Tag Archive for 'Technology'

Free Garmin GPS Maps

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on December 7, 2007
in Geek Stuff, National Forests and Recreation Areas, Technology, Web Sites and Apps and maps
. 2 Comments

One of the most frustrating (and lame) things I learned when researching GPS units was their crippled map capabilities. I really liked the features and price of the Garmins, but National Geographic TOPO (which, in my opinion, has the most comprehensive and powerful mapping tools) aren’t able to be displayed on the GPS unit’s screen.

Garmin has its own map software, but it’s overpriced, out of date, and missing giant chunks of hikers’ territories in the 1:24k resolution that’s best for the trail. Garmin’s MapSource TOPO West, for instance, covers the Santa Monica Mountains and the San Bernardino National Forest, but not the Angeles, Cleveland, or Los Padres. Until they update their data and give me more detailed maps, I ain’t handin’ over any hard-earned cash.

It’s not easy, but a temporary solution is here — free, user-created, Garmin-compatible GPS maps.

The gearheads over at GPS Tracklog have put together a comprehensive list of sources and instructions on how to get some free 24k maps from the internets into your Garmin GPS. It requires a bunch of different web sites and a Windows freeware download, but hey — that’s what we hax0rs have to do when The Man doesn’t give us what we need, right?

Some of the map sites they link to have great, detailed maps of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and Lassen — but still no Angeles National Forest. So we’ve still got a ways to go.

Still, it’s free. So don’t complain.

GPS-less GPS On Your Phone

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on November 28, 2007
in City Life, Technology and Web Sites and Apps
. 0 Comments

I hate to do two Google Maps posts in a row — OK, no I don’t. I love Google Maps.

But this week they’ve also unveiled a new beta feature on Google Maps mobile that will allow you to see your current location on a Google Map, even if you don’t have GPS in your phone or handheld.

The feature uses cell phone towers to semi-triangulate your area and display it on your map — and it does it faster than GPS, too. Maybe you’d like to see Google explain it themselves, in this playfully produced video:

Obviously the service varies depending on your cell phone coverage, and may not be the most helpful thing if you’re, say, in the middle of the San Gabriels. But it’s at least helpful in getting your car to the trailhead — and potentially finding some good grub when you’re done pounding the dirt.

Point your mobile browser over here.

Via CNET.

Affordable Beacon

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 13, 2007
in Gadgets and Gear, Technology and Web Sites and Apps
. 1 Comment

The Spot Beacon is a personal satellite phone / emergency beacon that uses a private network instead of bothering the feds when you’re in trouble — and it’s also more affordable. At $150 (with a $100 / year subscription), it’s definitely less of a hit to the wallet than the 5 to 6 hundred the government-network beacons will run you.

Despite the lower price, these are a bit fancier — it also tracks your progress in real-time on Google Maps (!!!), and can contact your friends and relatives via phone, email, or text message if you’ve got a non-emergency situation or just want to let them know you’re ok.

Moms everywhere will approve, once the product launches on November 1st.

Via The Goat.

Google Car?

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on June 19, 2007
in Environmentalism, Geek Stuff, Technology and Web Sites and Apps
. 1 Comment

Sick of waiting for the government or the Invisible Hand of Commerce, Google’s decided to throw some of its considerable financial weight into developing plug-in hybrid cars.

Test models of Google’s modified Priuses currently get almost 74 miles per gallon, up from the standard model’s 41. And Google wants more.

They’ve offered up $1 million in grants - with another $10 million not far behind - to anyone whose research helps them get the cars up to 100 miles per gallon, or works toward a viable system of Vehicle-to-Grid infrastructure.

To me, better gas mileage is great, but Vehicle-to-Grid is really the revolutionary new energy technology of the future. Granted, it would require a lot of effort on our part to restructure the power grid and the concept of power companies as we know them, but the concept of a decentralized electric economy, where you could drive a clean car around town and sell excess power back to the government from home is pretty amazing.

And why would an internet search engine get involved with something like this? CNN sums it up:

Renewable energy, unlike coal or nuclear, will likely come from thousands or tens of thousands of different locations. Analysts have long said that one of the big challenges will be managing that flow into and out of the nation’s electric grid, and that companies that manage the flow of information are well placed to handle that task.

Keep up to date on Google’s RechargeIT project here.

Photosynth

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on June 6, 2007
in Geek Stuff, Technology and Web Sites and Apps
. 0 Comments

This may be a bit late, but so goes the tide of the blogosphere.

A video from this year’s TED conference has been making the web-rounds recently, and it’s pretty freakin’ awesome.

It’s a live video demo of some new Microsoft technology called Photosynth. It’s partially a new way to organize and search for photos, but at about 3:50 the demo gets really incredible when it scans tagged Flickr photos to build a fully 3-D model of the Notre Dame cathedral.

They’ve got a very early beta demo available for download, if you’re running a decently powered Windows machine.

Until the final build is released, check this thing out and know we’re one step closer to having fully navigable 3-D trail maps at our keyboard fingertips.

Apple Picks Up Your Trash

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on May 23, 2007
in Technology
. 0 Comments

Earlier this week, Apple announced they were in a bit of a recyclin’ mood.

Through the end of July, the House of Jobs will pick up and recycle any old computer equipment from schools, colleges, and universities across the country. All you have to do is 1). Pack up the units yourself. 2). Have at least 25 units to recycle. 3). Let them know you want their help by June 30th.

Get yourself all the details from Apple’s site.

Via Treehugger.

Better GPS On The Way?

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on May 23, 2007
in Gadgets and Gear, Technology and maps
. 0 Comments

I love my GPS receiver, but one of my big gripes about my little electronic pathfinder is the lack of on-device map detail.

When I first started shopping around for a GPS, I assumed I’d be able to run some of the superdetailed National Geographic TOPO maps on screen.

Turned out, no.

It seems like no matter what brand of GPS you go with, on-unit maps are pretty much limited to first-party software - most of which are extremely lacking. Garmin’s got a nation-wide 1:100k offering, which is fine for driving to the trailhead, but not all that great once you actually get on the trail.

They also have a much more detailed 1:24k version, but that one’s limited to specific national parks and forests and can leave some big chunks of map off your screen. Their “Western” edition has the Santa Monica Mountains and San Bernardino National Forest, for instance, but leaves out the Cleveland and Angeles National Forests.

Frustrating.

But GPS Tracklog thinks this era might be coming to an end.

The site reports the Italian cartography company Navionics wants to have comprehensive U.S. GPS maps available by the end of the year, and they’re pretty sure they’re going to at least have a 1:24k version offered. Maybe even one that’s so fancy it will require me to purchase a new GPS receiver.

Not that I really need any more encouragement to spend money on electronics…

Green Apple

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on May 2, 2007
in Environmentalism and Technology
. 1 Comment

… especially if you’re Greenpeace.

The lovably strident folks at Greenpeace have been picking on Apple for a long time about greening up their business model. With PC companies like Dell and Lenovo making very vocal environmental claims and trumpeting their recycling (and tree-planting) programs, on the surface, Apple looked like it was lagging a bit behind.

Personally, I always thought that Greenpeace’s claims about Apple were a bit on the exaggerated side. Reading their page on the issue, you’d think Apple was a hulking industrial age behemoth, spewing toxic waste into landfills and willfully ignoring the environment while all their competitors were squeaky-clean. In the March, 2007 Guide to Greener Electronics, Apple ranked dead last among 14 leading tech companies, and they described The Empire of Jobs as “Holding firmly in last place: low scores on almost all criteria and no progress.”

This week, Mr. Jobs wagged his finger at G-Peace with a comprehensive statement on Apple’s environmental record. Turns out, Apple’s actually doing things extremely well.

The info points out that Apple was the first computer manufacturer to completely eliminate CRT monitors, which not only have significant amounts of lead but also use more electricity than those sleek LCD varieties. They also mentioned they are well ahead of their competitors in removing harmful chemicals from their products, as well as stepping up their recycling programs and consumer incentives.

… or, in playground terms, “Nyah.”

Hardcore Hikers and Dry Spells

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on March 6, 2007
in Environmentalism, Geek Stuff, Technology and Web Sites and Apps
. 0 Comments

A quick bit of link-lovin’:

- A pair of sure-footed explorers who are determined to walk the length of the Andes, courtesy of BestHike.

- The world’s most comprehensive PCT trail journal, courtesy Two-Heel Drive. I thought I had a data obsession. Bearcan’t has graphs on top of other graphs, along with some great commentary and inspiring pictures. He did the trail in 2005, when most of my native San Gabriels were covered in much more snow than they are now …

- … which is a worry Robert at End Pavement shares, along with the L.A. Times. This has been one of the driest winters on record in Southern California, which has the potential to make for a nasty fire season later on in the year … not to mention me needing lots more chap stick.

My New Dream Home

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on March 2, 2007
in Environmentalism and Technology
. 0 Comments

The BASF Chemical Company has gone and made a dreamhouse for everyone: the Near Zero Energy House.

Built in Paterson, New Jersey as a model home for a disadvantaged family, the house manages to be state of the art, inexpensive to build, and ‘normal-looking.’ ‘Cause as cool as we might think they look, no neighborhood is going to let a Jetsons-style space-pod settle down in their cul-de-sac without a fight.

The big selling point for this home, though, is the fact that it uses 80% less energy than a comparable ‘traditional’ house. And that, combined with the efficient construction materials, easy installation, and strong structural elements that can cut down on insurance and maintenance costs, and you’ve got yourself a house that’s both affordable and keeps its value over time.

As such, it’s going to used as a template for a 3,000 unit low-income housing project in New Jersey, which should have a huge impact on the energy consumption of Paterson.

Also, it looks pretty swank on the interior.

Via Treehugger.