DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2005
WHAT IT DOES: The Street Atlas USA 2005 provides a detailed mapping software program that incorporates voice commands, both spoken commands and replies, which are then incorporated into the advanced Back-on-Track settings and controls, allowing the user to control when automatic rerouting is to be used. The software also contains more than 4 million places of interest -- more than double the number in other programs.
WHY IT'S HOT: When in GPS mode, a split-screen setting provides close-up and pulled-out views designed to provide the ideal map magnification levels for GPS usage as well as for GPS radar searches, for locating nearby services from your current GPS position.
WHO TO CONTACT:
DeLorme Mapping Inc.
Dept. OR
2 DeLorme Dr.
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(800) 511-2459
www.delorme.com
DeLorme 3-D TopoQuads Mapping Software
WHAT IT DOES: Whether an outdoorsman, hunter, business professional, or land developer, those needing topographic maps have long relied on USGS 7-1/2-minute quadrangular maps to meet their needs. That is all coming to an end with the new 3-D TopoQuads soft-ware program that provides a seam-less integration of the USGS series of 7-1/2-minute quad maps. Each map may be broken down by individual states or regions, such as Connecticut or Rhode Island. The seamless integration of the maps allows viewing and printing of any of these regions, regardless of how many quad maps may overlap. With more than 97 different levels of map details, including 17 levels of scanned USGS 7-1/2-minute quad maps at a 1:24,000 scale, and more than 80 various types of viewing levels, rest assured that wherever you are, you'll know where you're headed and over what type of terrain.
WHY IT'S HOT: Given the 3-D modeling of the terrain, an instant realistic view of the land is available. Also, the software's ability to identify probable land use (based on land cover, terrain, and drainage characteristics) is also a benefit to the end-user. Incorporated into the system's design are various drawing tools that enable customization of the maps with MapNotes, polygons, and lines of varying color and fill patterns. An easy-to-use tool for measuring distances and areas is standard issue with the product.
WHO TO CONTACT:
DeLorme Mapping, Inc.
Dept. OR
2 DeLorme Dr.
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(800) 511-2459
www.delorme.com
DeLorme Earthmate Blue Logger GPS
WHAT IT DOES: The Blue Logger GPS provides real-time positional tracking and plotting, while continuing to function as a navigational aid when used in conjunction with any DeLorme mapping software on your PC laptop or PDA via a USB port.
WHY IT'S HOT: Capable of logging either standard tracking data or raw GPS satellite data, the unit can be easily customized to log points based on predetermined time, distance, or speed intervals using the accompanying Blue Logger Manager desktop software. With 16 MB of memory and a long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Blue Logger GPS offers six to eight hours of logging time and an unsurpassed capacity of as much as 50,000 GPS points per session.
WHO TO CONTACT:
DeLorme Mapping, Inc.
Dept. OR
2 DeLorme Dr.
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(800) 511-2459
www.delorme.com
Garmin Foretrex 101
WHAT IT DOES: Garmin's Foretrex 101 is an economical wrist-mounted GPS system that frees up your hands so you can focus on your outdoor activities. The Foretrex 101 contains all the features and functionality of some of the larger, more expensive systems. Included with the unit are PC interface capabilities for downloading waypoints, tracks, and routes.
WHY IT'S HOT: This unit features Garmin's intuitive operating logic, using six dedicated buttons to simplify navigation. Whether it's a campsite, deer stand, or other place of interest, users can mark its location, identify the waypoint, and navigate to it later using the GoTo function. Also, with the help of Garmin's exclusive TracBack technology, users can retrace their steps by following an electronic breadcrumb trail back to their original starting point. Its easy-to-use interface and basic GPS capabilities are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who would rather replace the batteries than recharge the unit in the field.
WHO TO CONTACT:
REI
Dept. OR
6750 S. 228th St.
Kent, WA 98032
(253) 395-3780
www.rei.com
DeLorme Earthmate USB GPS Receiver
WHAT IT DOES: The Earthmate USB GPS receiver is the perfect GPS receiver for any off-highway excursion. Roughly the size of a matchbox, the Earthmate can be powered off the user's laptop via a USB connection and operated through any one of the manufacturer's GPS software programs.
WHY IT'S HOT: The Earthmate can also be used on many of today's popular handheld devices, including Bluetooth-enabled PDAs (or laptops).
WHO TO CONTACT:
DeLorme Mapping, Inc.
Dept. OR
2 DeLorme Dr.
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(800) 511-2459
www.delorme.com
Garmin eTrex
WHAT IT DOES: Truly a small wonder, the eTrex takes the best fea-tures of a 12-parallel-channel GPS receiver and places them into a 6-ounce package that's only 4 inches high and 2 inches wide. The result is a unit that will literally fit in the palm of your hand. Besides its small size, off-roaders and outdoorsmen will notice the sleek design of the eTrex. All buttons are located on either side of the unit, allowing for simple one-handed operation that won't obstruct the view of the display. The eTrex features only five operator buttons for the ultimate in user-friendly design. Thanks to its bright-yellow case, the eTrex will be hard to misplace and easy to find in any boat or backpack. Completely waterproof, the eTrex can take an accidental splash or dunk in the water and still continue to perform.
WHY IT'S HOT: Inside the eTrex, you'll find the proven performance of a 12-parallel-channel GPS receiver that will run for 22 hours on just two AA batteries. The eTrex will store as many as 500 user waypoints with graphic icons and boasts Garmin's exclusive TracBack feature, which will reverse your track log and help you navigate your way back home. The eTrex also uses animated graphics to help you identify your marked waypoints quickly and easily.
WHO TO CONTACT:
Garmin International Inc.
Dept. OR
1200 E. 151st St.
Olathe, KS 66062
(913) 397-8200
www.garmin.com
Garmin Quest
WHAT IT DOES: With the Garmin Quest at your side, portability meets capability in this pocket-size unit. Loaded with the high-end navigation features, this unit can be used in multiple vehicles or slipped into your pocket for handy street-level directions when you're navigating on foot, or off-highway directions when in the four-wheeler. Offering the most advanced automatic routing with turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance to get you where you're going, the high-speed processor means fast, automatic off-route and detour recalculation. The unit contains a rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery that provides at least 20 hours of use, while the USB data connection allows for fast map downloads from Garmin's entire line of MapSource CDs.
WHY IT'S HOT: Smaller than a standard television remote, the Quest provides an ample screen-viewing area, but it won't demand a lot of room on the dash-board. The unique antenna folds flush with the unit when not in use, and users can connect an optional external antenna as well. Best of all, the 256-color bright, sunlight-readable display makes it easy to view map details.
WHO TO CONTACT:
REI
Dept. OR
6750 S. 228th St.
Kent, WA 98032
(253) 395-3780
www.rei.com
Garmin GPS 18
WHAT IT DOES: With the Garmin GPS 18, your laptop PC is instantly turned into a powerful street and land navigator. The external USB-connected GPS sensor antenna combines Garmin's advanced GPS software discs, which automatically provide turn-by-turn directions and voice prompts to get you safely to your destination.
WHY IT'S HOT: The GPS 18 ships with fully unlocked MapSource City Select CDs, which provide full coverage of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico (North America version), or major metropolitan areas throughout Western Europe (Europe version). Map detail includes highways, interstates, business, and residential roads, with turn restrictions, speed categories, and other navigational features. It also features more than 5 million points of interest, including restaurants, lodging, attractions, shopping, emergency services, post offices, and more. The GPS 18 includes a 12-parallel-channel WAAS-enabled sensor. The receiver includes an integrated magnetic base and is less than 3 inches in diameter.
WHO TO CONTACT:
REI
Dept. OR
6750 S. 228th St.
Kent, WA 98032
(253) 395-3780
www.rei.com
Garmin eTrex Legend C
WHAT IT DOES: The eTrex Legend C is Garmin's exciting new pocket-size handheld, bringing color, automatic routing, longer battery life, and a 256-color sunlight-readable display to make it easy to distinguish map details and see where you're going. The automatic route generation, off-route recalculation, turn-by-turn directions with alert tones, and icon-driven menus for finding points of interest all help to navigate you safely to your destination.
WHY IT'S HOT: Thanks to a longer battery life, there are more hours of outdoor enjoyment to be had. Also, the mini USB port provides fast and convenient downloads of map data from Garmin's entire library of optional MapSource CDs using PC interface. The 24 MB of internal memory provides plenty of storage for maps. The eTrex Legend C is WAAS-enabled and has had the primary controls oriented on the side of the unit so the user can conveniently operate it with one hand. Also, an innovative rocker switch is located on the face of the unit, which enables the user to input data easily, scroll through menus, or pan the map page.
WHO TO CONTACT:
Garmin International Inc.
Dept. OR
1200 E. 151st St.
Olathe, KS 66062
(913) 397-8200
www.garmin.com
Garmin Rino 130
WHAT IT DOES: The Rino 130 is one of the most feature-rich units in this lineup by featuring a built-in electronic compass, barometric sensor, weather receiver for seven NOAA weather channels, and a 24MB internal memory.
WHY IT'S HOT: The Rino 130 provides two-way radio communication with a transmission range of as much as 2 miles using FRS channels and 5 miles with GMRS. The integration of two-way radio and GPS enables users to transmit their position with a simple button press, allowing others to navigate to their position. The Rino 130 also has a polling feature, which allows a user to manually request GPS location information from other Rino units. The Rino 130 offers a detailed base map of North and South America, displaying cities, highways, railways, rivers, lakes, and borders.
WHO TO CONTACT:
REI
Dept. OR
6750 S. 228th St.
Kent, WA 98032
(253) 395-3780
www.rei.com