GPS is such a common feature in mobile phones and gadgets nowadays that we’ve almost come to take the service for granted. We forget that there are 24 busy GPS satellites working to feed us all the location data that we’re requesting. There is some great news, though, as the United States is planning an $8 billion overhaul of the 24 aging satellites. With the new hardware, users will be able to get GPS data that’s accurate to about 3 feets, instead of the current level of accuracy (within 20 feet). Do you already own a device that supports GPS capabilities, or are you in the midst of planning to buy one?

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Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS

Garmin Forerunner 305 Watch GPS System combines form and function. The combination of a running partner and a personal trainer is trully created for athletes of all levels. For an optimal performance, Garmin Forerunner 305 Watch provides a high sensitivity GPS receiver, new courses feature, and robust ANT wireless heart rate monitor. The super-sensitive GPS is able to track your every move, even working on tree-covered trails and near tall buildings. The heart device monitors your heart rate , speed, distance, pace and calories burned so you can train smarter and of course more effectively.

Garmin Forerunner 305 Watch is also fully compatible with Garmin’s Motion Based service, which takes your training to another level by connecting your data to the Internet. While we weren’t able to use the service, the promise of sharing courses, maps, workouts, and performance data with other users is intriguing. You will love to know that Garmin 305 is also compatible with Training Peaks.com, a very simple web based training system which is made to help athletes train for any event.

The big news about the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver is that it features an integrated, high-sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS receiver. In other words, the 305′s ability to both track, and maintain a lock on, your position is better than anything before it. After an initial battery charge, the tester had the 305 on his wrist and was tracking speed and distance with GPS satellites within 3 minutes. The next time we used the 305, satellite acquisition was nearly instantaneous. A run through dense trees didn’t faze the unit either; tracking remained true and steady. Performance on a bike was really amazing. Whatever witchcraft has been cooked up by the designers of the SiRF technology, we like it!

All taskmasters will make sure you do your personal best continually. Courses feature lets you download recorded courses and compete against previous workouts Auto Pause and resumes training timer GPS features GPS with high-Sensitivity SiRF star III architecture Wireless communication between system devices via ANT protocol.

Display Size (WxH) – 1.3 x 0.8 (33 x 20.3 mm) Lap Memory – 1,000 laps Rechargeable internal lithium ion battery – lasts 10 hours (typical use) Waterproof – Submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 mins. Alerts, distance, pace and heart rate Physical Size(WxHxD) – 2.1 x. 7 x 2.7 (53.3 x 17.8 x 68.6 mm) Weight : 2.72 oz. (77 g).

So what are you waiting for, get your own Garmin Forerunner 305 Watch and enjoy the stunning feature wherever you go.

Find out the full feature and save up to 48% at http://www.Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver.com

Any time you come across the word “Casio”, the word “watch” quickly registers in your mind, since Casio has long been one of the more popular watch manufacturers for this generation. The company is usually associated with its practical and fashionable watches, worn by consumers from all walks of life. Another nice model is the Suunto Vector Wrist-Top Computer Watch.

Whenever you are shopping for a watch which is not just stylish but also dependable as far as showing the exact time, then Casio will be the company for you. Casio products are original and are designed to be used for a variety of life styles. However, the mention of words “Casio GPS watch” is not as recognizable. What is a Casio GPS watch?

The Casio GPS watch is a watch for runners which enables them to keep an eye on their location and course, and also helping them to observe their speed and distance for various outdoor activities. Casio GPS watches are available in different models which meet the needs of the most discriminating consumers. For the education of interested parties, several of their newest models are summarized below.

The Casio GPR- 100

The Casio GPR-100, the most compact GPS compatable watch, was introduced to the public not too long ago. Touted as the world’s smallest GPS capable watch, it offers all the benefits available in any Casio watch along with the conveinence of a GPS. Casio’s smallest wonder is waterproof, so it is just the thing for boating. It interfaces with GPS satellites to calculate speed and distance, while at the same time tracking your route for times when you leave your usual path. This watch additionally offers an automatic calendar, stop watch, alarm and lighted screen for night use. The GPR-100 is powered by a lithium battery whose life depends upon the battery capacity. However, seeing as the battery is down sized, it can power the GPS for just 2 to 4 hours. You may also want to look at the Suunto Vector Wrist-Top Computer Watch.

The PAT 2 GP-IV

The PAT 2 GP-IV uses a built–in rechargeable lithium ion battery. Intended as the upgraded Satellite NAVI watch, it is manufactured to be considerably lighter and smaller than the first GPS watches. Casio’s high-tech PC compatable software allows the watch owner to plot GPS data from the device and store it in nearly any personal computer. The owner may plot a starting point, a waypoint and ending location on the computer screen. As with the GPR 100, this timepiece is resistant to moisture such as dew, perspiration and other sources. The PAT 2 GP-IV watch, being small and light weight, is not particularly bulky and can be comfortably strapped to the owner’s arm. The rechargeable batteries remove the drudgery of battery replacement.

The Pro-Trek Navi Satellite

Regarded as the first GPS watch, the Pro-Trek Navi Satellite GPS watch comes with many definitive benefits, some of which are a less obtrusive design, rechargeable batteries and water resistant engineering. Several other practical functions make this a well-appointed watch for athletes. Landmarks are able to be programmed in this device to mark locations. The computer is designed to keep satellite almanac information in its memory. That information can be referenced as needed to calculate the current coordinates of the satellite, thus saving time and battery power. Once the position of the satellite has been established, your location is a simple matter to determine. The Suunto Vector Wrist-Top Computer Watch is another nice unit to consider.

The Casio GPS watches give consumers just what they are looking for seeing as money is tight; a long lasting, multifunctional electronic device which earns its keep. A Casio GPS watch is a time piece, map, GPS unit, and running partner who won’t leave you behind.

UK-based Lok8u (Get it? Locate you?) is a GPS-enabled wristwatch meant to be worn by children. The watch also features a built-in cell signal, too, which enables location information to be relayed rapidly to parents while waiting for the GPS chip to get its bearings or when there’s no line-of-sight to GPS satellites.

It appears that you can order it online from the UK right now, and the company has an office in New Jersey and a US sales e-mail address on its web site.

The device itself costs £149.99 ($245) plus a required 18-month cellular plan for text alerts and location services ranging from £4.99 ($8.15) to £19.99 ($32.65) per month depending on the number of automatic text alerts you want sent to you.

Location information is available using included mapping software or you can use your own cell phone to send out a text message containing a special code as well. If the watch is removed from your child’s wrist, a text message and e-mail alert are immediately sent to you. You can also set up a “Safe Zone” for your child – basically a neighborhood perimeter that, when crossed, will send you alerts.

Num8 – The world’s first GPS locator that locates your child [Lok8u via Daily Mail]

Remember this day. Today is the day that you saw the future of GPS navigation. Tele Atlas has partnered with Norway-based BLOM to provide photorealistic maps to personal navigation devices. So far only 40 cities in Europe have been ported to the service, but many more are scheduled to be released in the coming quarters. Soon the days of having basic 3D boxes to represent buildings will be gone and an actual picture will be there instead.

Tele Atlas maps are already on TomTom, the PSP, Mio and Pioneer devices. The first set of maps will be available in June with North America and Asia to follow in 2010. We can’t wait to see where this will take personal navigation. That is, of course, if the aging GPS satellites are still flying.Tele Atlas Sets New Standard for Realistic Maps with Highly Detailed 3D City Images

GHENT, Belgium–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Tele Atlas, a leading global provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location based solutions, announced today the availability of 3D, photorealistic Advanced City Models. Designed for use in navigation systems and location-based applications, Advanced City Models are three-dimensional representations of major city centers that dramatically raise the clarity and reality of screen images within in-car and portable navigation systems and mobile devices. With Advanced City Models, displays more closely match what users actually see in their surroundings, helping them more easily find locations and services.

The release of Advanced City Models builds on the company’s suite of enhancement products, which include Urban Maps, Points of Interest (POIs), Voice Maps, Speed Profiles and dynamic content. Tele Atlas has been delivering industry leading 3D products since 2006, used today in Mio, Pioneer and Sony PSP navigation solutions. The company accelerated the development of more advanced 3D images through its partnership with Norway-based BLOM and today transforms aerial imagery from BLOM into photorealistic maps.

“With the release of Advanced City Models, we are quickly delivering increasingly rich, powerful content to our customers that enhances their products and applications,” said Tele Atlas CEO Bill Henry. “Our partnership with BLOM and our new advanced production capabilities allow us to deliver incredibly detailed, realistic 3D maps to the industry and provide a superior experience for the end user in more cities than ever before.”

The June release of Advanced City Models will deliver 40 cities across Europe, and many more cities are scheduled to be available in subsequent quarterly releases. In 2010, Tele Atlas expects to deliver hundreds of cities, including cities in North America and Asia Pacific. Advanced City Models help Tele Atlas partners deliver products and devices that provide:

Lifelike Display with a high level of optical quality that answers the consumer demand for a more realistic, appealing map display;
Improved Orientation that depicts city centers, complete with city blocks, building textures and notable landmarks, to enhance recognition and guidance; and
Improved Navigation Experiences with a richer, more attractive visual guide for driving and pedestrian applications.

 

Apparently the space boxes that send GPS data down to our waiting TomToms and iPhones are breaking down. The entire system could start failing next year, sending all of us into a strange hell of missed turns and aimless driving.

The satellites are overseen by the US Air Force, which has maintained the GPS network since the early 1990s. According to a study by the US government accountability office (GAO), mismanagement and a lack of investment means that some of the crucial GPS satellites could begin to fail as early as next year.

“It is uncertain whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption,” said the report, presented to Congress. “If not, some military operations and some civilian users could be adversely affected.”

Remember: this is a US commissioned study and they’re basically trying to get more than the $2 billion they’re already getting to upgrade the system. The first replacement satellites should have been sent up in 2007 but failed. New satellites should hit the airwaves this year or we could end up using Russia or China’s homegrown solutions.