When I first reviewed Globalstar's SPOT personal GPS tracker last year, I loved the device's ability to send distress calls or "I'm OK, don't worry" type messages without relying on cellular coverage. But performance was spotty at best, and service wasn't reliable enough for me to recommend the unit.

Available in emergency-orange or silver color this fall, the new SPOT device is 30% smaller than the original SPOT, and boasts a more powerful GPS antenna that won't require an unobstructed view of the sky to work (a major shortcoming on the original device). Also new are illuminated buttons, a dedicated pre-programmable Custom Message button, and a protective cover over the SOS button.

Pricing isn't set yet, though the original unit retailed for around $170. Odds are the new device will be in the same pricing ballpark.

Posted by Fletch at 1:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Offender Locator is an iPhone App that lets you use the GPS on your iPhone to find registered sex offenders living near your current location. You can also see if any registered offenders live near any contact in your address book, or manually lookup a specific address.

Should any registered offenders be found, the app displays their photo, and the offense they committed. Currently available in a free "Lite" version, or $0.99 for the full version, Offender Locator is compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch running iPhone OS 2.0 or later. More details available via the developer's website.

Posted by Fletch at 12:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Verdict: A Firmware Update Away From Recommendability

Magellan's Maestro 4700 offers a 4.7-inch display, voice command, predictive traffic, Bluetooth, highway lane assist, AAA data, and much more at a recession-friendly price.

So, is the newest Maestro the best Magellan yet? Well, no, not quite. But it's got a lot of promise, and could be just a firmware update away from greatness.

Continue reading "Magellan Maestro 4700 Review" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (51)

Garmin's new Oregon 550t is a rugged, waterproof outdoor handheld GPS that combines a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with a built-in 3.2-MP autofocus digital camera. The Oregon 550t comes preloaded with topographic maps of the U.S., has a 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, a barometric altimeter, and the ability to wirelessly share data with other Oregon handhelds.

I received my Oregon 550t this weekend, and will be posting the full in-depth review soon. I know many of you are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest Oregon GPS, so I'm posting the unboxing photos now, as well as some initial impressions.

Continue reading "Garmin Oregon 550t Unboxing" »

Posted by Fletch at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Garmin's new nuvi 1390T has a pedestrian mode that can navigate city bus and subway lines, free lifetime traffic, and a host of other features. Check out the video for an in-depth walkthrough.

Posted by Fletch at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

I managed to get my hands on Magellan's soon-to-be-released Maestro 4700. This new unit represents Magellan's top of the line GPS model, and intros some neat features like predictive traffic patterns, voice recognition, and a large 4.7-inch screen.

I'll be posting the full, in-depth review soon. In the mean time, watch the video for a hands-on walkthrough, and some real-world driving testing.

Posted by Fletch at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)