Archives for 2007

TomTom GO 920/920T review

November 15, 2007 By Rich Owings 5 Comments

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our TomTom comparison chart.

The TomTom GO 920 / 920T is TomTom’s new top-of-the-line GPS navigator. This one has it all — pre-loaded maps of the U.S., Canada and Europe, voice commands, FM transmitter, Bluetooth, text-to-speech, Map Share, remote control and an included traffic receiver. The TomTom 920 has everything except that the traffic receiver, which is available as an optional accessory.

The really hot new features on this unit are voice commands and what TomTom calls Enhanced Positioning Technology (EPT). This uses dead reckoning sensors to help keep track of your position when you lose satellite coverage (in tunnels, etc.).

Filed Under: Auto, GPS Reviews, Hardware, TomTom, TomTom auto GPS Tagged With: TomTom GO 920, TomTom GO 920T

Eneloop rechargeable batteries

November 12, 2007 By Rich Owings 6 Comments

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.

Filed Under: Accessories

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

November 12, 2007 By Rich Owings 1 Comment

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.

Filed Under: The business of GPS

TomTom RIDER 2nd edition review

November 12, 2007 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Auto, GPS Reviews, Hardware, TomTom, TomTom auto GPS Tagged With: motorcycles, TomTom RIDER 2nd edition

Magellan’s support reputation

November 11, 2007 By Rich Owings 28 Comments

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:

Filed Under: Magellan

Magellan Maestro 4250 review

November 11, 2007 By Rich Owings 8 Comments

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.

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

TomTom ONE XL-S review

November 10, 2007 By Rich Owings 2 Comments

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.

Filed Under: GPS Reviews, TomTom auto GPS

Garmin nuvi 750 review

November 1, 2007 By Rich Owings 1 Comment

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

Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, GPS Reviews, Hardware Tagged With: Garmin nuvi 750

Mio C230 review

October 29, 2007 By Rich Owings 19 Comments

Mio_c230_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 been trying out the Mio C230 for the past week or so. Also know as the Mio DigiWalker C230, this unit updates the C220, adding one thing most low-end units don’t have — text to speech. This means that you’ll get “turn left on Oak Street in 200 feet” rather than just “turn left in 200 feet.” It also offers a much brighter screen than that of the C220, along with pre-loaded maps of all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Filed Under: Auto, GPS Reviews, Hardware, Mio, Mio auto GPS Tagged With: Mio C230

Magellan Maestro 3210 review

October 29, 2007 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

The Magellan Maestro 3210 is one of Magellan’s new thinner (0.7″) line of Maestros. It has a 3.5″ screen, six million points of interest (POIs), pre-loaded maps of the U.S. and Canada, and the SiRFstar III chipset. What it doesn’t have is text-to-speech, so you’ll get “turn right in 200 feet” rather than “turn right on Oak Street in 200 feet.” Nor does it have Bluetooth or live traffic capabilities.

Step up to the Maestro 3220 to get maps of Mexico too. Meanwhile, the Maestro 3250 adds text-to-speech, Bluetooth, traffic and voice commands to the 3210’s feature set. Going the other direction, the basic Maestro 3200 has a very weak 1.3 million POIs and drops the maps of Canada and Alaska. Finally, the 4200 series boosts the screen size to 4.3″.