recent reviews

Garmin’s 705 series is the next evolution of the nuvi 700 series and includes four models (Garmin Nuvi 755T, 765T, 775T and 785T) with the T at the end signifying that they all have a traffic receiver. The slim, pocket-size design is common across the range fitting with their Travel Assistant designation by Garmin.

New features to the nuvi 705 series are Lane Assist (helpful lane guidance on junction views), Garmin’s HotFix satellite prediction (faster position determination), auto time zone transitioning, 3D Building views and lastly Garmin Connect Photos enabling photos to be used to visually work out your position. In their press releases, Garmin have highlighted the nüvi 705 series also features accelerated map-drawing and routing capabilities.
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The Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition has an identical specification to the recently reviewed Nokia N810 Portable Internet Tablet with the addition of WiMAX connectivity. The Nokia N810 WiMAX edition is available in the US only. Outwardly there are cosmetic changes from light gray to black and there is a bulge in the back of the case to accommodate the WiMAX module.

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a new wireless Internet technology for providing broadband speed connections over large areas. You no longer need to find a hotspot.
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The Magellan RoadMate 1412, 1430 and 1400 all have the same specification except with the Magellan RoadMate 1430 Live Traffic capability is included and the Magellan RoadMate 1400 does not include maps of Canada. All models come with an included SD memory card pre-loaded with NAVTEQ maps for the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada (not 1400). Magellan has targeted these models as value for money propositions for those looking for a GPS navigator for their car. The presence of the RoadMate 1412 in Amazon’s GPS BestSeller list indicates consumers agree.

A large, wide aspect ratio color touch screen like the Magellan RoadMate’s 4.3 inch WQVGA display makes navigation maps easier to see and menus easier to navigate. For easier viewing at night, Magellan has included Auto NightView which automatically adjusts color and contrast for lower ambient light conditions.
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Harman Kardon’s GPS-310, GPS-510 and GPS-810 all have a compact form factor for use in the car or out. The models have clean lines with no buttons on the front face as all inputs are through the touch screen. The 4 inch LCD touch screen (4.3 inches on the GPS-810) is WQVGA (480×272 pixels) which is a popular size for portable media players. This makes sense as these Harman Kardon GPS navigators have significant portable media player capabilities.

Navigation with Harman Kardon GPS

The navigation map screen can be viewed in 2D mode with the route displayed from top to bottom of the screen, 2D North mode with North at the top of the screen or 3D mode with a three dimensional map displayed with the route from the top to the bottom of the screen. It’s possible to zoom in and out from the displayed map.
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The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy have reported that one in three pets is lost during its lifetime. As their figures also show only a 10 chance of return, it’s likely that the Zoombak ZMBK200 Advanced GPS Dog Locator is an investment that will pay off.

The Zoombak GPS Dog Locator continuously determines your dogs location and actively broadcasts its position so that you can recover it quickly before it comes to harm. Also speeding the recovery time is the automated warning that your pet has strayed outside the safe area you have nominate for them. You will know your dog is straying into to danger without having to keep a constant eye on them.
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Pharos Trips & Pics is a combined package of a GPS receiver/logger and geo-logging software which enables consumers to record their trips and photo locations and display them on a map. Trips & Pics will work with any digital camera so there are no compatibility problems. You just need to carry the GPS unit with your camera. As well a being useful for travellers, Pharos Trips & Pics can be a useful tool when hiking, biking or camping. Potential professional applications are also numerous and could include law enforcement, news photography, geological surveying, real estate and wildlife management.

The Trips & Pics hardware is a Pharos’ iGPS-500 receiver and battery unit combination that easily slips into a pocket. GPS data logging intervals can be varied from one second up to five minutes. There is also an off-switch for power conservation if you are stationary or not taking pictures. The unit charges quickly and battery life is about 24 hours. Data can be logged for between 1 ¼ and 45 days depending on the pattern of use. Data logged allows the software package to provide a record of time, location, heading and speed.
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NAVIGON is working to build a reputation for affordable yet, top feature packed GPS navigators. It’s rapid grab of market share and quick population of bestseller lists since its entry into the personal navigation market nine months ago are evidence that consumers agree with it’s focus. In March, NPD Group reported that their Retail Tracking Service was showing that NAVIGON had achieved an 11.5 percent (unit volume share) and fourth position in the personal navigation category. Picking up awards at the recent 2008 International CES for the NAVIGON 5100, NAVIGON 2100 and NAVIGON 7100 has certainly helped boost of NAVIGON’s range.

The NAVIGON 2100 max and 2120 max have a slim, stylish piano black casings and a wide, 4.3 inch, anti-glare, color, touchscreen display (WQVGA, 480×272 pixels). NAVIGON have used a Nemerix NX3 GPS receiver in their NAVIGON 2100 max models. Either a USB 1.1 drive or an SD memory card can be used to load data. The LiPo/LiIon battery will power operation for up to 3 hours depending on what features are being used. The only difference in specification between the NAVIGON 2100 max and 2120 max models is the maps they are boxed with. The 2100 max comes with maps of the continental U.S. while the NAVIGON 2120 max has the continental U.S. and Canada.
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GPS Technology Reviews reported on the testing of this new GPS navigator during its extensive testing phase in May 2007. The Dash Express is the first of an evolutionary change in GPS navigation devices to encompass Internet connectivity and add location based search functionality and capture and communicate traffic information. Dash Navigation like to refer to the concept as a social network on the move. Internet connectivity allows drivers to search for and download information about their destinations in the car.

Dash Navigation have emphasized that they have put their initial focus with this new product on providing better traffic reporting/information and better search/destination information. From looking at the Dash Express’s capabilities, user testing and customer reviews it is apparent that the Dash Express is the GPS device to buy if you are seeking traffic and POI search strengths in a GPS. A typical satisfied purchaser would be using the Dash Express to make quicker trips using current, accurate traffic information, get accurate time to destination estimates, score the lowest fuel prices and find up to date information of services in areas local to them. You also won’t find some common GPS features on the Dash Express (see below) including any multimedia functionalities, like a MP3 player. A unique theft-deterrent feature available is the ability to wirelessly disable your Dash Express.
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TomTom’s new look flagship GO X30 series includes the TomTom GO 930 and GO 730. The specifications for the two models are identical apart from the GO 930 including;

• a larger 4 GB of internal flash memory compared to 2 GB for the GO 730,
• Enhanced Positioning Technology which uses a combination of movement and gravity sensors to determine position when a GPS signals are not available such as in tunnels or driving in an urban canyon between buildings
• maps of Europe as well as the maps of the United States and Canada on the GO 730

All the GO X30 models have 4.3 inch, WQVGA (480 x 272 pixels) LCD widescreens. GPS navigation is powered by a high sensitivity GPS receiver making for better GPS signal reception in low signal strength areas such as in urban canyons. There is an SD slot for loading digital data such as maps or music. The units are light enough (7.7 ounces) and of small enough form factor of 4.6 x 3.2 x 1 inches (118 x 83 x 24 mm) to be considered portable. The estimated 5 hours of operation from the lithium-polymer battery is a useful time period.
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The TomTom ONE 130 and TomTom ONE 130S are TomTom’s new entry level portable GPS navigators to replace the TomTom ONE. The compact size of the previous model has been retained despite a new windshield mount which can be left on the device and a new, larger, more powerful speaker. The LCD touchscreen remains at 3.5 inches.

As mentioned, the new EasyPort mount can be folded flat on the 130 or 130S for easy transport or moving between cars. It will fit in a shirt pocket. Attaching the EasyPort mount to the windscreen (dashboard mounting disc also included) is a simple sequence of pushing it against the windscreen, sliding it to the right position (if necessary) and twisting the lock nut. An opposite twist removes it. As well as being convenient, the built-in mount ensures you keep the mount and display together for their next use. The video below shows how simple mounting the unit with the mechanical locking system is.
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