Archives for July 2007

An obsession with maps

July 30, 2007 By Rich Owings 4 Comments

Years ago, long before I got my first GPS, I came across a map of U.S. counties, and I started using it to record my travels. Over the years, that map became tattered and torn — "loved to death" as it were. Paper versions are still available, but it really needed to be replaced by the digital variety. So I was thrilled when Free Geography Tools recently wrote about Color Your Map, which allows you to color countries of the world, U.S. states, or counties within a state, and view them in Google Earth. So I assembled 50 files; you can see the results of 48 of them below.

Google_earth_us_counties_2

Filed Under: Internet applications, Maps

Garmin Rino 530HCx review

July 30, 2007 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

Rino_530hcx

NOTE: A newer model, the Garmin Rino 655t, adds many new features.

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued.

The Garmin Rino 530HCx is a handheld GPS that includes a two-way radio, and the ability to track another Rino user on your screen. Updating the Rino 530, the HCx model adds a high-sensitivity chipset and a micro-SD card slot for adding topo or highway maps (which must be purchased separately). The Rino has a bright, sunlight-readable screen, and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated at up to 14 hours.

Video tutorial for making custom Garmin maps

July 26, 2007 By Rich Owings 1 Comment

Custom_garmin_map
A member of Groundspeak, Geocaching.com’s message board, has posted a video tutorial showing how easy it is to make custom maps for a Garmin GPS. Unfortunately, it’s hosted on MediaFire and I wasn’t able to embed it here. Follow the link above and look for "click here to start download." That’s the video tutorial, not the Paris Hilton video showing below it (the one I saw was family safe though)!

In the example, he traces the outline of a park boundary and lake in Google Earth, and uses it to create a map for his GPS as shown. The Groundspeak post links to the map making tools he used.

I covered many of these techniques in my 2005 book, GPS Mapping: Make Your Own Maps. The video only scratches the surface of what is possible. There is a ton of free GIS data on the Web that you can use to build custom maps. There’s a bit of a learning curve but if you use a handheld GPS and like to play with hacks, you should probably check it out.

Filed Under: Best of the boards, Garmin, Maps, Software

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx review

July 26, 2007 By Rich Owings 121 Comments

UPDATE: This model has been superseded by the new Garmin eTrex 20.

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.

Hands on with the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx

I’ve had a chance to try out the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx recently. This is my first extended experience with an eTrex model since I purchased my first GPS — an eTrex Venture — many years ago.

One of Garmin’s newer eTrex H-series receivers, the Legend HCx updates the very popular Legend Cx. The “H” stands for high-sensitivity chipset, to ensure great satellite reception under canopy and in other situations where you have a limited view of the sky.

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware Tagged With: Garmin eTrex Legend HCx

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx review

July 23, 2007 By Rich Owings 9 Comments

UPDATE: This model has been superseded by the new Garmin eTrex 30.

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 Garmin eTrex Vista HCx is the flagship model in Garmin’s new eTrex H series line. The successor to the popular Vista Cx, the Vista HCx adds a high-sensitivity MediaTek chipset and has a faster processor as well, which will give you faster map scrolling and screen redraws.

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware Tagged With: Garmin eTrex Vista HCx

Confirmed: Garmin eTrex H series uses MTK chipset

July 23, 2007 By Rich Owings 3 Comments

Mediatekonsplashscreen
UPDATE: Check out our MediaTek vs. SiRFstar III smackdown.

Two independent reports are confirming that the new Garmin eTrex H series is using a MediaTek chipset.

One is coming from Groundspeak, Geocaching.com’s message board, where people are reporting good reception.

Another report, via GpsPasSion, includes screen shots comparing the MediaTek chipset in the Vista HCx with the SiRFstar III chipset in the 60CSx. While I can’t read German, it looks like the Mediatek chipset holds its own pretty well in that comparison.

Filed Under: Best of the boards, Garmin, Hardware

Should you get a nuvi or a Mio

July 18, 2007 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

Miodigiwalkerc520 EDIT: While this post originally focused on the Mio C520, the points are generally true for the Mio C220 too. Its not quite as complex, but it is still not as simple to operate as a nuvi.

Following my review of the Mio C520, I wanted to delve a little more deeply into why you might buy a Mio or a Garmin nuvi. I’m a big fan of Garmin; they rock — intuitive menus, great customer service and quality products. But Mio really grabbed my attention with the C520.

So let’s say you’re in the market for an auto navigation GPS. Which do you buy — a nuvi or a Mio?

Reasons to get a Mio C520

Price – At a list price of $399.95, and with it discounted more and more as the weeks go by, you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck.
The geek factor – Do you like tech toys with lots of menus that you can tweak and get them to do just what you want? If so, buy this and not a nuvi.
You’ve got a human navigator too – The Mio C520 has complex menus and you don’t want to be distracted using them while driving. If you’re usually the passenger, or you’ve got a co-pilot that also likes tech toys, this could be the perfect unit for you.

Filed Under: Garmin, Mio

Transfer Google Maps data to your GPS

July 17, 2007 By Rich Owings 4 Comments

EarthNC.com, best known as a source for nautical data, has announced a new service and website — TakItWithMe.com, which allows you to transfer Google Maps data and KML files directly to Garmin receivers, or download them as GPX files. The site utilizes the new Garmin Communicator plugin.

I just gave it a try and it worked very well. Output can be downloaded as waypoints, tracks and routes. The team there has put together a great video (shown below, after the jump) that does an excellent job of showing you how. It’s really pretty simple.

Filed Under: Garmin, Internet applications

Mio C520 review

July 16, 2007 By Rich Owings 61 Comments

Mio_c520_review

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide or check out our other Mio GPS reviews.

I’ve spent the last ten days or so trying out the Mio C520, also known as the Mio DigiWalker C520. This one is going to give Garmin a run for their money. I was impressed from the moment I took the unit out of the box – this GPS receiver looks great and feels great. It offers high-end features at a very reasonable price point.

Before we get into the details, lets talk about the basic feature set. The Mio C520 comes pre-loaded with TeleAtlas maps of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. It has a thin, flat form factor, 4.3" wide touch screen, SiRFstar III chipset, 6 million POIs, an MP3 player, Bluetooth for hands free cell phone use, and can be upgraded for live traffic. The C520 features text-to-speech, so you’ll get "turn left on Highway 128" instead of just "turn left." Heck, this device can even play videos! If you don’t want all those bells and whistles, be sure to check out the budget-priced Mio C220. To see how the Mio C520 compares to other units, check out my Mio GPS comparison chart.

Filed Under: Auto, GPS Reviews, Hardware, Mio, Mio auto GPS Tagged With: Mio C520

SkyCaddie golf GPS based on Magellan eXplorist

July 5, 2007 By Rich Owings 7 Comments

Skycaddie_3
Early this year I posted about the GolfLogix GPS, based on the Garmin eTrex platform. It turns out that Magellan is into golf too, as evidenced by the SkyCaddie SG3 and SkyCaddie SG4, which are based on the Magellan eXplorist line.

The SG4 is showing up in a couple of different places on Amazon, where it is attracting (depending upon which page you go to) both good and mixed reviews.

Via Digg.