GPS Technology Reviews for news, guides and reviews of GPS hardware, software and services including Handheld GPS, Outdoor GPS, GPS PDA, GPS Phones and Auto GPS Navigators

Garmin has been designing GPS equipment since 1990 - which is a considerable timeframe for the relatively new GPS consumer market. Garmin’s products are well worth considering if you’re looking for the best car gps system for your money.

The C310 Garmin StreetPilot GPS Automotive Navigation System is the entry level model of Garmin’s C300 StreetPilot Series. The C310 has a 12 parallel channel WAAS enabled (which improves accuracy to about 3m) GPS receiver. In 2003 Garmin was actually first with a WAAS/GPS navigation certified integrated avionics unit. The GPS receiver is rated as having warm and cold acquisition times of approximately 15 seconds and 45 seconds respectively. The StreetPilot C310 has an internal GPS antenna however, it also has an MCX-type connector for hooking up an optional external GPS antenna.

The StreetPilot C310 has a 3.5” transflective TFT touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. It displays 64K colors and has an LED backlight. 2D and 3D perspective views are available for viewing maps. The touchscreen is used exclusively for GPS operation with an on/off switch and rotary volume control knob being the only other controls. The unit can be color customized with separately purchased color faceplates. For clear voice prompts the StreetPilot C310 has dual integrated speakers.

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Garmin has been designing GPS equipment since 1990 - which is a considerable timeframe for the relatively new GPS consumer market. Garmin’s products are well worth considering if you’re looking for the best car gps system for your money.

The C320 Garmin StreetPilot GPS Automotive Navigation System is a one of Garmin’s C300 StreetPilot Series. The C320 has a 12 parallel channel WAAS enabled (which improves accuracy to about 3m) GPS receiver. In 2003 Garmin was actually first with a WAAS/GPS navigation certified integrated avionics unit. The GPS receiver is rated as having warm and cold acquisition times of approximately 15 seconds and 45 seconds respectively. The C320 has an internal GPS antenna however, it also has an MCX-type connector for hooking up an optional external GPS antenna.

The C320 has a 3.5” transflective TFT touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. It displays 64K colors and has an LED backlight. 2D and 3D perspective views are available for viewing maps. The touchscreen is used exclusively for GPS operation with an on/off switch and rotary volume control knob being the only other controls. The unit can be color customized with separately purchased color faceplates. For clear voice prompts the StreetPilot C320 has dual integrated speakers.

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Garmin has been designing GPS equipment since 1990 - which is a considerable timeframe for the relatively new GPS consumer market. Garmin’s products are well worth considering if you’re looking for the best car gps system for your money.

The C330 Garmin StreetPilot GPS Automotive Navigation System is one of Garmin’s C300 StreetPilot Series. The C330 has a 12 parallel channel WAAS enabled (which improves accuracy to about 3m) GPS receiver. In 2003 Garmin was actually first with a WAAS/GPS navigation certified integrated avionics unit. The GPS receiver is rated as having warm and cold acquisition times of approximately 15 seconds and 45 seconds respectively. The C330 has an internal GPS antenna however, it also has an MCX-type connector for hooking up an optional external GPS antenna.

The C330 has a 3.5” transflective TFT touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. It displays 64K colors and has an LED backlight. 2D and 3D perspective views are available for viewing maps. The touchscreen is used exclusively for GPS operation with an on/off switch and rotary volume control knob being the only other controls. The unit can be color customized with separately purchased color faceplates. For clear voice prompts the StreetPilot C330 has dual integrated speakers.

(read more..)

Garmin has been designing GPS equipment since 1990 - which is a considerable timeframe for the relatively new GPS consumer market. Garmin’s products are well worth considering if you’re looking for the best car gps system for your money.

The C340 Garmin StreetPilot GPS Automotive Navigation System is a top model of Garmin’s C300 StreetPilot Series. The C340 has a 12 parallel channel WAAS enabled (which improves accuracy to about 3m) GPS receiver. In 2003 Garmin was actually first with a WAAS/GPS navigation certified integrated avionics unit. The GPS receiver is rated as having warm and cold acquisition times of approximately 15 seconds and 45 seconds respectively. The C340 has an internal GPS antenna however, it also has an MCX-type connector for hooking up an optional external GPS antenna.

The C340 has a 3.5 inch transflective TFT touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. It displays 64K colors and has an LED backlight. 2D and 3D perspective views are available for viewing maps. The touchscreen is used exclusively for GPS operation with an on/off switch and rotary volume control knob being the only other controls. The unit can be color customized with separately purchased color faceplates. For clear voice prompts the StreetPilot C340 has dual integrated speakers.

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The Sony GPS PSP-290 is an add-on accessory for Play Station Portables. At only some 40 odd mm squared and 16g or so its not a hefty or weighty accessory. It has a 20 channel GPS receiver which provides position accuracy to 5m.

Sony have PSP map software which allows users to find points of interest (POI) on city maps. Searches can be make for addresses and locations can be bookmarked as favorites and comments added. Comments and POI bookmarks can be exchanged with other Sony PSP users. Its another example of a GPS manufacturer trying to encourage a viral type use of their product – Tom Tom have their “Buddies” application.

With its atypical user base the PSP promises some fairly interesting software applications including gaming. One software package available includes maps of Japanese golf courses and allows golfers to check distances to the green and obstacles. There is also a car navigation application which has roadmaps for Japan. The latest maps can be downloaded using the PSP’s networking capabilities.

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The TomTom GO 700 is one of two models in TomTom’s car GPS navigation range to have a built-in HDD (hard disk drive) – the premium GO 900 model being the other. If you’ve looked at the entry level GO 900 and have wanted hands-free phone calls using a Bluetooth connection to your mobile (check TomTom website for compatibility) then this might be the model for you. Another standout feature of this model is the assisted Satellite Navigation (ASN) for uninterrupted GPS navigation in poor reception areas such as tunnels and urban canyons. For those who have problems operating gadgets the unit comes with TomToms easy to use, Linux based navigation software controlled with the touch screen. For GPS signal reception the GO 700 has a 12 channel integrated GPS receiver.

Operation

The GO 700 display is a 3.5 inch TFT with a of 320 x 240 pixels resolution. Unfortunately, the antiglare coating on the display does darken it making reading it in direct sunlight more difficult.

Maps of the USA and Canada (TeleAtlas map database) are pre-installed on the 2.5 Gb HDD so the unit is ready for use out of the box. TomTom recommends that owners create an account on the TomTom Web site so that they can be notified to download map updates.

The TomTom GO 700 makes maximum use of the touch screen interface with the only button being for power - all other functions controlled through the touch screen menus. A nice feature is the speed-linked volume which varies the output volume in relation to the vehicles speed.

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The TomTom GO 300 is the least sophisticated of “GO” range however, it exemplifies TomTom’s marketing of a GPS navigation device which is simple to install and operate – you simply turn it on and “GO”. The unit has TomToms easy to use, Linux based navigation software controlled with the touch screen. For GPS signal reception the GO 300 has a 12 channel integrated GPS receiver.

Operation

The GO 300 display is a 3.5 inch TFT with a of 320 x 240 pixels resolution. Unfortunately, the antiglare coating on the display does darken it making reading it in direct sunlight more difficult.

Maps of the USA and Canada pre-installed on the 1 Gb SD card so the unit is ready for use out of the box. TomTom recommends that owners create an account on the TomTom Web site so that they can be notified to download map updates.

The TomTom GO 300 makes maximum use of the touch screen interface with the only button being for power - all other functions controlled through the touch screen menus. A nice feature is the speed-linked volume which varies the output volume in relation to the vehicles speed.

(read more..)