NaviGadget

Ecco GPS locator

Oct 12, 2009 gps navigation, tracking 5 Comments

Ecco GPS Locator is a little handy GPS device that can help you locate things, places, etc. Not to be confused with GPS vehicle tracking, this little thing can only mark where you are – but can’t transmit its location back to you or anyone else. It is what we like to call a GPS backtracker.

Let’s say you’re visiting a new city and want to take a walk outside and discover some places. It would be a good idea to mark your position as soon as your step out your hotel, so you can always head back safely. It actually lets you store up to 3 locations – so why not another for where you parked your rental, and another for the restaurant you saw on the way. Ecco GPS locator is as small as a basic key fob and doesn’t look much different other than the blue backlit LCD screen. It can track 32 satellites at once and promises to get you a position fix in 60 seconds.

When it is time to head back to one of your marked spots this GPS locator can you show you the distance and an arrow pointing where you need to go. Imperial or metric. It measures 1.5×0.5×3 inches. Costs $99 on Amazon.

NAVIN miniHomer GPS backtracker

Oct 6, 2009 gps navigation, tracking Leave a comment

This keyring sized little gadget you’re looking at is a GPS backtracker. It can store up to five locations of your choice and help you get back to any of those by pointing you in their direction using its digital compass. Of course it also shows you how are you are away from that particular spot.

Navin miniHome is IPX7 waterproof can last long time before needing a USB charge thanks to its smart power features.

Oh, and it seems like every single company has their own version of a GPS backtracker – here are a few other ones that we’ve mentioned on Navigadget before: Read More …

Navibe BackTrack GPS

Sep 16, 2009 gps navigation, tracking 3 Comments

Remember the GPS backtracker we first talked about back in June and reviewed here? If you’re interested in this device – we have some good news for you. buygpsnow already have the device available for only $60. Of course it has been re-branded and they now call it Navibe BackTrack GPS. Anyhow – $60 is a good price for a GPS device that could potentially save your life, or at least help you find your car in a super-sized parking lot.

With the Navibe BackTrack GPS you can mark up to 4 locations, use it in compass mode only, or use it as a thermometer (Celsius or Fahrenheit). It has a digital compass with 8 directional arrows, run on 2 AAA batteries, is IPX-6 water resistant, uses a 20 channel SiRF StarIII GPS receiver. It’s a great GPS device to have.

Solara Field Tracker 2100

Jul 20, 2009 gps navigation, tracking 2 Comments

You may ask yourself what is this hideous yellow thing? Well, it is a GPS tracking device and we won’t argue with you about its hideousness. However we would like to remind you that it may very well save your life. Provided that 1) you buy it for $880 2) pay monthly fees of $30 – $45 depending on your contract term. But if it is your life on the line money is not issue so let’s stop talking about that and tell you more about the Solara Field Tracker 2100.

First off we’ll backtrack and correct ourselves. This is not just a simple GPS tracking device. It is a 2 way communications device with GPS tracking that promises to work anywhere on earth – using those Iridium satellites (one of which made the news recently after colliding with a Russian satellite). It lets you do 2 way text messaging and provides real time GPS tracking with automatic updates and can run for days or even weeks depending on your configuration.

The secure, online Web-based client interface for the Field Tracker 2100 includes tracking of multiple units with online maps, reading and sending text messages to individual Field Tracker 2100 units and the ability to broadcast to multiple units. Forwarding of text messages by email and automated telephone contact anywhere in the world are standard features of the Solara Web-based client interface. Units can be remotely controlled, including changing the time interval between position message transmissions

Read More …

Wintec G-Trender WSG-1000

Jul 12, 2009 gps navigation, tracking 2 Comments

Wintec G-Trender is a handheld GPS receiver device with a nice big screen. It seems like it is a step up from plain GPS back tracker devices since it has functions like calendar, speed, altimeter, atmospheric pressure, fitness training; but even provides some info on astronomy. All this in addition to the usual compass, backtracking, data logging functions.

Wintec G-Trender can also be used as a bluetooth GPS receiver in case you want to hook it up to your PDA or laptop.

It comes with a wrist band, GPS software, removable battery, and a USB cable.

We are not sure who carries this device in the U.S. just yet but once it comes out we’ll be first to let you know… Read More …

GPS QFinder: GF-Q900

Jun 17, 2009 gps navigation, tracking 9 Comments

Not to be left out of the GPS back trace/tracking craze QSTARZ has just now announced their version of the device called GPS QFinder: GF-Q900.

The QFinder utilizes GPS technology to mark your desired location and allows you to trace back to these locations later on with a precise digital compass with 8-directional arrows. You can mark up to to four locations and GPS QFinder: GF-Q900 will show you the direction and distance to that previously marked spot.

Some other features and specs include LCD display with backlight, SiRF Star III GPS chipset, high sensitivity 20 channel tracking, smart power saving feature (uses 2 AAA batteries), and IPX-6 water resistance.

GF-Q900 is now available for USD $79 / EURO €79.

Globalsat GPS Director: GD-101

Mar 9, 2009 globalsat, gps navigation, tracking 9 Comments

Globalsat has a new product out called the GPS Director. It is one of those basic GPS navigation systems that can point you to your car in big parking lot, or to the trail head when you’re on a hike (similar items: intelligent digital compass, Nolan Olympic GuideMate, Bushnell BackTrack) . We’re sure you can find many other uses for the GPS Director.

This one uses two AAA batteries, which will last up to 18 hours but this extended further with the power saving mode. It has a backlight, battery level indicator, ability to store 5 destination points, and even time zone setting and date and time display.

It measures 60×60x28mm, weighs 45 grams, and uses a 96×65 dot matrix display. The GPS receiver inside is can track 48 satellites at once and is sensitive for signals as low as -161dBm in strength. Does not seem to be available just yet. Stay tuned.

Intelligent Digital Compass

Nov 6, 2008 gps navigation, tracking 8 Comments

Intelligent Digital Compass is the name of this little widget that is expected to come out this January. It is not a navigation system or a GPS data logger but merely a device to mark your position so you can always get back there. Quite simple but can be very very useful.

It can store upto 3 locations and after you’ve locked that position all you’ll have to do is select one of them and hit return. It’ll show you the direction you need to head and the remaining distance. The LCD screen also shows a battery indicator, GPS signal status, and it is backlit so you can use it in the dark.

There are other tools that are similar such as the Bushnell BackTrack or the Nolan Olympic Guidemate.

Nolan Olympic GuideMate

Sep 13, 2008 gps navigation 7 Comments

Remember that Bushnell BackTrack GPS navigation system we mentioned the other day? Well apparently the idea of these mapless mini GPS navigation systems is not new. There are other products on the market that serve the same purpose; even with more functions. This one is called the Nolan Olympic GuideMate and it only costs $50. It uses 2 x AAA batteries and can run up to 22 hours. It uses a POSEIDON 2 chipset GPS receiver which can get a cold satellite fix in about 34 seconds. Nolan Olympic GuideMate also includes in e-Compass which means you don’t have to get a satellite fix then walk in a straight line before you figure out your heading.

Using the PC application you can also upload as many as 43,417 waypoints and then use the device to navigate to them. While navigating it will show your speed, ETA, and distance to your destination. You can also mark your current position as a POI and then navigate back to it.

Sweet! (thx Tony)

Bushnell BackTrack GPS Navigation System

Sep 7, 2008 gps navigation, tracking 8 Comments

Amazon is selling these really handy backtrack GPS navigation systems for only $60. This is a new product from Bushnell, a company that’s been involved in outdoor tools for many years. We think that’s a great price for a handy gadget that could literally save your life on your next outdoor trip if you do get lost.

They are advertising this simple GPS navigation system more for everyday use such as at the mall and stadium parking lots, at the festival, etc… but think how useful this could be for hiking, camping, kayaking, and mostly skiing.

Here are features from their site:

• Store and locate up to three locations
• Utilizes the latest digital technology
• High sensitivity SiRF Star III GPS reciever
• Self calibrating digital compass
• Weather resistant
• Operates on 2 AAA Batteries (Not Included)
• Compact size stores easily in your pocket or purse
• Lanyard included for easy attachment

The only problem we see is that you can only store 3 locations! That sometimes may not be enough but at this price you can buy two of these and have 6 locations stored :) We’ll be sure to get in touch with them and see if they are talking about 3 destinations with multiple waypoints or just 3 waypoints.