Both the Magellan Triton 200 and 300 are outdoor handheld GPS units designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts including backpackers, hunters and fishermen. They are lightweight and a convenient pocket size. The Triton range is built to withstand accidental impacts and is IPX-7 rated for immersion at 1m depth for up to 30 minutes.

For ease of use in the field, both the Magellan Triton 200 and 300 have 2.2 inch (5.9 cm) QVGA color touch screens. Other features include an electronic compass and an SD card slot for loading map updates and memory expansion. Both Tritons are compatible with downloadable National Geographic maps.

A SiRF Star III GPS receiver powers the GPS navigation capabilities of the Triton 300 and 200 units, as with the rest of the range. The SiRF chipset is renowned for its high sensitivity which is important for gaining your location in low GPS signal strength areas such as in canyons, ravines or heavily wooded areas. Position accuracy is (10 - 16 feet) (3 to 5 meters) for WAAS/EGNOS and < 7 meters (15 feet) for GPS only
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Technorati Tags: high sensitivity

TomTom ONE 3rd Edition is TomTom’s entry level auto navigation device. It has a 3.5 inch (320 x 240 pixel resolution) color TFT screen, 2D / 3D navigation map display and turn-by-turn navigation instructions, 1 Gb internal memory and a sensitive and accurate GPS receiver chipset. The unit does not have Bluetooth or text-to-speech.

The third edition is similar to the first with notable additions being:

• TomTom’s Map Share Technology brings the power of community input to correct and improve available maps. Using Map Share users can; 1) modify street names and direction 2) add, remove or rename POIs and 3) (un)block streets on their own device. Users can share their map improvements and benefit from all other users improvements easily via TomTom’s free desktop application, HOME. TomTom has a user community some 10 million in size to provide plenty of leverage;
• TMC traffic is available as an option;
• The Help Me! menu allows direct access to emergency numbers and directions to nearest assistance (road assistance / police station / hospital);
• The Safety menu is fully customizable allowing users to set warnings for speed, traffic, restricted zones, schools, and more;
• The navigation software is NavCore 7 Lite missing some some items from NavCore 7.

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It’s been a long wait but, Go!Explore PSP GPS software will be available shortly. The software is by Hungary’s Nav N Go’s which in a collaborative project ported the navigation engine over to the SONY OS. The software offers both auto and pedestrian mode GPS navigation in 11 languages and is available with maps by TeleAtlas for 7 different geographic locations including; UK/Ireland; Iberia; France; Germany/Austria/Switzerland; Italy; Benelux and Scandinavia.

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Possibly what attracted Sony to Nav N Go was the impressive 3D graphics and navigation in a real 3D space - it will appeal to gamers used to slick graphics. The Go!Explore navigation experience combines accurate maps with spectacular pictorial representation such as; renderings of surrounding sights and structures as well as roads with realistic gradients.
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Technorati Tags: Go!Explore, PSP GPS software, Nav N Go, 3D graphics

The Nokia N810 Internet Tablet was introduced by Nokia at the recent Web 2.0 2007 Summit and already it has been named as one of Wired’s Top Ten Gadgets of the Year. The unit embraces the concept of a Internet connected GPS navigation device which will allow instant access to current maps, user-updating of maps, access to current points of interest (POI) databases and online location based services. Connected personal navigation devices (PND) such as the N810 are going to provide the platform for far more accurate demographic targeting of POI in the future.

The Nokia N810 Internet Tablet is a powerful ultra mobile communication (VOIP) and software utilities platform driven by a Texas Instruments OMAP 2420 processor running at the same fast 400MHz as its Samsung rival. For an ultra portable device, the Nokia N810 has an attractively large and useful 4.13 inch WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) color touch screen display. Other hardware features include a SiRF Star III GPS receiver, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, twin speakers, microphone and VGA camera.
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Technorati Tags: Top Ten Gadgets, GPS navigation

The Maestro 4200 models all have a large 4.3″ wide-format touch screen displayed navigation menus which allow destinations to be entered by text or selection of a POI (point of interest). Both 2D and 3D map views are available for onscreen navigation directions. The Magellan has the helpful split screen functionality which allows you to see a zoom in of an upcoming turn. Routes can be calculated for numerous priorities including fastest time, shortest distance, or particular road selection. There is an SD card dock for backing up personal data or loading new maps.

QuickSpell

All Magellan Maestro 4200 models have the handy QuickSpell feature which is like auto-complete on mobile phones for speeding up text entry. One improvement on the mobile phone auto-complete is the use of the map database to gray out letters that would not spell a valid city name. (read more..)

Technorati Tags: Magellan Maestro 4250, QuickSpell

The Maestro 3200 models all have a 3.5in touch screen displayed navigation menus which allow destinations to be entered by text or selection of a POI (point of interest). Both 2D and 3D map views are available for onscreen navigation directions. The Magellan has the helpful split screen functionality which allows you to see a zoom in of an upcoming turn. Routes can be calculated for numerous priorities including fastest time, shortest distance, or particular road selection.

Magellan Maestro QuickSpell

All Magellan Maestro 3200 models have the handy QuickSpell feature which is like auto-complete on mobile phones for speeding up text entry. One improvement on the mobile phone auto-complete is the use of the map database to gray out letters that would not spell a valid city name. (read more..)

Technorati Tags: QuickSpell

Both the Triton 400 and 500 are portable handheld GPS receivers designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts such as backpackers, geocachers, hunters and fishermen. They are lightweight and a convenient size to fit into a pants or jacket pocket. The Triton range is also rugged enough to withstand some of the all too common accidental impacts while traversing rough terrain. For rain and immersion protection the Tritons are waterproof and rated to IPX-7 which is for 1m depth for 30 minutes.

For ease of use in the field, both the Magellan Triton 400 and 500 have 2.2 inch (5.9 cm) QVGA color touch screens, Other features include an electronic compass and an SD card slot for loading map updates and memory expansion. The Magellan Triton 500 also comes with an altimeter. In a first, both Tritons are compatible with downloadable National Geographic maps.
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Technorati Tags: geocachers, rain and immersion protection, IPX-7

Both the Triton 2000 and 1500 are portable handheld GPS receivers designed specifically for navigation by outdoors enthusiasts. They are rugged to withstand accidental impact and waterproof to IPX-7 (1m depth for 30 minutes) for their demanding application. Both the Magellan Triton 1500 and 2000 have features including a 2.7 inch (QVGZ), color touch screen, 2MP camera, speaker, microphone, LED flashlight, media player and SD card slot for loading map updates and memory expansion. The Magellan Triton 2000 also comes with an electronic compass and barometer. In a first, both Tritons are compatible with downloadable National Geographic maps.

In an acknowledgment of Magellan’s fresh design approach with the Triton 2000, it was recently announced as an honoree in Personal Electronics category of the 2008 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Awards. The awards hare highly sought after as they recognize the most innovative consumer electronics products in the industry. Competing consumer electronics products are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade press.
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Technorati Tags: portable handheld GPS receivers, IPX-7, Magellan Triton 1500, 2.7 inch, 2MP camera, LED flashlight, media player, SD card slot, electronic compass, barometer

The Navigon 5100 and 2100 GPS Navigators were both recently honored by a 2008 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award in the In-Vehicle Accessories category. Navigon also picked up two other awards for the Navigon 2100 and the Navigon 5100. Quoting the CES Awards Announcement in regard to the Navigon 2100: Slim, easy-to-use and affordable, the NAVIGON 2100 surpasses the basics to deliver an intelligent, premium navigation experience in an innovative package. The Navigon 5100 was described as; Offering state-of-the-art navigation technology in a polished design, the NAVIGON 5100 helps consumers reduce stress and get wherever they need to go more efficiently. Competing consumer electronics products are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade press. The most impressive products in each category are selected as honorees.

Navigon is not as familiar a brand as some others in the GPS navigation device market however, it does have a long history for this new industry and has notched up achievements such as the creation of the world’s first dynamic personal GPS product in 1996. In 2002 it unveiled the first Traffic Message Channel-based (TMC) avoidance feature on a mobile navigation product. Recently Navigon acquired NAVTEQs navigation software business.
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The NAVIGON 7100 GPS Navigator was recently judged a 2008 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award honoree in the In-Vehicle Accessories category. NAVIGON also picked up two other awards for the NAVIGON 2100 and the NAVIGON 5100. To quote the CES Awards Announcement, A composite of handsome lines and graceful curves, the NAVIGON 7100 features a bold new approach to a superb navigation experience. Competing consumer electronics products are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade press. The most impressive products in each category are selected as honorees.

A couple of standout navigation features which may have contributed to NAVIGON’s award are its Reality View and Lane Assistant. Reality View provides is photo-realistic3D image of complex interchanges as they are approached. While you cannot see your vehicle position in this view you do have the advantage of seeing which lane you should be positioned in. Lane Assistant is the feature providing suggestions for the best lane for your nominated route. Lane assistance is available on some other GPS navigators on the market but, Reality View appears to be unique.
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Technorati Tags: Reality View, Lane Assistant

The Strada CN-GP50U is Panasonic’s first Personal GPS Navigation Device to be released on the US market and is obviously impressive having won a CES 2008 award shortly after release. It follows the release of the Strada CN-NVD905U in-dashboard (double-din) car GPS navigation device earlier this year.

The Panasonic Strada CN-GP50U award mentioned was being judged a 2008 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award honoree in the In-Vehicle Navigation/Telematics/ITS category. Competing consumer electronics products are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade press.
Products chosen as the most impressive in each category are selected as honorees.
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Technorati Tags: Personal GPS Navigation, Panasonic Strada CN-GP50U

According to recently released report from iSupply Corp, the number of GPS satellite receiver equipped cellphones will more than quadruple between 2006 and 2011. Factors driving the growth are expected to be the growth of location based services and the U.S. government’s Emergency 911 services mandate. Location based services require a GPS receiver for establishing position and an Internet connection for accessing location databases. The BlackBerry Curve8310 has both.

The BlackBerry Curve 8310 is an attractive smart phone with a metallic finish and a trackball for user input. It is a surprisingly small phone to come with a full QWERTY keyboard. For those looking a smart phone with navigation capabilities the BlackBerry Curve 8310 comes equipped with a built-in GPS receiver and the BlackBerry Maps application for navigation software.
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Technorati Tags: GPS, Emergency 911 services mandate, BlackBerry Curve 8310, smart phone, BlackBerry Maps

The TomTom GO 920 and GO 920T are promoted as premium featured Car GPS Navigation devices and from the extensive list of features and some of the shiny new technologies introduced they deserve such praise.

A headline feature would have to be the inclusion of the timesaving and convenient Voice Prompted Address Entry allowing a destination address to be entered vocally. TomTom have based the GO 920 twins on SiRFs new SiRFDiRect Technology which adds Dead Reckoning capability to the already highly sensitive and reliable SiRF GPS receiver chip architecture.
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Technorati Tags: Voice Prompted Address Entry, SiRFDiRect Technology, Dead Reckoning

RIM’s BlackBerry Pearl 8100 created a lot of market entry buzz, not only for it’s attractive style and compact size for a smart phone but also, for being the first BlackBerry to offer a camera and integrated media player. The BlackBerry Pearl is a well rounded list of features for a smart phone which, as well as the camera and media player mentioned, includes wireless email, web browser, organizer, corporate data access, text messaging (SMS and MMS) and expandable memory (via a microSD card).

The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 is the first BlackBerry to come with a map application, BlackBerry Maps. However, it doesn’t come with an integrated GPS receiver. If you would like to add GPS functionality to the BlackBerry Pearl, the solution is to purchase a Bluetooth USGlobalSat GPS Receiver. This will enable the utilization of location-based services (LBS) which are continuing to be developed for increased productivity for mobile staff and consumers in general. Recent developments, such as the release of WHERE by uLocate, will ensure that GPS applications are developed quicker and released with greater frequency in the future. uLocate, a comparative veteran of new location-based software application industry, launched, WHERE, the first free, wireless GPS widget programming platform able to work across multiple phones and carriers.
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Technorati Tags: BlackBerry Pearl 8100, USGlobalSat GPS, uLocate, location-based software

Mio seem to bring out new navigation devices at a prolific rate. This new model, the Mio C728, distinguishes itself with its huge 7 inch QVGA (800 x 480 pixels) TFT LCD touchscreen. Along with the large screen and twin stereo speakers comes a suite of multimedia features for watching movies, view digital photos and listen to MP3s.

The navigation engine is based on the reliable and accurate SiRF Star III receiver which will perform well even in weak GPS signal areas such as built-up city areas.
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