Garmin iPhone app

GARMIN RELEASED iPHONE NAV APPLICATION WITH THAI MAP

The application supports menu in English, Thai, Chinese and Malay. It consists of preloaded NAVTEQ map covering Thailand (only; some other available from iTunes). It supports dual languages on map: English and Thai, and also:

• lane assist with photoReal junction view
• Where Am I? locator
• speed limits
• 3D building and landmarks
• location sharing via Facebook or SMS
• trip planner
• weather conditions and 5-day forecast
• FREE LIFETIME MAP UPDATES (up to 2 map data updates per year)

Compatible with iPhone 3GS,4 and 4S. Also: iPod touch (3rd and 4th Generation) and iPad. Size: 488 MB. Price: USD 19.99 (promo until 8 July, 2012)
Related links: iTunes Garmin Thailand app

The app makes good impression at first. But truly I don’t think it will replace my nuvi while navigating in Bangkok where decision must be made quickly. iPhone tends to delay display of current position. Easy to notice after a turn (still showing previous driving direction).

Still it’s nice to have it just in case ;). iPhone car charger highly recommended – the GPS drain the battery really quickly.

eTrex 10

eTrex 10, 20, 30 with Thai OS expected in April

eTrex family will be introduced shortly (first week of April, 2012) by Garmin Thailand. All the models will include Thai OS (menu in Thai).

Expected prices: eTrex 10 – 5,100 THB, eTrex 20 – 12,500 THB, eTrex 30 – 15,500 THB.

New Thai Map version coming soon

There are some rumors that a new map version will available in the second half of April. No details about improvements  though.

eTrex 10 and eTrex 20 testing – our gallery

A few days back we received testing units of eTrex 10 and eTrex 20.

My all-time favorite used to be the GPS Map 60CSx which got its place on the shelf a few months back. Now is being replaced by newer units with better performance. The latest eTrex 20 is definitely getting on the top of my list.

What I like about the eTrex 20 (pros):

• affordable (comparing to other older units with lower specs),
• quick satellite lock (still checking and comparing the track recording performance),
• GPS + GLONASS,
• compact size,
• color display,
• 1.7 GB of internal memory + memory slot,
• battery life (25 hours),
• USB interface,
• paperless geocaching function

I miss some extras (available in eTrex 30), such as: electronic compass and wireless POI/tracks sharing, but I can live without them and I’d rather keep the $$$ in the pocket.

eTrex galllery:

European Satellite System Galileo in progress

The EC (European Commission) issued contract to the German-UK consortium for additional 8 more satellites.  With this contract it is expected that Galileo can provide its services by 2014. Two more years to wait.

In the meantime Garmin made receiver which can use operational GLONASS 😉 (Russian Satellite Navigation System) – eTrex 10/20/30.

Solar storm – sat nav usage disturbance

Scientists reported that our Sun is bombarding us with “high-energy” particles. It is said that the solar storm can have direct influence on satellites and astronauts. Due to the sun activities, it’s most likely we will experience direct disturbance  in Navigation Devices.

The solar storm is so strong that it is also possible to cause communication problems for aircraft near the poles.

Two in One: GPS and GLONASS receivers – Garmin new eTrex family

08.12.2011 The GLONASS constellation has reached the number of 24 operating spacecrafts, providing 100% coverage of the Earth’s surface.

GLONASS constellation status, 15.12.2011г.

Source: Information Analytical Centre

What does it mean for a GPS user?

Thanks to the GPS receiver able to work with both systems (GPS and GLONASS), we can get the satellite lock 20% faster than with the standard GPS. Apart of that, the navigation in difficult environments (high buildings, canyons…) with limited sky view, will be much easier thanks to the support of extra 24 satellites from GLONASS.

The new eTrex family (eTrex 10, eTrex 20, eTrex 30) can track both GPS and GLONASS. Would you like to hear what’s the difference of getting the satellite lock for the first time on the old and new eTrex series?

New software update for eTrex 10

New firmware update for eTrex 10 is available with the WebUpdater. To go to Garmin history log, click the following link: Garmin Support.
Changes made from version 2.40 to 2.50:

How to make the update:
1. Download the WebUpdater from Garmin Website
2. Connect your eTrex 10 to PC
3. Start the software (WebUpdater); it should be in the folder under “C:Program FilesGarminWebUpdater”
4. Follow the prompts.
IMPORTANT!!! Make sure the batteries are fully charged. If the unit goes down during the update process, it will be unusable.

Geocaching

Just two days and over 1,770 geocaches were hidden worldwide. There must be something about it. Can you imagine how many people were involved? How much time they spent finding the right place, looking for the content the “treasure chest” …. And more than all, having fun outdoor with family, friends or just solo.