Waypoints is a weekly link roundup of (mostly) GPS related odds and ends. To get some of these stories as they break, follow me on Twitter.
GPS in the news
- Decorated army veteran jailed for Christmas over GPS mistake
- Uncharacteristically poor piece from NYT: GPS Watches May Not Track Runs Accurately
- DC Rainmaker takes them to task
- 81% of surveyed UK drivers prefer maps to GPS; via All Points Blog
- Fisherman: Thieves took GPS devices for coordinates
- Cops: Man steals GPS, attacks car’s owner
- Union Prez: GPS Devices in Highway Vehicles "A Waste of Taxpayers’ Money"
- GPS helping substance abuser find his way to sobriety
More on the purported GPS spoofing attack on a US drone
- Iran spy drone GPS hijack boasts: Rubbish, say experts
- More skepticism about the Iranian claims
- And there are theories the Russians were involved
Garmin
- Will this be announced for the US in a few weeks? (a Garmin nuLink 2390 review)
- Cookie Monster comes to a redesigned Garmin Garage
- Local TV station records traffic reporter’s voice for Garmin devices
LightSquared
- Why cellphone GPS receivers aren’t affected by LightSquared
- Falcone’s wireless company running out of cash
- Great historical background in this LightSquared article at Forbes
- With Sprint deadline looming, LightSquared calls on FCC to act
- Here’s the actual PDF of their Petition for Declaratory Ruling; via @GPSGIS_Eric
Updates
- Software updates this week: Garmin Astro 320, Montana series (beta), Training Center for Mac and Magellan Content Manager for Mac
- Montana beta v 3.68 discussion
Satellites and such
Mobile
- Lifehacker calls Waze the best turn by turn navigation app for the iPhone
- ViewRanger app to get more US focus
The business of GPS
- Looks like Garmin is hiring
- Branded: NAVTEQ Traffic™ over HD Radio™
- TomTom doubles number of HD traffic users in 2011
- And they are boasting that they’re Europe’s largest fleet management system
- Garmin picks up another distributor
- And they’re embracing iPads for aviation
Just geo
- Atmospheric, ethereal – Google Street View transformed into art; via @johnhanke
- Online gazetteer of the ancient world; via Google Maps Mania
- Did you know that Google Earth was partially inspired by a Neal Stephenson book?
- Since I’ve actually been on an Ecuadorian volcano, I had to post this: Does It Snow At the Equator?
- When the neighboring country drives on the other side of the road
- British Columbia and Canada geodata
- Free PDFs of two Volumes of the History of Cartography
All the news that doesn’t fit
- After tragic death of experienced geocacher – what needs to change? Via @cachemania
- Canadian maps released for Magellan Summit Series
- Yes, this camera works underwater and has a GPS receiver, but don’t expect it to track location underwater
- An inside look at a search and rescue team; via Meanderthals
- Google and indoor location business models
- Satellite image shows Kim Jong Il’s dark legacy; via @PocketGPSWorld
GPS deals
These are the bargains we’re currently tracking at our GPS deals site:
- TomTom XL 340-S for $64.99 with free shipping
- Connected Garmin nuLink 1695 for $179.95 shipped
- Garmin nuvi 3790LMT for $279.99 shipped
- Last minute handheld GPS deals at Amazon
- Garmin eTrex 30 for $249.99 with free shipping
- 2012 5” Garmin nuvi 2555LT for $164.99 shipped
- 5″ TomTom XXL 540TM for $89.99 shipped
- Garmin dezl 560LMT truck/RV GPS for $349.99 shipped
- Magellan eXplorist 310 for $139.99 shipped
- $50 rebate on SPOT Connect Satellite Communicator
- Garmin Forerunner 310XT $50 rebate
Updated GPS reviews
I’ve updated these review and resource pages with the following links:
- Garmin Edge 200 – VeloNation reviews this entry level GPS cyclometer
- Garmin Edge 500 – Alan’s Mountain Biking Adventures reviews this cycling unit
- Garmin Forerunner 405CX – Tech2 reviews this runner’s watch
- Garmin nuvi 2555LT – CNET reviews this new model; I also posted a link to Amazon reviews
About Rich Owings
