GPS tracking devices have finally reached the mass markets, enabling everyone from parents to law enforcement agencies to track the movements of vehicles, people or animals. Prices are down considerably (<$300) and monthly service plans have becomes more reasonable, starting at $20-$25/month. Three of my favorite models are made by Covert Track at GPS Intel www.gpsintel.com. These models include the CT-100, CT-200 and Trim Trac Pro.

The CT-100 is small and runs off a 9-day internal battery that would have to be recharged at some point. When a request is made to locate, it attempts to find satellites. But if this is unsuccessful, the device will triangulate off Sprint cell towers and still send the location to the reporting website (part of your subscription fees). This enables the device to be tracked inside a vehicle, in a garage or a building.

The CT-200 does not offer cell tower triangulation but has an enhanced satellite tracking system that has a much better uptime than traditional gps devices. As part of the Worldwide Reference Network, the satellite data is collected 7 days in advance so that the satellite data is readily available to locate the receiver on demand. This enables the tracker CT-200 to be found even indoors. The internal battery should last up to 10 days.

The Trim Trac Pro is the only model that allows you to attach an external gps antenna for even better tracking. This enables you to hide the tracking device in a more hidden location while running the antenna to a better view of the sky. It operates on 4 AA batteries which can be monitored remotely but will remain dormant when the vehicle is not in motion. Location can be polled on a website or via cell phone. You can view street and aerial overlay of location via the website, get address and monitor speed. Trim Trac Pro is a little larger than the other 2 units.

Lowrance continues to be an innovator and manufacature of mid-price ranged, marine quality navigation devices. And now they have announced their next generation called the HDS series, This high definition system will be available in 10.4" HDS-10, 8.4" HDS-8, 6.4" HDS-7 and 5" HDS-5 sunlight readable displays. Options will include a combination chartplotter with fishfinder capabilities for either the 83/200 Khz or the 50/200 Khz transom mount transducers (included); but you can also purchase these models without the TM transducer and add on a thru-hull or other option. The HDS-5 series is the only one offered as a fishfinder only. However, each display size series is also offered as chartplotter only, with the ability to add a special cable for upgrading to a fishfinder too. There is a combination for everyone, depending on need and budget.

Although a basemap is included with all chartplotter options, you will be able to buy these models preloaded with the new Insight USA, Lake Insight or Natuic Insight detailed coverage maps. Here are the differences in the mapping options: Lake Insight has coverage for continental U.S. inland waters; Nautic Insight has coverage for Great Lakes and U.S. coastal waters; Insight USA has coverage combining Lake and Nautic maps. The full USA Insight so far is only being offered for the 8.4" and 10.4" units. If you prefer, you can exlude these preloaded maps, save a little $$ and apply it toward the Navionics Platinum, Platinum Plus, Platinum Hotmaps, Lakemaster ProMaps or Nauticpath pre-programmed cards.

So what makes the HDS better than the LCX and LMS series. First of all, the button layout has been improved to be a little more user friendly, including the new Flywheel dial. Map screen updates will be noticeably faster. Because these models have ethernet capabilities, you can merge one of the Lowrance radar units or even the new Sirius Satellite Weather and Audio smart antenna module.

Lowrance expects to have this sereis available in Feb. 2009. As usual with Lowrance, demand is expected to be strong. Many folks are likely be waiting until later in the spring or even into summer. In order to get one by spring, it is recommended that people begin preordering as early as Dec. 2008.

SHAH CAPITAL PARTNERS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF THALES NAVIGATION; NOW MAGELLAN

San Dimas, Calif. (August 31, 2006)  An investment group led by Shah Capital Partners (SCP) today announced they have completed the acquisition of Thales Navigation, a division of Thales. The new company will be known as Magellan, and is a leader in the consumer, survey, GIS and OEM GPS navigation and positioning markets.

Recognized as an industry innovator, Magellan is the creator of the award-winning Magellan^® RoadMate™ series portable car navigation systems, the Magellan eXplorist™ outdoor handheld navigation devices, the Hertz NeverLost^® car navigation system and ProMark™, the best-selling single frequency GPS survey product line on the market. The Magellan brand is recognized worldwide and the company has experienced 200 percent consumer revenue growth over the past three years as GPS technology has proliferated across a range of consumer and commercial applications.

Co-investors who participated with SCP in the transaction included Tudor Group, Galleon Group, Consolidated Press Holdings, AIG SunAmerica, and Eli Broad.

The purchase price was $170 million, plus considerations. Further terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Shah Capital Partners
Shah Capital Partners (SCP) is a technology private equity firm, which brings unique strategic and financial expertise to build long-term equity value in partnership with experienced management teams. SCP develops its portfolio companies through their extensive knowledge in specific industry sectors, understanding of successful growth strategies, and operational know-how. SCP's experienced senior managers are from leading technology companies and financial institutions who appreciate the challenges of a modern technology business. www.shahcap.com

About Magellan
Magellan is a global innovator of navigation and positioning solutions. The company markets its GPS products in vehicle navigation and outdoor markets, and its professional GPS and GNSS solutions in the survey, GIS/Mapping, and OEM markets that include consumer electronics, automotive navigation and high-precision applications.

Magellan is headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., with European headquarters in Carquefou, France. For more information, visit corp.magellangps.com.

ICP Solar has been developing sate-of-the art user-friendly alternative solar power products since 1988 and Cascade GPS is proud to become a dealer.  Cascade GPS will be carrying the Sunsei line of ICP solar panels and accessories for maintenance and charging applications in RVs, boats, trucks, cars, ATVs, motorcycles and other vehicles, as well as reliable backup power and innovative construction materials for homes, cottages, farms and much more.   Two of the solar products, the SE-135 and SE-400 are intended to trickle charge batteries while the SE-1200, SE-4000, SE-6000 and SE-8000 can fully charge drained batteries.  The primary difference between the SE-135 and SE-400 is that the SE400 is meant for larger vehicles since it has a higher output.

The primary use for these solar chargers is for maintaining a battery charge as well as recharging a battery.   You can recharge all types of 12V batteries including lead-acid automotive batteries, deep cycle (traction type) batteries, gel-cell batteries, and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries. When using the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 to run appliances on a regular basis, it is recommended that you use of deep cycle marine batteries, which are designed to withstand frequent charge and discharge cycles.   It is possible to connect several solar panels for increased power.  A Charge controller is required on the SE-1200 SE-4000, SE-6000 and SE-8000.  This protects your battery from overcharging. 

If you are interested in seeing how you can apply solar power charging systems for you gps, camera, mp3 player, boat, rv, car or household appliances, check out ICP solar website at http://www.icpsolar.com/4105/home.asp and visit our ICP Solar page at http://www.cascadegps.com/Solar-Chargers-p-1-c-167.html

How To Select Your Handheld GPS

Are you just entering the market in search of your first gps but get lost in all the available models?  You are not alone.  The number of new global positioning sytems released continues to increase each year.  The overall concepts, menus and screens have not really changed that much, but the additional bells and whistles drive new sales and manufacturers are always looking for the next new feature.  At Cascade GPS, I have access to numerous models and would like to provide you with a few helpful tidbits when selecting your gps.  I focus on handheld units in this article.

First, decide whether your primary use is automotive, on the water, walking or on a laptop/pda.  GPS models are designed to reach specific niche markets and it can be quite challenging to find a unit that works for all uses.  If you don't plan to hike or boat with your gps and only need it to navigate city streets from your vehicle, you can narrow your choices to a portable automotive unit such as the Garmin Streetpilot, Magellan Roadmate, Lowrance Iway, TomTom Go or Navman ICN series.    A few other manufacturers can set up permanent installations; but we do not recommend this option due to the difficulty of moving from vehicle to vehicle and future servicing.  For handheld units read on.

Choosing A Handheld

1.  Do you want the ability to read maps on the screen, including topographic, city streets or marine and lake charts?  Check to make sure your gps has the capability of adding these detailed maps.  If you are only using the gps to collect waypoints and navigate routes you plan to return to, you will not need maps and can get away with slightly less expensive units with no option of uploading maps later on.  For non-mapping units, read number 2.  For mapping units, skip to 3.

2.  If you need a non-mapping unit, consider whether or not you would like at least a rough basemap or points of interest to navigate to.  Points of interest are premade waypoints such as restaurants, parks or gas stations.  A basemap is a built-in map of shoreline outlines, highways, location of cities and major public or man-made features with very little detail.  For a gps without basemap or points of interest database, consider the most basic Garmin Etrex, Etrex Camo, Etex Summit, Geko 201, Geko 301 or the wrist mounted Foretrex 101 or 201 (differ by battery source), Forerunner 101 or 201 (differ by battery source) or the bicycle oriented Edge 205/305.  For Lowrance go with the Ifinder Go.  With Magellan stick with the Explorist 100.  The advantage to the Etrex Summit and Geko 301 is that they have a barometric pressure altimeter and electronic compass.  The Geko 301also has some fun gps oriented field games.   The Forerunner and Edge series are for the those wanting to utilize fitness training software without maps.   The above units have no capability of adding an external antenna.

If you want a non-mapping unit with a minimum of a points of interest database, conisder the Garmin Venture,  GPS 60, GPS 72, GPS 76, Rino 110.  The advantage to the GPS 60 and 76 is that you can add an external antenna to improve satellite reception.  The Rino enables you to communicate with a partner via 2-way radio.  For a unit with a built in basemap and points of interest, consider the Magellan Explorist 200, Explorist 300 (with altimeter and compass) or Lowrance Ifinder Go2.  All units mentioned so far come with black and white screens.  Also remember that all gps units will show elevation based on satellite readings if you do not want barometric pressure altimeter. 

3.  When you are ready to move on to a mapping capable unit, you will need to decide whether color is necessary, helpful but not essential.  Other basic considerations will be screen size and whether or not you need an external antenna, very useful in forest canopy or in a vehicle.   The other major differences will be whether or not you get a barometric pressure altimeter and electronics compass or if you want to do autorouting on city streets.  Almost every mapping capable handheld gps will come with a rough basemap to get you started.  Detailed maps are generally purchased separately.

Color mapping gps models:  Lowrance ifinder h20c, Huntc, ExpeditionC.  Magellan Explorist 500, 600 and XL (largest screen size available); Garmin gpsmap 60cx or 60csx, gpsmap 76c or 76csx, Etrex Legend Cx, Vista Cx or Venture Cx, Quest and Quest 2 Rino 520 and 530.  The Rino series has 2-way radio communications.  These units all have expandable memory capabilities with the use of sd or micro-sd cards except for the Rino series so far.  The Legend Cx and Venture Cx are basically the same, but you get a 64mb microsd card wth the Legend Cx.  Any Lowrance  Ifinder unit with Plus package already comes with topo software for an additional $80.

Black and White Mapping units:  Magellan Explorist 400, Lowrance Ifinder h20, explorer and hunt, Garmin Etrex Legend and Vista, Rino 120 and 130, gpsmap 60 and gpsmap 76.

Mapping gps units with barometric altimeter and electronics compass:  Garmin  Rino 130, Rino 530, Etrex Vista and Vista Cx, gpsmap 60csx, gpsmap 76csx, Magellan Explorist 600, Lowrance Ifinder Hunt, Hunt C and Expedition C.

External Antenna Capable on Mapping GPS Units- Garmin gpsmap 60, 60cx, 60csx, 76, 76cx, 76csx, Lowrance Ifinder h20 and Hunt units.

Auto-routing capable:  Garmin (with city navigator software only) gpsmap 60, 60cx, 60csx, gpsmpa 76, 76cx, 76csx, Etrex Legend Cx, Vista Cx, Venture Cx, Garmin Quest and Quest 2.

Note:  The Garmin Quest series is designed as a hybrid handheld/automotive gps which comes in color and has auto-routing with voice prompts.  It is compact enough to walk with and can run on batteries.  The Quest 2 is preloaded with city streets and the older Quest comes with street software to upload. 

A Final Word

When it comes down to the final choice between handheld gps units, I fell the following features are necessary to optimize the full capabilities of a handheld:  capable of reading maps with expandable memory and the option of adding an external antenna.  These features will best optimize the full capabilities of a handheld unit.  Color, altimeter and electronic compass options are just nice features you can do without if your budget does not permit.