Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger has re-legalized the use of windshield-mounted GPS systems in California. Effective January 1st, 2009, Californians will once again be legally allowed to mount a GPS on the windshield glass (today it's only legal to mount things on the dashboard, not the glass).

But you might not want to throw away that adhesive mounting disc or beanbag friction mount just yet -- the new law specifically says you can only mount a GPS in the lower left or right corners of the glass -- not in the lower center, which is where most drivers like to mount their GPS (including myself).

I've spent years driving in California with a GPS mounted right smack in the center of my windshield and never once had a policeman question it, so I'm not sure how aggressively enforced this archaic law was in the first place.

After January 1st 2009, Minnesota will be the only remaining State in the US that still outlaws the mounting of GPS units on the windshield.

Posted by Fletch at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Camera manufacturer DXG has announced what the company believes to be the world's first geotagging video camera. Equipped with an on-board GPS from Geotate, the "DXG HD Cam" records GPS location information as well as HD Video. From what I can tell, it sounds like basic GPS location information is stored while recording, and then processed when video is imported onto a computer.

I can't imagine anyone is in a huge rush to score an otherwise crappy camcorder from DXG, but it's probably a sign of things to come.

Posted by Fletch at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I'm pleased to announce two important new enhancements to GPSmagazine.com: threaded comments and subscriptions. That means comment threads will no longer appear as one long chronological list of comments. Instead, when you reply to a comment, the response will appear indented below the original comment.

Also new is the ability to subscribe to a specific comment thread. That means you can now sign up to be notified if anyone replies to your comment, or if new comments appear on a post you're interested in.

Posted by Fletch at 6:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Trimble Outdoors family of GPS-on-cellular applications converts your GPS-equipped cell phone into a navigator that can be used for biking, running, walking, skiing, Geocaching and more.

Complimented by an extensive online portal that lets you plan trips and routes, and track fitness goals, Trimble Outdoors is an excellent, cost effective co-pilot for all your outdoor adventures.

Continue reading "Trimble Outdoors Review" »

Posted by Fletch at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Athletes competing at Ironman Wisconsin on September 7th had high praise for the MyAthlete real-time live tracking system, with many saying they would continue to use the system for training and safety purposes. Triathletes wore the small tracking device during their 140.6 mile journey, which allowed friends and family to track their progress in real-time via the web.

The device utilizes GTZ Corp's 2-way GPS/PLS technology (gtxcorp.com). Battery life is said to run around 17 hours. My Athlete (www.MyAthleteGPS.com) says the tracking units will be available for rent starting at the end of September, with prices ranging from $20 for a half marathon to $50 for a multi-day sporting event.

Posted by Fletch at 1:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Yahoo!'s new GPS and geotagging-equipped, wired, solar-powered, photo-sharing purple bikes are part of the company's new "Start Wearing Purple" marketing campaign, designed to highlight innovation and creativity as a core Yahoo! belief.

Continue reading "Yahoo! Builds Fleet of Purple Bicycles, Complete With On-Board GPS & Digital Cameras" »

Posted by Fletch at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've been hearing reports of poor GPS reception in some newer vehicles for some time, but until now it was more rumor than fact. Garmin has now confirmed that coated windshields, found on some newer Volvo, Toyota, and Nissan models, can block GPS reception.

The issue isn't unique to Garmin, and is a function of the coating on the windshield preventing GPS signals from passing through. According to Garmin, customers experiencing this issue are encouraged to make sure the GPS is positioned so it has a clear view of the sky.

Some newer vehicles also have a small area of the windshield that is not coated, typically in the bottom-center area, to allow for the use of radar detectors, GPS devices, and portable satellite radios. Another option is to purchase an external antenna.

Specific performance details seem to vary from vehicle to vehicle, and between the various GPS makes and models. Are you experiencing this issue? Know of a workaround? Post a comment and let us know.

Posted by Fletch at 9:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Sure, Garmin says the new on/off-road nuvi 500 is waterproof, but is it really? Read on to watch the video test and see the results.

Continue reading "Testing Garmin's nuvi 500 Waterproof Capabilities" »

Posted by Fletch at 12:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)