Thanko GPS watch
Oct 30, 2009 gps navigation, tracking, wrist watch
Thanko of Japan is getting to release a new GPS watch that actually looks like an ordinary wristwatch. If it wasn’t for the battery, satellite, and way point icons and LEDs on its face you wouldn’t be able to tell this little thing was tracking your location. The name of this GPS watch is unfortunately GPSTRVBK which means nothing in any known language on earth.
Once you wear this watch, or convince somebody to wear it, you can transfer the GPS track logs to a PC and lay them over Google Maps. It sells for 17800 Yen (~ $200) in Japan, and apparently it is coming to geekstuff4u.com very soon…
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GPS tracking for Alzheimer’s patients
Oct 3, 2009 gps navigation, tracking, wrist watch
Vision Localization Systems and CEAFA (Spanish Confederation of Relatives of Alzheimer’s) just unveiled a new and improved GPS tracking system for Alzheimer patients and their families called Keruve 2010. Keruve 2010 is made up of two parts. The base station which helps you locate where the patient is, and the super sleek wrist watch that actually looks pretty stylish too.
Different from their previous version, this GPS locator is a lot more discrete and comes in three gentleman models (classic, sports), two lady models, and even a unisex model – wrist watch without any compromise in functionality.
The device relies on four different tracking systems which includes GPS-SBAS (<2.5m), a special indoor positioning system (10-40m), VisionCellid (200-500m), and T-GSM (200m-1500m), and has a feature called “multicoverage” which use the sum of all GSM networks available in each country.
The base station has a 4.2″ screen, display streets with large letters, and has an ergonomic design. We don’t have any information on how much this GPS tracking system from Alzheimer’s patients will cost but it can’t be that cheap.
Lok8u locates your unruly child
Sep 26, 2009 gps navigation, tracking, wrist watch
We thought we’d mention the Lok8u GPS child tracker. It has been around for a while in the UK, but they’re now in the States side as well. Their company name “NuM8″ is quite tacky – something you wouldn’t expect from Brits :) – which should sound like “new mate”. If you still haven’t noticed the product name Lok8u sounds like “locate you”. Alright, enough with name calling. The device is in the shape of a digital wrist watch which can communicate its precise location to parents via Google Maps or text messages and can warn you if it has been removed without your authority.
Their technology makes use of A-GPS too – which should help when your child is indoors and help satellite fix times be a lot shorter. Lok8u can last about 2 – 3 days with a single charge but we’re not that optimistic.
Their pricing in the U.S. has not been revealed yet but UK prices are as follows: The watch itself is £150 and the monthly fees range from £5 to £20. £5 gets you 1 update for a whole month while £20 gets you unlimited everything.
Garmin Foretrex 301
Jun 16, 2009 fitness, garmin, gps navigation, tracking, wrist watch
In addition to Foretrex 401, Garmin also introduced its little brother today: the Garmin Foretrex 301.
Foretrex 301 is quite similar to 401, except that it lacks the electronic compass, and the barometric altimeter. In addition it is slightly has a lighter color and supposedly will last up to 18 hours (instead of 17) with only 2 AAA batteries.
Garmin Foretrex 301 is rugged and waterproof, boast a sensitive GPS receiver with HotFix that quickly acquires and maintains satellite reception. It keeps track of where you’ve been so you when turn on the TracBack feature, it will retrace your path right back to where you started.
Foretrex 301 feature dual-position readout so that you can view your current location in multiple formats, including latitude/longitude and an alternate position format of your choice.
Also no wireless sharing your tracks and waypoints on 301. Only 401 has this feature.
Garmin Foretrex 301 can store up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes or a tracklog of up to 10,000 points and 10 saved tracks.
UPDATE: Pricing info has just been released and Garmin Foretrex 301 will go for $200.
Here are some more specs:
- Unit dimensions: 2.9″ x 1.7″ x 0.9″ (7.5 x 4.3 x 2.3 cm)
- Display:1.4″ x 0.9″ (3.6 x 2.3 cm)
- Resolution: 100 x 64 pixels
- Display type: Black and white LCD
- Weight: 3.1 oz (87.3 g) with batteries
- Waterproof: yes (IPX7)
- Floats: no
- Interface: USB
Garmin Foretrex 401
Jun 10, 2009 garmin, gps navigation, wrist watch
Apparently Garmin is coming a with new Foretrex called Garmin Foretrex 401. We didn’t think Garmin would continue with this series after coming up with products such Forerunner 405CX and even Forerunner 310XT, but they must have seen the market for it. Specially the DoD market: Militarytimes got their hands on a final prototype and the specs for the new Garmin Foretrex 401 looks quite impressive.
First off Garmin Foretrex 401 is about 20% smaller than the original 201, and 101, but do share the same size (1.4″ x 0.9″) screen. It has a 2-axis digital compass, barometric altimeter, and a USB port to hook up to a computer. It even has some sort of wireless waypoint sharing option.
Up to this point everything is OK. But then you get to some other set of features which makes us think Foretrex 401 was designed for those who regularly jump off planes:
There’s even a “Jumpmaster” function for static, HAHO and HALO jumping that will let you set data points for under-canopy guidance to an LZ. It’s got options for forward throw, windspeeds at altitude and HARP to get you to the right place. Garmin also improved the GPS sensitivity so it will pick up a signal faster once out of the aircraft, but it’s still best as a backup to your backup altimeter.
Garmin Foretrex 401 runs on two AAA batteries which can last up to 24 hours and if you really need this to be with you on a mission you can get the optional pouch that was designed with the help of Navy Seals and will make it easier to mount the 401 to your gear or rifle. Huh.
Really? Did Garmin really design and is about to announce a military grade GPS receiver for only $250? Wow. Expected to release date is June 16th.
Garmin Forerunner 405CX
Apr 3, 2009 fitness, garmin, gps navigation, wrist watch
Garmin Forerunner 405CX was just announced yesterday by Garmin. 405CX is obviously very similar to Forerunner 405 which came out beginning of last year. Improved with the 405CX is the way your heart rate and consumed calories are calculated.
Apparently people at Garmin spent some time with exercise scientists (Firstbeat of Finland) and pro athletes to come up with the algorithms which use the micro changes in a your heart rate to better calculate the number of calories burned during aerobic activity.
Garmin Forerunner 405CX weighs only 60 grams and has some features that let you track speed, distance and location. It has this “bezel” based interface that lets you control this GPS integrated wrist computer by tapping, holding or running a finger along the bezel.
Garmin Forerunner 405CX uses ANT+ technology which sends workout data to a PC or Mac wirelessly so you don’t even need to take off the watch.
Forerunner 405CX will cost $370 when it comes second quarter of this year.
Here is a video showing how easy it is to change wrist bands on the 405CX.
Timex Expedition WS4
Mar 20, 2009 gps navigation, wrist watch
Timex is getting ready to ship their latest outdoorsy adventure style wrist watch called Timex Expedition WS4. “WS” is for widescreen, and 4 is for the four functions it has: altimeter, barometer, thermometer, and a compass. Showing time is not listed as a feature but we know it is capable of doing that as well as having a chronograph, timer and alarm.
Your heading is not determined by your displacement calculated with the help of a GPS receiver like done with car GPS navigation systems, but rather with an actual digital compass.
Timex Expedition WS4 will be coming out in May 1st.
Lokate Emergency GPS Watch
Feb 5, 2009 gps navigation, wrist watch
The Lokate Emergency GPS Watch is designed to keep an eye your employees that are out on the field – specially the ones that are alone. Just like any other live tracking system; Lokate GPS Watch has a GPS receiver as well as an embedded GSM module which connects it to the internet. After the watch gets a satellite fix the location is transmitted to the dedicated control center which can pinpoint you on Microsoft Virtual Earth maps for your boss.
The GSM module is not dedicated to transferring a few bytes every minute but it also lets you have two way conversations.
The initial cost for the device is about £300 and requires a monthly subscription of £15…
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Garmin FR60
Jan 30, 2009 fitness, garmin, gps navigation, wrist watch
Before anything else: There’s no GPS receiver in this watch. Yes, we know it is from Garmin and all but still. No GPS. Garmin’s doing really good with training devices out there such as heart rate monitors and the software that goes with Forerunners so they’re trying to take advantage of their market share by introducing Garmin FR60 which can wirelessly connect to other sensors such as heart rate monitors and a foot pods.
It can download workout data to a PC or a Mac using USB stick, keep track of speed and distance, heart rate, and calories burned.
There will be two bundles for the FR60 series, one with both the heart rate monitor and the foot pod, the other with the heart rate monitor only.
Triathletes will embrace the versatility of the swim-friendly FR60 as it helps them train and race indoors or outdoors, on the bike, in the water or on the trails. The featherweight foot pod enables the FR60 to track and record speed, distance, calories burned, steps and cadence without excess burden. Cycling enthusiasts will enjoy the versatile options of adding a bike speed and cadence sensor and a handy bike mount. Adding to the wide range of uses and wireless connectivity, FR60 users in the United States will be able to link effortlessly to their ANT+ compatible fitness equipment such as treadmills, spin bikes, elliptical trainers and more.
Garmin FR60 can track and record up to 15 hours and 100 laps of detailed workout data.
new holux GPS tracker 005
Dec 7, 2008 gps navigation, tracking, wrist watch
Holux has a new GPS tracking device device called GPS Tracker 005. It is designed to look like a wrist watch but we’re not sure if it actually shows the time at all. GPS Tracker 005 can provide real time tracking – meaning it is not only for logging where you’ve been. It actually has an integrated SIM card so it can transmit it is location via SMS or other channels.
To improve satellite fix times this GPS tracking device can download ephemeris data from server through internet. This is pretty much same as A-GPS but you’re going to have to download this data manually – about once a week. GPS Tracker 005 has a rechargeable Li-Ion battery which can provide max 60 hrs working time when set to send data every 15minutes.
GPS Tracker 005 is also water resistant (IPX6) so you can take it to a hike with you even on a rainy day. For more specs check out specs page.
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