Review The Explorist 710 is top of the line in Magellan’s new x10 series of multi-purpose GPS devices and offers preloaded topographical maps, turn-by-turn navigation, geocaching, tracking and a host of other features in one handy robust unit.
Take a hike: Magellan’s Explorist 710
The first thing you will notice about the 710 is how solid device it feels. Indeed, I have absolutely no doubt that it will withstand the rigours of the outdoor life because I accidentally dropped mine down a 15ft scree embankment into a stream, with no harm done. The device is officially IPX-7 rated which means it’s waterproof to a depth of 1m for 30 minutes. Read the rest of this entry »
Review Contour has been making a lot of noise recently about the new wireless viewfinder feature for its HD range of helmet cameras. With these units being necessarily small, the idea is that the viewfinder bulk is taken care of by using your phone‘s display, with a Bluetooth connection streaming the pics and video. Simply download a free app and you’re all set.
Environmentally friendly: Contour’s GPS camcorder
The concept is great, however, the current implementation is for iOS devices only, with Android support on the horizon. The cameras themselves (GPS version tested) are impressive pieces of kit. The brushed-metal enclosure slots tightly onto the supplied fixings including the ingenious goggle-mount; skiers and off-road bikers will be most impressed. A few more bundled mounts would have been nice, though the range available separately for your chosen type of extreme, daredevil activity is quite staggering. Read the rest of this entry »
Review TomTom’s entry level Start satnavs have long been the default choice for anyone wanting a reliable but basic PND. Now the range has been given a wash and brush up with the release of some new 4.3in screen devices with prices starting at £130.
Baby driver: TomTom’s Start 20
The design of the Start 20 addresses a couple of long-standing bug bears with many PND users, namely windscreen clutter and suction ring marks. The new integrated ball-and-socket mounting will let you stick the device either the usual way up or upside down, with the screen flipping through 180 degrees depending on orientation.
The advantage of this is that you can mount the unit on your dashboard as well as your windscreen. Ideally, to use it on the dash you need to cough up £5 for a pack of two self-adhesive mounting rings but as long as there is a convenient flat surface, you don’t actually need them. Read the rest of this entry »
Android App of the Week My Tracks is a GPS tracker app and a must-have for any Android user who wants to record where they have been, how fast they got there and just about any other details of their trips, walks, bike rides and assorted wanderings.
Track your trip – with waypoints (left) and then upload to Google etc (right)
Recorded data can be exported as either GPX, KML, TCX or CSV files but most of us will just use the Send to Google function that automatically uploads journey details to your Google account where it appears in the My Maps folder. Read the rest of this entry »
By Rik Myslewski in San Francisco (via reghardware.co.uk)
Review Yes, the iPhone incarnation of TomTom’s GPS navigation system is a bit on the pricey side. But if you’re a fan, you’re used to paying a pretty penny for flashy tech. And this TomTom actually gets the job done.
The TomTom car kit for iPhone mounts firmly and easily to your car’s windshield – or windscreen
TomTom released a major upgrade to its iPhone app last week, so we installed all 1.3GB of it onto our iPhone 3GS, hooked it up to the market-leading GPS maker’s brand new iPhone car kit, and took it for test drive around San Francisco.
We were impressed. The car kit for iPhone provides what the company refers to as “enhanced GPS performance”. It’s based on a SiRF Star III GPS chip – the de facto standard for standalone satnav gadgets – which helped the iPhone flawlessly find its way around downtown San Francisco, dense with signal-limiting high-rise buildings. Read the rest of this entry »
