GPS reviews, news, tips, tricks and deals
Portable units like the GPS 620 Marine Navigator (above) are extremely versatile
When looking to purchase a GPS unit for your boating activities, it can be a little difficult to decide what kind of device is best for you. With a plethora of sizes, types and features—not to mention prices—it can quickly become overwhelming. So here is a basic overview of the different types of marine GPS units to get you started:
In the digital age, it seems like people have become more and more detached from each other as social media and messaging becomes more and more common. A new app, called Traces, is trying to change that with an immersive messaging system that uses GPS location and augmented reality to force users to get out of the computer chair and go and find messages from friends. Half treasure hunt, half phone messenger, Traces is a really unique and awesome use of GPS technology that I just had to share.
“Facebook and WhatsApp broadcast frequent, out-of-context information that’s of very little value to you, leaving you a completely passive receiver,” said Beau Lotto, CEO of Ripple Inc, based in San Francisco, which created Traces. “Instead of reading tweets in a random location you can choose the location to add context to your delivery,” Lotto said. read more
Fans of Garmin’s GPS-powered cycling and running devices rejoice! Garmin has announced their popular web-based Garmin Connect will get an update soon that will allow users to seamlessly sync their data with other third-party fitness applications and websites. Currently, it is only compatible site is Strava, but support to sync to MapMyFitness (including MapMyRun and MapMyRide) and Endomondo will be coming soon. Garmin stated they are working on additional partnerships with third-party sites to increase user experience. read more
TrackR is one of the more recent GPS Trackables that has received overwhelming recent public support.
I write about new GPS tracking devices a lot because there is always a new device to track your dog/cat/car/kids/employee/hike/fitness/grandparent/spouse/business…. there’s a tracker for pretty much everything. The trackables market is exploding and making no apologies as every company tries to shout louder that THEIR product is fast, free, reliable, expansive, inclusive, private, secure and provides relief for anxiety, added safety, convenience or simplicity to your life. And, well, maybe they do. Only time will tell which devices get enough support to work and which simply fall by the wayside. One thing that is becoming quite clear is that the market is only going to continue to get bigger. read more
It might seem like I’m harping on it a little bit, but personal safety is one of the most important considerations when going on hikes or expeditions to remote locations.
Recently, a climate scientist by the name of Dr. John All had to be airlifted out of the Himalayan ice after falling down a 70 ft. crevice and breaking an arm and a couple ribs in addition to some internal bleeding. All had to climb back to his tent and sent out a text message via his DeLorme InReach SE requesting pickup. The satellite communicator/GPS Navigation device probably saved his life, and All made sure his team has several of them for other trips. read more
When you are hiking or camping in remote locations the first and most important rule is to let someone know where you will be and when you’ll be back. It’s a good idea to have some sort of distress beacon to send out your GPS coordinates in case the unthinkable happens, but if you are on a budget, those GPS distress signals can take a mighty chunk out of your wallet. So, why not just use your cell phone as a beacon?
The web-based application HikerAlert is designed to do just that. Before you leave for your trip, you can give it some of your information along with your intended travel route and return time. If you don’t check in with HikerAlert after your scheduled return time and date, it will automatically send an email and text message to your listed emergency contacts with all the information they would need to relay to emergency response personnel including GPS location, route and equipment information, etc. read more
The idea of being tracked in real time and sharing that information constantly with people is more than a little stalkerish and very creepy. A new Android app called Closely is looking to remove the creepy factor from location sharing and tracking. Created by the German company Familonet, Closely is an app designed for small groups to easily keep in contact with each other and share specific location information using a combination of GPS, Wifi, cell tower triangulation and algorithms to determine location.
Unlike most other apps of this nature, Closely integrates with Facebook to allow you to find your friends easily. Once downloaded, you can send invites to contacts to similarly download the app and create a ‘group.’ The app will only shares information with people in your group and only locations you have set as acceptable via geofencing. So it isn’t going to be tracking you every second and will simply send automatic messages to your group when you enter or leave predetermined areas like school, work or a favorite meeting place. The app also allows for chat and pictures to be shared within the group.
This device from Catapult Sports is one of the most commonly used player tracking devices
Edit: According to an article I saw here, apparently the GPS tracking isn’t reducing the injuries to players, as they still have a staggering amount of injuries. Maybe the GPS thing isn’t working out for them after all?
GPS devices are becoming more and more prevalent in America’s favorite game, and even the technophobic Giants head coach has invested money in a system to track his players health and location, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Last year, the NFL approved the use of GPS trackers to not only track physical location of players whilst on the field, but also to monitor heart rate, pace, speed and other factors. This data is collectively referred to as “player load.” Several teams including the Bills, Falcons, Cowboys, Jaguars, Eagles and Rams already use this technology, NFL reported last year, and the list is only going to grow.
The data has been used to significantly change the structure of football practices, allowing players hydration breaks and monitoring performance more accurately. It may even cause fewer soft tissue injuries and allow your favorite athletes to spend more time on the field than on the sidelines. read more
Introducing Memory-Map GPS TX3, the newest smartphone/GPS hybrid for the UK
Half smartphone, half GPS, the Memory-Map Android GPS TX3 does a little bit of everything with a rugged rating that will make the most adventurous spirits jealous. Unfortunately, it’s only available for the UK region, but the idea is kind of awesome, so I thought I’d include it in case we have any readers ‘across the pond’ so to speak. Seems about time someone thought to add an actual GPS chip inside a smartphone… read more
This week in GPS is a weekly link roundup of (mostly) GPS related odds and ends, from GPS Tracklog and other places around the Web. This week’s featured image is Magellan’s new RoadMade RV9490T-LMB, a GPS designed specifically for RVs, that was released this week. read more
