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Take your n810 out and mark your favorite restaurant on OpenStreetMap, enter your childrens playground to the database, map your entire neighbourhood or just correct this OneWay that recently changed direction.

Screenshots from different versions:

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This review is of the Garmin Colorado 300. We make some comparisons to the GPSMap60Csx.

We’ll take a look at using the Colorado 300 to go caching. Including some screen shots to wet you appetite.

Follow the link to get to the Full Review

As we mentioned just less than 3 months ago, our plan was to release updates to our Free UK Garmin OSM Maps on a regular basis, and this is the first such update.

Just like last time, we have released both the standard UK Garmin OSM Maps, and also the UK Garmin OSM Cycle Map (which highlights cycle routes more than normal roads).

Although it’s not easy to comment on what’s changed between the two maps, as that is a natural result of what the OpenStreetMap users have updated, we do know that there have been lots of mini mapping parties in and around London over the Summer improving the quality of the mapping.  One of the key things they were doing was reducing the number of unnamed roads in the city, so if nothing else, Londoners will see more road names within the data.  We also have seen a lot more POIs (Point of Interest) added to the main OSM database across the whole of the map, many of which are reflected in these new files.

Head over to our download page for more information, and the latest updates…

Although we’ve seen OS maps on other devices, such as the SatMap Active 10 before, and in software, such as the ViewRanger software for Symbian phones, Garmin are shortly to release UK OS Maps for their Garmin Colorado and Garmin Oregon GPS devices.

The OS Maps will come on a microSD card that you can slot straight into the units (although knowing Garmin you will not be able to transfer the maps to another memory card, as they use the “Secure” bit of the SD card standard to store the license to use the maps). This should not be a major problem for these devices, as they have some internal memory for storing additional POIs, and they support multiple map files on the internal memory too.

What’s different about these Garmin maps though is that as well as featuring the full visual OS maps, all the data has been included to allow you to navigate via the maps too, and POI information is included as well.

At some point, Garmin will also sell the units and maps together, but in the meantime the OS Maps will be available from November priced at £129.99.

For those who want better mapping on their GPS units, but don’t want to pay at all, then we offer the Garmin UK OSM maps (using the OpenStreetMap maps) free of charge! OpenStreetMap is still a “Work in Progress”, so not every road or footpath is covered, but the data will still enhance your GPS if you only have a very rough basemap (or no map at all), and best of all, you can help improve the map by uploading your GPS traces, and adding the missing roads and footpaths yourself.

If you are a cyclists, don’t forget we also have the OSM Cycle Map available in Garmin format.

Both downloads are available here.

Story and picture courtesy of OUTDOORSmagic.com [Via UK Gadgeteer].

Although it won’t appear for a few more days whilst the app goes through Apple’s review, the team behind Geocaching.com have written their own iPhone client. The cost of the application is $9.99 (UK price to be confirmed) and has the functionality you need to look up and seek out caches using the networking and location-based features of the iPhone 3G. It also works with the iPod Touch and first gen iPhone though you will need WiFi for the Touch and the compass won’t work.

The first release will not have the feature to log caches or filter hides and finds, but it will be included as a free upgrade as we add that functionality - hopefully over the next month. We wanted to get the application out as soon as possible since the demand was so high for it.

Some non-obvious features:

• You can look up travel bugs and find out their goal while out on the trail
• Saved Items allows you to save a cache listing and navigate to it, even when you are out of network range
• The application starts in beginner mode which only shows traditional caches. Advanced shows all types
• To help with speed issues on, say, the Edge network, you can restrict the number of results to 5, 10, 15 or 20

Some more screenshots:

Pictures courtesy of Geocaching.com [Via UK Gadgeteer]

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.