Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Aftermarket Garmin Navigation Available for Volvo Models

Having introduced the new Garmin navigation kit on two of its models last year, the Volvo S60 and the Volvo V60, Swedish manufacturer Volvo is now trying to bring all of its models up to date with all the advancement in navigational tool. The same kit used on the two models has now been made available for the entire Volvo range, as an accessory.


The Garmin system, called nuvi 3790, is perhaps one of the thinnest such devices on the market, measuring only nine millimeters. It can be easily integrated into any Volvo car by using the driver's windscreen pillar.

Garmin Nuvi 3790

Garmin's nuvi 3790 features a multi-touch display that is capable of reacting to ten different commands, with the building and the major point of interest being rendered for the driver in 3D. The system uses Traffic Message Channel (TMC) radio data technology to alert the drivers about traffic jams and alternative routes.

The system, which will be offered in two versions, can be used by Volvo owners from around the world, as it comes with pre-loaded maps for Europe, US, Canada, Mexico or Russia (for the nuvi 3790), or with no maps at all, if you chose the 3760 version (in this case, the dealer will install the map for the places you are interested in).

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Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM Traveler GPS navigator with WiFi and TourDirector

The Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM Traveler GPS is a full-featured, Wi-Fi enabled GPS navigator with a large 5" high-resolution WVGA touchscreen with flexible viewing in portrait or landscape mode, Free Lifetime Map Updates, Lifetime Traffic Alerts, and automatic software updates.Portrait and Landscape Viewing Modes adapt to whatever works best for your personal viewing preference.TourDirector is your personal guide to help you plan visits to nearby attractions and activities.Wi-Fi Web Browser allows you to search for destinations from any location with a Wi-Fi hotspot.It includes location ratings, descriptions, and approximate visit time.Free Lifetime Maps and Traffic Alerts give you the security of knowing you have the latest maps available and the most up to date traffic information.



Magellan has taken a positive step against the onslaught of the tablets with its RoadMate 5175T-LM Traveler GPS, which retains all of the excellent navigation features one would expect from a Magellan product, with just enough touches of tablet to make users feel they are getting functionality from both worlds.

With a Wi-Fi browser to search for local points of interest and the TourDirector feature to choose attractions and plan your day, this companion can keep you on the right path or be your guide to the road less traveled.To make sure that you can choose the best places to stay, play, dine, and more, Magellan has partnered with the most trusted name in travel – AAA. Only Magellan navigators include the built-in AAA TourBook with Diamond ratings and descriptions on AAA-approved places. With the "Where am I?" feature you can identify your location, and if you are a AAA member, you can easily access Roadside Assistance phone numbers from your device.



The device features a five-inch touch screen capable of use in portrait or landscape mode, and it has a built-in Wi-Fi web browser that adds web surfing capability when near a hot spot. This is an impressive non-status quo addition to a dedicated GPS product. North America map data is complemented by Six Million Points of Interest(POI), a Magellan-dubbed TourDirector function, which provides useful information about nearby attractions and free lifetime map updates.

The Magellan Traveler GPS enables you to personalize your travel experience with the OneTouch menu of your favorite places and searches. Bookmark your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, gas station, or bank to find your favorites wherever you travel.Enjoy subscription-free Lifetime Traffic Alerts, Highway Lane Assist(Realistic highway signs point you in the right direction when you’re approaching interchanges and exits, so that you'll choose the correct lane well before your next turn), and Spoken Street Names(Street names and directions are called out so that you have a clear understanding of when to make the next turn while you keep your eyes on the road) to ease your way. Premium maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico make this companion perfect for everything from local road trips to cross-country travel.

Travel with confidence using the Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM Traveler, an easy-to-use, GPS navigator packed with premium features, tour planning tools, and free map updates during the lifetime of your device.Navigator has an SD slot.It has the form factor of a thick tablet, it is portable and can be mounted in the car.


Some of Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM Traveler GPS navigator accessories are :

  • USB Cable with price: $14.99
  • Adhesive Disk with price: $9.99
  • Heavy Duty Extension Mount with price: $49.99
  • USB Vehicle Power Adapter, 2A with price: $24.99
  • AC Adapter –NA/ UK/Europe with price: $24.99
  • Magellan Beanbag Mount with price: $39.99
  • 5" Leather Case with price: $29.99
  • EVA Case with price: $29.99
  • Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM Windshield Cradle with price: $5.99
  • Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM Windshield Cradle and Mount with price: $5.99

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Thursday, July 07, 2011

DeLorme inReach with Iridium 9602 SBD transceiver

DeLorme inReach is the first Iridium-based personal communicator to deliver truly global two-way satellite text messaging; delivery confirmations; SOS capabilities; remote tracking, and an Android smartphone interface.The core communications component of the inReach is the Iridium 9602 short-burst data (SBD) transceiver, which provides a unique, two-way communications connection through the world's farthest-reaching satellite network.Iridium's pole-to-pole global connectivity means inReach users can send and receive messages anywhere on the planet.


The DeLorme inReach promises to revolutionize the way people stay affordably connected over the 90% of the Earth's surface not covered by cellular and land-based phone service. Its capabilities address the needs of anyone from outdoors enthusiasts to professional users in remote outposts.The GPS-enabled inReach can be used by itself or paired with either an Android smartphone or a DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w.

The DeLorme inReach has a customizable tracking interval that can be set before you leave if you’re using the device as a standalone or set with the PN-60w or Android application while you are in the field. Set the interval to report every two minutes if you want to share more detail or reduce it to update once an hour if you’re sharing less detail.The inReach is compact, lightweight, waterproof, floatable and impact-resistant, and it can maintain satellite signal lock even in difficult GPS environments.


When using the inReach as a standalone device, users can send pre-loaded text messages to designated recipients, and activate remote tracking, allowing others to follow their travels online via a continually-updated "bread crumb" trail. Unlike other standalone satellite messengers, the inReach provides delivery confirmation via flashing LED lights. In case of emergency, an SOS key can be triggered. The SOS key is protected by a "safety" to prevent false alarms.

When paired with an Android or the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w, users enjoy full-featured, two-way text messaging (up to 160 characters per message) to and from email addresses and cell phones. Messages can also be posted to Facebook and Twitter.In case of emergency, Android or PN-60w users can describe their predicament so responders can better prepare, and an ongoing dialog can be maintained for mutual status updates.


Any SOS message, whether relayed from a standalone or a paired inReach, will automatically activate remote tracking. That allows rescuers to efficiently zero in on the senders, whether they're stationary or on the move. All of the inReach SOS features are aimed at producing better outcomes and eliminating the critical search and rescue problem of false alarms unnecessarily deploying lifesaving assets.

Android users can drive the inReach GPS signal to their phone, improving positional accuracy to within 10 feet and eliminating the significant battery drain that results when a phone's native GPS is engaged.A free application with DeLorme Topo North America maps will also be available for the Android. Maps can be downloaded to the Android so users won't need to rely on unpredictable cell phone coverage to access the navigation detail. DeLorme Topo North America comes included with the Earthmate PN-60w.

The inReach is compact, lightweight, waterproof, floatable, and impact-resistant, and it can maintain satellite signal lock even in difficult GPS environments. It will be available in October. There are separate models for Android and DeLorme users. Suggested retail price is $249.95. Annual subscription plans begin at $9.95 per month.Android users can drive the inReach device's onboard GPS signal to their phone, improving both positional accuracy and phone battery life. A free application with DeLorme Topo North America maps will be available for the Android.

Don’t worry about building your contact list ahead of time anymore, you can send messages to new addresses right in the field. Communicate important information, change your plans, or just check in to let everyone know that you are okay. Send your message to Twitter and Facebook or a shared map to let them watch your progress and send you a message.

Along with the satellite messaging capabilities, both the PN-60w and the inReach Android app will continue to deliver the same top-quality DeLorme Topographic mapping data with roads and trails, detailed contour and land cover information, points of interest and the DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer descriptions. We are also working to make the DeLorme Map Library available through the Android application allowing users to view aerial imagery, USGS quad sheets, Canadian topographic maps, and NOAA nautical charts, all available when beyond cell phone coverage.

The DeLorme inReach will require a subscription to access the tracking, messaging, and SOS features. Current plans are to offer three levels: Safety, Recreation, and Pro, with prices starting at $9.95 per month for the safety plan and increasing to offer more in-plan message and tracking units. Plan options will include the ability to move between plan level, if, for example, you find yourself very active in the summer months but only needing safety features during the winter months.

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