GPS reviews, news, tips, tricks and deals
The Garmin universal smartphone mount makes using your smartphone as a GPS practical.
Smartphones are incredibly powerful machines, capable of just about anything. So why is it so hard to find a good, functional app? We have searched through dozens of apps and found what seem to be the best free and paid apps on the market for Android. Many of these are also available on iPhone. read more
All golf watches provide GPS for on the green, helping avoid traps and get around doglegs, but the new Garmin Approach S6 Golf Watch strives to go even further. With innovative technology, the Approach S6 Golf Watch will measure your swing metrics and provide valuable training aids for getting it just right with SwingTempo, designed to help with backswing and downswings, SwingStrength, so you know how hard you hit the ball, and TempoTrainer to help golfers synchronize their swing mechanics and fine-tune their tempo. read more
Garmin eTrex 20 was listed as Amazon’s #1 bestseller
The Garmin eTrex 20 is the mid-range option in the eTrex series and does a little bit of everything. With a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver with HotFix and GLONASS support, this device has excellent precision navigation. The eTrex 20 offers paperless geocaching as well as spine mounting accessories, automatic routing and turn-by-turn on roads and is compatible with topographic, marine and road maps. With a 20 hour battery life, this device is ready to go. The 2.2 inch display is in full color and the device is waterproof.
On Amazon, it received 3.7 stars and is current the No. 1 bestselling GPS on Amazon.
The list price for the eTrex 20 is $199.99 and can be purchased on Amazon for $169.85
This Garmin entry level GPS model is part wristwatch and part GPS. This model only displays simple, rudimentary maps featuring waypoints, routes and tracks. However, it does have a built in electronic compass, barometric altimeter and the ability to wirelessly share data with Foretrex, Oregon and Colorado receivers. It is extremely lightweight and will be excellent for small treks or beginners.
On Amazon, it received 4.5 stars
The list price for the Fortrex 401 is $199.99 and can be purchased on Amazon for $167.99
The release of Garmin’s new smartphone app, Viago, gives fans a chance to utilize Garmin’s powerful GPS software on their smartphone. Available on both Android and iPhone, the basic Viago app costs only $2 and offers a range of features such as Worldwide maps, address search, turn-by-turn navigation in your region, realistic junction views, lane assistance, current speed limits and posted speed limits. The interface is clean and simple and looks sharp. But what makes this app both powerful and pricey is the ability to customize with premium add-ons which can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 depending on the add-on. read more
Update: Findster has reached its goal on Indiegogo, and will be shipping early next year.
The innovative GPS tracker, Findster, helps caregivers monitor children and pets wirelessly on their smartphone with no monthly fees. Funding on Indiegogo is currently underway, and Findster seems well worth the effort. Unlike some GPS trackers, Findster does not require any type of monthly fee and offers many useful functions such as fall detection for children or loved ones, an activity tracker for pets and the ability to set routes or perimeters and receive updates and push notifications if the device leaves the designated area or route in addition to GPS tracking. The device is monitored through the Findster app, which can be downloaded on your smartphone or tablet.
Late last week news broke from the University of Sheffield about new research where by uploading your DNA they can tell you where your ancestor’s lived within about 30 miles even if they later moved.
If you haven’t had the chance go take a look at Rich’s post from earlier today about changes. I wanted to take a few minutes and introduce myself, and get a chance to get some feedback from everyone.
It is with mixed emotions that after nearly nine years at the helm of this site, I am turning it over to someone else. Leaving the GPS Tracklog community is the hardest part; you have been incredible — supportive, inquisitive and always thirsting for more knowledge on all things GPS. For the past couple of years, other matters have kept me from giving the site as much attention as I wanted. But I am happy to say that I am leaving it in the capable hands of Matt Cook, who plans to keep things rolling along, bringing you the latest from the world of GPS. read more
We’ve been hearing for awhile now that the Magellan Cyclo series is coming to the US, and it has now cleared the FCC, complete with a manual for the Cyclo 315 and 505, so I suspect we’ll hear an official announcement soon. 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. To get a few of the biggest stories as they break, follow me on Twitter. Today’s lead image (above) is a teaser for a post coming early next week.
