Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
List Price: $229.99
Price: $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $130.00 (57%)

I'm a pilot and I entrust my navigation to Garmin, specifically a GNS430, which is about $10,000 installed. This little guy is great for getting around in the car. I had a Garmin C340 until not too long ago, however, some thief thought it was better that he had it than me.

As far as using the device goes, it is absolutely easy to use. Telling it where you want to go on the QWERTY key display is much easier than on the C340's ABC key display. Points of interest are up to date and are very accurate. Though, I haven't tested it too much, but it has my grocery store and office, so I'm pretty good; as my primary use is for ETA rather than way-finding. You can directly enter co-ordinates into the Nuvi 260w, which is nice, when hunting down some silly thing a friend has sent you to find.

The only drawback is the suction cup mount. The old mounts had the power built into the cradle so you could take the unit out without disconnecting the power cord, which was handy. This on the other hand uses a mini-usb adapter which is plugged into the back of the device directly.

All in all, I'm secretly happy a thief came my way, otherwise I probably wouldn't have bought this.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Garmin nüvi 265W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (without Traffic)

List Price: $199.99
Price: $128.68 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
You Save: $71.31 (36%)



The last GPS I got I couldn't even figure out how to turn on...they have really come a long way as far as ease-of-use. This one...opened the box, easily assembled it onto the base with no directions, plugged it in, turned it on (okay, I had to go to directions for that, but they are very clear), followed all the steps (very intuitive - it walks you through it) and there I was - it had me pinpointed to my exact position in the parking lot - wow. So I plugged in an address, and yes, I'm old-school - I was shocked with this relatively inexpensive machine started TAlKING to me, nice voice too - very clear directions, tells you exactly how far to go before turning. This is the new model, which is why I got it, but it seems to have all the best features discussed in reviews of older models (I read a lot of reviews). Again, I'm not proficient in technology (my 11 year old niece has to help me with my phone and forget an I-Pod) but from my point of view this has all that a typical driver would need - I even think my even less-technically proficient parents would like it and I plan to try it out on them.

Update after a week: The screen shows several things I hadn't noticed, like your speed, the speed limit for the road you are on (some roads, not all roads), the expected time that you will get to the destination, the direction (North, South, East, West) and how far it is in miles. It's not distracting, as these notations are on the perimeter. The voice directions are very good, a warning prior to coming to a turn and then a 'turn left on ____ St.' when you get there and how far it is, as in 'turn left in point-three miles'. And it tells you which side of the street (left or right) your final destination is on, which is very helpful on a busy street.

Also nice is the 'Map' feature: It's simply a map of where you are, showing an automobile icon that moves as you go along...it shows landmarks, street names along with the speed limit and your speed so you don't have to look down at the speedometer and guess if you're going the speed limit and what it is. This can be used even when you don't have a destination plugged in. Plus, the machine saves addresses so you just have to tap on an address from a list of places you've been, instead of retyping it. It also saves the cities, so you can pull it down from a menu instead of typing it in...so I would consider it generally 'user-friendly'.

I got the portable Garmin Friction Mount to hold it in place (it's a beanbag type thing) which is really great, as you can easily stow it on the floor so no one decides to 'borrow it' if they see it on the dashboard. Overall, couldn't be more pleased...this one doesn't have 'traffic alerts', so if you want 'traffic' there is another Garmin model that would be more suitable.

Monday, November 8, 2010

GARMIN 010-11049-00 Astro DC 30 Wirelesss Collar Transmitter

List Price: $199.99
Price: $156.87 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $43.12 (22%)



Product Description
Garmin DC 30 Transmitter Collar. This rugged, all weather collar has an integrated GPS transmitter and antenna that work with the Astro 220 to ensure that your dog will never be lost again. Plus, its specially weighted so the antenna will always point to the sky for optimal signal. When teamed up with the Astro 220, this system will have you hunting in no time. The DC 30, in combination with the Astro 220, pinpoints your dogs position every 5 seconds and runs for 17 hours. You can extend the battery life of the DC 30 by changing the position transmit rate from 5 to 10 or 30 seconds, enabling the DC 30 to work up to 36 hours in the field on one charge. You will know if your dog is pointing, sitting, moving or treeing. Where its at. Where its been. How fast its moving and how far its gone.
The original astro came packaged with a small rechargable orange transmitter and a velcro harness to put it on your dog. Anyone mixing velcro and dog hair knows what happens next. There was also a plastic clip you could use to screw the transmitter onto your dog's existing collar, but my dog broke 2 of those clips giving chase.


When the DC30 came out it was a major improvement. Garmin realized that the heavy transmitter would sag down where the dog tags hang, so the put it there intentionally instead of forcing it on top.

The passive antenna in the original unit was replaced with an active amplified gps antenna sewn into the collar facing the sky. A small thin cable is hidden in the collar to carry the gps signal down to the transmitter below.

Finally, the transmit antenna was redesigned for vhf frequencies and realizes 1dB more gain over the previous transmitter - not alot but still an improvement.

In short, the DC 30 makes the astro a real dog tracker. I bought the collar separately and was immediately impressed. No longer did I have to scrape dog hair from the velcro on their earlier design!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Garmin Astro Bundle 220 Dog Tracking GPS

Are you worried about your dog? Worry no more with GPS dog tracking. It is something of great pleasure to them, but it is a source of tension for you. It is not possible on your part to keep track of them each and every moment, but if after sometime when you realize that it is no where around the yard or not even in the rarest nooks of your broad garden, then there is simply no end of your worries I am sure. So if you can manage something like the above mentioned product then the work of locating down your pet would naturally grow quite simple I am sure. Your dog can be located very easily if a GPS dog collar tracking device is attached on its collar. It is very effective and at the same time available at a price that would not burn a hole into your pockets. There are many developments that are being achieved in this field, but at the moment there are two types of products are available in the market. The first one acts via a cell phone. The device works by sending signals to your cell phones.retail more

GPS DOG TRACKING

GPS dog tracking system that can tell you where your dog is anytime, right away.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Zoombak ZMBK200 Advanced GPS Car and Family Locator

Are you worried about your teen or other loved one being behind the wheel? What if they get lost or your car gets stolen? Worry no more with Zoombak Advanced GPS Car & Family Locator. This water-resistant device installs permanently in your car or keep it portable for use in other vehicles such as motorcycles, ATVs, boats and bicycles. You can pinpoint your car's location on-demand via Zoombak site, mobile phone or live customer care. Or use the continuous tracking option to find out where your car is in real time. Just log on to the website to view a map of its current location, as well as where it has been before. Create and activate your own customized safety zones and be notified if your car leaves a zone. This locator will provide you with the peace of mind you are looking for in auto safety. Continuous Tracking - automatic update of your car's location every 5 minutes for up to 1 hour Location History - see where your car has traveled for the past hour, day or week. Device Alerts - have Zoombak notify you via email and/or text message when your Zoombak Locator has been powered off or has a low battery 24/7 Live Customer Care A-GPS Technology that uses both satellite & cellular technologies Comes with - Advanced GPS Car & Family Locator device Portable Car Charger AC Wall Charger Installation kit - 12V DC Charger for in-car charging and Installation Bracket User & Quick Start Guide 30-Day Risk Free Guarantee (in original packaging & condition with receipt) 1-year Manufacturers Warranty Device must be activated within 60 days of purchase

Install the Zoombak car locator permanently in your car or keep it portable for use in other vehicles such as motorcycles, ATVs, boats and bicycles. Locate your car’s whereabouts on-demand using Zoombak.com, your mobile phone, or live customer care. Track your car's location in real time, or view a map of your car's current location or location history. Create your own customized "safety zones", and get notified via text message and email when your car has left the zone.

Unlimited on-demand location requests, an easy-to-use website, and a 24/7 toll-free phone number for live customer care and location support, will provide you with the peace of mind you are looking for in car safety. Please note that Zoombak requires a monthly service plan (Learn more)


Key Features

Find the current location of your car online, via mobile phone text message, or via toll-free 24 hour customer service Track your car's location continuously
Get your car's location history
Get alerts whenever your car leaves custom "safety zones" that you define Low Battery and "Power Off" Alerts
24/7 Customer Service
Just 2.5 ounces
Long battery life (standby = up to 120 hours or 5 days; active use = up to 150 location requests)
Water-resistant housing
Low-cost service plan

LandAirSea LAS-1505 Tracking Key Vehicle GPS Tracking System

Technical Details
Ideal For Parents Who Want To See If Their Teenagers Are Speeding Or Employers Who Want To See Where Their Employees Are Driving
Small, Pocket-Sized Gps Device
Receives Signals From 24 Gps Satellites Orbiting The Earth
Internal Computer Accurately Determines The Location Of Device Within 2.5 M & Records Data Every Sec
Can Be Easily Hidden In Or Under Car


special Protect This Item from Accidents with a 3-Year SquareTrade Warranty
For just $29.99 more, protect your purchase from drops, spills, mechanical and electrical failures.


62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent System at Low Cost
I was really suspicious when I went GPS shopping, because I'd heard so many problems about metal blocking signals and so forth. I put the tracking key through all kinds of tests in my van, hiding it upside down under the seat, inside the dash, stashing it back inside the compartment for the jack, surrounding it with metal and pointing it in all different directions
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