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Archives for November 2007

Eneloop rechargeable batteries

November 12, 2007 By 6 Comments

Eneloop_rechargeable_batteries
After seeing various glowing recommendations on Groundspeak (the geocaching.com message board), I broke down and bought some rechargeable Sanyo Eneloop batteries. Their claim to fame is that they hold their charge well in storage.

These may well be the best rechargeable batteries on the market these days. I haven’t done an exhaustive test but so far I’ve been quite happy with them. Here’s an in-depth Eneloop rechargeable battery review if you want to dig into the details.

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Filed Under: Accessories

Anonymous cell phone data for traffic and breaking the NAVTEQ / Tele Atlas duopoly

November 12, 2007 By 1 Comment

Traffic_jam

Anonymous cell phone data is about to change traffic services dramatically, and there are significant implications for the NAVTEQ / Tele Atlas duopoly. More on that in a moment; first, today’s news…

TomTom announced a new "High Definition Traffic" service for the Netherlands, utilizing anonymous cell phone data. In the first half of 2008, the service will be rolled out in the UK too. There is no mention of plans to bring it to the U.S. TomTom says the system will greatly increase the accuracy of traffic reports and arrival time estimates.

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Filed Under: The business of GPS

TomTom RIDER 2nd edition review

November 12, 2007 By Leave a Comment

Tomtom_rider_2nd_edition_2

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a list of current TomTom models and their features, please see our TomTom comparison chart.

The TomTom RIDER 2nd edition, designed specifically for motorcycles, updates the first-generation TomTom RIDER. This new model adds a RAM mount, Bluetooth for hands-free cell phone use, and includes a high-quality Cardo scala-rider(R) Bluetooth(R) headset for in-helmet spoken instructions. It comes with pre-loaded maps of the U.S. and Canada.

An optional car mount with integrated speaker transforms the RIDER into an auto navigator.

UPDATE: TomTom has announced that the RIDER 2nd edition will now include TomTom Map Share™, Help Me!, Fuel Prices Service (option), and TomTom Traffic with a 30-day free trial.

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Filed Under: Auto, GPS Reviews, Hardware, TomTom, TomTom auto GPS Tagged With: ,

Magellan’s support reputation

November 11, 2007 By 28 Comments

Magellan_logo
I’ve seen reports for a long time now about poor customer service and support from Magellan, and I’m sure I’ve mentioned it but have never done a specific post on it. But this week, I just kept coming across complaints from angry consumers. Since the holiday shopping season is nearly upon us, I decided to post this as a way of saying caveat emptor (buyer beware). Here are some examples I’ve come across:

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Filed Under: Magellan

Magellan Maestro 4250 review

November 11, 2007 By 8 Comments

Magellan_maestro_4250

The Magellan Maestro 4250 updates the Magellan 4050. Thinner and lighter, it also increases the number of points of interest (POIs) available to 6 million, compared to the 4050’s 4.5 million. Otherwise, the two units are identical in their key specs. Both offer pre-loaded maps of the U.S. and Canada, text-to-speech, Bluetooth and live traffic info.

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Filed Under: Auto, GPS Reviews, Hardware, Magellan, Magellan auto GPS

TomTom ONE XL-S review

November 10, 2007 By 2 Comments

Tomtom_one_xls_mount

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a list of current TomTom models and their features, please see our TomTom comparison chart.

The TomTom ONE XL-S, updates the TomTom ONE XL, adding text-to-speech to its feature set. That way, you’ll get “turn left on Oak Street in 500 feet” rather than just “turn left in 500 feet.” It also includes Map Share, though that is also available on the ONE XL as a free upgrade.

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Filed Under: GPS Reviews, TomTom auto GPS

Garmin nuvi 750 review

November 1, 2007 By 1 Comment

Garmin_nuvi_750

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.

The Garmin nuvi 750 is one of the new high-end 700 series of this popular product line, adding the following to an already outstanding feature set:

  • Multi-destination routing
  • Automatic sorting of multiple destinations to provide an efficient route
  • Tracklog recording
  • Speed limit display for many interstates and highways
  • The newer internal antenna found on the nuvi 200 series
  • Automatic marking of your last position when the unit is turned off (to help you find your car in mega-mall parking lots)
  • A “Where am I” safety feature that gives your current location,
    nearest address, nearest intersection, along with quick access to POIs
    for the nearest hospitals, police stations and gas stations

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Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, GPS Reviews, Hardware Tagged With:
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