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REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
That's the claim being made by a recent Navteq-sponsored study in which the company analyzed the driving data from drivers without any GPS, drivers with non-traffic enabled GPS, and drivers with real-time traffic information.
The results? Drivers with real-time traffic equipped GPS spent an average of 18% less time getting to their destination (which works out to roughly 4 days per year of saved driving time).
The study also concluded that drivers with traffic-enabled GPS devices drove shorter distances, decreasing CO2 emissions an average of .79 metric tons (21% less CO2 than drivers without a GPS).
Garmin today formally announced the much rumoured nuvi 1690. The company's first Internet-connected GPS, the nuvi 1690's built-in wireless will provide Google local search, traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events, white page telephone listings and Ciao!, Garmin's new location-based social networking system that connects multiple networks into a single portal for Garmin users.
Read on for all the details and pricing information.
Continue reading "Garmin Announces nuvi 1690 Internet-Connected GPS" »
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Anyone who's installed a Garmin downloadable map update knows that one of the most annoying aspects of the update is dealing with the 2 GB update file. If you follow Garmin's instructions, and double-click the single 2 GB update executable, you're then forced to wait 10-20 minutes while your computer tries to open the file. For some inexcusable reason, no progress is shown while all this is happening in the background, and many users simply give up, falsely concluding that the update won't install on their computer.
There is a better way. Read on to see step-by-step instructions on how to extract the 2 GB update file and manually launch the updater.
Continue reading "How to Manually Extract & Install Garmin's Map Update" »
Garmin has released its second US map update this year. Available as an electronic download, North America NT 2010.20 is available now via Garmin's website. nuMaps subscribers can download the update for free, as can anyone who purchased a qualifying nuvi within the past 30 days. For everyone else, the update will cost you $69.99. Visit Garmin's map update page for more details and purchasing options.
When I first reviewed Globalstar's SPOT personal GPS tracker last year, I loved the device's ability to send distress calls or "I'm OK, don't worry" type messages without relying on cellular coverage. But performance was spotty at best, and service wasn't reliable enough for me to recommend the unit.
Available in emergency-orange or silver color this fall, the new SPOT device is 30% smaller than the original SPOT, and boasts a more powerful GPS antenna that won't require an unobstructed view of the sky to work (a major shortcoming on the original device). Also new are illuminated buttons, a dedicated pre-programmable Custom Message button, and a protective cover over the SOS button.
Pricing isn't set yet, though the original unit retailed for around $170. Odds are the new device will be in the same pricing ballpark.
Offender Locator is an iPhone App that lets you use the GPS on your iPhone to find registered sex offenders living near your current location. You can also see if any registered offenders live near any contact in your address book, or manually lookup a specific address.
Should any registered offenders be found, the app displays their photo, and the offense they committed. Currently available in a free "Lite" version, or $0.99 for the full version, Offender Locator is compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch running iPhone OS 2.0 or later. More details available via the developer's website.
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Magellan's Maestro 4700 offers a 4.7-inch display, voice command, predictive traffic, Bluetooth, highway lane assist, AAA data, and much more at a recession-friendly price.
So, is the newest Maestro the best Magellan yet? Well, no, not quite. But it's got a lot of promise, and could be just a firmware update away from greatness.
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Garmin's new Oregon 550t is a rugged, waterproof outdoor handheld GPS that combines a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with a built-in 3.2-MP autofocus digital camera. The Oregon 550t comes preloaded with topographic maps of the U.S., has a 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, a barometric altimeter, and the ability to wirelessly share data with other Oregon handhelds.
I received my Oregon 550t this weekend, and will be posting the full in-depth review soon. I know many of you are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest Oregon GPS, so I'm posting the unboxing photos now, as well as some initial impressions.
