Posts Tagged ‘gps systems’

The GPSMAP 60Cx is part of the most popular Garmin GPS navigation series. This is a mid-range GPS navigation system that is ideal for hiking, hunting and boating. The Garmin GPSMAP 60 series runs from a grayscale version below $200 to a full color version with an electronic compass and barometric altimeter for $399. This updated version was so popular that they discontinued the 60C entirely in favor of the new device.

Compared to the original Garmin GPSMAP 60, this next version up has 256 color display (instead of 4 color grayscale), a removable microSD memory card to handle more intricate navigator maps and has a high-sensitivity receiver that is reliable in deep canyons, indoors or under dense foliage. Additionally, you’ll receive tide tables and have the ability to add custom points of interest, as well as store 1,000 favorite waypoints (instead of the GPSMAP 60s usual 500). The most basic Garmin 60 can be found for as low as $191.60 at www.amazon.com, whereas the new and improved 60Cx will be a bit more, retailing as low as $219 at Top Choice Digital online or as high as $319.

Many people using the GPSMAP 60Cx notice immediately the improved reception and the improved quality of the maps, compared to the older units. Because there is an external SD memory card for the 60Cx, detailed MapSource maps can be loaded. You’ll receive the Americas auto-route base map with highways, exits, tide information and marina points. Other map products can then be purchased separately, such as BlueChart, CityNavigator, Topo24K and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. While you’re driving, you’ll get turn-by-turn directions and when you’re hiking, you’ll have a trip odometer to calculate the speed of your progress.

Your GPSMAP 60Cx will come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. If your GPS navigation system needs a repair, then there is an additional 90-day repair warranty as well. Their website also has a great tech help section for new users who are tired of navigating their handbooks. Customer service is one of the things that Garmin prides itself on, and since the company is such an industry leader, you will find the most accessories and supporting services with this name brand.

The Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx is a great mid-range, hand-held site navigation device. It’s a little heavier than the cheapest or most expensive Garmins, but it still floats, if need be. It comes with a 128 microSD card and is geocaching/game friendly. Compared to your bare bones GPS, you’ll get a barometric altimeter, an electronic compass, turn-by-turn directions, tide tables, a high-sensitivity receiver, which will give you reception even in those remote areas, and custom points of interest.

The Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx retails around $535.70, but can be found for as low as $191.50 at www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com or $339 at www.zappos.com. Compared to the $249 Garmin GPSMAP 60, this upgraded version comes with three important new features. First, the new SiRFSTARIII chip set has received wide acclaim for its ability to beam signals under canopies, around buildings, down into canyons and in typically hard-to-reach places. Secondly, this new Garmin model has traded in the dated internal memory system for a microSD card slot that can be upgraded instead, giving you unlimited storage capacity and the ability to use any new map software that comes out. Thirdly, the 60CSx comes with an electronic compass and barometric altimeter that the GPSMap 60CS doesn’t even have.

There are many pros to the GPSMAP 60CSx. The microSD card with improved storage ensures that your device will be able to load more complex maps and perform valuable auto-routing tasks. If you’re heading over to a European country, then you can simply buy that map set and plug right in easily. You can also download your track logs onto your PC through a USB connection, which can also charge the device. Secondly, the maps are displayed and redrawn much quicker than previous versions. For instance, a map drawn using the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS will be 2.4-2.8 times slower than with the 60CSx! This is important when you’re changing zoom levels, as the details change, and also when you’re scrolling or panning across your map. Older site navigation devices may occasionally show blank screens as you pan across the map, unable to draw in real-time, whereas the newer version can move perfectly. Lastly, the points of interest feature is much better on the 60CSx because you can load as many points as you like onto your SDcard, you can define categories using icons, you can add proximity warnings and you can write longer names, as well as descriptions.

There aren’t many glitches or problems associated with the GPSMAP 60CSx, but as with any technical gadget, you may occasionally run into something. A few times, your GPS navigation system won’t reach a fix within a few seconds, so you’ll need to turn it off and back on again to reset. Additionally, even though you save the same amount of points in your track log, the newer model will use more memory for some reason. There was an early altimeter bug that has since been fixed with firmware version 2.7. Sometimes the “find by name” in the points of interest doesn’t work either. Even so, Garmin has been working on improvements and the 60CSx is still one of the most highly rated GPS devices you can buy.

The wide selection of handheld GPS units is often intimidating for people. With so many different types and styles to choose from it can seem difficult to get the best one. Fortunately if you take a little time to research the features you need narrowing down your choices can be very simple. Handheld GPS units have seen many innovations over the years since their introduction. While this is the case there is still not much difference in the various menus and screens that you find with the assorted handheld GPS units.

Tips For Picking The Right Model

When selecting which model will best meet your needs it will have more to do with the extra features that are offered. You will want to individually consider all the features out there and decide which ones is the best match for your lifestyle. The features of a particular handheld GPS unit are usually included with a certain type of user in mind. For example those designed to be used by outdoor enthusiasts will usually be waterproof and offer features like an electronic compass and tough exterior.

You should choose a handheld GPS unit that can be updated. Maps and routes are constantly being changed and you want a unit that will give you the most current information. Units that features removable memory are updated easily. Another thing you will want to decide is whether you want color or black and white display for your handheld GPS unit. Black and white models are usually less expensive. Color models will usually have a better interface and clearer images. Before you make your final decision it is a good idea to really look carefully at display models for both types. This will let you know if the clarity offered by a black and white screen will meet your needs.

The games GPS gadgets offer may seem primitive at first glance. While cell phones and computer games have embraced new technology and offered thousands of options, what can you really do with GPS systems? There are some of the run-of-the-mill offerings like Poker or Sudoku, but the idea behind GPS games is to get families into the great outdoors, racing against other families in a thrilling competition. They call this “geocaching” or sometimes “geodashing,” which has become one of the uses for GPS navigation systems that is a lot of fun.

GPS games include cheesy arcade style things like “Gekoids Dodge” or “Virtual Maze.” However, the Garmin GPS navigation systems have now added more popular games like Poker, Solitaire, Sudoku, Brick Breaker, Rock Slide, Boxing and Space Shooter, which works with the Nuvi 850, 880 and Monster 5000. Most of the new games GPS are offered for free, while some cost anywhere from $5 each to $20 for a VIP package. To purchase, check out www.mygpsgames.com, where you can download the unlocked codes.

If you have ever watched “The Amazing Race,” then you’ve got the concept of the increasingly popular Geocaching games GPS has to play. Teams or individuals will receive sets of coordinates and will race from waypoint to waypoint, performing different tasks at each location and competing for prizes. In their ventures, seekers often find hidden containers with inexpensive toys, keepsakes or items and log books; they then replace the item with something new and record their name in the log. To find hosting in your area, check out www.geocaching.com to see if one of the 673,265 geocaches can be found near you.

Social networking has also reached the world of GPS devices. In addition to participating in some of the games GPS has to play, like “geocaching” and “geodashing,” you can also share your experiences of particular locations with others. At www.mscape.com, you can access games, music, images, text, videos, animations, narratives and games that are embedded in your location! You can then create your own mediascape or modify an existing one as well! To access these amazing interactive navigator maps, you’ll just visit the site, download the free software, connect your GPS to your PC, copy the player and starter mediascape onto your navigation device, start the player and head outside to play!

Are you looking for the top selling GPS units in North America? It can be confusing if you’re new to GPS systems because there are so many different series, maps and features! Your best bet is to start by checking out some of the top brands like Garmin, TomTom, Magellan and Navignon. Often you can get software upgrades for older devices, although you can’t upgrade your unit to play satellite radio if the components aren’t there, so it’s important that you consider where you’ll be using your Global Positioning System and what you will expect from it.

“Garmin is founded on the principles of innovation, convenience, performance, value, and service,” proclaims the company website. In fact, Garmin, which has been around since 1989, is the most well-known North American brand name in Global Positioning Systems today. Based out of Kansas, no part of the manufacturing process gets outsourced, as the company designs, manufactures, markets and sells all of their products themselves. They offer GPS navigation systems for all different lifestyles, such as fitness-based systems, automotive GPS systems, systems for hikers or campers, aviation technology, marine technology and site navigation for geocachers.

There are a number of Garmin GPS systems to choose from for your automobile. The low-end Garmins are the 200 Series, which still offer color displays, 6 million points of interest and voice-prompted directions. The Garmin nuvi 350 (starting at $169 at Circuit City) is an incredibly popular device, which is called “a Personal Travel Assistant that combines a GPS navigator, language translator and travel guide capability, an MP3 player, an audio book player, a currency and measurement converter, a world clock and a digital photo organizer.” Instead of prompts like “turn left in 100 feet,” you’ll get “turn left on Main Street.” The Garmin 600 series add a number of exciting features: the 650 adds music streaming capacity, improved graphics, entertainment functions and a larger 4.3″ display; the 660 adds live traffic; the 670 adds European maps; and the 680 adds MSN Direct services with weather, fuel prices and movie times. The nuvi 760 adds multi-destination routing and track logs.

Commuters might like the Dash Express GPS, which displays crowd-sourced traffic data and allows live internet searches to find the best way around traffic jams. Boaters might like the Lowrance iWay 600C’s marine navigation mode with point-to-point navigation and satellite imagery. Hikers, campers and hunters can try the Magellan CrossoverGPS, while the Mio Digiwalker H610 works best for pedestrians and bicyclists. Garmin seems to be top dog for automobile GPS systems, although the TomTom ONE XL 330-S and Magellan Maestro have also made the top 10 list.

A Garmin GPSMAP can be used by motorists, bicyclists, hikers and mariners. The crossover GPS devices are usually smaller, which allow for hand-held capacity, especially when compared to the bulkier nuvi automobile models. The navigator maps can range greatly too, as some are in color and some are black-and-white. As well, some are equipped with customizable points of interest, some aren’t; some have 16 hour batteries, some with 28 hour; some with automatic routing and games, some without.

Garmin knew that active individuals needed a reliable crossover device to help them navigate their way. In this world of James Bond caliber adventure, we find ourselves traveling by various modes in our pursuits. At the very beginning of the Garmin line of GPS maps, there are aviation navigator maps for pilots to travel by land, air and sea, such as the GPSMAP 96 or 196, for example. From those basic grey-scale models, Garmin has advanced to full-color portable devices like the GPSMAP 495 and 496, adding airport maps, pre-loaded maps, 3,000 favorite locations, traffic information services, voice prompts, satellite radio and weather.

The Garmin GPSMAP 276c is “the perfect navigator for water or land,” according to the Garmin website. This portable GPS navigation device comes in color with a sunlight-readable display monitor. A built-in auto-routing base map allows you the ability to plot a course along interstates and highways if you’re driving; while the course deviation indicator lets you know if your boat is off course. If you plan on doing a lot of driving with your Garmin GPSMAP, you can buy the automotive kit with the City Navigator maps and mount, which loads detailed street maps onto your device and allows voice prompted turn-by-turn directions. You’ll have access to more than six million restaurants, hotels, gas stations and other destinations. The 276c is also compatible with Blue Chart marine maps, which provide more detail for your high seas adventures.

If you’re not much of an outdoors person, but you fancy yourself more of a road warrior, then Garmin GPS devices has something for everyone in their car navigator models. The 200 series Garmin GPSMAP (which includes the 200, 250, 260 and 270) has a 3.5″ screen and internal antenna. Next there is the 200W series (200W, 250W and 260W), which is the same as the 200 series but with a larger 4.3″ screen. The Garmin 2×5 Series (205, 205W, 255 and 255W) adds live traffic reports via MSN Direct and also includes that nice, larger 4.3″ screen. The 500 Series include crossover models good for hiking, cycling and boating, as well as driving. The 700 series adds anti-theft, multiple-destination routing and entertainment functions. The 800 series adds voice recognition, lane assist and 3-D buildings. The 300 Series and 600 Series, though you can still find them online, have been discontinued; while each step was celebrated at the time with a new series, the newer models include all those features and more, so Garmin is simplifying their line.