Waypoints – October 1st, 2011

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

• Garmin Montana 3.60 update adds new features, and Garmin posts an extensive look at how to be a Montana power user; discussion at Groundspeak
• Anybody using Google Trail to generate Garmin custom maps?Is battery life the reason why GLONASS is only found on the new eTrex series for now?
• GizzMoVest Oregon series and 62s(t)c cases now available; via @RMHoward43
• Garmin broadens their color palette (and feminine appeal) with a teal Forerunner 210 and white Approach S1

DeLorme inReach

• More DeLorme inReach documents from the FCC, including this one for Android (and yes, it will throw the FCC’s typical security certificate warning if you follow those links)
• What inReach can do

Geocaching

• Teen shot while Geocaching
• County counting for geocachers

More updates

• New firmware releases this week – Garmin Astro 320, eTrex x0 series, Forerunner 610, GPSMAP 62s(t)c, Montana series, nuvi 24×5 and 25×5; Allory has the links

TomTom

• TomTom launches International Traffic Foundation
• Their CEO isn’t happy with the speed of their pivot
• TomTom tackles India

LightSqaured

• Farm groups take a moderate stand on LightSquared
• LightSquared makes 4G case to the public
• And another round of PR from the company, targeting individual states (I’ve seen CA, KS, MO, NE, NY and OH)

NAVTEQ

• Riding along with NAVTEQ
• NAVTEQ To Lose 1,300 Jobs As Nokia Downsizes
• NAVTEQ Provides Map Coverage for Over 98% of Central and South America Population

GPS in the news

• Colombian Police Seize High-Tech Drug Sub
• GPS Could be Used to Deter Chesapeake Bay Poachers
• GPS humanitarianism

GPS tracking

• Senator Schumer blasts OnStar for ‘brazen’ privacy violation, calls for FTC investigation 
• And then…OnStar backtracks on GPS tracking
• Ohio appeals court strikes down warrantless GPS tracking
• How phone companies treat private data (including coarse location info)
• Hundreds of Tennesseans to be tracked to study relationship between transportation and health

The business of GPS

• Want to see the world’s smallest GPS receiver?
• Intel to acquire Telmap

Just geo

• Get a helicopter view of your driving directions in Google Maps
• The giant wheel-shaped structures in the Middle East
• Giant robots attack your Street (View); via @johnhanke
• Finding surf breaks with Google Maps
• How to keep Google Earth running well
• Get a giant National Geographic map for your school

Miscellany

• Edmunds looks at the pros and cons of various auto navigation systems; via @TomTom
• A tablet mount for a bike is crazy enough, but check out the position! Via @viewranger
• Think LA traffic is bad? Be glad you don’t commute in Mexico City 
• Racing the GPS – Rage Comics
• Alternative positioning firm Locata comes out of stealth mode
• Finance NextGEN airline GPS with government loans?

GPS deals

These are some bargains we’re currently tracking at our GPS deals site:

• TomTom VIA 1505TM for $139.99
• TomTom VIA 1505M for $109.95
• TomTom ONE 130-S for just $59.99
• Garmin nuvi 2350LMT for $157
• Garmin nuvi 1390LMT for $149.95
• TomTom VIA 1405TM on sale for $134.95
• Garmin nuvi 1250 for $79.95
• Geomate.jr geocaching unit for $49.99

Updated GPS reviews

I’ve updated these review and resource pages with the following links:

• Garmin Edge 800 – CycleSeven reviews this high-end cycling unit
• Garmin Forerunner 110 – Engadget’s IRL takes a quick look at this very basic sportswatch