Looking back at the biggest GPS stories of the year
How about a GPS retrospective before we jump into the new year? Take a look and see if you missed anything!
January
The new year always brings us CES, where tech companies preview all their shiny new wares. This past January we saw Garmin add 7″ models and a bevy of new features to their nuvi line, while Magellan announced their SmartGPS. On the handheld and sport side, we learned about the Garmin Oregon 600 series, the Edge 510 and 810, and a Magellan unit targeted at hunters.
February
The next month we explored Garmin’s new .ggz geocaching file format and tried to clarify what a powered mount is. I also posted hands on reviews of the Garmin nuvi 52LM and TomTom’s Android app.
March
Come March I leaked the DeLorme inReach SE, looked at new mandatory GPS training for truckers, and bespoke my love of Eneloop batteries. I also posted some first looks at the 2013 nuvi Advanced series.
April
Delorme made the inReach SE official and we figured out that Garmin would introduce the Monterra and VIRB later in the year. TomTom announced some sportwatches and a new GO series that still hasn’t hit the US. It was a big review month too, with hands on reviews posted of the Garmin nuvi 2597LMT and 2797LMT, the Garmin GLO and Magellan SmartGPS. Meanwhile, it turned out that the Boston bombers were tracked by GPS.
May
In May we went hands on with the Garmin Oregon 650 and the nuvi 3597LMTHD, and I did my first trip report in a blue moon. Oh, and there was that navigation fail.
June
Garmin announced an RV unit, Google acquired Waze, and we figured out that you don’t have to rename your Garmin maps any more. In terms of reviews, we went hands on with the nuvi 2497LMT, GPSMAP 547xs and the Rand McNally Foris 850.
July
July started off with a bang. We then covered the Garmin HUD and Magellan Echo announcements, and leaked the SPOT Gen3. Hands on reviews for the month included the Oregon 600, inReach SE and Garmin’s air vent mount.
August
We celebrated our 8th birthday, delved into the coverage of new features in the 2013 nuvis, and looked at a good tool for downloading split tracklogs. Garmin announced the VIRB and Edge Touring series, we reviewed the Garmin HUD, and Adrian Faulkner did a great post on earthcaches.
September
In September Garmin unveiled the zumo 390LM and the Forerunner 220 and 620. We talked about bad satellite days and leaked the nuvi 2xx8LMTHD series. I reviewed the Garmin Oregon 650t and some of our other authors tackled the Magellan eXplorist 350H and the Garmin RV 760LMT.
October
Android was on our minds this month, as we looked at a Mitac GPS tablet and an Asian nuvi. Garmin announced the smartwatch-like Approach S4 and the tactix. TomTom and Garmin battled over a traffic study and Bob Mueller went from the Great Lakes to the links to bring you a couple of hands-on reviews. Meanwhile our geocaching correspondent delved into trackables.
November
Last month we delved into issues with using smartphone-collected GPS tracks and explored smartwatches and smart GPS. Garmin announced a couple of smartphone mounts and SPOT got into the asset tracking game. We also reviewed the Garmin VIRB action camera and the Android-based Monterra.
December
This month we went hands on with Garmin’s universal smartphone mount and the TomTom Runner sportswatch. We also took a look at Amazon’s future drone delivery system and laid out our GPS predictions for 2014. Finally, we ended the year with some tips for new auto GPS and handheld GPS owners.
Coming up
Stick around. The Consumer Electronics Show starts in another week, and we’ll have full coverage of all the shiny new GPS toys. Beyond that, we’ll be bringing you plenty of GPS news, reviews, tips, tricks and deals all year to help you navigate 2014.
About Rich Owings