GPS reviews, news, tips, tricks and deals
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide or check out our other Magellan auto GPS reviews.
The Magellan RoadMate 700
A popular unit, the RoadMate 700
Here’s what other reviewers are saying:
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For more current recommendations, please refer to our handheld GPS buyers guide or our Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.
The Garmin eTrex Legend C
Dozens of readers have reviewed the eTrex Legend C
Here’s what some other reviewers saying:
Yesterday morning there was an announcement on the OziExplorer discussion board that a new version had been released which included support for .gpx and .kml files. The upgrade was a little buggy at first, or I would have reported it yesterday, but an updated version has been posted with a fix, and it works great.
OziExplorer has long been one of my favorite mapping software programs. Even if you don’t use it everyday, there may be times when there is no substitute, unless you have access to a high-end GIS program. Ozi accepts shapefiles (.shp and .e00 formats) and allows you to import MrSID (.sid) imagery. The screenshot here shows a .gpx track, superimposed on a recent color aerial photo of my county (.sid format), re-generated in Ozi’s 3-D module.
OziExplorer allows you to download free USGS topo maps (DRGs) and aerial photos (DOQQs), providing a low cost way to get access to maps of much of the U.S. for free. There is a full chapter on Ozi in my book, GPS Mapping. No program is perfect, but this one comes close. If they could only implement a better method for seamless map printing…
As previously mentioned, I’m working on posting reviews of the top 20, best selling GPS receivers. I’ve searched for other references, but have yet to find a better one, so I’m basing it on Amazon’s ever changing (okay, changing hourly) list of their Top 100 best selling GPS
EDIT: Click here to go to an updated list of my reviews of the top 20 best selling GPS receivers.
UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.
The Garmin StreetPilot c340
Dozens of consumers have posted StreetPilot c340 reviews
Compare prices on the Garmin StreetPilot c340
Here’s what others have to say…
UPDATE: This unit is being replaced by the Garmin eTrex H, which has greatly improved reception over the older model.
UPDATE 2: This model has been discontinued. For more current recommendations, please refer to our handheld GPS buyers guide or our Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.
The basic yellow Garmin eTrex
You can’t load any maps to this unit, but you can’t beat the price either, and the low price sells a lot of units. At Amazon.com, 154 readers have posted reviews, giving the eTrex
Here’s what others have to say…
Because I compared so many different software packages in my book, GPS Mapping – Make Your Own Maps (cover at right), I’m often asked what programs I like. In the book, I shied away from recommendations, focusing instead upon the pros and cons of each program, because no software is perfect. People who really get into this will often use multiple packages (a number of them are free or have extensive demo modes). Today, I’m going to take a different approach and share my favorites in each of several major categories.
CD-based maps
Here we’re talking about programs that package all the USGS topo quads for an entire state or region onto a DVD or set of CD’s, products like DeLorme 3-D TopoQuads and Maptech Terrain Navigator. These packages are ideal for producing printed maps. No other category can beat them for this. My current favorite though, is National Geographic TOPO! It’s not perfect, but in my mind, it has fewer drawbacks than the other two. One caveat though–these programs are constantly being upgraded. For example, I haven’t had a chance to check out the recently released Terrain Navigator 7.0, but I’m expecting a copy soon and will report back here with a full review.
Internet-based maps
UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.
The Garmin StreetPilot c320
country, you can still fit all of California on the 128 MB SD card that comes
with it, and you can always get a bigger card.
This unit is quite popular, with dozens of users rating it highly in their StreetPilot c320 reviews
"With a simple touch screen interface, automatic route calculation to any destination, and turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions, the StreetPilot c320 GPS navigator is a powerful companion for your adventures on the road. Plus, Garmin has designed the "c-series" of car navigation units to be as simple and easy-to-use as possible– no more intimidating features, just straightforward, basic navigation at your fingertips. Selecting a destination is as simple as a few finger-strokes, and you can choose between a three-dimensional navigation view or the more traditional "bird’s eye" overhead view.
Although the c320 boasts distinctive and sleek styling, simplicity is the name of the game. The only buttons are a rotary volume knob and an on/off switch. The device is secured by a suction-mount cradle that fastens to the windshield for easy portability between vehicles. You can customize the unit’s appearance with an array of colored faceplates that are sold separately…"
UPDATE: We’ve created a number of comparison charts to assist you:
There are so many GPS receivers on the market with similar features; the minute differences between models in a single product line can make buying decisions a real challenge. I’d like to call your attention to some tools that can help make these critical choices a little easier. Garmin and Magellan both have product comparison tools on their sites, which you can use to generate side-by-side comparisons. It won’t help with the Garmin vs.Magellan decision though! Here are the links:
You’ll find most of these in the upper-right corner of your screen under the heading Buying a GPS?, along with our GPS Buyers Guide and other useful links.
A special note here to all the new readers coming to us from Engadget and GPS Information.org. You may have missed my recent About Our Reviews post where I explained that, due to the holiday season, readers of GPS Tracklog will be seeing a temporary increase in the frequency of reviews (and posts in general). I will however, continue to intersperse other original posts filled with news, tips and other cool GPS stuff as we go. Poke around the site; I hope you enjoy what you find here.
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.
The Garmin Quest
12 reviewers gave the Quest
