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

Garmins GPS 18 is designed to turn a laptop PC into a GPS navigation device. Included with the GPS receiver are nRoute and MapSource City Navigator software packages which will provide turn-by-turn navigation directions through a laptop. Set up includes installing the navigation and map data software and connecting the GPS 18 receiver to the USB (or serial) port. City Navigator is available with a North America or Europe DVD depending on the location. Destinations can be looked up by entering addresses or points of interest (POI).

The GPS receiver is an accurate 12 channel, WAAS enabled receiver with an integrated magnetic base less than three inches in diameter.

Technorati Tags: Garmins GPS 18, nRoute, MapSource City Navigator, WAAS

Nokia have just announced an upgrade to their EISA award winning, pinnacle of convergence the N95 smartphone.

Upgrade highlights include:

• Enormous jump in built-in memory from 160 MB to 8Gb (up to 20 hours of video or 6000 songs)
• Larger 2.8 inch QVGA display to replace 2.6″ QVGA (240 x 320 pixels)

Nokia expect the new upgraded version of the N95 to begin shipping in Q4 2007.

Technorati Tags: N95 smartphone, 2.8 inch QVGA display

Nokia Wireless GPS Module LD-3W adds GPS navigation functionality to your mobile phone. The LD-3W connects wirelessly to a compatible phone, PC, or PDA using Bluetooth wireless technology. Nokia is moving rapidly into the location based services market and the LD-3W is compatible with a number of location-based applications and services.

The unit is powered by a SiRF Star III receiver chip (20 channels) well regarded for its market leading sensitivity enabling it to establish and maintain GPS satellite fixes even in poor signal reception areas. The module comes with a Nokia DC-4 mobile charger.
(read more..)

Technorati Tags: Nokia Wireless GPS Module LD-3W, Bluetooth, location based services, SiRF Star III

JVC KD-NX5000 in-dash car GPS navigation has won a 2007/2008 EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association) award for the European Navi-Media System category. In describing the KD-NX5000, EISA expressed surprise that all the included functionality could be included in a single DIN in-dash device.

The mindset with which to consider the JVC KD-NX5000 is probably the notion that it is a solid multimedia entertainment unit with GPS included rather than a GPS unit with multimedia entertainment added. From the image you will see that KD-NX5000 is a very compact I-DIN design for in-dash mounting. Other competing in-dash GPS navigation and entertainment units such as Pioneer’s premium model, the AVIC-Z1, are double-DIN and can have a larger screen (7 inches for the AVIC-Z1). The available dashboard slots available may dictate selection however.
(read more..)

Technorati Tags: JVC KD-NX5000, in-dash car GPS, I-DIN design

Nokia’s N95 GPS enabled cell phone has won a 2007/2008 EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association) award for the European Media Phone category. The award was made by EISA’s convergence panel which would be expected as the Nokia N95 is a convergence of technology and features including; GPS navigation, Google Earth, 5 Megapixel camera, MPEG4 video capture, HSDPA data access, web browser, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared port, USB interface, microSD slot, multiple audio format playback (MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+/WMA/M4A) and more.

To quote EISA “It’s no mere mobile phone and no mere status symbol. Pick up a Nokia N95 and you hold in your hands a state-of-the-art communication tool – the ideal way to remain permanently in touch and on track with the world that surrounds you.”

You may wish to read GPS Technology Reviews recent detailed review of the Nokia N95 GPS enabled mobile phone.

Technorati Tags: Nokia’s N95 GPS enabled cell phone, GPS navigation, Google Earth, 5 Megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Sony’s NV-U92T was an in-car navigation award winner at the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) EISA Awards 2007-2008. EISA is the largest editorial multimedia organization in Europe, with a membership of nearly 50 Audio, Mobile Electronics, Video and Photo magazines drawn from 19 European countries.

Sony’s NV-U92T, NV-U82, NV-U52 and NV-U72T all have very similar specifications. The specification given below is for the award winning NV-U92T however, a detailed table of differences between the models is also provided.
(read more..)

Technorati Tags: Sony’s NV-U92T, in-car navigation award winner, NV-U92T, NV-U82, NV-U52, NV-U72T

The Garmin Mobile 20 is a mobile phone mount with a GPS receiver and Bluetooth built-in to add GPS navigation and hands free calling to your on Nokia, Windows Mobile or Treo 650 Smartphone or BlackBerry (note that there is a different version for BlackBerrys). With Internet access equipped mobile phones services such as weather, traffic conditions and safety camera databases can be accessed through Garmin Online. The unit can be mounted to the cars windshield with an included suction-cup.

The plug-and-play Garmin Mobile 20 comes pre-loaded card with maps and navigation software. The included Garmin Mobile XT or nRoute DVD-ROM contains software and full map coverage for North America or Europe. Owners with a laptop can use the nRoute navigation software application which is optimized for the laptop display. Garmin’s Mobile XT navigation software application is compatible with smartphones or PDAs.
(read more..)

Technorati Tags: Garmin Mobile 20, mobile phone mount, GPS receiver, Bluetooth, GPS navigation, Nokia, Windows Mobile, Treo 650 Smartphone, BlackBerry, plug-and-play, nRoute

Garmin’s Mobile 10 is a very cost effective way for consumers to gain the advantages of GPS navigation without having to purchase dedicated GPS navigation device. The Garmin Mobile 10 is compact GPS receiver which can transform Bluetooth enabled mobile devices such as laptops, smartphones, Pocket PCs, and PDAs into GPS navigation devices. The lightweight (couple of ounces) Garmin Mobile can be clipped (removable clip included) to your clothes for navigation by foot or car.

The plug-and-play Garmin Mobile 10 comes pre-loaded card with maps and navigation software. As well as being able to look up addresses and get turn-by-turn voice navigation directions, the Garmin Mobile 10 allows you to access location based services. Access is available to real-time traffic reports from traffic.com, current hotel information from hotels.com, weather forecasts, fuel prices and other location based services free Garmin Online wireless data services..
(read more..)

Technorati Tags: Garmin’s Mobile 10, GPS navigation, GPS receiver, Bluetooth enabled mobile, laptops, smartphones, Pocket PCs, PDAs

Barely released, the new slim design Tom Tom GO 720 has picked up a PC Pro Recommended Award and been placed on their A List. Citing genuinely brilliant innovations PC Pro nominated MapShare as the killer application. The TomTom GO 720 has a sibling model, the TomTom GO 520, which has exactly the same hardware specifications but, has pre-loaded maps covering Western European regions.

Some headline features (some new to GO range) for the TomTom GO 720 and GO 520 include:
(read more..)

Technorati Tags: Tom Tom GO 720, TomTom GO 520

Mio’s DigiWalker C710 is Mio’s highest specification GPS portable navigation device. It distinguishes itself as such by being Bluetooth-enabled and having a suite of multimedia capabilities.

It does share some features with lower specification DigiWalker models such as the C220 including a large 3.5″ color, TFT touch screen which has and anti-glare treatment. Its GPS functionality is also powered by the SirRF Star III GPS receiver which is noted for its faster fix times, higher signal locking and tracking sensitivity and much lower power requirements as compared to other GPS receiver chips.
(read more..)