 and 710. As an aside, I’ll have a hands on review of the eXplorist 710 posted in the next few weeks.
UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the Magellan RoadMate 9055.
The Magellan RoadMate 9055 has been announced, the company’s third navigator with a seven-inch screen; such behemoths appear to be among their most popular models. Preceded by the RoadMate 1700 and the recently (and quietly) introduced RoadMate 9020, which includes lifetime traffic, the 9055 goes further, adding Bluetooth to the feature set.
UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the SPOT Connect
I should have seen this one coming. The folks that brought you the SPOT Satellite Messenger and SPOT Communicator have announced the SPOT Connect – a satellite communicator that pairs with your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to send text messages, email or even post to Facebook and Twitter from the middle of nowhere. Pretty nice when you need to tell the spouse “twisted ankle, will be late” or summon search and rescue when you break your leg in the backcountry.
UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the Garmin GTU 10.
Garmin has announced their entry into the GPS tracking market with the Garmin GTU 10 GPS locator and web-based Garmin Tracker™. The small (3”x1.3”x.8”), lightweight (1.7 oz.) and waterproof device can be used to track pets, kids, endurance racers, construction equipment – you name it.
Update: Amazon now has the Garmin dezl 560LT
Update 2: Read a hands on trucker’s review of the Garmin dezl 560LMT.
As predicted, the crew from Olathe has unveiled some big-screen trucker-friendly navigators for CES – the Garmin dēzl 560LT and dēzl 560LMT. These 5” wide-screen models offer a built-in loudspeaker and a number of features geared to truckers, such as truck-specific POIs and truck speed limits, as well as hours, fuel and mileage logging.
GPS Tracklog is written by Rich Owings, author of GPS Mapping.
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