Archive for April, 2008
Just goes to show you that the market for discount GPS products is never going to shrink. Now we’re adding the little devices to cameras too!
“The Taiwan-based digital camera OEM Altek unveiled an 8-megapixel consumer digital camera with built-in GPS and automatic geotagging. The camera is expected to ship by June, and will be the world’s first, according to the company.
This camera is clearly not the first device to combine GPS and digital camera funtionality. Some GPS devices have a built in digital camera (but are designed primarily for GPS navigation). And some higher-end cameras have GPS features. This may, however, be the world’s first pocket-sized consumer point-and-shoot camera with integrated GPS functions.
GPS or Global Positioning Systems is a term that most commonly conjures up images of vehicle navigation systems, space-age satellite technology, and interactive maps for outdoors-types and sportsmen. But the reality is that there are far more applications of Global Positioning Systems beyond GPS vehicle tracking or map navigation that everyday people like us can benefit from. All it takes is a bit of creativity, and some trial and error. Here are a few of the many possibilities that can benefit you right now in your busy and hectic life.
1. Know where your children are using services from companies like uLocate Communications.
2. Keep track of elderly members of your family with a handeld GPS, so that they don’t wander off alone.
The Garmin eTrex Vista maintains the weight (5.3 ounces) and dimensions (4.4 by 2 by 1.2) of its predecessors and is housed in the same waterproof, pocket-sized casing. The main design difference between the Summit and the Vista is color (the Vista has a metallic-silver exterior). No changes were made to the 2.1-by-1.1-inch, high-resolution, monochrome LCD, and none were needed since the map detail is amazingly clear for such a small display.
Like the Summit, the Vista sports five convenient, black rubber buttons, including two Zoom controls, Power/backlight, Find, and Pages buttons, on either side of the unit, allowing for easy one-handed operation. However, Garmin has mounted a sixth button, called the Click Stick, on the face of the Vista. This five-position, joysticklike navigation key lets you scroll through the various options within each of the main pages.
You can also use the onscreen keyboard to enter search criteria. Use the Page button to view satellite information, maps, compass heading, elevation history, or a trip computer (which displays an odometer, speed, average moving time, and more). The sixth page is a Windows-like menu where you can create routes, mark waypoints, view track logs, and find local points of interest. We were particularly impressed with the extended Find function, which displays the distances (”as the crow flies”) and a heading pointer to your desired location on both the map and compass pages.
The good: The Garmin Nuvi 200W boasts a compact design and is easy to use. It offers accurate directions and some nice tools for the traveler.
The bad: Though the Nuvi 200 is more affordable than other models in the series, we wish the price was slightly lower based on the included feature set.
The bottom line: The Garmin Nuvi 200 series offers drivers and travelers a more budget-friendly version of the popular portable navigation devices, but we think the price is still slightly high for what you get.