Verdict: Perfect for tracking things you don't care about.

Ion Kids (as in, keep an "eye on" the kids) is a portable system that lets you keep track of up to four children, seniors, pets, or anything else that moves. Designed to help parents keep tabs on wandering children, ion Kids Starter Kit comes with a handheld base unit and one water-resistant wristag, and retails for $239.95.

The system uses RF instead of GPS and lets you specify how far the child (or children) are allowed to wander from the handheld base unit before sounding an alert on both the bracelet and the handheld unit. The handheld unit can then be used to locate the child, using a radar-like display that points the way to the AWOL child. Sounds great for busy parents at the mall, grocery store, or in crowded public places.

Does ion Kids deliver the peace of mind parents are looking for? Read on.

Continue reading "IonKids Child Monitoring System Review" »

Posted by Fletch at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Verdict: Not Bad. Not Great. Plays Videos.

Harman/Kardon is a company widely known for their fantastic audio equipment, and recently jumped into the growing GPS market with two units, the Harman/Kardon 300 and the 500. These units weren't generally received well, so HK went back to the drawing board, did some re-designing, and has released the much improved 310, 510 and 810 models, targeting the entry level, mid-range and high-end, respectively.

The Harman/Kardon 810 looks like a normal GPS unit, but it combines the power of its Drive + Play system to add a twist (literally). With a suggested retail price of $599, the 810 faces stiff competition from Garmin, Magellan and TomTom. The question is, can the 810 handle the heat? Read on.

Continue reading "Harman/Kardon 810-GPS Review" »

Posted by Michael at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (28)

Verdict: Unique Features. A Great Idea. Not Sensitive Enough.

SPOT says it's Personal Tracker device is the world's first satellite messenger. Leveraging both GPS satellite and SPOT's own network, the device is able to report its location to friends and family even in areas without cellular or wireless coverage.

Priced at $169.99 (plus $9.99/month service fee, or $99.99/year), SPOT's Satellite Messenger boasts up to 1 year battery life (using 2 AA lithium batteries), global coverage, the ability to track your position using Google Maps, and 9-1-1 alerting for life-threatening emergencies. The bright orange handheld device is water- temperature -and shock-proof, and has the ability to send pre-defined "I'm OK" emails or SMS alerts. Oh, and it floats too.

Continue reading "SPOT Satellite Messenger Personal Tracker Review" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (108)

If you're the sort of pervert nudity enthusiast who wishes it was easier to find the nearest strip joint or nudist colony, well then Nudar.com (WARNING: site contains nudity and is NSFW) is just the thing you've been waiting for. The website aims to record each and every "gentleman's club", nude beach, nudist resort, and pretty much anything else that involves nakedness.

Available in GPS-friendly form, nude-related POIs can be downloaded and transferred onto a GPS device. No word yet when the 24-hour liquor stores, pawn shops, and bail bondsman POIs will be available...

Posted by Fletch at 1:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Babes Ipsa Loquitur! Nav N Go, the European company whose software powers GPS devices from over 30 hardware manufacturers, including Mio, Harman Kardon, LG, Sony, and HP, announced it's latest iGO version 8 at CES this year.

Nav N Go also announced a GPS module for Sony's PSP. Read on for photos of Nav N GO's new "lifelike" 3D map view, and the new Sony PSP GPS.

Continue reading "CES 2008 Coverage: Meet the Booth Babes of Nav N Go" »

Posted by Fletch at 2:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Laipac's S-911 bracelet provides real-time tracking via GPS, GSM or GPRS, has an emergency SOS button, a tamper alert if the watch is removed, works inside buildings as well as outdoors, and can be configured to send custom alerts based on location.

Sure, the S-911 isn't the most stylish watch we've ever seen, but you have to admit it makes a statement.

Continue reading "CES 2008 Coverage: S-911 Bracelet Lets Everyone Know You're Worth Kidnapping" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

iFi Systems' Child Tether is a button-sized device that helps keep children, pets, and pretty much anything else that moves from getting lost in public places. It doesn't use GPS, instead relying on RF to sound an alert if the device wanders too far away from the receiver, and uses beeping tones to point the owner/parent toward the missing child or pet.

Continue reading "CES 2008 Coverage: Child Tether is a Virtual Leash" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Instead of the worthless 64MB flash drive most people were handing out at CES this year, HP put together this totally well thought out, awesome GPS press kit / CES survival kit. Read on to see everything that was included, and why it was better than most press kits.

Continue reading "HP's CES Navigation Press Kit is Totally Awesome" »

Posted by Fletch at 4:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Garmin is updating its popular nuvi line, releasing new high-end, mid-range, and entry level models. Read on for all the details and hands-on photos of Garmin's newest GPS units.

Continue reading "CES 2008 Coverage: Meet Garmin's nuvi 800 series, 780, 5000, 260W, Colorado, Forerunner 405, and Mobile PC" »

Posted by Fletch at 3:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the coolest things I've seen at CES is GPS Buddies, a hardware add-on that turns your Garmin nuvi into a sophisticated GPRS enabled realtime tracking device capable of two-way communication, geo-fencing, alerts, and more.

Continue reading "CES 2008 Coverage: GPS Buddy Turns Your Garmin GPS Into A Sophisticated Tracking Device" »

Posted by Fletch at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)