GPS Information Service
Information on GPS navigation and other GPS applications
GPS Information Service is a WebSite Devoted to Info, News, Resources, Advice & Tips for GPS Navigation Systems and other GPS applications.
Megawhat: Geocaching
The Megawhat team grab their GPS’ and head off into London on a 21st century orienteering/treasure hunting expedition with the Gamin 400T
Duration : 0:10:38
Is Garmin GPS King? – 2008 GPS Navigation Comparison Video
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/audio/articles/126895/article.html
You’ve got a busy summer ahead. Before setting out on that road trip out West or back East, you’ll have to find time to download some travel music. (We recommend new releases from Common, My Morning Jacket and Weezer.) After that, we’ve got another assignment for you that promises to make your summer trip easier and may enhance your listening habits, too: Get a portable navigation system. Of course, we wouldn’t dream of leaving you out in the cold on such an important decision, so we’re updating last year’s portable navigation system roundup with four new or newly improved portable systems.
Since our last portable navigation review, a few of the units we sampled have changed significantly, plus there are two all-new units that seem promising on paper — the Dash Express and Becker Travel Assistant.
Duration : 0:4:45
Garmin Nuvi 200 GPS!
This is a highly recommend GPS unit. Compared to others like TomTom the Garmin uses Navteq data which is considered better for the US than the TomTom Teleatlas data. The screen is more legible than the TomTom One. This is one of my favorite devices. Check out my video!
Duration : 0:2:37
The Garmin Nuvi 255W – Great Value For The Money
Garmin has proven itself to be a frontrunner in the market of GPS know-how and this particular product, the Garmin 255W car gps unit undoubtedly adds to its already good status of manufacturing reliable navigation systems. This model of Garmin Nuvi is highly recommended for somebody who is not prepared to spend more than two hundred dollars for a GPS system and is seeking one that offers many fascinating functions.
The new interface of the Garmin nuvi 255W car gps unit is precisely what appeals to numerous customers. The device has a turn sign indicator at a corner and likewise a speed limit indicator. The keyboard is QWERTY style which is an extra advantage as it makes the enter of addresses very simple. It has a card slot into which a memory card may be inserted and pictures can be viewed after transferring them from a computer. Because the display screen is 4.3 inches wide and very clear, it makes the experience a pleasing one. It additionally has an interior antenna and the navigation between the different menu screens is very straightforward for any user. The battery life also, is very good and so is the satellite reception, which is the key component of any GPS system. The route prompts are additionally very straightforward to grasp because the voice is really easy to hear.
It is a very practical and problem free device that arrives with varied features like the speedometer and provides the speed limits of various roads that are posted. It also has the capability to give the maximum and average speed of your trip. The voice speaks the name of the road the driver is currently on, and the turns which are coming up in a really clear manner. The refreshing rate of the device is really fast as the recalculation of routes is completed virtually instantly. It also arrives with the latest maps and hence there isn’t any update that must be executed as soon as it’s purchased. The Points of Interest file on the system is fairly massive and also contains the option of customising it by adding POIs from the net. There is also a function of automatic time zone, which means the destination times are reflected within the time zone of the locality without the risk of any change to the home zone. This system also includes a security feature of having to enter a pin ahead of using it, so that the person who steals it might not have the ability to use it and the registration of the unit at Garmin website might help in getting it back.
The adverse elements of the Garmin nuvi 255w system are very few and not of excessive importance in any event. The speaker does not sound the best at its highest limit making it troublesome to hear if the windows are wide open in noisey traffic. There is also no audio out alternative for the product. The arrival time estimation of the GPS is not always accurate and may at times be misleading. The map database includes all public highways, and it’s unaware of private tracks that can be accessed by public. The system believes the car is on a highway really when in fact he is going very close to to it in parallel. The pack included only a car charger, while a USB one could be purchased individually.
The Garmin nuvi 255W car gps unit is a very dependable and user friendly system on the whole with good connectivity to the satellite, which is the factor that in the end matters in a GPS system. The other options are very useful and would definitely be an aid to the driver in any sort of circumstances.
The Garmin Nuvi 780 Fully Loaded
The Garmin Nuvi 780 device is among the high end GPS products provided by Garmin. If the high end features supplied by the device are of use to you, it might show to be a reliable product similar to any other Nuvi. Although it has its own share of downsides, the brand identify and the service are of considerable significance. It is a well known fact that after the additional features build up on any system, the basic use of it takes a second place and this gadget is not any exception.
The first thing the driver finds about this Garmin Nuvi 780 is that the touch screen is much quicker. The interface is also especially consumer friendly and appeals to consumers of all age groups. The Garmin Nuvi 780 Web Updater software is just like the gadget, simple to use and thus makes updating the firmware a very simple undertaking. The updates can be used to increase the variety of voice options and languages in the system by simply downloading them to it. The image view is better within the display and the various options present are a lot better than these of the earlier models. The pronunciations are highly accurate and consequently, don’t bewilder the driver. The menu structure is also quite simple when compared to its alternate options and it’s potential to go to any display from the present screen, which is very convenient rather than having all of the menu choices in layers. Additionally, different points may be added to a particular route such as food, fuel station and so on with very fast searches.
The speed limit onscreen displayed by the machine is very accurate and does not deceive the driver. Whilst purchasing the Garmin Nuvi 780, the MSN direct cable may be purchased at an extra 20 bucks as a substitute of shopping for it individually for a hundred. There’s a trial service accessible for MSN direct which could be employed to the maximum and determining whether to commit. It can be used to acquire live traffic and weather up to date when traveling. The MSN is always ahead of the radio in giving traffic updates. Stock prices and movie times can also be checked through MSN direct and be of a terrific service to the user. Gas price updates are additionally given to help the driver. The gadget will go for a recalculation of the route routinely after realizing that the traffic is excessive or the road is blocked. Additionally, Points of Interest may be added to the GPS utilizing Mapquest and Google Maps.
The time taken by the unit to sync to satellites to begin with could be pretty prolonged and worrying. The voice prompt can be late occasionally which may add to the uneasiness. The Bluetooth capability of the gadget is not up to the mark as it does not sync with all types of cellular phones. The volume can be lacking and so is the FM transmitter as it showed a lot of background noise. The algorithm of shorter route does not work precisely and the location refresh rate isn’t especially fast. The MSN direct is just available in the big cities at present. So it doesn’t make a lot of sense spending the extra cash on it anywhere it does not work.
If the additional options of the GPS are definitely needed, the Garmin Nuvi 780 is a wonderful system and gives all the benefits of owning a Garmin Nuvi 780 GPS product.
Fishfinders & Chartplotters – Marine GPS Units
Marine GPS units allow you to easily plot your trip on the chartplotters display for precise water navigation. Certain models are so advanced, that all you have to do is simply point to a destination and it will create the coordinates for you.
Marine chartplotters are used for displaying important chart data. Chartplotters receive GPS signal input to be able to accurately display the vessel’s postion. As a backup, it’s a great idea to have paper charts along with an incredibly accurate electronic chartplotter so you will always be sure to be prepared.
Chartplotter and fishfinder combo’s give consumers a great way to have the best of both marine GPS systems in a single unit. Both sounder capability for locating fish and precise navigation on the open water. For those preferring either a chartplotter or fishfinder, there are mulitple models and makes of each to choose from. One of the most important abilities of a fishfinder or sounder in it’s list of various features is it’s depth finding capability. Many of the top fish finders come with a minimum of a one year warranty and others come with an even longer manufacturer warranty.
Fishfinders have a few basic components. The display, mounting bracket, and transducer. Fishfinders are capable of displaying a large amount of information, including temperature and depth of the water, composition and contour of the bottom, and of course fish and vegetation. Fishfinders that are non-portable are mounted onto the boat but there are portable and handheld marine GPS units as well.
Avoiding the markup at retail stores on chatplotters, fishfinders, or marine GPS combo units. Shoppers searcing online for marine GPS can often find great deals on these marine global postioning satellite devices. Discount GPS or cheap GPS units for your car, fitness, or marine enjoyment found at a reputable online store can save you both time and a surprising amount of money. Depending on which state you live in, buying online at a safe and encrypted site can save you from having to pay any tax at all on your GPS system or unit and some online stores even offer free shipping as well.
The Best Gps
A large number of Internet sites provide information on the best GPS options available. Usually, the top five positions are occupied by manufacturers like Garmin, TomTom, Magellan, Mio and Maestro. As it happens in the entire field of electronics, with every new product there comes an expectation of improvement. Innovation is part of the production process, and the best GPS is always the one that corresponds to the latest consumer’s demands. Product reviews can give one a clue about which items are more interesting than others, but there will always be some relative perception involved.
The best GPS device will always be packed with features such as Bluetooth incorporated in the design, text-to-speech functionality, MSN direct services and even accurate speech recognition applications. Another important aspect is the speed of route calculation, and why not price? It is only normal to expect incredible performance from a Garmin GPS device. You can also shop for advanced lane assistance and the possibility to enter addresses via voice. The best GPS units available will have 3D renderings although this function is not available with all designs. There are very few distinctions between the brand name manufacturers, and the differences usually result from two or three features plus or minus.
The user interface could also define the best GPS unit available. The interfaces have to be user friendly, and the operations should not require multiple or repeated setting. On top of all these elements that characterize very new GPS models, the pricing scheme is important to stress out too. In case you want to buy the best GPS model, then, be ready to pay the price. In fact, if you read online reviews, you’ll see that pricing is the main inconvenience mentioned in the ‘bad’ section.
Deals come with the sale season. Models older than a year get discounts occasionally, and all producers are interested to have those sold in order to be able to enter the market with new items. To conclude, we could say that the very notion of ‘best’ is relative when it comes to the purchase of any item. Lots of features, a high price, and the possibility to access and enjoy the latest technologies available: these are the elements that define the best GPS device most accurately and generally, at the same time.
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Co-author: Latte Portable Players.
Portable Gps System
A portable GPS system consists of a unit that is not limited to in-car usage. Non-portable devices are usually older models that require cable links, but the same inconvenience is found with combinations of PDAs or Palms and GPS devices that have to be car powered in order to save battery life. A portable GPS system is a unit designed for outside usage either mounted on the bike or motorcycle or carried around when hiking, mountain climbing or jogging. Even if the functionality and the features are similar, there are lots of differences between car GPS units and portable GPS systems.
It is of paramount importance to check the calculation time, the ease of programming, the speed of satellite connection, the performance and detour options. All these make the handheld or portable GPS system models a viable choice with multiple applications. Always buy a waterproof and weather resistant GPS item if you are going to use it in various temperature and outdoor conditions. The new portable GPS system can also be adjusted to car usage because of the design versatility. You can for example use the GPS device to find alternative routes that avoid traffic jams.
How can one know which is the right portable GPS system to buy? Comparisons and ratings are available for many models, and the best way to find them is on the Internet. You can find all you need online, from price info and reviews to features comparisons and return policies. The pros and cons of various portable GPS system models make topics of conversation in many forums, and Don’t limit the testing of the portable GPS system to the vocal announcements, but go through all the features.
Keep your personal needs in mind in order to identify the relevance of each feature in the portable GPS system. And since we are talking about a portable device, the size is very important. If the GPS comes with a screen it may not fit your pocket, therefore, check this portability range too. Then, the price comes next on our list of criteria to be met. If you are keen on buying a low-priced unit, you could be disappointed when the unit functions only half the time}. Last but not least, consider the capacity of the portable GPS system to calculate the remaining time and distance to destination, since such a function could be very useful.
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Co-written by: Portable DivX Players.
Pocket Pc Gps
A personal digital assistant or PDA is a smart combination between a GPS device and a Microsoft software created for PDA, in the so-called PC GPS. Pocket PC systems are considered superior to Palm units in terms of functionality but a Palm is easier to use and comes with a larger range of accessories. The Bluetooth technology, the compact flash, the GPS cabling and the integrated features, all define a Pocket PC GPS in the most rewarding way possible. Let’s have a look at some of these items and see how they influence the efficiency of the combined devices.
Without an external compact memory card, the GPS unit will consume the battery power of the Pocket PC GPS and make it inoperable. Moreover, the GPS compact flash required for PDA usage could make the system a bit clumsier than you’d expect. Bluetooth technology saves a lot from the efficiency of the device, not to mention that cabling is not a problem anymore. Through a wireless system, a GPS receiver located in a backpack could be linked to a hand-held PDA. From this perspective, the Pocket PC GPS brings superior flexibility particularly since for car usage, a clear view of the sky is a must.
Since the Bluetooth technology increases the usage flexibility, its adaptation to the Pocket PC GPS solution is a bit more expensive. Even so, lots of people make the investment. The Pocket PC could also be linked to a car-powered GPS device by cables. Such GPS receivers are classified as mouse-type and they are a lot cheaper than self standing GPS units. It has another advantage too, that of saving the battery power of the Pocket PC by the possibility to be directly powered from the car batter. The main downside of this type of Pocket PC GPS is the in-car usage limitation.
For varied GPS usage you should consider a hand-held system of navigation that can be linked with the Pocket PC with a cable. This Pocket PC GPS combination proves a good idea for outdoor usage. The PDA will display the maps, but the hand-held GPS receiver can be used separately too. Having two gadgets could be annoying and uncomfortable particularly since they are wired, but unless you can afford a more sophisticated solution, you can very well do with it. Other than this handling difficulty, the Pocket PC with the included GPS device provide both good hardware options, Windows Mobile software and lots of mapping possibilities. The Pocket PC GPS unit of the future will share all these features in one unit alone.
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Co-submitted by: Archos Portable Players.
Ipaq Gps
iPAQ GPS devices and mapping software are widely used for quality navigation in crowded urban areas or in the highway networks. With an iPAQ GPS, the coordinates are easy to get and follow, and traveling becomes really stress free. iPAQ has a photo viewing application that allows one to add coordinates to pictures and then store them for later applications. The map will thus display the photos according to the geographic coordinates. The iPAQ technology enables users to create personal mapping systems according to business or personal needs. The device comes with marketing tools, access to web portals and the possibility to transfer land and property data for improved business productivity.
The iPAQ GPS provides visual and vocal guidance for the access to the shortest routes that save time and money. The iPAQ GPS model is considered an HP success in terms of computer compatibility too. The prices for the most advanced packages are a bit spicy as not everyone will invest more than 0 in an iPAQ GPS system, no matter how high tech it may be. Complete maps of the US and Canada are provided together with a Bluetooth receiver. As for travel quality, most users will find iPAQ pretty rewarding in terms of features and functionality.
If you check the online reviews for iPAQ GPS device, you’ll see that there are good bits and bad bits about this HP product. Considered a bit bulky according to some critics, the receiver makes a good match with the dashboard by its anti-slip features. You can also try mounting the iPAQ GPS on the air vent. It has incorporated Bluetooth technology that makes the wireless connection and the data transfer possible, and the map installation upload can be performed in different radius segments. The navigation possibilities are by intersection, by specific address, by contact list or by favorite destinations.
With iPAQ GPS, you can choose the device features; thus, you can avoid highways and use alternative roads or you can follow the shortest route to the destination. There are some competitive products that are less comprehensive in terms of features but the turn by turn directions are impeccable and so is real-time information. Thus, you can find out the estimated time of arrival, the remaining distance and also learn about hotels, ATMs, gas stations and restaurants. iPAQ GPS rerouting features are very good and the device is very accurate in helping you get on the right track when you miss a turn.
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Co-authored by: Sandisk Portable Players.
