Best GPS Direct » Magellan http://bestgpsdirect.com Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:33:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= The Future of GPS http://bestgpsdirect.com/future-gps/ http://bestgpsdirect.com/future-gps/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 00:57:33 +0000 admin http://bestgpsdirect.com/?p=300 Garmin Asus M10 Unlocked Quadband GSM SmartPhone Nuvifone phone with Wifi, GPS, 5MP camera and 3G in Black - International versionInstead of just covering various GPS systems, I wanted to take a moment and talk about GPS’s, in general—what they are and how they’ve changed our lives. Right now, I can think of a few ways that GPS’s have changed my life. For one, I became fascinated with everything GPS a few years ago. That resulted in several websites on the subject and literally hundreds of articles, which have been republished all over the Internet. The other thing is that I’ve given up maps.

I actually love maps…real maps. You know, paper maps that tear along the creases. I love compasses. I used to do orienteering when I was a Boy Scout. Now, although I have a collection of zillions of maps, I don’t use them anymore. Why not? Well, my GPS is so much easier to use. (There could be a problem with this, which I’ll talk about in a moment.)

It’s only been ten years since President Clinton opened up the GPS satellite system to commercial, civilian use. At first, the satellites, which power the GPS grid were for military use only. Like the deregulation of ATT years ago, this access to GPS technology spawned a whole new industry. Now, we have GPS’s in cars, after market GPS’s, GPS’s for golf, running, boating, flying, and fishing. We’ve got GPS technology in our phones. Heck we can even put it under the epidermis of our dogs. (What’s next? Our kids?)

I love GPS’s in particular and technology, in general. So, I’m not trying to be some sort of luddite, here. All technological advances, however, carry the seeds of loss of privacy, and with that loss of civil rights. And we have to keep this in mind with GPS technology.

It wasn’t but a few short months ago, that our current President (Obama) suggested that we install GPS’s in everyone’s car in order to control gasoline usage. That’s certainly a “green” thought. But it’s also a dangerous thought. I just read an article about the amazing amount of data that Facebook compiles and sells on its users. Just think what Uncle Sam could do with detailed knowledge of where you drive, when you drive, how long you’re parked in various places. Couple this with the fact that census workers are supposed to get the coordinates of the front doors of the residences they visit, and…you have the stuff that conspiracy movies are made of.

Science fiction aside…(or is it sci-fi?) …GPS technology is really cool. I especially love the trend that Garmin is taking lately of merging GPS’s, cell phones, and mobile Internet browsers. My dream would be to have a device that single-handily took care of all of my information technology needs. I don’t know what you would call it. (Let me know, if you have any ideas.)

What can we expect in the near future for GPS technology? Personally, I think we’re headed in the direction of single device integration. I hope, however, that this is more than just one device with a zillion icons, just sort of a portal where you choose the app you need. I hope that we can get this down to the point where we have apps that do more and handle more. Think spreadsheet, word processor, PowerPoint, Internet browser, media collector/player combination. One app that does more. I think it’s going to be a while before we get there.

BTW, here’s an article I read in PCMag that sort of launched me on this track.

Enough playing around. I’ve got to crank out a few more product announcements and reviews.

Lee

]]> http://bestgpsdirect.com/future-gps/feed/ 0 What’s the Cheapest GPS that has Text-to-Speech? http://bestgpsdirect.com/cheapest-gps-texttospeech/ http://bestgpsdirect.com/cheapest-gps-texttospeech/#comments Sun, 16 May 2010 15:18:30 +0000 admin http://bestgpsdirect.com/?p=282 Garmin nuvi 260w 4.3-inch widescreen portable gps navigatorOne of the most common questions I get is what is the cheapest GPS that has text-to-speech. I completely understand why I’m being asked that question. Text-t–speech is one of the “must have” features of vehicle GPS devices in my book. Text-to-speech is where the GPS actually tells you what streets to turn on. It’s doesn’t just say, “Turn Right,” but “Turn right at Elm Street.” When do you really need a GPS, anyway? It’s when you’re in unfamiliar territory. When actually knowing the name of the street you’re to turn on can really help reduce the confusion. That right there is why having text-to-speech is so important, at least in my book.
It used to be (only about a year or two ago) that text-to-speech was a feature that no all GPS’s had, and you have to pay more for a GPS with that capability. It’s not that all GPS systems nowadays has text-to-speech, but it’s much more prevalent that it was two years ago. So, the question of what’s the cheapest GPS that has text-to-speech might not be as important now in 2010 as it was in 2008, but still it has meaning. After all, Garmin’s top of the line GPS devices can cost several hundred dollars. With the global recession many of us are on budgets (which is a good thing, anyway), but knowing which is the cheapest GPS with text-to-speech certainly can save you some money. With all of that said, let’s look at what’s currently selling over at Amazon. All of the devices I’m listing will have text-to-speech, and all of them are in the cheaper price ranges.
Current Cheapest GPS that has Text-to-Speech:

  1. Pharos 150 3.5-inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech: The Pharos 150 currently sells for somewhat less than $100 at Amazon. Other than the text-to-speech feature, this is an entre-level model. It’s got an internal speaker with an ear jack, mini-USB connection, 3.5-inch color screen with good resolution, and a medium sized points of interest database.
  2. Motorola MOTONAV TN20 3.5-inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech: The Motorola MOTONAV TN20 definitely belongs on my list of cheapest GPS that has text-to-speech. Two other features I like about the Motorola MOTONAV TN20 are the size of its point of interest database (millions) and the fact that it tells you which lane to get in. Still it’s under $100.
  3. Garmin nuvi 260W 4.3-inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator: The Garmin nuvi 260W sells for slightly more than the Pharos and the Motorola do. Currently, it’s slightly more than $100. But it has text-to-speech, and several other great features. For one thing, it’s got a much larger screen than either of the above two. Yet, you still get Garmin’s name and engineering.
  4. Magellan Maestro 4040 4.3-inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Text-to-Speech (refurbished): If you want to spring for a refurbished model, then the Magellan Maestro 4040 could easily be what you want to buy. As far as the cheapest GPS that has text-to-speech, a refurbished Magellan Maestro 4040 might be the ticket. Since this is a refurbished model, you’ll get plenty of great features, like Bluetooth, which you would not find a new unit. If you buy a factory refurbished model, than I think you’re good as far a quality.

So, which of these should you get? That’s hard to say. If you’re really pinched for money, but really, really want (or need) a GPS, then I would probably go with either of the first two. If, however, you can spare an extra thirty or so bucks, I would definitely spring for either the Garmin or the Magellan. Which of the two is a toss up. I think the Magellan probably has more features. But then again, it’s refurbished. Probably, if it were me and I were looking for the cheapest GPS that has text-to-speech, then I would go for the Garmin.

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