GpsPasSion is reporting a hidden tracklog recording / playback feature in the latest firmware (v 3.40) for the Garmin nuvi 200 series. Here’s a thread about how to access it that includes a link to a tool for converting the track to a .gpx file.
Archives for 2007
Garmin nuvi 760 review
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.
The Garmin nuvi 760 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
Hands on with the Magellan Triton 2000
UPDATE: Read my Magellan Triton 1500 review.
GpsPasSion got some quality time with the upcoming Magellan Triton 2000 and has posted pictures for all to see. They are reporting exceptionally fast map scrolling and zooming, which may help account for the short (AA) battery life being reported. From the images, we can tell that the Tritons will use a Windows CE platform, opening the door to all sorts of user hacks. It also appears that the device may use an old style Magellan to USB connector, rather than a mini-USB.
Blog Action Day – Go geocaching with your kids
Today is Blog Action Day, a day when bloggers from all over the world are posting on the same topic — the environment. According to their website, the idea is…"Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and
relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards
a better future."
So I’ve decided to post today on geocaching. These days video games, social networking sites and yes, blogs, keep kids (and me) at the computer way too much. Taking care of the environment is about taking care of future generations. But it’s not just recycling and reducing our carbon footprint that we need to worry about. We need to expose them to the environment too; give them an appreciation of nature.
Navigon 7100 review

NOTE: Navigon has pulled out of the U.S. market and we are no longer recommending their receivers. Check out our auto GPS buyers guide for our current recommendations.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been trying out a Navigon 7100, a high-end unit from a relatively new player in the GPS navigation market. Navigon has distinguished itself with several novel features including their “reality view” of complex interchanges (shown above), Zagat ratings, and live traffic without any renewal fees. On top of that, the unit allows you to save locations and navigate to them by voice commands.
Dropping down to the Navigon 5100, you lose Bluetooth and voice commands.
Only rarely do I stray from the established major companies in reviewing GPS navigators, but this one was just too tempting.
Garmin eTrex Summit HC review
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 Summit HC is a mid-level mapping receiver in Garmin’s eTrex H-series lineup. With a high-sensitivity receiver for superior reception under canopy, a bright color screen, and the ability to load topo maps (purchased separately), this is an excellent backcountry GPS.
Perspectives on the Nokia NAVTEQ deal
I wanted to share some of the commentary from around the Web on Nokia’s acquisition of NAVTEQ, but first, I might as well put in my own $.02 worth…
This deal is all about location based services (LBS). Local search on your cell phone or GPS is going to show ads, just like online search does, and mobile ad revenue is going to be huge. Just like online ad revenue has driven Google’s stock to
stratospheric levels, there will be winners in the mobile ad space too. All these companies — data providers, GPS manufacturers, cellular carriers and phone manufacturers — they are all jockeying for position. The LBS marketplace is in its infancy. This is just the beginning.
New Mio units target low and high ends of market
UPDATE: Read our Mio C230 review and Mio C720t review.
I wasn’t going to post this weekend, but after a couple of days in the city testing GPS receivers with traffic data, there’s at least one newsworthy item that beckons.
Mio has announced two new units — the Mio C230 and Mio C720t, targeting the low and high ends of the GPS marketplace.
Garmin TOPO U.S. 2008 review

Garmin MapSource TOPO U.S. 2008 provides topographic map coverage of the entire United States and Puerto Rico. Ideal for the geocacher, hiker, mountain biker, etc., it is available on DVD or micro-SD cards. Considering the high cost of the micro-SD regional cards though, I’d recommend that you pay a little more and buy the DVD of the entire country.
Garmin TOPO U.S. 2008 allows you to transfer topo maps to compatible Garmin mapping receivers; these maps cannot be loaded to non-mapping units, such as the basic eTrex H. TOPO U.S. comes with and is used through Garmin’s standard MapSource interface, which also allows you to transfer waypoints, routes and tracks to and from your GPS receiver. This makes TOPO U.S. 2008 very useful planning trips right on your PC.
It does not allow you to auto-route (generate turn-by-turn directions on trails or streets). Routes created on TOPO U.S. 2008 produce straight-line, "as the crow flies" segments. They do not follow the trail, but go from waypoint to waypoint. Also, please note that while you can load both TOPO U.S. 2008 and City Navigator maps to your compatible Garmin receiver, you can’t view both at the same time.
One other point — this product is not "locked," so the maps can be loaded to multiple units.
Garmin nuvi 260 review
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.
The Garmin nuvi 260 is the nicest of Garmin’s budget-line nuvi 200 series. This is a basic, no frills unit, but it has Garmin’s intuitive interface and something the other 200 series units don’t have — the ability to call out street names. That way you’ll get “drive one-half mile, then turn left on Oak Street,” instead of just “drive one-half mile, then turn left.” Other than that, it’s identical to the nuvi 250. Both units have a 3.5″ color touch screen, six million points of interest (POIs), and preloaded maps of the U.S. and Canada. The nuvi 260W has the same feature set as the 260, but adds a wider, 4.3″ screen.
UPDATE: A newer model, the nuvi 255, offers these features and more.



