Solar Powered Bluetooth GPS receiver

Solar Powered Bluetooth GPS receiver

We’ve seen our share of solar powered GPS devices here on Navigadget - so why stop. We present you Solar powered bluetooth GPS receiver from fTech.

You might wonder what if I want to know where I am in the middle of the night? Well do not worry because just like most other GPS devices out there this one also comes with rechargeable batteries and the solar panel is just to extend the life of a single charge. They claim it can last up to 30 hours when the solar panel is activated.

Some of the other specs and features of this solar powered bluetooth GPS receiver include 51 channel MediaTek receiver, 1Hz max update frequency, -158dBm sensitivity, and 45mA power consumption.

We haven’t seen this here in the U.S. yet but if you have seen it at on online retailer re-branded under a different name do let us know.

(Via NaviGadget.)

Garmin Oregon 450 and 450t

Garmin Oregon 450 and 450t

Garmin just yesterday announced Garmin Oregon 450, and Garmin Oregon 450T. This makes the already crowded Oregon series even more crowded; just how Garmin likes it. We already had:

Garmin Oregon 200

Garmin Oregon 300

Garmin Oregon 400c

Garmin Oregon 400t

Garmin Oregon 400i

Garmin Oregon 500t

Garmin Oregon 550

Garmin Oregon 550t

But anyhow, back to Garmin Oregon 450, and 450t. They feature a bright 3″ color display, newly added user-selectable dashboards, enhanced track navigation, and also high-speed USB for faster map transfers.

You’ve still got the photo navigation and the 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass which is a must if you’re lost in the wilderness. Of course Garmin Oregon 450 and 450t does feature a barometric altimeter, the necessary software for easier geocaching, and wireless exchange of tracks, waypoints, routes and geocaches.

Both 450 and 450t come with a worldwide shaded relief basemap, but 450t adds a preloaded 100K topographic maps for the U.S. including 3D elevation perspective. They weigh 6.8 ounces, and can last up to 16 hours on two AA batteries. They feature a GPS receiver with HotFix which kinda mimics A-GPS technology. They come with 850 MB of internal memory and a microSD card slot for photos and other optional map data.

What’s different from the 5xx series? These don’t come with a digital camera. MSRP for Garmin Oregon 450 is $400, and for Garmin Oregon 450t is $500.

(Via NaviGadget.)

Cydle to offer new devices at CES 2010

Cydle to offer new devices at CES 2010

CES 2010 is the launchpad for many companies where new products are concerned, and Cydle isn’t going to miss out on the party next January by offering to unveil the first portable GPS with built-in HD Radio and free HD live traffic updates in the world. The Korea-based company hopes that their portable GPS system will turn any vehicle into a haven, even if it is a bone shaker, offering the driver with various options to get to their destination accurately within the routes selected, or keeping the kids in the back seat entertained while one’s family is on a long road trip in order to avoid the dreaded repetitious question, ‘Are we there yet?’

New technology employed includes GPS with HD Traffic Update, where one is able to receive Live Traffic updates up to 10 times faster compared to its competitors. The new T43H from Cydle will feature integrated HD Radio, where one will receive free HD Traffic. Inside the T43H will also feature both internal and external antennas, where they will refresh automatically to include the most up-to-date information concerning accidents, traffic speed and road construction areas. All you need to do when behind the wheel is to key in the destination and receive real-time alerts as they go, but do use some common sense as well since it has been proven that not all GPS maps have been updated to reflect real world conditions.

Other features of the T43H goes include a high-resolution 4.3″ screen, audio and video playback alongside support for a wide variety of multimedia file formats. You can also use this to flick through photos of your favorite memories, although we would recommend you keep your eyes on the road instead. Retailing for $299 a pop, there won’t be any hidden costs or subscription fees attached to the Cydle T43H. No idea on when the exact release date would be alongside the markets it will be rolled out in, but we guess that more light will be shed when CES 2010 rolls around.

(Via Coolest Gadgets.)

Audi A8 To Offer EDGE And Google Earth

Audi A8 To Offer EDGE And Google Earth

GPS navigators are fairly common in luxury cars nowadays, but about Google Earth? Well, Audi will be offering the option of a built-in navigation system for their 2011 model that comes complete with Google Earth and a GPRS/EDGE modem. 3G would have been a lot nicer, but considering that you don’t see Google Earth on cars everyday, it’s certainly not the end of the world. There isn’t any mention how this unit will affect the price of your new A8, but you’ll probably want to take note that it might not be available the moment the car is launched, as Audi is saying to expect it mid 2010 or so. Word on the street is that there will also be a UMTS modem available in mid 2010, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when you check it out.

(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

Vexia EcoNav 380 and Vexia EcoNav 380

Vexia EcoNav 380 and Vexia EcoNav 380

Vexia has unveiled its new range of GPS navigators, the Vexia Econav Series 80 which we noticed became sleeker but luckily kept all the features that you’d expect from other higher end models in the GPS navigation market.

Vexia Econav x80 series brings new features at the hardware and the software level, and is comprised of top two models, the Econav Vexia 480 and 380.

Although the design is almost like the early versions, the Vexia Econav Series 80 can claim to be more stylish. Lighter (154 grams) and slimmer are the developments in the external appearance.

Model 480 comes with 2GB internal memory, microSD expansion slot and 500-MHz processor dual core for handling data received from the Sirf Atlas IV GPS receiver chip. The screen on this model is 4.3 inches with 480x272 pixels resolution, which includes a light sensor as a method for energy saving. Therefore you can expect a battery life of four hours with the EcoNav 480.

The base model of the series is the Vexia 380, which only differs from 480 in screen size, which in this case is 3.5 inches and has a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Memory, processor and GPS chip are identical, and the battery as well.

In addition to the typical functions of GPS navigators, such as the useful lane assistance, realistic road signs, text-to-speech, etc, the Vexia Econav series also incorporates fuel saving features.

These two navigators from the 80 series utilize a Penalty Point system that gives the driver real-time information on the amount of points lost by exceeding the speed limit, even where there is no radar.

Another interesting feature is the eco-front passenger, which is responsible for helping to drive more efficiently depending on the type of car you have and we run the roads. It will even indicate when is the ideal time to change gear.

And when you’re ready Econav Report allows the user to analyze the evolution of fuel savings you get by day, week, fortnight and year.

New GPS navigators Vexia Econav Series 80 are priced at EUR 160 and 190 EcoNav 380 (depending on the type of maps; only Spain or Western Europe) and 200 and 230 euro for Econav 480…

(Via NaviGadget.)

Pikavu GPS child tracker

Pikavu GPS child tracker

Possibly made by the same people who brought you GPS tracking for Alzheimer patients - Pikavu is a GPS child tracking system which consists of a base station and a quite stylish wrist watch.

The GPS wrist watch is water resistant and impact resistant and comes with a safety lock so it can’t be removed by the child. It has an alert button which when pressed for 5 seconds sets off an alarm in the base station.

To get a GPS lock faster Pikavu uses four systems. SBAS-GPS, indoorVision, VisionCellid, and T-GSM. Apparently it can even work where no GPS signals are available by using an alternate tracking system.

The wrist watch of the Pikavu child GPS tracking system weighs only 36 grams, and comes in two colors. The battery can last up to 3.5 days but with the power saving mode you can squeeze maybe 4.5 days out of it.

The base station has a 4.2″ touch screen, and have an easy to use graphical user interface. It comes with maps of the world, that are downloaded automatically when the child is located. It works with rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and charger is included in the pack.

How much? 990 freaking Euros…

(Via Xataka.)

Garmin GPSMAP 4208

Garmin GPSMAP 4208

There’s the Garmin GPSMAP 5012, the portable and dual function GPSMAP 640, and the brand new GPSMAP 6000 and GPSMAP 7000 series. But maybe you need something else - not so expensive - but still more functional than the portable GPSMAP 640. In that case you’ll find the Garmin GPSMAP 4208 quite useful. Garmin GPSMAP 4208 is a WAAS enabled chartplotter with 12 channel GPS receiver and a 8.4″ VGA display.

The device is preloaded BlueChart g2 maps of the U.S. coast, and supports connecting to the Garmin Marine Network, where you can add sonar, radar and weather updates. If the onboard maps are not enough you can always bring your own on an SD card, or use the video-in port to get live pictures from other places on your boat.

Costs $1740 on Amazon which is $260 cheaper than the price posted on Garmin.

(Via NaviGadget.)