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Garmin Zumo 660 Review

April 27th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Zumo 660

Since GPS systems became so popular for daily use in automobiles  Garmin and TomTom created specifically designed GPS systems for motorcycles as well.  Garmin has its Zumo line which offers a couple different styles and features and TomTom has its main system called the Rider 2. Both these systems off the general features required for motorcycle use such as, vibration resistance, glove friendly touch screens, helmet connection to hear the direction, waterproof, and rugged design to handle the elements of a motorcycle ride.Both brands of GPS systems have pleased their customers.  However, Garmin has created another Zumo motorcycle GPS unit called the Zumo 660 and they have definitely outdone themselves and TomTom with this exciting new product.

Garmin states that with the Zumo 660 will allow you to “take a ride on a new route and explore the open road…whether you’re on a weekday ride just across town or a weeklong trip to an annual rally with friends, the Zumo 660 is ready to show you the way.So Let’s take a look at the Zumo 660.

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The Zumo 660 has a color touchscreen that is 4.3″ wide and, of course, glove friendly. The screen is built to resist glare from the sun so that you can easily read the screen during the day as well as night.  The case is still as rugged and waterproof as before also resisting fuel sprays and sun damage.

The maps are preloaded so the minute you receive your Garmin Zumo 660 you are ready to go. The points of interests include your usual motels, restaurants, gas stations, etc, however, it now includes a 3D building view and lane assist so that you can really get a better picture of the area you are driving through,Which is helpful for downtown areas.  There is also a digital fuel gauge so you have a more exact reference of how many miles you have left before you need to get more gas.

The Zumo 660 is bluetooth compatabile so you can communicate with friends. The bluetooth compatibility also allows an individual to pick out a POI and call it before arriving if needed.

The Zumo 660 includes an MP3 player for both music and audiobooks for those that are traveling long distances.The player partnered with the bluetooth allows clarity when listening to your favorite song or book.  The Zumo 660 also has a picture viewer for taking pictures along the way.

You can also plan a trip ahead of time on your computer.  Create your own custom routes and stops on your computer and simply transfer the saved route onto your Zumo 660 when your ready.With the micro SD memory card you can store numerous custom routes and share them with friends.  To get more great rides Garmin even offers their Zumo Connect online community, a resource for motorcyclists to find new rides, planning trips, and friends.

The Zumo 660, however, is not limited to the motorcycle and allows versatility for those that need a GPS system for their motorcycle and their automobile.  Along with the Zumo 660, you will receive a universal motorcycle mount, a vehicle mount, a carrying case, and a power cable. 
Allowing you to have one great GPS system for both motorcycle and automobile use.

Get your Zumo 660 today and start planning your next ride!

 

Zumo 660 Motorcycle GPS

Leanne Brown

Detect GPS Tracking Device

April 27th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

The new GPS tracker device admits just anyone to track anyone else. Additionally almost all new mobiles have GPS tracking device built in to them. Few even have the power to send position information even with out the battery. All of which make one to wonder what happened to individual secrecy. The answer is that there actually is no secrecy.

There are basically two types of GPS tracking device technology available to the public. The simplest is called a passive or logger tracking device. This device is also the most difficult to detect and defend against. These devices can be as small as a matchbook and can be hidden just about anywhere. They are attached to a vehicle or individual and after a specific amount of time they must be retrieved. After retrieval the device is usually attached to a personal computer and the information is downloaded into a data base that is provided by the device manufacture.

Probably the best defense against passive/logger tracking devices comes in the form of a GPS blocker. These small units normally plug into your automobiles cigarette lighter port and provide protection for about 30 feet in any direction. Small handheld units are also available that run on batteries that also provide short range blocking. These units can range in price from $200 to $850.

The second type of GPS auto tracker or personal GPS tracking device are called real time tracking devices. These units do just as the name implies, provide current real time location information on the individual or vehicle that is being tracked. This accomplished through the use of cell phone technology. Recent technology improvements have greatly reduced the size and reliability of these tracking devices. You can purchase a battery operated unit the size of a small cell phone that will provide tracking information for up to a week before the battery requires charging. More commonly these units are attached to a vehicle and use the vehicles power supply to provide power to the tracking unit.

Real time tracking devices generally require the user to contract with a GPS tracking device service company. These companies frequently provide the tracking devices and the software necessary to track the device on your personal computer. Depending on the contract the information is uploaded to you at time specific intervals. The most common information uploads range from 5 to 10 minutes.

Defending against this type of tracking device is relatively easy with a combination cell phone/GPS blocking device. These units range in cost from $300 to more than $1000. Of course either a cell phone or a GPS blocking device may accomplish the same affect.

An Introduction of Handheld GPS Device

April 23rd, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Handheld GPS devices, although, are devoted entirely to navigation and are most oft used by trampers, mounters and mountain bikers. Users interested in buying a handheld GPS device should first learn how GPS technology perform and become companion with the capacities and features of most handheld GPS devices so that they can detect a device that best suits their requirements.

Function & Benefits of Handheld GPS Device

All GPS navigational devices use the Global Navigation Satellite System made and kept by the United States Department of Defense to measure a user’s position via satellite. The basic operation of handheld GPS devices, also called as "receivers," are to give users with the exact coordinates of their present position and to help them navigate tracks and roads using coordinates consumer input into the device.

The most important benefits of handheld GPS device are their movability and strength. Though other GPS devices, such as those in cars, are normally more potent, their size and power need make them impossible for use in outdoor actions. Other handheld electronics that contain GPS technology, such as mobile phone, are not produced for energetic outdoor use, as are handheld GPS device, and are used only for road travel.

Features & Considerations

Many handheld GPS devices are durable and waterproofed. All are fitted with a screen, with some providing color screens, and most commonly have a backlighting for comfortable use at night. Every handheld GPS receivers also have a set quantity of memory space for putting in maps and other details. One of the most significant features of a handheld GPS device is its antenna, which is gets signals from the satellites. Aerials can be outside or inside and may be a flat-patch aerial or the more high-tech quadrifilar helix antenna, which is perfect for navigating areas with heavy trees.

Before purchasing a handheld GPS receiver, users should find what, if any, accessories are included with the model. Most do not contain cords, add-ons or extra map software that may be important for best use. More costly handheld GPS receivers will contain add-ons, such as hardware and software needed for using the device for road mapping and traffic functions, and may also have Bluetooth capacities.

Relying entirely on a handheld GPS device when tramping or biking in big areas can be unsafe. These devices should be taken only as one part of a bigger navigation program. When preparing any outside action outdoorsmen should forever bring a published map and compass in case the handheld GPS device misfunctions, becomes broken, or drains of battery power.

Find Right Software for Your GPS Receiver

April 23rd, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

GPS receivers are quickly becoming the coolest gadgets around. Today’s GPS devices are nothing like their gargantuan predecessors; they can easily be held in one hand and even stuffed into the pockets of the tightest jeans. Some GPS receivers are even specially designed for vehicle use, and can give elaborate, real-time tracking to any destination.

For those who want to make the most of their GPS, it is necessary to load the correct GPS software into both the device and a home computer. Specialty GPS software is available to complement a host of pastimes.

GPS Software and Hiking

So you know your GPS can help you avoid getting lost, but did you know that you could also download software for your GPS that pre-loads topograpgical maps into your receiver? Specialty hiking GPS software contains detailed topographical maps complete with contour lines to show relief such as hills and valleys, as well as hiking trails, rivers, lakes, roads, and every other manmade or natural topographical feature. This GPS software can replace expensive hiking maps, which can cost up to $5.00 each and are hard to find. For lightweight backpackers covering a long distance, this type of GPS software is especially attractive, and can save pounds of backpack weight, as it eliminates the need for bulky sets of maps.

GPS software containing topographical maps is also useful when geocaching. Geocaching is a hobby where participants hide and search for caches all over the world. Using GPS coordinates, the game is like a huge version of hide and go seek. While traditionally geocachers would have to search for coordinates to these treasures online, there are several applications now, such as the Geocaching GPS software for the iPhone that allows users to download these coordinates directly to smart phones and other handheld computers.

GPS Software for Fishing and Boating

Garmin is one of several software providers that sell a suite of GPS software that includes maps of U.S. waterways, including rivers, lakes and coastal waters. This GPS software also shows fishermen where to find the best fishing hot spots. Garmin GPS software does not have to be loaded on a boat-mounted system, and can instead be carried in the same handheld device you use for huking or driving.

GPS Software for Driving

Many GPS software applications make driving a breeze. This GPS mapping software literally contains all of the large and small roads of a country, and also includes major landmarks, even waypoints for businesses, such as restaurants and stores. Using GPS software in your car guarantees you will never get lost.

All you have to do to use this software is enter an address where you want to go. The GPS software does the rest. Using the GPS receiving function, it automatically calculates your current position, and leads you to your destination. If you do happen to make a wrong turn, or if construction blocks your route, the GPS software automatically calculates a corrected route, allowing you to get where you are going safely.

Many companies provide free or cheap GPS navigation software. Free GPS software applications include OpenStreetMap, Freedrive, MapMonkey, and Google Earth. Pay software offers even more options than free GPS software and tends to be kept much more up-to-date. These applications include the Garmin suite, TomTom Navigator, Nav N Go and Microsoft Streets and Trips.

What Good Is A GPS Tracking System?

April 23rd, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

You know that you can use the best gps navigation system to get you to wherever you need to go. You can put it in your car and get turn by turn directions to any destination. However, there are also gps tracking systems that also utilize satellite technology. These don’t give you turn by turn directions but they do track whatever you want tracked. What could these be used for? GPS tracking systems can be used for a multitude of purposes. For instance, you could track a child to see where he or she goes when out with friends, you can track your car in case it’s ever stolen, a computer or anything else that has the gps transmitter attached to it.

New Car

One of the most popular reasons for having a gps tracking system is in the use of tracking cars. When you buy a new car you are often given the option of getting a gps tracking system attached to it. This isn’t to track where you go in the car, and it’s not so that you can track where your loved ones go in it, it’s to track your car in case it’s ever stolen. Think about how useful a gps tracking system would be in a car that was stolen. The police would be able to find your car in a heartbeat because all they’d have to do is follow a little blinking dot on a screen instead of looking all over town for you car which may look like a hundred other cars just like it.

Laptops

Gps tracking systems are also often sold with new laptops. When you have a laptop, you store very personal information on it. You may store banking information on it, you may have pictures that are very personal to you and you may have other information stored on it that’s just not replaceable. Sure, you’ve heard it a hundred times that you’re supposed to back all that stuff up but oftentimes, if your laptop is stolen, it comes at a time when it’s too late to do anything about backing up information. That makes it very useful to have a gps tracking system in your laptop. If it’s ever stolen, you’ll be able to track it the first instant it’s turned on.

There are many other uses for gps tracking systems. The bottom line is that it will track anything you want tracked and that can be useful for a wide number of things. There are also nefarious reasons for having gps tracking systems but most uses are for good; or at least we would hope.

GPS Software - What You Can Do

April 21st, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

GPS navigation systems

Getting the most out of your GPS navigation system is often a matter of knowing the GPS software. You can gain access to more maps, more features and better functionality if you know how. Here are some tips on how to enjoy everything your GPS navigation systems have to offer. Of course, there is still no substitute for reading the owner’s manual!

One thing you can do with the software on your GPS is speed up the satellite lock. You’ll want to do this when you first get your device or when you’ve moved to a new location. When you first turn on your GPS navigation device, your unit will need to read the positioning of the other satellites in the sky in relation to your current position. The most efficient way to receive this information is to leave GPS navigation systems on under an open sky for 20 minutes, without moving them around. Additionally, when you’ve traveled over 100 miles and you turn your car on, you may want to hit the “new location” button on the satellite screen menu to speed up the satellite acquisition.

The cool thing about GPS software is that you are able to update it (for free) every time a new version of firmware comes out. Sometimes these updates just fix glitches, while other times they actually add new functionality. This is as easy as plugging your GPS navigation system into your computer via a USB cable and clicking on the “Support” section of the manufacturer’s website. Another useful upgrade is the capability to update your maps once a year. While this may cost anywhere from $40-$100, it’s a useful investment if you live in a rapidly developing area.

Another great feature of your GPS software is the ability to do all your trip pre-planning from your PC and then send the data to your GPS navigation system. Google Maps and Mapquest now offer a “Send to GPS” feature, which many consumers find extremely helpful. At Google Maps, plot your route, then click the “Send” link with the email icon beside it. Then choose to send it to a Garmin or a TomTom GPS. At www.mapquest.com, map your location, click “Send” and then the “Send to GPS” option. Be aware, though, that Mapquest will only send to a Garmin device.

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Copyright © 2009 GPS system buyers guide

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