Hewie's Views and Reviews
By Hewie Poplock

Welcome to this issue of Hewie's Views & Reviews. Be sure to visit Hewie's Favorites at http://www.hewie.net/ .

++++ What is a GPS?
++++ How do I choose a GPS?
++++ What GPS I chose and Why
++++ How has the GPS worked?
++++ New additions to Hewie's Favorites

++++ What is a GPS?

Until recently, I had never seen a GPS unit and was somewhat confused as to what one actually is. GPS or Global Positioning System was developed by the US Department of Defense. The system uses 4 of many satellites to determine position, velocity and time, determined by data sent by the satellites to special equipment. That equipment or GPS receiver is available at many stores and on line. It's not cheap. Some of the units start about $300, but the most popular fall in the just under $1,000 price.

The receiver needs to be in sight of the satellites, so it is generally mounted on the windshield or on the dashboard. It gets power from plugging into a cigarette lighter socket, although some models are portable and can run on batteries. Some units are as small as a PDA and some have a 5 inch screen.

All of the GPS units have maps that show where you are, and can be easily programmed to lead you to a designated address. The maps are either pre-installed in the unit or on a CD and need to be loaded via a computer. A GPS may have the ability to use a computerized voice to guide you on your journey, as well as displaying the map.

++++ How do I choose a GPS?

Like any purchase, you need to research what is available and compare it to your needs. I now have a job that takes me to areas or states that I have not previously visited. I knew that a GPS would make the trips easier, if not painless. Having never used a GPS or seen one work, this became a challenge. I started by going to several web sites that describe and review GPS units. One that I found very helpful is http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps_f.html and another is http://gpsinformation.net/ .

Once I understood what a GPS was, I went to several stores. Some stores had good displays with knowledgeable personnel and many did not. I found a CompUSA store with a sharp clerk and luckily, an experienced customer. Both were a great help differentiating the several models that were on display. Among several other stores, I found a Staples that had produced a comparison sheet of many GPS brands and models.

In order to understand what a GPS can do, you really need to use one or be in an auto where one is used. It is impossible to see what a unit can do unless you are moving, so a store visit won't do. I also talked to someone who has a unit and she showed me several of its features.

Like any item, you need to determine what a GPS receiver can do, choose several models that are capable of those abilities, and narrow your search, while keeping in mind your budget.

++++ What GPS I chose and Why

I settled for a Garmin StreetAtlas 2730. It has many of the features that I wanted. It has buttons that make it easy to go to several modes and features quickly. It has a touch screen that is not only large enough, but adjusted to daylight or night time automatically. The entire US map comes already loaded. Some units only have sections of the US loaded and need to have you load the area that you want as needed.

The unit has many Points of Interests (POI) already loaded and more can be added and are available on line, although not all of the lists are free. I can change the default woman's voice for directions, but she is pleasant enough to keep. This unit uses a portable base that sits on the dashboard, as opposed to most units that mount on the windshield. This makes it easy to move from my car to a rental car when traveling.

The model that I chose has a street price of $999. Many of the other units that I considered are in the $499 to $699 range. I was lucky enough that this model was on sale for $200 less than usual, and it was a discount, not a rebate. So I had the bells and whistles and it was on sale.

One of my dislikes of the unit is its inability to place a POI in the unit easily. If I am at a location that I would like the unit to remember, I should be able to add it with one button, or at least be able to add it easily. Some units have this capability, but this one does not.

++++ How has the GPS worked?

Within a few weeks of the purchase and learning how to use my GPS, I was sent to Memphis, Tennessee. Since I was never there before, I hoped that my GPS would prove itself and it did. I was able to put in the address or intersection of my destination, and it guided me almost flawlessly to each of the more than 10 places that I needed to go during my 5 days in this strange area. The only place that I found it to be confused was around the airport and the car rental office, due to recent road construction.

Even though I printed maps from the Internet, being able to make quick changes, add new locations, or make corrections when I missed a turn, the GPS is not only a time-saver, but makes traveling much less stressful.

++++ New additions to Hewie's Favorites

CNET TV
http://www.cnettv.com/
Original video content, from reviews to tips to exclusive shows

Yorkie friends rescue
http://www.yorkiefriendsrescue.com/index.html
Yorkie Friends Rescue is a nonprofit org looking for adoptive homes for rescued Yorkshire terriers and Yorkie mixes

GPS POI
http://www.gps-poi-us.com/
Newest GPS devices allow users to import custom Points Of Interest files (POI). POI files supplement the built-in data created by providers

US FDA/Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition
~http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsdisasm.html
Food Safety Information for Hurricanes, Power Outages, & Floods

City Town Info
http://www.citytowninfo.com/
Information on people, real estate, transportation, crime, mortgages, and more for thousands of US cities and towns.

ActiveWin
http://www.activewin.com/awin/default.asp
Providing the latest Microsoft company news, information, downloads, reviews, drivers, tips, support, software/hardware news, FAQs more

Central Florida Radio History
http://www.cflradio.net/
History of Central Florida Radio Stations. Biographies Central Florida radio personalities

100 Top Map Sites
http://www.100topmapsites.com/
Provides the 100 most relevant Web sites for each major category, selected, edited and ranked by professional editors

GPS Receiver Information
http://gpsinformation.net/
GPS Information on Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan and other CONSUMER receivers

Microsoft Windows Vista Help and Support
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/default.mspx
Microsoft Windows Vista Help and Support Beta

popurls
http://popurls.com/
Popular urls to the latest web buzz

Privatephone
http://www.privatephone.com/
Free Private Phone Number and Online Voicemail by NetZero

Sanford Herald
http://www.seminoleherald.com/
Newspaper serving Sanford Florida & Seminole County

Seminole Magazine
http://www.seminolemagazine.com/
"City" Magazine for Seminole County, Florida

Google News Archive Search
http://news.google.com/archivesearch/
Provides an easy way to search and explore historical archives

Snipshot
http://snipshot.com/
Snipshot lets you crop, rotate, resize or recolor any of your digital pictures within your browser for free - no download necessary.

Paper Toys - Paper Cut-Outs
http://www.papertoys.com/
Custom Paper Models & Paper toys made to your specifications.

OrlandoCityBeat
http://orlandocitybeat.metromix.com/
Guide to Orlando's entertainment scene features information on local music bands, bar & club listings, downloadable MP3's, drink specials, restaurant guides, Orlando local event listings, movie trailers, reviews, and more