Handheld/Sport Archives - Page 34 of 41

Garmin Forerunner 310XT and 405CX introduced

April 2, 2009 By Rich Owings 2 Comments

Forerunner-310XT-405CX

UPDATE: Read my Garmin Forerunner 310XT review and my Garmin Forerunner 405CX review

Garmin has announced two new GPS fitness watches, the Forerunner 310XT and Forerunner 405CX.

Garmin Forerunner 310XT

The 310XT (pictured above at right) is a waterproof, multi-sport unit, featuring 20 hours of battery life. Waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, the 310XT is clearly aimed at multi-sport athletes. It can categorize the various activities in a workout and log transition time between them. The 310XT uses both audible signals and/or vibration alerts, so you won’t miss your milestones.

It will be sold on its own or with a new waterproof, soft-strap heart rate monitor, which is expected to be available this summer. While it won’t transmit heart-rate data underwater, the strap can be worn under a wetsuit to shave down transition time. The suggested retail price is $349.99.

Garmin backcountry notes

April 1, 2009 By Rich Owings 5 Comments

Garmin-Oregon-multi-point

The folks at Garmin have been quite busy lately, hitting us with software and firmware releases, and even new Oregon models. Let’s start with software…

Garmin BaseCamp

This new mapping software, which we first mentioned when it was announced back in January, is now available for download (there is also a Beta version for Macs). Note this disclaimer from the download notes:

“BaseCamp will only recognize MapSource products that contain digital elevation model (DEM) data. Some examples of products that contain elevation data are Topo U.S. 24K, Topo U.S. 24K National Parks (version 3), Topo U.S. 100K (version 4 and later), Topo U.S. 2008, Topo Australia, Topo Canada (version 4), Topo Deutschland, Topo Great Britain, and Topo products produced by many Garmin distributors.”

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, Handheld/Sport, Hardware, Software

Garmin Oregon 500 series

March 16, 2009 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

Question mark small

REI has inadvertently leaked information on a forthcoming update to the Garmin Oregon handheld lineup — the Oregon 500 series. It's unclear whether these will be the 500 and 500t or the 550 and 550t, but it does appear that they will include a built-in camera like the Magellan Triton series. We're assuming this will give you the ability to take geotagged photos. This could help explain the $50 rebate (PDF) on the current Oregon series, which expires May 10.

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, Handheld/Sport, Hardware Tagged With: Oregon

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 review

February 24, 2009 By Rich Owings 43 Comments

DeLorme PN-40 review

Hands on with the DeLorme Earthmate PN-40

UPDATE: Two newer models have now been introduced, the DeLorme PN-60 and the DeLorme PN-60w.

The DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 updates the PN-20, which was already one of the most innovative GPS receivers out there. Quite simply, the PN-40 rocks, adding the following new features:

A dual-core processor makes map redraws and menu navigation very fast, correcting the biggest flaw in the PN-20
Tri-axial electronic compass (meaning there is no need to hold it dead level)
Barometric altimeter
SDHC high-capacity SD card support
A more detailed base map

Filed Under: DeLorme handheld GPS, GPS Reviews Tagged With: DeLorme Earthmate PN-40

DeLorme PN-40 RAM mount

February 18, 2009 By Rich Owings 6 Comments

UPDATE: Check out my hands-on review of the DeLorme PN-40.

While working on my DeLorme PN-40 review, I've also been testing a RAM mount for it on my bike. Bottom line — like most RAM mounts, it's rock solid. I tried a couple of different setups, including a new type of rail mount. Read on for the details…

Filed Under: Accessories, DeLorme, DeLorme handheld GPS, Handheld/Sport

OnPar GPS

January 27, 2009 By Rich Owings 1 Comment

Looks like the Garmin Approach G5 may have some competition. Savant GPS has announced the OnPar GPS, which they claim is the “first hand held color touch screen GPS rangefinder,” and with availability slated for next month, it does indeed look like they’ll beat Garmin to market.

It looks quite attractive and perhaps even more robust than the Approach, but I have my doubts that they’ll be able to match Garmin’s skills when it comes to creating an intuitive interface. No word on price yet, but the screen is a wee bit bigger than that of the Garmin Approach (3.5″ vs. 3″).

Filed Under: Handheld/Sport, Hardware, Other handheld GPS

Lowrance Endura Sierra, Safari and Outback

January 22, 2009 By Rich Owings 10 Comments

UPDATE: Read my Lowrance Endura Out&Back and Lowrance Endura Sierra review

Lowrance has posted details on their new Endura handheld series. Each model has a 2.7″ touch-screen and a micro-SD slot for maps. All three are scheduled to be available in May, not April as we reported this morning.

Endura Sierra – This top of the line model (pictured at right) comes with a barometric altimeter, tri-axial compass, 4 GB of internal memory and preloaded “Accuterra^TM high-resolution topographic maps, extensive outdoor trail networks and Points of Interest, as well as the NAVTEQ® road network for the contiguous 48 states with an upgrade option for full-featured turn-by-turn navigation.” (MSRP $549)

Filed Under: Handheld/Sport, Hardware, Lowrance, Lowrance handheld GPS

Garmin BaseCamp for handheld GPS

January 14, 2009 By Rich Owings 5 Comments

Garmin has announced a new desktop application — BaseCamp — designed for backcountry GPS enthusiasts. It basically does the same thing MapSource does, adding 3D rendering, photo geotagging, and the ability to rotate to non-north up viewpoints. It will also bring improved printing capabilities, geocaching information display and data management functionality.

Filed Under: Garmin, Handheld/Sport, Maps

Garmin eTrex Legend H and Vista H

January 14, 2009 By Rich Owings 7 Comments

ETrex Legend H

UPDATE: The Garmin eTrex Vista H now has its own page on GPS Tracklog.

Garmin has responded to the state of the economy with two new entry-level handheld GPS units, the eTrex Legend H (pictured at left) and eTrex Vista H. These are monochome units, with internal memory only (no micro-SD slot). The Vista H will include a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. MSRP is $149.99 and $199.99.

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, Handheld/Sport, Hardware

You got a handheld GPS — Now what?

December 27, 2008 By Rich Owings 8 Comments

Garmin gift

Congratulations on the shiny new toy. Here are a baker’s dozen things to try out that will help you get more from it:

Use it around town – This is something I highly recommend before trying it in the backcountry. For Garmin units, there are a couple of easy ways to transfer locations to them with the computer cable that comes with most models. You can search for a destination on Google Maps and send it to your GPS, as I discussed yesterday. An even better way to get to know your new toy — um — tool, is to go geocaching. Head over to geocaching.com and set up a free account and then enter your zip code. You’ll be amazed how many geocaches are nearby.

Filed Under: Handheld/Sport, Hardware