Mapomatic - Applications of Mapping

We’ve finally released our Garmin maps, and would like to thank our beta testers for all their help.  Although we’re still working on providing more information on how to use these maps, it’s key we let everyone know they are now available.

Our Free maps will be updated on a regular basis, most likely every 3 months.

Probably the most important point is that we are releasing both normal Garmin OSM Maps, and also the Garmin OSM Cycle Map (which highlights cycle routes more than normal roads) today.

Head over to our new download page for more information…

Here’s the formal announcement of the Garmin Oregon. We covered much of the spec earlier in the week here, but here’s some more formal information from Garmin…

The 200 (above left) will just have the basemap, whereas the 300 (above right) has the shaded relief worldwide basemap. The 400 series adds particular US maps (just like the Colorado), so will not hit the UK. Neither the 200 or 300 have detailed maps preloaded, but both have a microSD card, as well as their internal memory for storing those additional maps.

The 300 also includes the wireless support, for the exchange of tracks, waypoints and geocaches between other Oregon units and Colorado models. It’s also equipped with a barometric altimeter and electronic compass and is compatible with Garmin’s heart-rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors (all of these features are missing on the 200, so we suspect the 300 will be the biggest seller).

Geocaching is even easier with the Oregon, which quickly downloads online information for every cache, such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description, so that you don’t have to take printouts with you. Oregon users can experience Wherigo™, the newest GPS-based activity from Groundspeak, the people who made geocaching a worldwide phenomenon. Wherigo (pronounced “where I go”) is a toolset for creating and completing adventure games, historical tours or other innovative activities in the real world.

With the 3″ touchscreen, we think this is going to be a big seller in the coming months. All models should be available in the US by the end of the month, although we’re still waiting to hear when they’ll be on sale in the UK.

Story courtesy of UK Gadgeteer.

The current rumours flying around the internet are that Garmin is going to release a new range of GPS devices in the next few weeks. The Oregon range will be a similar device to the Colorado range, although it will be slightly smaller, and feature a touchscreen. One colleague we recently spoke with said he was always trying to use the Colorado screen as a touchscreen, so welcomed a true touchscreen unit.

Although Garmin are usually tight lipped about new devices, it appears that somehow these devices made it onto both Amazon and Buy.com before being removed. As such, a fairly reliable spec has been obtained, and this includes:

• High sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception
• Easy to use, touchscreen interface
• microSD card slot for optional mapping and data storage
• Electronic compass, barometric altimeter, temperature sensor
• Built in 3D Basemap /Digital Elevation Model
• 3D elevation view
• Wireless exchange of user routes, tracks, waypoints, geocaches and images
• Unit dimensions: 4.5 in x 2.3 in x 1.4 in
• Display size: 3 in color, touch screen
• Pixels / H x W: 240 x 400
• Waterproof standard: IEC 60529 IPX7
• Battery type: two high capacity or lithium ion AA batteries
• Weight: 6.8 oz with batteries

The specs above are for the 200 unit, with a 300, and a range of 400 units (similar to the Colorado 400 range) will also be available in the US. Given the main difference between the Colorado 300 and 400 models is the amount of memory to fit in the included US maps on the 400 range, we suspect that again the 400 range may not make it to the UK, leaving us with the 200 and 300 though. The main missing feature from the Colorado will be the Naviwheel, which isn’t needed due to the touchscreen.

Story courtesy of the Groundspeak Geocaching.com forums (no registration required to view) [Via UK Gadgeteer]

Although not the first device people would think of to take geocaching (with devices such as the Colorado, eTrex, or the 60CSx being more common), this guide shows you how to configure some tools to allow you to go geocaching with a Garmin Nuvi.  The level of detail in the guide is wonderful, going through each step screen by screen, and even warning where certain Garmin devices can’t or don’t support certain features.  A worthwhile read for anyone considering trying paperless caching to gain ideas too.

Head here for the guide.

Here’s a picture of the contents of a box that arrived from Garmin’s UK headquarters a couple of weeks ago.

Inside, a Colorado 300 , and GPSMAP 60CSx. Over the next few days and weeks we’ll be putting both of these receivers through their paces.

As part of the reviewing procedure we’re keen to offer readers the opportunity to ask questions about aspects of either unit, we’ll also be including a side by side comparison of performance and features present.

If you’d like to contribute then please join the discussions in our forum.

GPS Review forum discussion.

GPXView started out as simply as a viewer for the geocaching.com GPX files used by geocachers. However, it’s now expanded, and offers a near paper-less experience for those who own a Nokia Internet Tablet, and even has basic GPS support for those with a Bluetooth GPS or an N810 (with built in GPS).

The author plans to integrate the program into with Maemo Mapper or into navit, but in the meantime head off to his website for more screenshots and the install link.

Story courtesy of UK Gadgeteer.

Over at Pocket GPS World, they’ve published a full and frank review of the SatMap Active 10. They’ve covered all aspects of the device, in fact the only additional “Con” we would add to the Pros and Cons is the overall cost, especially if you want a lot of OS maps on the device. Head over to read the review.

As well as the UK OSM on Garmin Map we have already announced, we can now announce we will also be offering a UK OSM Cycle Map on Garmin devices. This takes the same OSM road data (although all normal roads are made slightly less prominent) and then the data on Cycle routes (NCN, LCN, etc.) is added to this, with these cycle routes given higher prominence.  As you can see on the map above, the South Downs Way (which is a cycle route) is more prominent than the A27 also in the map.

Right now, this is also only available to our beta testers as we look to ensure it’s suitable for a wide range of devices before releasing.

If you want to become a Beta Tester, please follow the instructions here, which will give you access to both maps.

The Beta testing is going well, as the above screenshot shows (screenshot from a Garmin Colorado 300 with our UK OSM on Garmin Map loaded). We’ve also started Beta testing our next project and plans are under way for other OSM / Garmin projects throughout 2008. Strangely the Colorado does not show the streetnames, although other Garmin devices do.

We’re still accepting new beta requests - more information here.

The UK SatMap Active 10 GPS device, which offers a whole range of OS maps (at additional charge) has just received a fairly major software update. The new version, v1.15 features the following updates:

• A blue ‘You Are Here’ dot to distinguish current location from the red track dots.
• The ability to hide inactive routes to avoid ‘clutter’ on a map. (Main Menu > Settings > Routes Control)
• A battery meter that gives a more accurate indication of the power remaining, and an indication of when the unit is connected to an external power source.
• A more accurate record of the trip data.
• The ability to download the raw track data from the Active 10 onto a PC (via SatSYNC).
• The ability to display elevation data derived from the GPS system as opposed to from an in built height data set. (Main Menu > Settings > GPS Settings)
• The ability to calibrate the compass from the compass page.
• A low power mode that automatically sets up the unit up to maximise the battery life. (Main Menu > Settings > Advanced Power Control)
• The ability to reset the track and the trip log simultaneously. (Main Menu >Routes Menu > Reset Data)
• A 15 second screen off option. (Main Menu > Settings > Power Control)

“The new software also has a new power management system that significantly reduces
the overall power consumption of the Active 10, thereby improving battery
performance. It should also improve the GPS acquisition time and upgrade the signal
lock in difficult conditions such as under tree canopies.
The most obvious change is to the start-up operation: when switched on, the Active 10
(with no map card loaded), goes to the GPS status screen first. Yellow blocks appear on
the bar chart whilst the unit is picking up the satellites, which turn orange once they
have acquired the data from each one. Once a sufficient number of satellites have been
acquired, the unit locks on, and then automatically switches to the GPS Map screen.”

About the only thing missing from the SatMap website is information on how to obtain the new software…

[Via UK Gadgeteer]