Hasta La Gadget!

Maps. Everyone loves ’em. But while plenty of companies are showing off some very fancy map updates, we’re still being left somewhere, staring at tall buildings, waiting for our location to update and lead the way. Garmin reckons it’s solved the problem with its first GPS and GLONASS-compatible receiver, which can connect to both iOS and Android devices. Initial lock-on times are apparently 20 percent faster than typical GPS, while GLONASS’ additional 24 satellites will make faring through canyons and urban sprawls less of a struggle for signal pick-up. Garmin has also upped its position refresh rate to 10 times per second: typical GPS receivers will update just once every second. It connects to devices through Bluetooth and will offer a 12-hour navigation boost on a single charge.

If you’re a pilot, there’s even a GLO for Aviation package, which throws in a mount, power cable and six-month trial for its Pilot navi app. The standard receiver will launch in August, priced at $99, while those with wings can skip the queue and nab their version now for $139.

Continue reading Garmin GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS receiver: location refresh rate 10 times faster than typical GPS

Filed under: GPS

Garmin GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS receiver: location refresh rate 10 times faster than typical GPS originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 01:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I think we can be honest here; the GPS accuracy on most smartphones isn’t that great. Sure, it might be fine if you’re using the smartphone’s own GPS navigation application, but sometimes they’re not great – especially in dense urban areas. If you use apps that really need accuracy to work, I find most phones onboard GPS to be lacking.

To improve upon the built-in GPS modules found in most smartphones, Garmin has announced a new Bluetooth GPS receiver that works with the iPhone or Android devices.

The Garmin GLO updates positional information 10 times per second and can receive signals from American GPS satellites and Russian GLONASS satellites. The ability to update positional data 10 times per second is about 10 times faster than the internal GPS receiver on most mobile devices. Garmin promises that the device offers enough accuracy to give you solid GPS capability even in the city where tall buildings typically block signals or in canyons. The device has an internal rechargeable battery good for 12 hours at a time. It’s unclear at this point what apps will take advantage of the device though.

Garmin expects to launch the GLO in August for $99(USD).

Anyone who has tried to use a GPS navigation application or other app that uses GPS data knows that the internal GPS receiver on many smartphones isn’t up to the task of accuracy in some situations. This is especially true when you’re trying to use GPS services in the city surrounded by tall buildings, in thick forests, or in canyons. Garmin has announced a new external portable GPS and GLONASS receiver that connects to portable devices using Bluetooth.

The receiver is called the Garmin GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS Receiver. The device is a wireless GPS receiver capable of receiving signals from the US GPS network or the Russian GLONASS satellite network. The device can connect wirelessly to Apple or Android devices using Bluetooth. It promises 12 hours of use on a single charge and can update positional information 10 times per second.

Garmin does point out that the update rate could be limited by your host device. The GLO is also available in an aviation package, including a mount, power cable, and a six-month trial of Garmin pilot. The device will launch in August at an MSRP of $99 for the standard version with the aviation package retailing for $129.

Garmin unveils GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS receiver is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Garmin is expanding its range of watches by introducing its new fenix outdoor watch. As you might expect, it makes full use of GPS in order to help adventures better navigate the great outdoors, and adds some useful functionality in the process. You can record waypoints using the watch, such as landmarks or campsites, and make notes of points along your route using GPS tracklogs.

The watch provides a navigation arrow that will help steer users to destination points, and there’s a TracBack function that will help the owner retrace their steps as well. In combination with a desktop application, users can also plan certain routes and trips and share them out to friends and families in the process.

In terms of connectivity, the fenix comes equipped with Bluetooth plus altimeter, barometer, and compass sensors. The altimeter will provide elevation data, the barometer may be used to see any upcoming changes in the weather, and the compass naturally helps the user with their bearing. The fenix can also auto-calibrate using the built in GPS chip, and automatically set the time by determining the location of the watch.

Garmin has made sure the watch is rugged and durable too. There’s a “high-strength housing” that will survive shocks and bumps, plus a glass front that will resist scratches. The LCD display is LED backlit, with the watch held together by polyurethane wristbands. Garmin says the watch should be capable of 50 hours of battery life when actively using GPS, and its also waterproof up to 50 meters. The fenix should be on sale sometime this Fall, and cost around $399.99.

Garmin introduces fenix outdoor GPS watch is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Continue reading IRL: Fujifilm X-Pro1, Garmin Edge 200 and Otterbox’s Universal Defender case, revisited

IRL: Fujifilm X-Pro1, Garmin Edge 200 and Otterbox’s Universal Defender case, revisited originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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