Sunday, March 18, 2012

Archives for June 2008

Dash Express becomes the first GPS to learn your shortcuts

Dash_myroute

Dash Express users will be getting a major software update today, delivered wirelessly of course. There are lots of changes, so we’ll delve right in and start with the most important.

MyRoutes automatically learns your preferred routes

How long have we pined for a GPS smart enough to learn our favorite shortcuts? Well wait no longer boys and girls — the Dash Express gets bragging rights as the first GPS to do this. The MyRoute shortcut is shown in pink in the image above. Some details…

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DeLorme PN-40 boasts impressive specs

Delorme_pn40

DeLorme is announcing the PN-40 handheld GPS today. Scheduled for release this fall, the PN-40 appears to be something akin to the PN-20 on steroids. Slow map redraws on the PN-20 were a common complaint, which has been addressed somewhat with new firmware, but the PN-40 is slated to have a dual-core processor for rapid screen re-draws. Here’s what Chip Noble, who manages DeLorme’s User Interface Design department, has to say about it:

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Geohashing – New GPS sport requires planning and caution

GPS geohashing

Geohashing is a new GPS sport where participants are sent to random coordinates to meet. Each day, new coordinates are automatically generated for each 1°x1° square of latitude and longitude.

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Garmin nuvi 850 review

Garmin nuvi 850 review
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.

The Garmin nuvi 850 is a member of the 800 series nuvi family, the first Garmin products to feature voice recognition. I covered that feature thoroughly in my hands on review of the Garmin nuvi 880, so this review will primarily cover the differences between the two units and how to get a deal on the nuvi 850 with an MSN Direct receiver.

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Garmin nuvi 880 review

Garminnuvi880review

UPDATE: MSN Direct is ceasing operations on January 1, 2012.

UPDATE 2This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.

Killer app voice recognition makes Garmin nuvi 880 the best GPS on the market

The Garmin nuvi 880 is the top of the line unit in the nuvi 800 series, the first Garmin products to feature voice recognition. And while it may not be the first GPS with this feature, it is far and away the best. It is a breeze to use and makes it much easier and safer to navigate on the go.

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GolfLogix GPS-8 review

Golflogix_2008_review_2

UPDATE: Check out a new Garmin golf GPS in my Garmin Approach G5 review

The GolfLogix 2008 is the best-selling GPS for golfers. Why is it so popular? For one, it’s made by Garmin, the most popular GPS manufacturer in the world. It’s also built on the high-sensitivity eTrex platform, which translates into great accuracy (the GolfLogix 2007 used an older, less accurate GPS chipset).

As you can see in the image above, the GolfLogix provides your distance to the front, center and back of the green. It also shows up to six hazards per hole, and identifies bunkers, water, lay-ups and carries.

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iPhone GPS – What we know now

Tomtomiphone

You’ve probably heard by now that Apple unveiled their next-generation iPhone yesterday and that it has GPS. So here’s a little roundup of what this may mean in terms of navigation and competition with personal navigation devices (PNDs) and the forthcoming Garmin nuvifone.

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TomTom GO 730 review

Tomtom_go_730_review

UPDATE: An even newer model, the TomTom GO 740 LIVE, adds connected services such as Google Local search.

UPDATE 2: This model has been discontinued. For a list of current TomTom models and their features, please see our TomTom comparison chart.

The TomTom GO 730 updates the TomTom GO 720 with several new features — advanced lane guidance (pictured above), IQ RoutesTM and voice address input. I’ll delve into those a little later in the review. First, the basics…

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TomTom ONE 130 review

Tomtom_one_130_sideview

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 130 updates the TomTom ONE 3rd edition, with a new design that includes a built-in mount, dubbed the EasyPortTM, which stows on the back of the device. Other than the form factor, this new entry level model is almost identical to its older sibling.

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Upgrade your maps within 30 days of buying a GPS

UPDATE: Garmin has updated their policy with their nuMaps guarantee, which gives users 60 90 days to register their device. Follow the link for more details.

It appears that TomTom and Garmin have both adopted a formal policy of allowing free map upgrades within 30 days of registering a unit. Wait 31 days and you no longer qualify. Hence, I am recommending that anyone purchasing an auto GPS register their device immediately to see if they qualify for a free upgrade.

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