Sunday, March 18, 2012

Archives for January 2010

Garmin Voice Studio

voice recorder icon Can you do a killer impersonation? Have kids? Want your GPS to curse like a sailor?  Well hang on, because the boys in Olathe have released Garmin Voice Studio, a free Windows application that will let you add your own voice prompts to most nuvis and a few other products.

Basically, you record a few dozen phrases and use Voice Studio to edit and load them to your device. The entire process is supposed to take less than 30 minutes for most folks. Sorry, no text-to-speech though, so you’ll have to give up on hearing street names, at least until the novelty of having your six-year old call out directions wears off.

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DeLorme PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator

DeLorme PN-60w SPOT
UPDATE: I’ve posted reviews of the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w and the PN-60w / SPOT Communicator combo.

UPDATE 2DeLorme has discontinued the SPOT Satellite Communicator in favor of their own product, the DeLorme inReach, which offers two-way communication and works as a standalone device or can connect with the PN-60w or with the iPhone or Android smartphones.

We’ve got some big news for backcountry types today. DeLorme and Spot have jointly unveiled the first combination ruggedized GPS navigator and satellite communicator. The DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator can send customized text messages to individuals or groups. While emergency messaging or personal locator beacon capability is something I’ve been wanting to see in a handheld GPS receiver for awhile, plans are for the PN-60w to offer even more.

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DeLorme Earthmate PN-30

DeLorme PN-30 review The DeLorme Earthmate PN-30 is a stripped down version of the PN-40, bringing all the features of that popular model, except for the electronic compass and barometric altimeter. It includes the PN-40’s dual-core processor for fast map redraws and speedy menu navigation. You’ll find the two colors above available, as it comes in both green and “realtree” for a camouflage appearance.

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TomTom XL 340-S LIVE review

TomTom XL 340-S LIVE review
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a list of current TomTom models and their features, please see our TomTom comparison chart.

The TomTom XL 340-S LIVE is the company’s first mid-range, “connected” navigator, offering LIVE services such as Google Local search, gas prices, etc. It has a 4.3” wide-screen and text-to-speech, so you’ll hear “turn right, Oak Street,” instead of just “turn right,”

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Garmin Oregon 550

Garmin Oregon 550

UPDATE: It appears that newer production runs of the 550 series models are now getting the brighter screen first introduced in the Oregon 450 series.

UPDATE 2: This model has been discontinued and replaced by the Oregon 650.

The Garmin Oregon 550 is one of Garmin’s top of the line touchscreen handheld units. It comes equipped with a 3.2 megapixel, 4x zoom, geotagging camera and tri-axial compass. Also included in the package is a battery charger and two AA NiMH batteries.

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Garmin zumo 660

Garmin zumo 660

UPDATE: Two new models, the the zumo 220 and zumo 665, have brought even more offerings to the zumo line.

The Garmin zumo 660 is designed especially for motorcycles, combining a customizable display with glove-friendly, oversized touchscreen buttons. It comes pre-loaded with maps of the US and Canada, and includes Bluetooth for hands free cell phone calling through the cyclist’s helmet. read more

TomTom XXL 530-S

TomTom XXL 530-S
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a list of current TomTom models and their features, please see our TomTom comparison chart.

The TomTom XXL 530S is one of TomTom’s first 5” models. It comes with preloaded maps of the US and Canada and has IQ Routes, TomTom’s historical traffic speed data that can result in improved routing in areas prone to traffic problems. The “S” in the model name means that it has text-to-speech, so you’ll hear “turn right, Oak Street,” instead of just “turn right.”

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