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Microsoft Streets & Trips 2010 with GPS

reviewsndeals — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:21:29 +0000

Microsoft Streets & Trips 2010 I had been debating whether to get a GPS (like a TomTom) and didn

Great Price on Widescreen Garmin 255W GPS Navigator

Editor — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:48:43 +0000

A vehicle GPS Navigation system is great for the active shooter or hunter who regularly travels to distant ranges or hunting grounds. Prices for high-quality GPS systems have been dropping even while more features are being added. When we saw that the latest-generation Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS went on sale for $119.99, we thought that was worth a mention in the Bulletin. Assistant Editor Jason Baney did a lot of research on vehicle GPS systems a few months back. He concluded that the Garmin 255W offered the best “bang for the buck.” And that was when a 255W cost about $160.00. Jason purchased a Garmin 255W and recommends it: “My Garmin 255W is easy to use, the screen is bright and easy to read, and the routing is usually very good.”

CLICK for Best Price on Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3″ Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

CLICK HERE for more Garmin 255W Photos and Complete Specs.

This unit has some impressive features. Of course it provides spoken turn by turn directions. You can also search locations with your home computer and load them into the 255W — the unit can hold up to 1000 destinations or way points. The 255W has a large, bright touchscreen that makes it easy to enter directions. With so many GPS Nav units available, the 255W has become one of the most popular on the market. One nüvi 255W owner explains why: “I chose the 255W for several reasons… It uses some of the newest and best maps available. It has one of the more usable touch screens for entering destinations. It’s fast to acquire satellites. And Garmin almost always comes out on top in reviews — especially in routing. Ultimately, you buy a car GPS to get you from Point A to Point B as easily and efficiently as possible. And that’s what the 255W does best. If you’ve ever had a ‘Brand X’ GPS take you on some strange route that adds 20 minutes to your trip, has you turn the wrong way down a one way road, tells you to turn AFTER you’ve passed the street, frequently loses the satellite signal, or has old maps missing streets, you know how important this stuff is.”

No Lane Assist on 255W
We do wish the $120.00 Garmin 255W offered the “Lane Assist” feature found in the more expensive Garmins (but for $120 you can’t have everything). Lane Assist zooms in to show the lane you need when exiting freeways, or navigating through large interchanges. The Garmin 255W does tell you when and where to turn, it just doesn’t offer enhanced Lane Assist graphics. If you want a unit with Lane Assist, we recommend the Garmin nüvi 855. Along with Lane Assist the 855 model offers speech recognition — a nice feature that can simplify inputting new destinations or switching among GPS displays while driving.

MEU043R

coffeecupwarmer — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:40:04 +0000

MEU043R Review

Check Price Now!

MEU043R Feature

Object-oriented cartography.
Faithful representation of published official paper charts.
Shaded depth contours.
Intertidal zones. Spot soundings.
Navaids with view range and coverage.

MEU043R Overview

MEU043R Covers:

Includes detailed coverage of all of Iceland including the cities of Reykjavik and Akureyri. Also includes detailed coverage of the Faeroe Islands including Stromo, Ostero, Sydero and Bordo Islands.

MEU043R Specifications

Garmin

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 28, 2009 06:40:03

32inch lcd hdtv

GPS Carrying Case for Garmin nüvi 275/275T 3.5-Inch (Hard Shell Nylon - Blue)

coffeecupwarmer — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:35:04 +0000

GPS Carrying Case for Garmin nüvi 275/275T 3.5-Inch (Hard Shell Nylon – Blue) Review

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GPS Carrying Case for Garmin nüvi 275/275T 3.5-Inch (Hard Shell Nylon – Blue) Feature

Non-OEM case fit Garmin nüvi 275/275T 3.5-Inch
Hard Shell EVA Case that Protects your GPS. (GPS NOT Included)
Stylish Design and Practical Functionality. Interior Pocket for Memory Card.
Velcro Strap to Secure GPS. Removable Carabiner.
x1 Hard Shell Case X1 Young Micro Live Green Wristband

GPS Carrying Case for Garmin nüvi 275/275T 3.5-Inch (Hard Shell Nylon – Blue) Overview

1 Year Warranty

GPS Carrying Case for Garmin nüvi 275/275T 3.5-Inch (Hard Shell Nylon – Blue) Specifications

Young Micro Inc

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 28, 2009 04:35:03

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Team Garmin-SlipStream já eras

Zaka — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:58:43 +0000

A equipe anunciou ontem o novo nome:

Team Garmin-Transitions

Transitions é aquela empresa que fabricas lentes para óculos. Aquelas que ficam claras dentro de casa e escurecem quando o sujeito está no sol.

“Nossos corredores estão constantemente passando por diferentes condições de iluminação durante treinos e corridas. Se consegirmos aumentar a acuidade visual e reduzir a fadiga, teremos uma grande vantagem na estrada”, afirmou Jonathan Vaughters, manager da Slipstream Sports, a empresa dona da equipe. “Como a equipe, a Transitions é impulsionada pela inovação e um compromisso com a exceleência. Estamos entusiasmados por trabalhar com eles”.

Ok. Óculos vão fazer eles andarem mais e mais rápido…. certo.

The New Portable Device-Garmin's nüvi 265WT

arbertechno — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:21:48 +0000

Today GPS systems are multi-functional. They not only help you with your driving, they also can assist the fisherman or yachtsman out on the water – helping them to avoid waterway hazards.They are multifunctional.Today’s GPS vehicle tracking systems are much improved. The displays are able to display many different landmarks and information in color, readable in both daylight and at night.also, they provide accurate location mapping.when we are talking about today’s GPS devices then we cannot forget “Garmin”.

Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd (NASDAQ:GRMN),a chain of companies which basically design,manufacture,market,sells navigation,communication and information devices and applications,most of which work on GPS Technology.Garmin is leading Manufacturer and its GPS enabled products serve automotive,mobile,aviation and marine services.Garmin is now the leader in the worldwide portable GPS market.Today GPS systems are multi-functional. They not only help you with your driving, they also can assist the fisherman or yachtsman out on the water – helping them to avoid waterway hazards.They are multifunctional.Today’s GPS vehicle tracking systems are much improved. The displays are able to display many different landmarks and information in color, readable in both daylight and at night.also, they provide accurate location mapping.when we are talking about today’s GPS devices then we cannot forget “Garmin”

The New Garmin’s nüvi 265WT enhances it’s 200-series predecessors by adding free real-time traffic updates from Navteq as well as Bluetooth connectivity to your GPS enabled cell phone.The features of this GPS device are 4.3-inch widescreen touch display for an enhanced view of map,driving directions, photos, and more in bright, brilliant color Preloaded with detailed 2D and 3D City Navigator NT street maps, with over 6 million points of interest Voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions with spoken street names and HotFix satellite predictionFeatures Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker for hands-free calling.The Device has got a Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic (Electronics).So,now,it’s your turn to grab this new GPS gadget.

Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver

coffeecupwarmer — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:05:10 +0000

Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver Review

I have had this for a little over a year now, and I find it to be very handy and durable. I was not looking for a very sophisticated GPS, just something I could use in case I loose my car after I go hiking. This unit performs that task extremely well.

As with most reviews on here, I agree that the map built in only has major highways on it. This is perfectly fine, as I wasn’t even expecting that much out of the unit (I understand it was not designed for turn-by-turn navigation).

The only thing I am kind of disappointed with is the cable that came with it. It came with a serial DB9 cable, and to my knowledge you cant find a computer made in this decade with a DB9 port on it. So in order to use the feature on my PC I would have to go out and purchase a DB9 to USB adapter cable. I hadn’t needed it until this month, when I just got into geocaching. It sure would be nice to be able to use the computer to load all those waypoints instead of having to type the co-ords into the GPS itself.

Other than that, I am very impressed with the fact i can drop it, dunk it, and accidently kick it and have yet to see it give any sort of hickup. Thats right, dunk it. I had to chase it down a creek and after i pulled it out – it just kept tickin. I also like the idea of using common batteries (2 AA’s). I dont have to worry about charging it or looking for replacement batteries that I have never heard of.

Reliable, durable, and again – inexpensive! Good job garmin!

Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver Feature

WAAS-Enabled
Smallest GPS On Market With North & South America Basemap
Perfect For Outdoor Person & Adaptable To Be Fully-Functional For Vehicle Use
Download From Metroguide Usa Cd-Rom (Not Included), Detailed Street Map Info, Addresses & Points Of Interest With Phone Info
8 Mb Of Available Flash Memory

Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver Overview

With the eTrex Legend, Garmin has loaded a full base map of North and South America into one small unit. The Legend is also designed to provide precise GPS positioning using correction data obtained from the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). This product will provide position accuracy to less than three meters when receiving WAAS corrections.The base map contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads and coastlines. The eTrex Legend is also equipped with additional memory totaling eight megabytes. The added memory allows the eTrex Legend to accept downloaded map data from Garmin’s entire line of MapSource CD-ROMs, including Fishing Hot Spots. The eTrex Legend comes in a brightly colored translucent blue case that really makes the unit stand out. New to the product design, Garmin will include marine aids to navigation in addition to the base map. These navigational aids will be pre-loaded into each unit from the factory.It is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products including MapSource BlueChart marine cartography, MetroGuide, and Fishing Hot Spots. Accepts up to 8 megabytes of downloaded map detail.

Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver Specifications

Amazon.com Review There are now enough handheld global positioning system (GPS) receivers on the market that you can be choosy when it comes to price, features, and design. Garmin–a leading manufacturer of car, boat, and personal GPS receivers–has a complete line of eTrex handheld receivers, with our Legend falling about midrange.

With Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) support, the eTrex Legend offers extremely accurate readings (rated to within 2 to 3 meters). (For more on WAAS, see the Frequently Asked Questions section.) A good-size screen–288 x 160 pixels–makes it easy to see location details, and the Legend redraws maps quickly when zooming in or out of a position.

The eTrex Legend provides precise GPS positioning using correction data obtained from the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS).

The Satellite page shows satellites being tracked, and their corresponding signal strength. View larger.

The internal trip computer provides a range of data about hikes and drives. View larger.

Its 8 MB of memory means there is also plenty of room for waypoints, routes, and saved tracks. The Legend will hold up to 500 waypoints, complete with a name and graphical symbol, 20 routes with 50 waypoints each, and it contains slots for 10 saved tracks. You can also download maps from Garmin’s MapSource CD-ROMs (thorough but expensive accessories for the GPS receiver) to see street-level or topographic detail (depending on the CD-ROM title).

But one of the most striking attributes of the Legend is its comfortable and efficient design. While it rests easily in the palm of either hand, it’s most suited for the left hand, where its handy click-stick can be manipulated with the thumb. The click-stick works like the pencil-eraser nubbin on laptop PCs and is handy for moving through screen icons and menus. It also works as a button when pressed down.

The Legend is coated with a waterproof, rubberized plastic shell that grips nicely. Weighing in at only 5.3 ounces, it fits into a pocket or clips onto a belt loop, going almost unnoticed.

The internal trip computer of the Legend provided a range of data about our hikes and drives, including current speed, average speed, trip distance, and time traveled (both moving and stopped). For those interested in checking out their foot pace and distance traveled, it’s a handy GPS to have in hand.

Our only major beef with the Legend is that the receiver sometimes seemed to grow weak. Even when it wasn’t in WAAS mode (which can be tough to maintain a signal in), it dropped the signal from time to time. We even lost the signal once while walking along the streets of San Francisco–it seems that the medium-size buildings were enough to interfere with the reception.

But this only happened on a few occasions. Most of the time the well-designed Legend was able to keep us in touch with up to 12 GPS satellites for a strong-enough read to maintain a tight handle on our location. –J. Curtis

Pros

Comfortable, compact design
Click-stick for interface navigation
Bright backlight
Handy distance-traveled feature

Cons

Sporadic reception within urban areas
Can take several minutes for a cold fix

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 28, 2009 01:05:06

GARMIN BLUECHART MCA004R BAY OF FUNDY

coffeecupwarmer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:35:05 +0000

GARMIN BLUECHART MCA004R BAY OF FUNDY Review

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GARMIN BLUECHART MCA004R BAY OF FUNDY Feature

Object-oriented cartography.
Faithful representation of published official paper charts.
Shaded depth contours.
Intertidal zones. Spot soundings.
Navaids with view range and coverage.

GARMIN BLUECHART MCA004R BAY OF FUNDY Overview

MCA004R Covers:

Detailed coverage of the coasts of Maine and New Brunswick from Machias Bay, ME to Saint John, NB. Also covers in detail the western half of Nova Scotia from Digby to Cape Lahave Island and from Heckmans Island to Halifax. General coverage is available from Cape Lahave Island to Heckmans Island. In addition, general coverage of the eastern half of the Bay of Fundy, extending to Chignecto Bay and Minas Basin.
MapSource BlueChart serves up the best offshore cartography around and works in seamless integration with a wide range of Garmin products.

Features Include:

Chart-specific information, including chart name and number, scale, revision date, latest Notice to Mariners date
Object-oriented cartography
Faithful representation of published official paper charts
Shaded depth contours
Intertidal zones
Spot soundings
Navaids with view range and coverage
Port plans
Tides, wrecks, restricted areas and anchorages
Trip and waypoint management functions

Compatible Units:

GPSMAP 172c
GPSMAP 172
GPSMAP 178
GPSMAP 178C
GPSMAP 276C
GPSMAP 3006C
GPSMAP 376C

GARMIN BLUECHART MCA004R BAY OF FUNDY Specifications

Garmin

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32inch lcd hdtv

Garmin Navigation Mapping Software, South Italy and Sicily (010-C0538-00)

coffeecupwarmer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:05:07 +0000

Garmin Navigation Mapping Software, South Italy and Sicily (010-C0538-00) Review

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Garmin Navigation Mapping Software, South Italy and Sicily (010-C0538-00) Feature

Garmin Bluechart g2 2eu460s Sicily To Lido Di Ostia Digital Map – Europe – Boating, Driving
Mfg #: 010-C0538-00

Garmin Navigation Mapping Software, South Italy and Sicily (010-C0538-00) Overview

Garmin 010C053800 Garmin Software Sicily To Lido Di Ostia.

Garmin Navigation Mapping Software, South Italy and Sicily (010-C0538-00) Specifications

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 27, 2009 01:05:05

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Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld GPS Unit with U.S. Topographic Preloaded Maps

coffeecupwarmer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:00:07 +0000

Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld GPS Unit with U.S. Topographic Preloaded Maps Review

Was very happy initially with the unit when it arrived but quickly found out that the included user manual is pretty much worthless. I tried to find any additional user information from Garmin and nothing in book form is currently available. I did find out about a company called Bennett Marine Video that has a DVD’s for almost every GPS unit and one specifically for the Colorado 300 and 400 series GPS. Not sure exactly what it contains but it is the only aftermarket product that contains more info than what’s in the user manual. Also have noticed some issues with accuracy on this unit initially while doing some geocaching with my son locally. Had problems getting the thing to stabilize and quit bouncing around. Also had some accuracy problems when using it while snowshoeing in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness area in Colorado. It would not lock onto the trail I was supposed to be following and I ended up totally losing the trail. This was a bit more than an inconvience when you are hiking in 5 to 10 feet of snow and cannot see the trail. I have become more familiar with its features and have done some communicating with Garmin support, have uploaded the 24K Topo series maps and upgraded the operating system software to the the new beta version and it seems to be a little more accurate. Will be testing it out again in the Rockies in a few weeks and see if accuracy in the mountains has gotten better. I like many of the features, like being able to add or remove shortcuts from the main screen and only have the ones you really need displayed. The battery life is great with 2700ma NiMH batteries and I have not had any problems with viewing the display in bright sunlight. The backlight is also great in poor lighting conditions. I would highly recommend investing in a screen protector. It’s cheap insurance and they are easily replaced. I did find out that the built in thermometer not very accurate displaying the ambient air temperature probably due to the insulating effect of the GPS body. The bottom line I guess the best way to learn about this beast is just keep playing with it until someone puts together a decent manual. Will update this review once I finish my next wilderness trek and see how the accuracy does with the new maps and updated software.

Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld GPS Unit with U.S. Topographic Preloaded Maps Feature

High Sensitivity, WAAS-Enabled GPS Receiver
Features A 2.55-InchH X 1.53-InchW, Transflective Color Tft Display With 240 X 400 Pixel Resolution
Features Built-In Worldwide Basemap With Shaded Relief
Wireless Sharing Of User Tracks, Waypoints, Routes & Geocaches Between Units
5 User Profiles – Automotive, Marine, Recreation, Fitness Or Geocache

Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld GPS Unit with U.S. Topographic Preloaded Maps Overview

The Garmin Colorado 400t is rugged with a high-sensitivity receiver to offers innovative features such as a new Rock ‘n Roller wheel for one hand operation as well as the ability to exchange waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly between units. In addition, you can customize your Colorado with five different user profiles: automotive, marine, recreation, fitness or geocache. The SD card slot on the bottom of the unit makes it simple to load optional maps for different types of adventures. The Colorado has a rugged, metal-look and a sleek, slim profile. The Colorado’s detailed mapping and high-resolution color display enhance any outdoor adventure, whether on land or water. Compatible with heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor (GSC 10) Supports Geoching GPX files for complete cache descriptions and hints User configurable profiles – automotive, marine, recreation, fitness, and geocache Display Size – Height 2.55 x Width 1.53 Display Resolution – Width 240 x Height 400 pixels Battery type – 2 AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries Unit Dimensions – Width 2.4 x Height 5.5 x Depth 1.4 Unit Weight – 7.3 ounces with batteries

Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld GPS Unit with U.S. Topographic Preloaded Maps Specifications

Amazon.com Product Description–January 21, 2008 This rugged, advanced handheld is packed with detailed topographicmaps for all your hiking adventures not to mention 3-D map view, a high-sensitivity receiver, barometric altimeter, electronic compass, SD card slot, picture viewer and color display. Exchange tracks, waypoints, routes and geocaches wirelessly between similar units. Slim, lightweight and waterproof, Colorado is the perfect companion for all your outdoor pursuits.

Watch an interactive demo.

Share Wirelessly
With Colorado 300 you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with other Colorado users. Now you can send your favorite hike to your buddy to enjoy or the location of a cache to find. Sharing data is easy. Just select “send” to transfer your information to other Colorado units.

Keep Your Fix
With its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, Colorado 300 locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons. The advantage is clear — whether you’re in deep woods or just near tall buildings and trees, you can count on Colorado to help you find your way when you need it the most.

Explore More

Colorado’s preloaded U.S. topographic maps, 3-D map view and a built-in worldwide basemap with shaded relief give you all the tools for serious climbing or hiking. Map detail includes national, state and local parks and forests, along with terrain contours, elevation information, trails, rivers, lakes and points of interest.

Just in case you’re wondering how steep that hill really is, Colorado’s 3-D map view helps you visualize your surroundings — giving you a better perspective of the elevation.

Expand Your Horizons
			The Colorado also accepts SD cards, so you can use Garmin preprogrammed SD cards to add maps that serve any and all of your outdoor activities on land or water. Just take your pick from a wide selection, including street maps, topographic maps, coastal charts or inland lake data. The card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you don’t have to worry about getting it wet.

Rock on. Find Fun

Colorado’s innovative Rock ‘n Roller input wheel for easy one-handed operation and intuitive screen interface make it as easy to navigate the device as the outdoors.

Customize Colorado’s interface based on your favorite activity.

Even show off photos of your excursions with its picture viewer.

Experience Paperless Geocaching
	Colorado supports Geocaching.com GPX files for downloading geocaches and detail straight to your unit. You’ll have at-a-glance cache descriptions and details to aid in your search.

Get Your Bearings

Colorado has a built-in electronic compass that provides bearing information even while you’re standing still.

Its barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. View elevation data before you begin your ascent or descent. You can even use the altimeter to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions.

Interactive Demo

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 27, 2009 01:00:05

DURAGADGET Bean bag anti slip friction dash board mount / holder for Garmin Nuvi 255 T

coffeecupwarmer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:35:06 +0000

DURAGADGET Bean bag anti slip friction dash board mount / holder for Garmin Nuvi 255 T Review

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DURAGADGET Bean bag anti slip friction dash board mount / holder for Garmin Nuvi 255 T Feature

Deluxe Non-Skid Friction Dashboard Mount
Universal – For use with ALL windshield suction pedestals offered by DURAGADGET
Anti-skid material on base prevents movement of mount
The perfect mount for California & Minnesota where windshield mounts are banned

DURAGADGET Bean bag anti slip friction dash board mount / holder for Garmin Nuvi 255 T Overview

Universal – For use with ALL windshield suction pedestals Anti-skid material on base prevents movement of mount, The perfect alternative mount for California and Minnesota drivers where windshield mounts are banned, U-Shaped rim design more optimal than fully enclosed Non-Skid mounts as it allows you to lower the windshield pedestal for optimal viewing, Ideal for use with portable GPS / PND devices, 80mm suction disc acts as the base for your windshield suction pedestal, Easily transferred from one vehicle to another, Windshield suction pedestal not included with this

DURAGADGET Bean bag anti slip friction dash board mount / holder for Garmin Nuvi 255 T Specifications

DURAGADGET

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32inch lcd hdtv

Top Ten in Electronics: Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS

toptennewreleases — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:53:13 +0000

#4: Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

via Amazon.com: Bestsellers in Electronics on 11/26/09

Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
by Garmin
557 days in the top 100
(461)

Buy new: $229.99 $119.99
28 used & new from $116.99

(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in Electronics list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)

Posted via email from Hot New Releases

A course PB and a mojo return

fitartist — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:38:43 +0000

Oh dear, I am finding it really hard to get on the computer and blog at the moment. Hector’s daytime nap is moving further and further back and, on some days, not even happening. I think this is the slippery slope towards NO daytime naps. Arrrrghghhg!!! Anyway, I now feel 100% better after our horrid sickness bug the other week, the nausea really did linger on, not really encouraging me to jig up and down in the wind and the rain. Hmmmm, wind and rain, I’ve had enough of it, horrible stuff, so I’ve been much happier in the past couple of days when we’ve had two lovely crisp, fresh wintery days.

You may have noticed the words ‘course PB’ in the post title, and you would be right in thinking I have moved a little step closer to my goal of a 25 minute 5k. Just a little step mind. Last week I didn’t make it over to Finsbury Park for the weekly Parkrun, partly due to my nausea but mainly due to the visiting in-laws. On Saturday though, I was determined to get there so we all trundled over on our bikes and the boys played with a handy grabber thing they found in the playground whilst I pushed myself up hills.

It was so lovely to have my own little support team as I rounded the corner near the playground, with Hector shouting: ‘Go Mummy!’ I have recently made a change in the Garmin region and have started training in kms instead of miles – I figured it makes sense as I am currently training for 5 and 10 k races. It really does take a big shift in thinking to get your head round it, but I do think it helped in this race to keep looking towards a five-minute km. Anyway, it’s not incredible, but I’m getting there:

Time: 27 minutes 29 seconds

Distance: 3.25 miles

Average Pace: 8.27

It was nice getting an email from the Parkrun folks saying I’d got a course PB and was fifth female

On Monday morning Edward was late leaving the house due to a dental appointment, so he prompted me to go out and run. I took one look at the rain and said: ‘nah’. He wasn’t having any of it and I eventually pulled on my kit and headed out into the stinging rain shower. I have realised that I probably run faster in the rain, in an attempt to get home quicker.

Time: 30 minutes 59 seconds

Distance: 3.47 miles

Average Pace: 8.56

Now, Hector has got more energy than I could ever keep up with, and I am always looking for ways of challenging him physically, and we recently started going to Toddler Gymnastics. It’s amazing. They have various apparatus out for the children to climb on and crash mats for them to land on safely and – the best bit – a huge inflatable running track! As it blows up the children get whipped up into more and more of a frenzy until they are given the all-clear to jump on. I find myself smiling the whole time we are there as Hector is having such a wonderful time. He just runs up and down, with the odd pause to jump and fall on his bottom and the occasional somersault. We ran there yesterday. It was very windy.

Time: 35 minutes 45 seconds

Distance: 3.36 miles

Average Pace: 10.38

Today’s physical challenge was swimming, so we ran there too – the weather is just gorgeous. Again, it was super windy so the uphill trip was rather tough, pushing a running buggy!

Time: 57 minutes 58 seconds

Distance: 5.47 miles

Average Pace: 10.36

(you can see how my times slow down considerably when I’m pushing a heavy child in a running buggy into the wind).

If the stats look a bit different it’s because I used the ones I had put onto Fetch. Hector has worked out how to switch on my Garmin and mess stuff up, so I have to be quick. He puts it on, walks to the front door, pretends to unlock the door and says: ‘I’m putting on my Garmin and going for a run. Bye-bye’.

Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

bigsack22 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:21:06 +0000

Garmin nüvi 255W

Technical Details

4.3 Inch Auto Navigator with Anti Theft Feature
Voice Prompted Turn by Turn Directions
With HotFix, It Calculates Your Position Faster to Get You There Quicker
Compatible with Optional Enhanced MSN Direct Content
JPEG Picture Viewer, World Travel Clock, Currency Converter, Calculator and More

Improved Interface

One of Garmin’s key product philosophies is to make extremely complex technology easy to use for anyone right out of the box, and perhaps nowhere is that better exemplified than in the user interface for Garmin’s portable navigation devices.

Garmin’s interface is a key to their success part of what makes their devices such a pleasure to use. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with turn-by-turn voice directions, 2-D or 3-D maps and smooth map updates as you navigate.

This year, Garmin has redesigned its interface to include much more useful information.

Old Interface

New Interface

Cheap Garmin For Black Friday

Garmin City Navigator for Detailed Maps of Major Metropolitan Areas in Europe (microSD/SD Card)

coffeecupwarmer — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:57:44 +0000

Garmin City Navigator for Detailed Maps of Major Metropolitan Areas in Europe (microSD/SD Card) Review

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I bought this SD Card for an upcoming trip to Italy because I would be renting a car while I was there. Having this European map was a lifesaver. It gave us the ability to go off of the beaten paths. I found the map to be very accurate…even within the complex streetscapes of Florence. If you missed a turn, it would recalculate your route accurately.
Once, I was driving on a highway that had several tolls. This was an inconvenience because there was a 5-minute traffic backup at many of the toll booths. Finally, I requested that my GPS find an alternate route without tolls. Off we drove onto 2-lane roads with breathtaking views of old towns, farms, orchards, churches, and lakes. We toured the Tuscan Italian countryside like I never thought we could. Also, I used it to take me to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italian beachside communities and the Port Civitavecchia.
I even used it while on my Mediterranean cruise. I would see land in the distance and wonder where we were. I just turned my GPS on and within a moment, I was able to see our location. I also used it in the Greek Isles…Mykonos to be exact. It’s great if you want to rent a scooter for a few hours and not lose your way.
Make sure that your GPS can accept this card. I had to do some research to see if this was compatible with my unit. I used the Garmin Nuvi 265W and it worked great.

Garmin City Navigator for Detailed Maps of Major Metropolitan Areas in Europe (microSD/SD Card) Feature

Contains Detailed Maps Of Major Metropolitan Areas In Europe, Including Motorways, National & Regional Thoroughfares, & Local Roads
Contains Navigational Features Such As Turn Restrictions & Speed Categories & Points Of Interest Such As Food & Drink, Lodging, Border Crossings
Automatically Creates Point-To-Point Routes On Nt Compatible Garmin(R) GPS Units
Compatible With Astro(Tm) Series, Colorado(R) Series, Edge(R) Series, Etrex(R) Series, Nuvi(Tm) 200, 300, 600, 5000, 700 & 800 Series, Streetpilot

Garmin City Navigator for Detailed Maps of Major Metropolitan Areas in Europe (microSD/SD Card) Overview

Contains Detailed Maps Of Major Metropolitan Areas In Europe, Including Motorways, National & Regional Thoroughfares, & Local Roads Contains Navigational Features Such As Turn Restrictions & Speed Categories & Poi Such As Food & Drink, Lodging, Border Crossings, Petrol Stations, Hospitals & More Automatically Creates Point-to-point Routes On Nt Compatible Garmin(r) Gps Units Compatible With Astro ™ Series, Colorado ™ Series, Edge(r) Series, Etrex(r) Series, Nuvi ™ 200, 300, 600, 5000, 700 & 800 Series, Streetpilot(r) 7200, 7500 & C-series & Zumo(r) Series

Garmin City Navigator for Detailed Maps of Major Metropolitan Areas in Europe (microSD/SD Card) Specifications

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 26, 2009 00:57:43
Garmin City Navagator for Europe – Andrew B. Martorana – LeRoy, NY, USA
My wife and I were going to Europe, and having little knowledge or the languages, we bought the Garmin City Navigator for Europe. I must say, it was a godsend!!! We never could have gotten around with maps alone. We were even able to find our rental car every time we took walking tours. It is a very worthwhile investment
Not Happy – World Trav –
I purchased the SD card for the purpose of navigating the streets of various European cities via the “pedestrian option”. Unfortunately I ran in to difficulty because the GPS, more often than not, did not produce the correct route. When the route was correctly indicated the “turn left, turn right” responses were delayed and proved to be ineffective. I tried the card with a second Garmin unit and the same problems occurred.
Use of Gamin NUVI in Portugal – Warren A. Seitz – Surprise, AZ
Could not have driven in Portugal without the Garmin NUVI Europe road map information. Porto to Nazere to the Algarve to Lisbon – clear driving instruction and displays. Will never drive in a foreign (or the U.S.) country without our Garmin and up-to-date maps.

32inch lcd hdtv

Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator

coffeecupwarmer — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:42:49 +0000

Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator Review

I am a volunteer in the search and rescue unit in Arizona. In our unit alone, we have 4 of the Garmin 60 csx and more volunteers will be adding this unit to their personal gear. We have found the 60 csx easy to program and be able to follow inputed waypoints easily. The screen is easy to view at a distance. It is extremely useful on the trackback feature after finding a lost subject and be able to follow the route back to base. It seems to be a rugged unit and so far and has stood up to some harsh road, weather, and trail travels. The signal strength is very good in canyons and under trees. The time after turn on to navigate is quicker then most other units I have used. I wish that Garmin would offer a TOPO map for state by state,as I have the Mountain West – South reigon and it is not detailed enough to show the FR roads we frequently have to travel.

Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator Feature

High-sensitivity GPS receiver
Bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display
Color-handheld mapping ideal for both marine and outdoor use
64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail; NOTE: microSD card is located in the device, not as a separate, additional item
Fast USB connectivity makes loading charts and maps quick and easy

Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator Overview

Amazon.com Product Description The venerable Garmin 60CS just got a whole lot better. The 7.5-ounce GPSMap 60CSx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Add all that to the 60CSx’s integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and you’ve got a unit that is ready to take you anywhere on land or sea.

The 60CSx is a refreshing upgrade of the 60CS, and features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory. View larger.

The device features the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip for supreme accuracy in all conditions. You also get an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter.

You also get a large color TFT display and turn-by-turn routing capability.

You can use the 60CSx’s memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits, and tide data. There’s also a preloaded marine point database. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you’re driving, and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more.

The 60CSx’s 2.6-inch, 256-color TFT color display is designed to present mapping and trip information clearly and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). When using two AA alkaline batteries, you’ll get up to 20 hours of battery life from the unit. The unit’s barometric altimeter system features automatic pressure trend recording while providing current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, and average and maximum ascent and descent rate. Meanwhile, the electronic compass allows you to get accurate headings while standing still.

Another key feature of the 60CSx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. There’s also a large-numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode.

The 60CSx’s trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. Meanwhile, a fast processor allows the 60CSx to provide quick auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts when you use the optional MapSource software, which can be stored on the unit’s included 64 MB microSD card. Downloading information is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the dedicated serial port, the 60Cx can share navigation instructions with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots. The four-position rocker pad and dedicated high-use buttons make navigating through the unit’s features easy, even when your fingers are cold or wet.

Finally, the GPSMap 60CSx is packed with some extra fun features. An integrated outdoor calendar provides ideal hunting and fishing times, plus moon rise/set/location information. There is a dedicated geocaching mode for those of you into the hot GPS community treasure hunt game. Finally, there are indoor/outdoor GPS games to help you and your friends enjoy the outdoors.

If you like the features of the 60CSx, but don’t need an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin 60Cx.

What’s in the Box
60CSx unit, 64 MB microSD card, belt clip, USB interface cable, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owners manual, and quick-start guide.

Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator Specifications

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 26, 2009 00:42:47

Hard Shell 4.3" (Wide Screen) GPS Carrying Case with Strap for Select Garmin Nuvi Models

coffeecupwarmer — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:27:46 +0000

Hard Shell 4.3″ (Wide Screen) GPS Carrying Case with Strap for Select Garmin Nuvi Models Review

Check Price Now!

I do like this, it protects the Garmin well. It doest fit the charger in with the Garmin (although a tight fit) but does not fit or have anything that you can put the suction cup in or on. It would be nice if there was room for it or if there was a loop or something so they’re all connected. Other than that, I like it.

Hard Shell 4.3″ (Wide Screen) GPS Carrying Case with Strap for Select Garmin Nuvi Models Feature

Heavy Duty Protective hard shell case with high quality weather resistent nylon covering
Interior Cable organizer Mesh Compartment
Memory card storeage pocket
Soft interior to provide scratch free protection
3 Year Warranty

Hard Shell 4.3″ (Wide Screen) GPS Carrying Case with Strap for Select Garmin Nuvi Models Overview

Ideal for traveling, or whenever you are out, you can carry your device on a secure case and keep all accessories together, it is designed for Nuvi 200W 205W 250W 255W 260W 600 610 650 660 670 680 710 750 760 770 780 850 880 Includes **FREE** Removable wrist strap. Also Works with Cobra NavOne GPSM 2100 Delphi Nav 200 LG LN-790 Magellan Crossover / Maestro 4000 4040 4050 3100 3140 / RoadMate 200 2250T Mio C320 C520 C720t Navigon 7100 Sony Nav-U NV-U70

Hard Shell 4.3″ (Wide Screen) GPS Carrying Case with Strap for Select Garmin Nuvi Models Specifications

USA Gear

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 26, 2009 00:27:44
GPS case – Diane M. Pritchard – Spokane, WA
I purchased this for my husbands Garmin. He works construction and isn’t known for being gentle or taking great care with things so the hard shell really helps protect his GPS.
good gift – Y. li – Kansas
I got this item as a Christmas gift for my husband along with a Garmin Nuvi. He really likes it. It is roomy in an appropriate way. It also has a nice Hard Shell that can hold his “new toy” safely, which makes him happy. I’m happy that I got it for him.
Perfect! – Winnie – Jacksonville, FL
I purchased this case for my new Garmin nuvi 260W and it is just perfect. My Garmin fits nicely in the sleeve inside the case, leaving room for a small pad, pen, and the charger. The exterior is hard enough to protect the unit and looks nice.

32inch lcd hdtv

ARKON CM012 Magellan, Nextar, HP, Navigon, Garmin, TomTom Friction Dash Mount

coffeecupwarmer — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:14:22 +0000

ARKON CM012 Magellan, Nextar, HP, Navigon, Garmin, TomTom Friction Dash Mount Review

Check Price Now!

I’ve purchased other GPS dash mounts but this one is worth the few dollars more IMO. Even though they all perform well, this one has better looks and functionality. Compare the pictures and you’ll notice that the material that encloses the weight is smooth and has no folds. You’ll also notice the open area in the front. It will allow you to tilt your GPS down further for a better viewing angle while on the dash. As a result of being lower, it blocks less of your vision. I actually see the hood of my SUV above the GPS and no road blockage at all. It just looks better. For now, this would be my choice if I needed another one.

ARKON CM012 Magellan, Nextar, HP, Navigon, Garmin, TomTom Friction Dash Mount Feature

Compatible With All Portable Navigation Device Windshield Suction Pedestals Including Those For Garmin, Magellan & Tomtom
Includes Safety Loop Sewn Into The Backside Of Mount & Optional Adhesive Safety Hook That Attaches To Loop On Dash Mount
Feature: U-Shape

ARKON CM012 Magellan, Nextar, HP, Navigon, Garmin, TomTom Friction Dash Mount Overview

Compatible With All Portable Navigation Device Windshield Suction Pedestals Including Those For Garmin®, Magellan® & Tomtom®; Includes Safety Loop Sewn Into The Backside Of Mount & Optional Adhesive Safety Hook That Attaches To Loop On Dash Mount; U-Shape

ARKON CM012 Magellan, Nextar, HP, Navigon, Garmin, TomTom Friction Dash Mount Specifications

Arkon CM012

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 26, 2009 00:14:21
Not a great solution for TomTom 740 – N. Honickman –
I bought this for a TomTom 740. I use the Garmin fricton mount exclusively with our Garmin 660 so I thought this would work well.

Unfortunately, the suction mount provided with the 740 does not adhere well to the base plate. This appears to be the result of the base plate surface being too slick. The 740 active mount works great on our windshield(so I know the suction works fine on glass) but I like the portability with the friction mounts which was why I made the purchase.

I am very disappointed with this item. I doubt the cost of return shipping makes returning it worthwhile in the end.

It was exactly what I was looking for. – Donald Pyle – Enumclaw, Washington USA
I hated sticking the Magellan Roadmate to the windshield and having it fall off or getting hot in the sun. But did not want to make any mess of my dashboard. So I tried this.
It is heavy enough that I didn’t need the little peg for holding it on the dash. Was smooth enough so that the GPS did not come unstuck. Was well worth the price.

32inch lcd hdtv

And the experiement proved...

travellinghopefully — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:06:59 +0000

That my hypothesis was correct – ran 3 miles before yoga, tom yum soup for tea and then yoga-ed. And managed to stay conscious for the entire relaxation at the end, no snoring, no drifting, no suddenly realising that I’ve not heard a word that the teacher has said since “lie down on your mats”. It was rather splendid.

In fact, I’ve come out of the class feeling completely blissful and chilled out. I feel like I’m smiling from inside for the first time in ages. It’s a wonderful feeling and having it has made me realise how long it is since I’ve felt like that.

The way our yoga class runs is that it’s an 8 week progressive course, but the courses run continuously so a new course starts every 8 weeks or so. New people join, old people drop out, old hands guard their mat territory like feral beasts (that’s just me then?) and we go back to basics again. I think this does us all good; I know that I pick up bad habits and it’s easy to slide into casually skipping through postures without thinking deeply about what you’re doing. This probably applies to more than just yoga and it’s maybe something I need to do a bit more through life in general. Maybe it’s something we all need to do.

In other news, I’ve finally discovered Garmin Connect. Whatever your feelings on Garmins, this appeals to my inner geek and makes far prettier graphs and maps than the training centre. I may even get brave and bore people with my (quite frankly embarassing) run stats, particularly since I’ve realised that I’m very coy about admitting what speed I go at (hint, it rhymes with ‘glow’. Very glow).

In wool news, I went to Whitby and sold a kidney to buy vast amounts of lovely but pricey yarn. So I now have 3 pending projects from the new wool pile, 1 planned from previous escapades, 3 half formed ideas, 1 half baked idea (thanks to a link on Beanz’s blog I now have a pattern for knitted cupcakes. It scares me how much this excites me) and lots of stray balls with no future plans. I must stop buying new wool.

So long dear friend!

marijolamarche — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:31:13 +0000

(Note: version française disponible à la page suivante)

For some, it’s just an ordinary bicycle or an old bike to get from point A to point B. A frame, 2 wheels, a fork, left on the side of the house, at the corner store or at the café, without supervision. Oh boy, really not the case with my bike!

My Felt, made of Scandium ( http://www.salsacycles.com/materials.html ) always sleeps inside the house. Brand new, he (definitely not a it) even spent a few nights in the bedroom with us. Beauty sleep for my little guy!

He now shares the hallway with his brother, Coachpat’s impressive replica of Team Garmin Slipstream’s Felt.

You can also guess that you will never see my bike on a rack, on top of my car. High speed, on the highway, no way! Paint, scratches, flies all over, forget it. Not a good combo.

Over the years, we really got to spend quality time together, like good friends. I have to admit that I got a crush on him when I first saw it (still talking about the bike!).

All black, there’s really nothing flashy about him, a low profile look that I love. But, with my pink San Marco saddle and pink handlebar tape, he’s got my subtle feminine touch…

So, last summer, sitting at a terrace, Pat told me the unthinkable:

“Your bike is way too big for you, that’s why your lower back hurts so much. Don’t worry, we’ll find you another one.”

Really did not expect that one! Didn’t see it coming either. A fool. At first, I thought he was kidding. Like he always does. But he kept on going.

Tears were coming out. Scared at the idea of having to let go of my precious bike.

Poor waitress, I can only imagine what she was thinking, watching me cry, while Pat was telling me that I’ll get over it, with time!

In my head, I kept saying “No, I’ll always keep him, even if we don’t fit. Don’t wanna see anybody else with him. Love him too much.”

“Aaaah, jealousy will get you nowhere”, Pat’s famous quote.

Inevitably, in order for my back to get better and to continue riding, I have to sell my Felt.

I feel sad but yet happy that someone else (still looking btw!) is going to enjoy such a sweet ride!

So long my Felt, thanks for the ride!

MjoXX

Link to my bike: http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/f484/bicycle-sale-felt-very-rare-team-colavita-scandium-52cm-386553.html

Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

bigsack22 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:24:53 +0000

Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT is a refurbished GPS. Refurbished generally means that the unit has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the navigator back to like new conditions. Some GPS may contain cosmetic blemishes.

Garmin’s nüvi 265WT improves upon its 200-series predecessors by adding free real-time traffic updates from Navteq (for the life of the device) as well as Bluetooth connectivity to your cell phone. Other significant improvements in the 2×5 series include a predictive technology that provides faster satellite lock, a redesigned screen with more information, terrain maps, and an exciting new photo navigation feature. The 265WT provides complete maps for North America and the handy Text-to-Speech feature, so you get turn-by-turn spoken directions with the real names of streets (e.g. “turn left in 50 feet at Nebraska Way”, rather than merely “turn left in 50 feet”).

The nüvi 2×5 models all sport the slim design that Garmin introduced with the 200-series last year, so they all fit comfortably in your pocket or purse, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that makes them convenient for navigation by car or foot. All of the models include useful travel tools like a JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. The 265WT also offers a wide 4.3-inch (diagonal) screen that displays 70% more of the road around you.

Cheap Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT

Today's To-Do List

mrsdevonk — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:56:10 +0000

Right now, I am unbelievably thankful that I am not in charge of making Thanksigiving Dinner for my family. I was laying in bed last night trying to think of everything I have to get done for the race tomorrow, and I got a wee little bit overwhelmed. Although we’re not “officially” getting off work early, it’s more than likely that boss man will send us home early. I’m banking on that today.

So here’s my to-do list for today:

Work 8:30 – 5:30 (which includes our office’s AWESOME Thanksgiving luncheon)
Laundry (Somehow, none of my running tights managed to wash themselves)
Pack a backpack for the Hubs to carry (PB sandwich, course map, Icy Hot, Tylenol, flip flops)
Get new batteries for my camera (this will probably mean a trip to the store)
Write a “Wishlist Wednesday” post
Print out course map
Write a post about the cake I baked last night
Set up coffee for tomorrow morning
Set up my rockin’ half-marathon playlist and synch my iPhone
Find my headphones
Prep my fuel belt (2 Gels, 1 pack sport beans, knee cream, half-water/half-gatorade in bottles
Lay out my outfit (tights, tshirt, sports bra, hat, socks, shoes, Garmin, bib, and chip)
I should probably figure out what I’m wearing to Thanksgiving Lunch/Dinner since its at 2.
Make sure Garmin is nice n’ charged
Watch Glee (Yes, this is absolutely necessary)

*updated as of 5:10 PM: So maybe I haven’t gotten a TON done since I got off work at 3, but I did get some quality time with my adorable nieces, Sofia and Ella.

*updated again as of 6:23 PM: Much more progress now that I’ve locked myself up in our bedroom. Woo hoo! Progress!

Am I forgetting anything? Okay, maybe I’m being a little OCD at this point. Just a little. I tend to get a little OCD and controlling when I’m nervous about an event. GAH! I’m running a half-marathon TOMORROW!

Before I go, it’s time for another Weather update:

Does "Cool Cars" Rule Block Wireless Signal? Cali Says No

Josie Garthwaite — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:09 +0000

A new rule in California meant to help keep vehicles cool in the sun (and thus cut the need for fuel-chugging air conditioners) could interfere slightly with signal reception for GPS devices, but probably won’t block most mobile phone signals. Those are some of the findings in a report released this month by the California Air Resources Board, which dug into the matter after gadget and car makers protested that metallic glazing required under the so-called Cool Cars initiative would block, or at least degrade, in-car wireless reception.

Set to phase in starting with the 2012 model year, the Cool Cars regulation comes as part of California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), which mandates a drop in greenhouse gas emissions for the state to 1990 levels by 2020. Noting that “reflective windows are known to attenuate electromagnetic waves,” ARB explains in its report that it researched ways to work around this problem and decided to allow a small portion to be removed from the glaze (a “deletion” window, pictured at left) where signals would be able to come through unhindered. Nice try, but not enough, said Garmin International, Toyota, Nissan and other companies in recent months.

ARB’s report on electromagnetic interference due to the required glazing looks at how GPS navigation units, cell phones and GPS ankle bracelets worn by some parolees performed in a small test (just a handful of vehicles in a limited area). The 30-page document includes three key points — GPS devices are the most likely among the devices to see a dent in their signal strength, while cell phones in urban areas with strong reception will be just fine, and parolees don’t have to worry about setting off false off-the-grid alarms for their monitoring officer when they drive. Or, as ARB put it:

“GPS navigation data revealed that GPS devices are impacted by reflective glazing, but that navigation accuracy was improved by placing the device or an external antenna in the deletion window.”
“Cell phone calls were not impacted in any way by the presence of reflective glazing. However, the cell phone test only evaluated the ability to make a phone call in an urban environment where cell phone signals are generally strong.”
“In total, these results indicate that there are no effects of reflective glazing, and thus the Cool Cars regulation, on GPS monitoring ankle bracelets or cell phone usage in an urban environment.”

But GPS devotees of California, take heart — you probably won’t be sent back to the dark ages of paper roadmaps anytime soon. Automakers also have an option to use other technologies besides the metallic glazing (ARB suggests solar reflective paints, passive or active ventilation systems, solar reflective or thermo-regulating materials, and vehicle insulation) if they can prevent the same amount of heat gain.

The ARB test found that the first phase of the Cool Cars initiative — which calls for glazing only on windshields (for prevention of 45 percent of solar heat gain) — leaves plenty of untreated window space for signals to come through. By 2016, when the second phase calling for treatments of side, rear and rooftop windows begins (for prevention of 60 percent solar heat gain), we expect something will give: California will backpedal on the rule (unlikely, given the state’s stance so far) or automakers and device makers will figure out a way to make it work in order to compete in the California market for location-based services (by 2013, the global market for these services is forecast to reach $75 billion). On balance, according to ARB statistics cited in the Detroit News, it would mean avoiding 700,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from vehicle emissions by 2020.

Photo credit California ARB

Garmin Nuvi 880

rahimawanis — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:52:00 +0000

Ever since the Garmin Nuvi 880 was announced at CES 2008, we’ve been excited to get our hands on this portable navigation system. Given the good track record of the other Nuvi series devices, we expected more of the same, solid feature list and good performance. However, we were most looking forward to taking its speech recognition capabilities out for a test drive. To be honest, we were a bit weary since we’ve tried other such-equipped GPS devices, including the Magellan Maestro 4250 and the TomTom GO 930, and while they worked, there weren’t the most accurate and the capabilities were limited. This isn’t so with the Nuvi 880. We were blown away at the accuracy of the speech recognition, the range of features you can use it with, and its overall ease of use. This, in combination with the navigation offerings, sleek design, and solid performance, makes it worthy of our Editors’ Choice award. The only downfall is that you’re going to pay for these features. The Garmin Nuvi 880 has a price tag of $ 1,071.41, but you can probably find it for a bit less online.

Design
Like the rest of the Nuvi series, the Garmin Nuvi 880 is sleek, compact, and simple. It measures 4.9 inches wide by 3.1 inches high by 0.7 inch deep and weighs 6.2 ounces for easy portability between vehicles. The small size also comes in handy when using the it outside of the car as an entertainment device or travel aid, since the Nuvi comes loaded with games and travel tools.

Another benefit is the Nuvi 880’s spacious 4.3-inch touch screen. With a 480×272-pixel resolution, the display is bright and easy to read, whether you’re reading maps or using the other features. You can adjust the screen’s brightness and there’s an automatic mode that switches the map colors for optimal viewing during the day or night. The touch screen was responsive to our commands, and the onscreen keyboard is available in QWERTY or ABC format. The keyboard is on the small side, so users with larger fingers might have some problems. The good news is that it has predictive text, so it will automatically pull up possible search results as soon as you start inputting a couple of letters.

The user interface and software is intuitive. All the icons and menus are clearly marked, and we found that you could pretty much figure out the basic operations just by playing with the device. However, for some advanced tasks such as planning a multidestination trip or setting up Bluetooth, you might want to consult the user manual.

On the left spine, you will find a 3.5mm headphone jack, a microSD expansion slot, and a mini USB port. There’s a power button on top, and the bottom of the unit holds an external antenna jack and power/cradle connector.

The Garmin Nuvi 880 comes packaged with a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), a car charger, a USB cable, a speech recognition remote control, and reference material. The vehicle mount is simple to install and attach, and it securely held the Nuvi 880 in our road tests. We found it interesting that there is a separate remote control for the speech recognition capabilities. On other systems with this technology, it is simply built into the device. The control consists of on and off buttons to activate the feature, and a rubber strap so you can attach it to some place in your car, such as the steering wheel. It’s a bit of an eyesore, but we’re willing to overlook this minor inconvenience since the accuracy of the speech recognition capabilities are the best we’ve seen to date (see Performance for more).

Features
The Garmin Nuvi 880 comes preloaded with City Navigator NT maps of North America and millions of points of interest. Perhaps the biggest highlight, though, is its speech recognition capabilities. We’ve seen this technology in other systems, such as the Magellan Maestro 4250 and TomTom GO 930, but the Nuvi 880 is the most impressive with the breadth of its capabilities and accuracy. In all, you can use voice commands to perform 30 functions, including entering addresses, adjusting the system volume, activating the hands-free speaker system, playing/stopping the music player, viewing the trip computer, and accessing MSN Direct services.

To start planning a trip, whether by using your voice or the touch screen, you can enter a specific address, choose a POI, or select a location from the Recently Found or Favorites list. The Nuvi 880 can store up to 500 favorites/locations. In addition, it supports multidestination trips and you can add waypoints on the fly. You have your choice of three route preferences (faster time, shorter distance, or off-road) and three usage modes (automobile, bicycle, or pedestrian). You can avoid certain road types if you choose, such as toll roads and highways. There’s also a detour function if you want to avoid a certain part of the given route and if you happen to get off track, the Nuvi 880 can do automatic route recalculations. If you don’t need guidance, you can just have the Nuvi track your movements by tapping View Map.

continue

Voici un GPS téléphone

ntambu89 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:42:48 +0000

C’est une première.

Garmin, en partenariat avec Asus, lance un terminal hybride alliant des services de géolocalisation à un téléphone tactile de 3,5 pouce. Les marchés des GPS autonomes se retrouvent face à une concurrence sévère. Ce petit oeuvre d’art, répondant au nom de Nüvifone, a déjà été presenté à la presse française.

Le Nüvifone n’est pas juste un GPS ou un téléphone mais un appareil qui est censé proposer des services géolocalisés en fonction de l’endroit où se trouve l’utilisateur ou du lieu où il souhaite se rendre.

Garmin entend même créer un nouveau segment de marché, celui des “navigation phone”. Le but de ce marché sera de faire converger les fonctions d’un téléphone d’un GPS et de la géolocalisation. Mais l’entrée de ce petit engin dans le marché ne sera pas aisée car la concurrence est vive. Notamment dans le secteur de la téléphonie mobile. Quels arguments le Nüvifone pourra-t-il avancer pour pouvoir concurrencer le succès incroyable des smartphones qui sont capables d’apporter ponctuellement une solution GPS et dont le prix est déjà en baisse.

Le Nüvifone n’attire d’ailleurs pas particulièrement le regard. Il est costaud et épais. Il se distingue fort de la majorité des smartphones au profit bien plus affiné. L’extérieur ainsi que son intérieur sont plus proche d’un GPS que d’un téléphone mobile. Le Nüvifone ne peut se mettre en avant par son style, qui manque d’originalité et de singularité, mais par la qualité du matériau utilisé.

La navigation est intuitive et efficace. La fonction GPS est équivalent à celle d’un GPS autonome et le principal de géolocalisation est très bien intégré. L’appareil affiche des résultats de recherches très rapidement. Mais l’appareil ne peut lire ni audio et phone, ni aucune vidéo.