Tag Archive for 'GPS'

iPhone Google Earth

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on October 29, 2008
in GPS, Web Sites and Apps and maps
. 1 Comment

A few weeks ago, I welcomed an iPhone into my life. Long story short, it’s been mostly wonderful.

I’d read about a few trail specific applications for the Jesus Phone, and since many of them were free, I grabbed them to try them out — but I honestly don’t know what they’re good for. Anyone who hikes who wants GPS is going to have an actual GPS unit, which is far more accurate, more battery-efficient, and infinitely more droppable than the iPhone is ever going to be.

I’ll keep looking around, and if anyone’s got a suggestion or an app they really dig, leave it in the comments for me — but this week, Google unleashed a brand spankin’ new iPhone version of Google Earth.

The same usefulness arguments apply here — but this is notable in that it is essentially the complete desktop version of Google Earth — only it runs on your phone. And y’all know how much I love Google Earth.

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And if that weren’t enough for you, the touch interface is an INCREDIBLE way to interact with this program. Dragging your fingers across the screen is an intuitive and effective way to navigate the world, and tilting the phone — while still a bit wonky right now — still works well to view areas in 3-D. I’m sure Google will have some good updates to smooth out the wrinkles in the next few weeks.

Check out this video of the program in action, then go fire up your App Store and give it a try yourself. It’s free!

New Garmin Leaked?

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on July 10, 2008
in GPS, Gadgets and Gear and Technology
. 0 Comments

nullA few days ago, GPS Tracklog — my favorite site for keeping up on what’s new in the satellite-based locationing world — got some info and links to a buy.com page listing the as-of-then unheard of Garmin Oregon unit, the heir apparent to their Colorado Series.

No images of the theoretical unit, but according to the posted specs, it looks to be a smaller, lighter version of the Colorado, with the same-sized screen. Oh, and the screen is supposed to be a touch screen. iPhone, eat your heart out.

Personally, I don’t know how effective a touch screen is going to be on a unit that’s probably going to get banged up and knocked around pretty regularly, but whatever. Maybe it’ll drop the price on those Colorados to something those of us not in the top tax brackets can afford.

Full copy of the buy.com page follows:

GARMIN OREGON 400C Hand Held Receiver North America. Garmin International is pleased to announce Oregon; the newest member of the premium handheld line. This rugged unit with a high sensitivity GPS receiver offers innovative features such as a sunlight readable touchscreen for easy operation, as well as the ability to exchange waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly between units. In addition, you can customize your Oregon with five different user profiles: automotive, marine, recreation, fitness or geocache. The microSD card makes it simple to load optional maps for different types of adventures. The Oregons detailed mapping and high resolution color display enhance any outdoor adventure, whether on land or water.

Features
3.0 in Hand Held GPS Receiver with U.S. Costal Charts Coverage-High Sensitivity GPS Receiver for Improved Performance and Reception-Wireless Exchange of User Routes Tracks Waypoints Geocaches and Images-Electronic Compass Barometric Altimeter Temperature Sensor-MicroSD Card Slot for Optional Mapping and Data Storage-Built In 3D Basemap / 3D Elevation View

Tech Specs
GARMIN OREGON 400C Hand Held Receiver North America

Saltwater mariners will love the preloaded detailed BlueChart g2 coverage for the coastal U.S. and the Bahamas in the 400c. The chart detail includes shoreline, depth contours, navaids and port plans.

High sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception

Easy to use, touchscreen interface

microSD card slot for optional mapping and data storage

Electronic compass, barometric altimeter, temperature sensor

Built in 3D Basemap /Digital Elevation Model

3D elevation view

Wireless exchange of user routes, tracks, waypoints, geocaches and images

Unit dimensions: 4.5 in x 2.3 in x 1.4 in

Display size: 3 in color, touch screen

Pixels / H x W: 240 x 400

Waterproof standard: IEC 60529 IPX7

Battery type: two high capacity or lithium ion AA batteries

Weight: 6.8 oz with batteries

Part Number: 010-00697-03

Spotty SPOTs

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on June 19, 2008
in GPS, Gadgets and Gear and hiking
. 0 Comments

nullIf you’re like me, you’ve been thinking about picking up one of those
SPOT Emergency Beacons. They’re more versatile, reusable, and way cheaper than other satellite beacons on the market, and have gotten rave reviews from everyone who’s tested one out.

But there’s one problem — no one’s ever had to use them in an actual emergency yet. Or at least, until now.

The fine folks at Backpacker.com have posted a very well-written, real-life account of an emergency distress call from the slopes of Mount McKinley. It’s a great read, and highlights some of the unit’s shortcomings when needed out on the trail.

I’m still planning on buying one this year — but maybe I’ll wait a bit to see if they’re planning on doing any sort of redesigns or updates. Anyone out there have ‘em? And what do you think?

via Two-Heel Drive.

Colorado!

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on March 18, 2008
in GPS and Technology
. 0 Comments

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I got my hands on a Garmin Colorado 400t — for a few days, at least.

I’m going to be flipping through the manual and fooling around with the unit over the weekend, and taking it out on the trail to give it a run-through, probably comparing it to my current Garmin eTrex Legend Cx model.

I’ve noticed a lot of activity in the comments about the Colorado, so I know you all have questions. If you’ve got a specific feature you want me to test out or a burning question you want answered, leave a comment here and I’ll do my best to check it out.

Mapping Out Your Weekend

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on February 8, 2008
in GPS, Geek Stuff and maps
. 2 Comments

I’m proud to announce the grand return of the Modern Trail Map!


View Larger Map

This is a home-grown Google Map with hiking information in Los Angeles and Southern California. Every trail I’ve written up for the site is accompanied by a pin, color-coded by difficulty. Clicking on a pin will give you a thumbnail image and short description, and a link to the in-depth review.

This is a great way to get a visual idea of where these trails are in relation to you, and will hopefully be a helpful resource for planning your next hiking trip.

You can use the in-line map in this post, or get a larger version at the Modern Trail Map tab at the top of the page.

Enjoy!

Garmin Colorado Minisite

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on January 28, 2008
in GPS and Gadgets and Gear
. 1 Comment

What better way to pass the time waiting for the Colorado to hit store shelves so you can drool over it in person than viewing a virtual Garmin Colorado on your computer monitor and drooling over your keyboard?

Then behold, fellow future poor-folks — the Garmin Colorado minisite, lovingly rendered in Flash and chock full of information on all the bells and whistles you’ll soon be using to justify your $640 purchase.

Go check it out. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Garmin Colorado Reviews

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on January 7, 2008
in Gadgets and Gear and Technology
. 7 Comments

With the Consumer Electronics Show now in full swing, there will most likely be a ton of new information coming out about the highly-anticipated Garmin Colorado. But until that deluge of press releases hits, we can mop up our collective gadget-lover drool while gawking at the few stiffs lucky enough to actually get their hands on one.

GPS Tracklog has a few new images and a helpful one-page but you’re really going to want to head toward GPS Magazine.

They’ve got a 6 page comprehensive write up of their first impressions of the unit, which seems generally very favorable. They’ve got their qualms with the menu structure and the scroll wheel-like “Rock ‘n’ Roller,” but in all honesty it can’t be much worse than the thumbstick on my eTrex Vista CSx.

For me, the major selling point of the Colorado is the sexy new map view — with topographic shading and even an option for a bona-fide 3D view of your route. It’s going to be great to have a Garmin that can display something that actually looks like where you’re going hiking, instead of an image that looks like a leftover printout from your old dot matrix printer.

Start saving up, though — suggested retail price is about 600 bucks.

Yikes.

For more information, be sure to check out Garmin’s new official product page for the Colorado.

Amazon Garmin Sale

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on December 14, 2007
in Gadgets and Gear
. 0 Comments

The GPS Tracklog got the scoop on Amazon’s annual Clear-out-the-GPS Sale.

Garmin units of all stripes are on sale, with deep Amazon discounts and - more often than not - additional mail-in rebates.

I picked up my eTrex Vista around this time last year, with a king’s ransom of mail-in rebates. So far, their deal on this model isn’t all that great, but for an extra 60 bucks you can pick up the GPSMap 60CSx, which is probably the best Garmin unit you can snag … at least until the Colorado hits shelves.

Garmin Colorado?

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on December 11, 2007
in Gadgets and Gear and maps
. 0 Comments

The Groundspeak forums were all a-twitter about the possibilities of a new model called the Colorado.

It’s rumored to have all the goodies of the current Garmin line - altimeter, electronic compass, SiRFSTARIII chipset, etc. But this bad boy’s also supposed to showcase a giant, high-color display, a temperature sensor, wireless communication between devices, and - most awesomely - the ability to display aerial photos and shaded topographical maps.

It’s expected to hit stores in Spring ‘08, and retail for around $500. If that’s not true, then hopefully they’ll at least start offering some good rebates on the excellent GPSMap 60CSx.




Via GPS Tracklog.