Considering a GPS System?

So have you finally gotten fed up with always getting lost when you’re in a rush? Are you thinking that maybe it’s time to look into getting a GPS system? Although most smartphones have some sort of navigation, there are many features on an actual GPS system that smartphones just don’t have. If you’re ready to look into this then read on. I’m going to let you know about some of the top-rated GPS devices available right now.

TomTom One 140-S
List Price: $199.95
Sale Price: $99 (at BuyDig.com)
I’ve written a review previously about the TomTom One specifically that discusses this system in detail if you are interested. This GPS device includes a multitude of maps and over seven million points of interest found within the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. It also has features like IQ Routes, lane assist, and multisegment routing. These are rarely found at such a entry-level price. This is definitely one to keep in mind.

Garmin nüvi 885T
List Price: $799.99
Sale Price: $276 (at BuyDig.com)
Now yes, this system is more expensive, but it has some fantastic features like voice recognition, text-to-speech conversion, enhanced MSN Direct services, great Bluetooth phone support, and tons of other advanced features. The advantage to this device is that there are now newer Garmin models, so you can easily find the 885T at a discounted price.

Magellan Maestro 4700
List Price: $299.99
Sale Price: 199.58 (at ANTOnlibe.com)
The Maestro features voice prompts, a responsive touch screen, fast route recalculations, and a feature that allows you to easily find your car in a crowded parking lot. The downside to this particular system is that it has extremely inconsistent voice recognition and can sometimes take quite awhile to lock your exact location.

Gamin nüvi 265T
List Price: $219.99
Sale Price: $125.99 (at eCost.com)
This Garmin model gives you quite a lot for the price tag. Something quite nice that they include with the 265T is a lifetime of free traffic updates. The device also includes an ecoRoute feature that can assist drivers in saving gas.

These are all reliable GPS systems that should satisfy your desire to always know where you are going. All that you have to do is decide which features you would utilize most, and you have found yourself a brand new, dependable GPS system.

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Looking for a short term mobile technology rental to to make your next trip a success? Call 800-736-8772 today and ask about our Nextel Rentals, Two Way Radio Rentals, or even our Aircard Rentals!

Nokia to Offer Free Navigation Software

Nokia has announced that it will be offering free Navigation software on about ten of its smartphones. The no-strings-attached-offer will let users use the navigation in their handsets without having to connect to the internet. It will include turn-by-turn directions, voice prompts, travel guides, and other features.

Nokia hopes the move will help sell smartphones. "It will serve as a defense to our product prices," Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia's head of marketing, said in a statement.

Recently, Nokia has seen its rivals Apple (with the iPhone) and Research in Motion (with its Blackberry devices) take a share of its sales. However, analysts say Nokia is also attempting to compete with Google, which is already giving away its own mapping software with the Motorola Droid and all smartphones using the Android operating system. Some say users of all smartphones will start to expect free navigation software to be a standard smartphone feature from other companies such as Microsoft, RIM, and Samsung, affecting the whole market.

Either way, the move is sure to put pressure on TomTom and Garmin, the two biggest mapping leaders. Tomtom already sells navigation software for iPhone for $70 and the move could negatively affect that type of software, as well.

Currently, Nokia users can download free Ovi Maps from its website.

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Looking for a short term mobile technology rental to to make your next trip a success? Call 800-736-8772 today and ask about our Nextel Rentals, Two Way Radio Rentals, or even our Aircard Rentals!

New Garmin Wilderness GPS Models

On Tuesday, Garmin announced their release of two new midrange touch-screen GPS devices targeted at hikers who want to have a navigation system with them in the wilderness. The Oregon 450 for $399 and the Oregon 450t for $499 are perfect for anyone that will be adventuring to unknown places.

Both of the devices feature a 3-inch screen that Garmin says can be operated even with gloved hands. Each have improvements that include: a user-selectable “dashboard” interface, high-speed USB, photo navigation, a three axis electronic compass, and better track navigation that will even display upcoming changes in elevation. They also have barometric altimeters and have the capability to exchange tracks, waypoints, routes, and geocaches with a variety of newer Garmin GPS systems.

Now what differentiates the Oregon 450t from the regular Oregon 450 is the 450t’s built-in 100,000 to 1 scale topographic maps of the United States. These offer a 3D perspective to the viewer to better gauge terrain elevation. These maps will also show major trails, roads, lakes, coastlines, rivers, parks, and wilderness areas.

Both of these devices are said to be ready to ship in the very first quarter of 2010. The price may seem a little high for a hiking accessory, but if you are a person who spends quite a bit of time outside in unfamiliar territory, this could be a good investment.

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Looking for a short term mobile technology rental to to make your next trip a success? Call 800-736-8772 today and ask about our Nextel Rentals, Two Way Radio Rentals, or even our Aircard Rentals!

BMW Motorcycle Navigation Unit Announced By Garmin

Ever wanted a special GPS system specially designed for your motorcycle? Well now you can have one thanks to Garmin. Garmin has just announced a new product they are creating which is a navigation unit designed specifically for use by motorcyclists. The new product will be called the Garmin BMW Motorrad Navigator IV. The Navigator IV is based off of a previous GPS by Garmin, the Garmin zumo 660 but it adds features that are BMW specific.

Some of these BMW specific features are a BMW dealer database, bluetooth capabilities, a customized mount, and audio. Functionality is simple to use with the device's 4.3 inch, glove friendly touchscreen. The Navigator IV also has a ton of preloaded maps as well as millions of points of interest.

The Navigator also has a few other features. You can pair the Navigator IV with a bluetooth helmet headset which also allows the rider to make and receive mobile calls while riding. For quick functionality, the Navigator IV has a four button mount which also provides extra control capabilities. The Navigator IV is waterproof and protected against UV rays. The device is also vibration-tested to withstand the vibrations of the motorcycle and the road. According to Garmin, the GPS should be available in the third quarter of 2009 in Europe and North America but no price level has been announced yet.

The Garmin nüvi 1260T

The Garmin nüvi 1260T is ready to assist you in the car or on the street because not only is it an amazing GPS system but also it features an enhanced pedestrian mode. This top of the line system, when combined with the cityXplorer maps, can aide pedestrians in finding bus and subway routes. This could be a huge blessing to people living in a large city full of complex public transportation systems.

The 1260T features a 3.5-inch, 320 x 240-pixel screen, a Bluetooth phone interface, and is pre-loaded with maps for North America. Also included is text-to-speech conversion and ecoRoute. EcoRoute is a feature that allows you to find the most fuel-efficient ways to get around. In automobile mode, the 1260T functions exactly like the Garmin nüvi 265T, but in pedestrian mode, a whole new realm opens up. It will assist you in finding the nearest bus and subway stations and provide a detailed map of the city streets that you might happen to be wandering.

Another fascinating selling point of the 1260T is that it is the thinnest GPS system currently on the market. This is important due to the fact that you might be carrying this GPS around the streets of New York City and won’t exactly want to be weighted down. With its sleek appearance and lack of bulkiness, this definitely gives some brownie points to the 1260T.

I feel like this GPS system is a pretty good deal. For $299.99 you can have the thinnest GPS on the market that also includes advanced features. I think the enhanced pedestrian mode could be a big help if you travel to big cities often, and the ecoRoute feature could definitely come in handy with the ever-increasing gas prices. In my opinion, the Garmin nüvi 1260T seems like a great GPS system to look in to.