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.
Garmin nuvi 2012 line
- InstaSearch & InstaRoute video; check out the interface changes near the end (I believe this is a “dashboard” which can be modified)
- HD traffic (AKA Digital 3D traffic) will only come on the nuvi 3490LMT, but you’ll be able to add it to the nuvi 24×5, 25×5 or other 34xx models
- Custom route avoidance is included in the Advanced and Prestige series, but you’ll have to pay extra for the ecoRoute less fuel option
- Tentative street date for the Garmin nuvi 2475LT, 2555LT, 3450LM and 3490LMT – October 12
- Is the SafeText feature different in the US and UK?
More Garmin news
- Step-by-step guide to putting routable Open Street Maps on your Garmin; via @cachemania
- Garmin Rino 610, Garmin Rino 650 and Garmin Rino 655t now shipping
- A Missouri/Illinois trail map
- Hunting GPS Maps has land ownership maps for many western states, and a video that gives a good look at them
- How about a Garmin 78 series RAM mount / GizzMoVest case
combo? Via @RMHoward43
- Converting geonames to Garmin custom map
- Communicator Plugin API 1.9 released
GPS deals
We’re tracking some amazing bargains at our GPS deals site right now; the first one on the list is really hot:
- Garmin Oregon 450 for $199.99 after rebate
- Garmin Forerunner 210 with heart rate monitor for $184.99
- Garmin Edge 800 cycling bundle for $499.99
- Garmin Forerunner 110 for $144.99
- TomTom VIA 1405TM on sale for $141.95
- TomTom VIA 1505M on sale for $136.99 (price drop as of 8/28)
- Garmin nuvi 2350LT for $129.95
- Garmin nuvi 1250 for $79.95
- $50 SPOT Connect rebate for existing SPOT owners
- Geomate.jr geocaching unit for $49.99
- Garmin nuvi 1390LMT for $149.95
- Transatlantic Garmin nuvi 2370LT for $219.95
- $50 Garmin Oregon rebate
- $50 Garmin Forerunner trade-in offer
Updates
- New firmware releases this week – Garmin Approach G5, Dakota (be sure to check out the special instructions), Montana, nuvi 30/40/50, POI Loader (Windows), Rino 6xx and Magellan RoadMate 1424, 3030 and 9020; Allory has the links.
911
- Really? Over a dozen 911 calls with coordinates and they’ll still can’t find this guy?
- Tired of these geotagging scare stories; I wonder how many people with feature phones are disabling GPS for 911 without knowing it
GPS tracking
- Crazy man sues hospital for implanting GPS
- Mexicans snookered by fake tracking chips
- Refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers top list of most commonly stolen items from home construction sites
The business of GPS
- Motorola abandons MotoNav PNDs
- 6 companies that could acquire PND makers like Garmin and TomTom
- Rand McNally now offering lifetime map updates
- Garmin introduces Fitness Reseller Program
Geocaching
- Challenge completion and cache find counts to be split apart; via @podcacher
- The E.T. Highway power cache series is back in business
- Announcing the First ‘Geocacher of the Month’
GPS in the news
- This team behind GPS article includes pithy lies like “A single 50-watt jammer, positioned somewhere high, could, he warned, take out every GPS-connected service in the whole of southern England”
- Follow the road, not the GPS
- And yet another “my GPS made me do it” story
- Second GPS IIF satellite enters service; via @gatorguy2
- DARPA looking for GPS alternatives
Mobile
- 38% of smartphone owners prefer their phone to standalone GPS? Um, I’m not really sure that heralds the death of the PND
- A positive review of the Garmin StreetPilot Onboard iPhone app
- A review of National Geographic Trail Maps for iPhone
LightSquared
- Deere Says LightSquared May Cost Farmers $30 Billion Annually
- IT think tank sides with LightSquared
- If LightSquared can’t win in testing, perhaps at least they can win the PR battle
- LightSquared Argues Limiting its Plan Decreases Value of Spectrum
Just geo
- US National Parks from space; via VerySpatial
- Countries with multiple capitals
- Google Maps gets its own URL shortener
All the news that doesn’t fit
- Nice preview of the DeLorme inReach
- Steps to unbrick your Magellan Maestro 3100
- A benchmark hunting tool
- Facebook Kills Places, Integrates Location into Status Updates
Updated GPS reviews
I’ve updated these review and resource pages with the following links:
- GeoMate.Jr – TechCrunch tests this geocaching unit
About Rich Owings
