September 2, 2010

Garmin Nuvi 1695 - NuLink connected GPS - 5-Inch screen, Google Search, Traffic

Garmin just announced the new Nuvi 1695, an updated connected GPS device that has a 5-inch screen. The Nuvi is connected to Garmin's branded NuLink! service, that includes data such as realtime traffic, Google Local Search, weather, fuel prices, flight status and more. They threw in a few more NuThings like NuRoute technology which offers you trafficTrends and MyTrends; two routing features that help you route around known traffic issues and allows the Nuvi to learn from your driving habits and preferred routes, giving it Yoda-like intelligence.

"The nüLink! 1695 is designed to give drivers a full variety of accurate, up-to-the-minute information that they can access quickly, on a full-size, 5-inch touchscreen display," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "When you add the power of Google Local Searches and nüRoute historical information, the nüLink! 1695 delivers the ultimate navigation experience."

The Nuvi 1695 comes loaded with information n board like phone listings and millions of Points of Interest, but also gives you the ability to access NuLink white pages and look up people and their phone number and street address. Pretty handy.

"The Garmin nüLink! traffic feature provides the best-in-class information from NAVTEQ™, a world leader in premium-quality mapping, to help customers navigate in and around congestion. "

The Nuvi 1695 also comes with available NEXRAD radar giving you insight into impending storms. This is something I've been waiting for in an auto format since Garmin launched an Aviation/Auto combo unit (GPSMAP 496) back in 2006.

The Nuvi 1695 also comes with several other features carried over to round out the offering:

Bluetooth Handsfree

Lane Assist with Junciton View of complex intersections to make on route decision making easier.

Text to Speech - says street names

ecoRoute - to help you document your mileage and save gas

Expected to be available this month, the Nuvi 1695 will retail for a street price of $449; the first year of Garmin nüLink! is free, and after that, the subscription renewal price for data services is $5.00/month.

Full Press Release after the jump......

Continue reading: "Garmin Nuvi 1695 - NuLink connected GPS - 5-Inch screen, Google Search, Traffic"

September 2, 2010

Garmin Nuvi 2200 and 2300 Series - Affordable and feature packed

Garmin is pushing out a new pair of Nuvi lines that offer a lot of capability in a package targeted at a lower price. These Nuvis can help save time and money according to Garmin through smarter traveling on multi-stop routes and with their ecoRoute feedback to offer more economical driving patterns. All models include text to speech capabilities and millions of points of interest.

Nuvi 2200 Series - 3.5-inch screen
incorporates MyTrends - a new smart learning system that learns about your favorite desintations and the routes you like to drive on, offering a smarter way to travel. The ecoRoute capabilities are available to help offer you the green feedback to help you save gas by driving more economical routes in a more eco-friendly way.

2200 - standard screen display, maps of the US (48 state) plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and the Cayman Islands
2250 - adds maps of Mexico.
2250LT - Adds Lifetime Traffic "LT"

Nuvi 2300 Series - 4.3-inch screens
Offering a widescreen view, these units come with MyTrends and ecoRoute also, while offering some higher end features that round out the line.

2300 - widescreen display, maps of the US (48 state) plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and the Cayman Islands
2350 - widescreen, adding Mexican maps.
2350LT - Adds lifetime traffic "LT"
2360LT - Adds Bluetooth Handsfree and lifetime traffic "LT" and the ability to tap into ecoRoute HD - a module that taps into the diagnostics port on your car and gives detailed performance feedback on driving habits.

Full Press Release after the jump.....

Continue reading: "Garmin Nuvi 2200 and 2300 Series - Affordable and feature packed"

September 1, 2010

Traveling Labor Day Weekend? 6 Tips to Help Avoid Traffic

If you are traveling at all this long weekend, you will probably hit some traffic. With a little work, you can either plan ahead and know what you are getting into, or see the traffic situation and plan to route around it. It's not hard, here are a couple of tips to make traveling a little easier.

1. Check out conditions at Beat the Traffic in most major metro areas. They use Inrix data for some pretty detailed accounts of roadway slowdowns. You can elect to sign up for a two week free trial for their service that will allow you to plan your regularly used routes and get updates. They also have an iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and "mobile" set of solutions to help you while you are on the road.

2. Use Traffic.com's solution to plan a route and see what the traffic conditions are before you leave. they can recommend alternates for you to consider that will make the trip faster. Type in your starting and ending addresses for turn by turn directions. At Traffic.com - It's free.

3. Download the Inrix App for iPhone or Android where you can see traffic around you while on the road. I use this in combination with a GPS to get me around the worst spots: See trouble, pan the Inrix Map to see the last exit before the congestion, use the GPS to find my way around the issue to pop back on teh highway after the back-up. (Co-pilot recommended)

4. Get a traffic Enabled iPhone Navigation App - they are not that expensive and then you add on traffic as an option. Two I like are the TomTom (iTunes Link) and Navigon. TomTom US costs $49, and has an in App Traffic subscription for $20. Navigon has a Regional option (MyRegion) for only $29 and an annual traffic subscription (in App Purchase) for $20 also. Both give you traffic in and around major metro areas. I like having an iPhone navigation app because it's with me all of the time. These Apps download the maps so they don't need connectivity for navigation but do for traffic updates.

5. Buy a traffic enabled GPS - there are a ton out there, but two that are worth checking out are the TomTom XL 335TM (widescreen, text to speech, lifetime free map updates and traffic alerts - $129 right now), and the brand new Garmin Nuvi 3790T (super slim new design, landscape or portrait views, multi-touch display with advanced features and free traffic updates). Again these traffic updates are for most major metro areas and download over the FM band, so they are a little less detailed, but cover major roadways.

UPDATE: THURSDAY ONLY - Amazon Deal of the Day: TomTom XL 335T for $119 - Lifetime Traffic updates, but not lifetime map updates.

6. Leave in the middle of the night - way less fun; I recommend one of the other options.

August 31, 2010

Grab a GPS for Labor Day Road Trip

I wanted to highlight a few GPS units that might help you out this weekend if you are hitting the road. I have been offering advice on some cheaper units that can help out wayward travelers looking for a good deal. You can always venture into Refurbs for the best deal, but some are not interested in the risk.

Garmin Nuvi 255W - widescreen go-to unit that is right-priced at $119 at BestBuy right now as well as Amazon. See my review for more information but the unit covers most needs with a good set of features, namely widescreen, good maps and text to speech. And no, this unit isn't part of the recall.

TomTom Widescreen Best Bets Depending on the outlet:
At Amazon - The TomTom XL 325S
- a widescreen text to speech unit offering maps of the US. On sale for $114.

At BestBuy - TomTom XL 335 LE - Widescreen, Text to Speech unit that should be available for store pick-up (backordered online) - Price is $129

Safe travels.....

August 27, 2010

Garmin Edge 800 New Touchscreen Bike Computer

Garmin has announced a great looking new Edge 800 GPS based touchscreen bike computer that looks to be a big step up in capabilities, notable adding Birdseye satellite imagery and touchscreen capabilities. The Edge 800 interacts with Garmin Basecamp software where you can plan rides and then download them to the Edge 800. If your ride partners have a wireless capable GPS, you can then beam the route to them via Garmi's wireless sharing feature. Compatible Fitness units include the Edge 705 and 605, along with the Garmin Oregon series, Dakota 20 and the older Colorado series handheld units.

I use a Colorado 400t when biking to which I have added City Navigator NT maps so I can navigate roads. Sure it's big, but it handles on and off road biking nicely. With a heart rate monitor and a handlebar mount I can ride, explore and always navigate home. This summer I have been using the Birdseye satellite imagery when I ride and have found that I have come to depend on it. The experience is much better when I can navigate across roads with the satellite imagery versus the regular City NT street maps. The context gives you a better sense of what's around you and where you are in your ride. I see the addition of the Birdseye imagery as a positive step for the Edge series.

On top of the Birdseye satellite imagery, the Edge 800 will come with a long list of capabilities that people have come to expect on a bike computer. The Edge 800 accurately tracks speed, distance, time, GPS position, elevation, calories burned, climb and descent. The Edge 800 syncs with garmin Heart Rate Monitors, and cadence sensors plus third party power meters all through their ANT+ wireless technology. Further, the Edge 800 has a barometric altimeter for extra sensitive ascent and descent readings.

You Mountain bike? Add TOPO maps for a good offroad look and feel of where you are going. Yea it will work and bring back all the data you'd come to expect.

Available for $449 in a standalone model, and a $649 bundle that adds City Navigator NT street maps, their new Heart Rate Monitor strap and cadence sensors.

Read an early review by BikeRadar and see the Garmin Product Page for the Edge 800

Read More in: Fitness GPS | Garmin GPS News

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August 26, 2010

Garmin Edge 705 Bundle On Sale - $519 @ REI

I am a pretty avid biker, mostly road biking but a fair amount of mountain biking too. When I reviewed the Edge 705, I thought it was a data hound's dream. Mapping, data capture and the ability to easily see all kinds of information at your fingertips; speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, and climb and descent.

Once you ride, you can come back, download the ride to your computer and participate in the Garmin Connect Community; share rides, track your training and more.

REI has a Labor Day Sale on Starting TOMORROW for a Garmin 705 Deluxe Bundle - Heart Rate Monitor, wireless Cadence monitor, Street Maps for the US, and a pair of mounts (Road and mountain Bike!). The Price is $519, down from $649.

At REI

Garmin Nuvi Recall Information - Some 200W, 250W, 260W and 7XX Units

Yes, it's true, Garmin has a recall on for some units from the following model numbers: 200W, 250W, 260W and the 7XX series (where the XX are two numbers). The recall stems form a battery issue from one of their suppliers where the battery can overheat. The recall will include up to 1.3 million units.

Garmin has a special recall page set up to check if your model is in the batch of units that are being recalled by looking up the serial number.

If your Nuvi is one that has the problem battery, you can print out a shipping label, ship it back to Garmin where they will insert a new battery, and return the unit to you.

More information at Garmin Nuvi Recall

August 25, 2010

Cobra 7750 Platinum - Tricked out GPS For Truckers

Cobra has been doing their homework and rolled a long list of features into their new GPS for Truckers, the Cobra 7750 Platinum GPS. Not only does it include classic consumer capabilities like junction views, lane assist, and multi-point routing, but it also includes a long list of truck specific capabilities.

Extensive map coverage for truckers offering state milage log, truck Points of Interest (major travel service centers with amenity listings), commercial service information for help with mechanical issues, multiple routing options based on truck type and load including 30 restriction types and more.

The unit has a 7-inch screen and retails for a suggested price of $499. It should be available in travel centers by October 1 according their website.

More at the Cobra 7750 Platinum Product Page on the Cobra Website

August 24, 2010

Win a Garmin Nuvi 3790T - Top of the Line GPS

Garmin is giving away a Garmin Nuvi 3790T beginning this week for the next 5 weeks. We've got the Nuvi 3790T in for review, and from what I can tell, you want to win this GPS. Advanced, sleek, and very capable.

To Enter:
1) Follow @Garmin on Twitter (While you're at it, follow us too. - won't help in the contest, but it's always good to hear from GPSLodge right?)
2) Retweet their weekly message from the Olathe HQ - this week it's #SlimGarmin3790
3) Check their tweets on Friday and Retweet the key phrase to enter for the next week (contest resets every week)
4) Two winners per week.
5) Full Details - Garmin Blogs

Chances look pretty good - by my count there are a little over 600 people entered so far.

August 22, 2010

Garmin Nuvi 3790T - Arrives for Review; Unboxing Video

The Garmin Nuvi 3790T was part of the 3700 series announcement back in the spring, and sits prominently at the top of the Garmin Nuvi line. The Nuvi 3790T offers all of the features you'd expect to have at the top of a GPS line including traffic, text to speech, Bluetooth handsfree capability, advanced lane guidance, as well as a new feature that offers to learn your driving habits to locations you frequent.

The MyTrends feature starts to learn your shortcuts and driving routes so that the Nuvi 3790T becomes smarter the more you drive with it. We'll be testing it out over the coming weeks and get a full review up soon.

The multi-touch screen allows you to zoom and pan like you do on an iPhone, you can name your Nuvi so it will recognize when you are talking to it and issuing a few voice commands, and it will auto-switch from portrait to landscape view depending on your preference. The Nuvi Mount also has an internal amplified speaker to give you louder and clearer commands while driving.

In the meantime, check out our unboxing video for a look at the device and some of the features too.

The Garmin 3700 series is now shipping at Amazon:

Garmin Nuvi 3750 - Super Thin, 4.3-inch screen, MyTrends
Garmin Nuvi 3760T - Adds Free Lifetime Traffic, Bluetooth
Garmin Nuvi 3790T - Adds Voice Command and 3D Buildings Display

More Garmin Nuvi 3700 Series Information

For More Information see the Garmin Nuvi 3700 series mini-site or the compare the Garmin Nuvi 3700 Series at the Garmin website.

Read More in: GPS Reviews | Garmin GPS Reviews

Scott Martin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

Trouble with Electronics in the Wild

It's hard to keep in mind that all of these gadgets can get you into trouble as well as getting you out of trouble. Having a GPS in hand while traveling the backcountry isn't so bad, but being able to use it is better. What's even better than that? Having a map and compass as a back-up.

In an article today, the Boston Globe details a few mishaps due to over-use or over-reliance on technology. Some of it is just plain stupidity. while not all of their anecdotes point to a GPS, it is a good reminder to keep a good head on your shoulders, respect nature and use back-up systems when electronics sit between you and difficult consequences.

Ten things to keep in mind when going on a hike with a GPS

Make sure you know how to use the GPS and how to return to your starting point. Mark your starting point, lodge, ranger station and car with waypoints that are named correctly. It will make navigating back to them easier.
Make sure everyone knows how to navigate using the GPS. Don't be the only one.
Bring extra batteries for all of the electronics.
Bring a map and compass - and better yet, know how to use them. If needed bring a tour book/ trail book - they can summarize the trail system and offer tips on local shelters if needed.
Plan your hike and hike your plan. (Ripped that off from when I took SCUBA classes) When planning, it's important to know what you are getting into; trail types, weather exposure, vertical ascent, overall distance, water crossings are all things to consider when matching the hike to the group's capabilities.
Leave that hike plan with someone. If you don't show back up, they will know where to start looking.... because you hiked that plan right? Leave a copy of the plan in your car at the trailhead if not with another person.
Bring the right clothing, water and food; and then some extra. When we hike the White Mountains, I am reminded to be humble when I recall the book "Not Without Peril " which details how under-prepared, and/or over-egoed trekers got into trouble in the Presidential Range and died. I can't tell you how many people I see walking up Mt Washington in shorts and a T-Shirt swinging a 20 ounce bottle as they hike.... wait a minute, I think that's also a chapter in the book.
Know when to turn back - just because you planned to summit, doesn't mean that you have to when there are people in your party who clearly can't make it or the weather turns bad.
Bring a first aid kit; they can be small enough to fit in a Day Pack pocket and still be of good use on a hike.
Have fun - GPS units can make hiking a lot more reliable and accessible when used smartly. It's made hiking a lot more enjoyable and safe for us. As a result we are out hiking even more.

More on that article at the Boston Globe

Some of my favorite Handheld GPS units are: The Garmin eTrex Legend HCx, The Garmin Dakota 20, The Garmin Oregon 400t, the new Garmin GPSMap 62St, the Delorme PN-40 and the new Delorme PN-60W

Read More in: GPS Missteps | Handheld GPS Reviews

Scott Martin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

August 18, 2010

JiWire - People Want Discounts While on the Go with Location Based Apps

Following up on my post yesterday, is some confirmation that there is a large audience of users out there who want and are open to discounts while on the go through their mobile phones. The discounts would be delivered through Location based Services - from Apps to ads on their mobile phones.

JiWire is reporting that 39% of mobile users find discounts as the most appealing ads while on the go are discount coupons. Ads that are location specific, and targeted offer immediate, relevant and actionable opportunities that matter to consumers.

Some highlights:

A majority of users want location specific ads
36% of the on-the-go audience are interested in receiving locaiton based ads about stores that are close to them
47% of men and 40% of women said that they were more likely to engage in an ad if it was relevant to their location
While 57% of 25-34 year olds would share their location for more relevant ads, only 24% of 65+ would - not surprising, but dramatically different nonetheless.

"The context of a location, rather than just a point on a map, provides the most relevant understanding of a consumer," said David Staas, senior vice president of marketing at JiWire. "People today are demanding much more localized content as they spend more time on the go, creating a great opportunity for advertisers. Just as brands were challenged with how to 'socialize' themselves in the social media space, today brands need to think about how to 'localize' themselves with their consumers."

As Apps like Fourquare, Facebook (pending), and Gowalla move to offer location specific merchandising and discounts, their market might will continue to rise given the receptivity outlined from the jiWire results. What will be more impressive is when generic ads start becoming more and more obviously location specific in their execution to capitalize on these findings.

Top Location-Based Applications

GPS/Google Maps
Google
Yelp
Facebook
Foursquare
Weather
Around Me
Wi-Fi Finder
Restaurant Finder
Yahoo!
Urban Spoon
Twitter
Where
Poynt
Tripadvisor

All data - source - JiWire - Q2 2010

More at JiWire

August 17, 2010

Facebook - Location Based Social Capabilities

According to a few sources including All things D, Facebook is expected to announce location based services and networking tomorrow. Beyond the "I am here" while posting capability, the idea that you could roll in some Foursquare and Gowalla fun to the launch is interesting. While Facebook is fairly well understood by many to be the social app that kills all other social apps, Foursquare and Gowalla are not as well known.

Foursquare and Gowalla are social "games" that allow you to "Check in" at various locations, businesses, parks, etc using a mobile phone that is GPS enabled. You score points for that check-in and can leave tips, notes or comments about the business, while showing off to your friends your coolness by hitting all the latest locales. Both games have feeds to your Facebook page so you can show off there too. If you are the leader in checking in at a particular location, you can become the "Mayor" of that business, gaining you a special badge in the game and sometimes a discount offered only to the mayor.

Business Driver - Finally

Location based ads have been in the dreams of many futurists. Finally, there is some location based business developments that are worth paying attention to.

Foursquare has been somewhat successful at getting businesses to offer coupons to visitors who check in there. I recently got 3 cones for $3 at a Ben and Jerry's when the regular price was about $3 each. I didn't plan on stopping by there on a hot afternoon, but while checking in somewhere else, I got a pop-up that indicated that there was an offer nearby. Great way to advertise a business on there. With over 100 million "Check-ins" and an ad deal with Bravo TV, Foursquare isn't just some CrApp that can be tossed in the trash, and appears to be on its way to the mainstream among a younger audience.

Last weekend, The Gap offered all users of Foursquare who Checked In a 25% discount on merchandise. Pretty good for the Gap and pretty good for Foursquare users.

Facebook Advantage - Scale, Established Relationships

With Facebook wading into location based social networking, there has to be an element of social ranking among strangers and friends in the new features. The advantage for Facebook would be that thousands of businesses already have a relationship with their service offering a Facebook Page where they can post information about their locations, hours of operation and details about products and services creating a stronger relationship with their customers. With a half a billion people using the application/service worldwide, Facebook is a great place to reach potential users of your service, especially if local offers are rolled into the capabilities.

Look for a crush of media reaction tomorrow if/when this rolls out.

Ride Along Video: Mapping With NAVTEQ

Boston.com did a quick video on mapping with a NAVTEQ truck this morning, and in there you get an idea of what the work might be like. I rode along with a TeleAtlas van a few years ago and saw the power of these mapping vehicles, from their sophisticated GPS tracking capabilities to track which lane you rode in to the cameras that captured the road signs all being stored in the onboard servers.

Mapping and data collection has come a long way, and is not without controversy, as Google is embroiled in a struggle with an ever growing list of organizations and governments over its StreetView capabilities as it maps new roads and captures street level images as it goes.

August 16, 2010

Write on Google Earth with GPS Logger - Read Ayn Rand

So I liked Atlas Shrugged, but I don't think I would drive over 12,000 miles to "write" Read Ayn Rand with a GPS Logger ticking away the miles so I could display my passion for the author on Google Earth, but that's what Nick Newcomen did recently. He's a fan and wants to urge others to read the influential author's works. You can view it in Google Earth yourself at his site.

He used a Qstarz BT-Q1000X data logger, switching it on and off as he drove to write the letters. Starting in Texas, he wrote "RAND" first according to Wired. Glad he's a fan, I wonder if he drove through Galt's Gulch in Colorado on his trip?

More at Wired