Archives for 2015

Garmin Introduces Dashcam GPS Device

April 27, 2015 By Liz E. 3 Comments

Garmin announced a new GPS device late last week which combines a dedicated navigation system with a dash cam and advanced alerts to make the first unit designed to protect users in the case of an accident. Dash cams have become more and more popular in recent years, providing an unbiased eyewitness of events along with date and time.

The nuviCam LMTHD boasts a continuously recording dash cam device on the back and a driver-facing display with Garmin navigation favorites including Active Lane Guidance, Up Head to provide upcoming services and POIs, Garmin Real directions, photoReal Junction View, Bird’s Eye Junction View, preloaded Foursquare data and various speed limit and school zone warnings. read more

Filed Under: Auto, Garmin auto GPS

TomTom Launches Maps on Firefox OS Devices

April 26, 2015 By Liz E. Leave a Comment

According to the first quarter results posted by TomTom earlier this week, the company has been steadily losing profits in its automotive and other segments. So, I can’t say I was surprised to read that the company has continued reaching out to other corporations and pursuing partnerships in order to further its business. read more

Filed Under: TomTom

Poll: What Kind of GPS Do You Prefer?

April 25, 2015 By Liz E. 6 Comments

Next week, on April 27 to be exact, the United States GPS system will be celebrating it’s 20th anniversary of Full Operational Capability. During those 20 years of service, the system has been made widely available to the public via the end of Selective Availability and has been improved with new satellites. As more and more technology has begun to rely on GPS, the numbers and kinds of devices that use this constellation has increased almost exponentially.

Here at GPS Tracklog, I try and cover as many of the different segments of GPS as I can, from automotive to tracking to fitness and even marine on occasion. But, as the industry continues to expand it made me start to wonder: what kind of GPS do most people actually use on a regular basis? With smartphones offering surprisingly accurate maps, are automotive GPS devices really on their way down like the statistics predict? Does anyone actually use trackers on things? Do you even care about fitness GPS devices? I know I don’t really like them much.

So, today I thought I’d put it to you, fellow GPS enthusiasts. What kind of device do you prefer? Is there a particular kind of GPS you use on a regular basis, or many? Cast your vote in the poll and see where you stand! read more

Filed Under: GPS News

This Week in GPS — April 24, 2015

April 24, 2015 By Liz E. Leave a Comment

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 the SmartTracker, which debuted on Indiegogo and blew past its goal in record time. Read more about it below!

Here are some other things going on in the world of GPS: read more

Filed Under: Featured, More GPS News, This week in GPS

Five Cache Types To Do Before They’re Gone

April 23, 2015 By Adrian Faulkner 2 Comments

When you first started Geocaching you were probably unaware of all the different cache types. You thought that geocaching was as simple as turning up to a set of co-ordinates and finding the container hidden there. As you progressed you probably became vaguely aware of multi-caches and puzzle caches. Your first multi had you going to a number of locations gathering clues in order to derive the cache’s final co-ordinates. Your first puzzle cache had you sat at your computer scratching your head as you tried to work out some cryptic puzzle, designed to test your mental abilities, before delivering you the location of the actual container.

In your day to day geocaching these are the three cache types you will primarily encounter. But are you aware that there are many other types as well? Some of you may have attended an event and collected the icon for that, but there are many more besides, running from Benchmarks to the GPS Maze Exhibit. You may have even been lucky enough to collect the recent new Giga event icon or have visited an earthcache.

Whilst people can, providing they meet all the criteria, set up new caches with these icons, there are a few where they can’t. Some cache types have been retired, allowing existing caches to remain and be logged as long as the cache remains but not allow for new caches of this type to be set up. As time passes on and more of these caches get archived, these types only get rarer and rarer. Some types, such as locationless caches, have completely disappeared from the game with cachers unable to even log one any more. Others are in danger of joining these archived cache types.

So with that in mind, here are five cache types that we recommend Geocachers go out and find before they disappear from the game. read more

Filed Under: Geocaching

Pinit App Combines GPS With Social Media

April 22, 2015 By Liz E. Leave a Comment

There is something about photos of vacations that just stirs the mind and always brings a smile to my face with each captured memory. While there are plenty of ways to share these moments with friends and family, most traditional social media is so cluttered with junk—be it videos of cats, quizzes, games or other distractions—that such important moments tend to get lost. However, UK teen Tyler Ball is looking to change the way that people share their travels and photos with his new app Pinit.

Created to act almost like a digital travel diary, Pinit allows users to geotag photos and place a ‘pin’ on a location connected to a photo or status, and a memory. Over time, users can create their own world maps with pins showing all of the places they have visited. Friends and families can follow each other and comment an even ‘like’ photos and statuses. read more

Filed Under: iPhone apps, Mobile, Mobile apps

Smart Tracker Blows Through Crowdfunding Goal

April 21, 2015 By Liz E. Leave a Comment

I am always a little hesitant to write about anything that gets funded through Indiegogo, as the site is slightly less reputable than Kickstarter. And while all tech startups are a little risky, ones on Indiegogo seem to be even more so. However, all of that aside, today I discovered this cool little GPS tracker that does, well, everything. The flex funding campaign gives me a bit of pause, but with more than three weeks left in the campaign, it has already surpassed its goal and is barreling towards the stretch goals.

The Smart Tracker, honestly, almost sounds too good to be true. With an expected delivery date of August of this year, the device costs around $180 on Indiegogo (there are still some Early Birds left for $130), and I wouldn’t be surprised for it to cost quite a bit more once the campaign ends. However, in the world of GPS trackers, a sub-$200 device really is pretty cheap. read more

Filed Under: Mobile, Mobile apps

GPS City Promo Discounts Oregon 650 by $110

April 20, 2015 By Liz E. Leave a Comment

Ok, so this isn’t normally something that I’d dedicate an entire post to, but the Garmin Oregon 650 is really an excellent little unit, and taking $110 of of the normal price plus free shipping is really a pretty good deal. You can get it now through April 27, 2015 at GPS City. read more

Filed Under: Current GPS Deals, Featured, GPS Deals

Tips for CITO Weekend

April 19, 2015 By Liz E. Leave a Comment

Geocaching.com’s official International Cache In Trash Out (CITO) weekend is scheduled for April 24 – 27. That’s next week! So, if you haven’t found a CITO event near you, then now is the time to create and schedule your own to help do your part to protect the environment. Oh, did I mention you’ll get a souvenir to go along with it! Best of both worlds!

So, whether you’re attending a community event near you or creating your own geocaching community event, here are a few tips to keep in mind this upcoming CITO weekend: read more

Filed Under: Geocaching

Game Golf Launches Free GPS Tracking App

April 18, 2015 By Liz E. Leave a Comment

In the world of golfing, GPS can play an integral role to better understanding the game and improving with every swing. While there is no shortage of expensive wearables for golfers to choose from, sometimes it can be hard for casual players to justify the additional expense. Well, GPS GOLF announced a new free GPS GOLF Tracking App today that will give players a glimpse of how GPS can help better improve their game.

“If you don’t truly understand your game it’s hard to improve. The free GAME GOLF Tracking App allows golfers to see their shot performance in real-time, something which many amateur golfers will never have had access to before,”John McGuire, CEO of GAME GOLF said in a statement. “Further, it affords everyone access to the GAME GOLF platform to gather stats, collect data and share their game with friends, family, coaches and instructors.” read more

Filed Under: Featured, Mobile, Mobile apps