Yesterday, Garmin has released yet another update to fix those remaining devices. This includes the nuvi 755T, 765T, 775T, 785T, 850, 855, 860, 865, 880, and 885. As before, the update is available through Garmin’s WebUpdater.

Unfortunately, owners of the Garmin nuvi 755T, 765T, 775T or 785T that are having issues powering up the device will still need to go through the ritual known as the RMA (Return to Manufacturer Authorization) form to have their device fixed up by Garmin.

Between the BlueChart G2 Product Recall and this, the Summer of ‘09 just hasn’t been kind to Garmin.

Read - My nuvi 755T, 765T, 775T or 785T will no longer acquire satellites, or is displaying the message “Updating GPS Firmware”, or “GPS Update Complete” [Garmin Support]
Read - My nuvi 755T, 765T, 775T or 785T will no longer turn on. [Garmin Support]

Learn your Garmin with the Garmin Learning Center [Garmin Blog]
An incredible offering from Garmin for those wanting to see their GPS in action before buying or for those wanting to learn how to use it.

Dell to enable location on Netbooks with GPS & WiFi [GPS Business News]
Location-aware portables is definitely the future for road warriors, especially those needing their Starbucks fix ASAP.

iPhone GPS Apps [NaviGadget]
AT&T/TeleNav, Navigon, TomTom, Gokivo, Sygic, Nav n Go all jump into iPhone 3G(S) GPS Navigation market. More to follow, I’m sure.

CoPilot Live for Android [NaviGadget]
Just in case you were worried the iPhone was getting all the love, Google’s platform is shown a little affection too. Where’s the Palm Pre love at?

Trimble signed up T-Mobile USA for outdoor GPS apps [GPS Business News]
Is $6/month worth it to be able to carry one less device into the outdoors?

1) Reviews on Product Pages

We understand you want to know how your GPS will function in the real world, and the manufacturer’s product descriptions don’t always tell you what you need to know. We’ve scoured the Internet and placed both good and bad reviews of the product at the top of the product page. We provide a summary of the review and link to the actual review as well as the reviewer’s website.

We plan to continue to expand our database of reviewers, but for now it includes reviews from: GPSReviews.net, GPSTracklog.com, Bestcovery, CNet, PC World, PC Magazine, Runners World, Boating Life and several others.

2) Video on Product Pages

Seeing is believing, so in addition to text reviews, we are including video reviews of many GPS units. We’ve worked hard to bring you the most comprehensive video reviews, which include CNet, G4, and YouTube. The videos all demonstrate the devices

3) Better search results

We know some people are browsers and some people are searches, and we love both! Unfortunately, our old site search engine did not. Previously when you entered more than one word into the search box, it would search for that exact phrase in the title of the product only. Now when you type a query into the search box, it will search for any of the words you entered in the title or the description. So, no more of a search for PN 40, not finding the Delorme PN-40. It is not perfect yet, but much better.

4) Extended Validation SSL Certificate

When you enter a secure area of our site, such as the checkout process, your address bar will now turn green. This validates to you that we are who we say we are and that this is not a ‘phishing’ site. This is done with an Extended Validation SSL certificate (aka EV-SSL). To get this certificate we had to submit to an extensive validation process by a third party, which included our business standing, tax status and a site visit to our office.

5) PayPal Acceptance

We now accept PayPal. While it is less expensive and time consuming for us to process you payment directly, we apapreciate that some customers are more comfortable paying with their PayPal account. To pay with PayPal, just select that option on the payment information page and you will be directed to the PayPal site.

6) BBB

We’re now a member of the Central Texas Better Business Bureau. If you ever feel that we have not adequately addressed any concern or complaint, you may now contact the Better Business Bureau for a swift resolution. We of course hope that will never be the case, but you can now buy with even more confidence.

7) Easier feedback

We love to hear from you! You have always been able to email us at feedback [at] locationstore.com, but now we have an even better way — through BizRate. Simply go to http://www.locationstore.com/feedback to rate your experience. Your rating will be shared with other shoppers so that they can gain from your experience

Do you have any ideas to make LocationStore better? We would love to know! Just leave a comment below or email us at feedback [at] locationstore.com:

My initial research suggested that you could use a Raymarine Transducer Adapter Cable for hsb 2 /DSM250 Style Transducer (Part Number: E66066), however that is not correct. I contacted Raymarine directly for clarification, and after 20 minutes on hold was told that there are no current digital sounding modules in production that can be connected to the A65. Let me repeat that: there are no digital sounding modules left that will work with the A65.

I’m disappointed that Raymarine did not leave their customers an upgrade path for this very recently discontinued item. Our distributors were selling the A65 as late as March! If you are looking for a DSM25 because you purchased an A65, your best bet now is unfortunately eBay.

The update (available through Garmin’s WebUpdater) is currently only available for the nuvi 7×5 series, nuvi 800 series, nuvi 8×5 series, zumo 660, GPSMAP 620 and GPSMAP 640, with additional product updates available in the “near future”.

This doesn’t exactly fix everything. Some Garmin nuvi owners (755T, 765T, 775T or 785T) are still having issues powering up the device. They get the joyous experience of filling out a RMA (Return to Manufacturer Authorization) form to have their device fixed up by Garmin.

Might we suggest a temporary solution?

Read - Free, mandatory GPS software available now [Garmin Blog]
Read - My nuvi 755T, 765T, 775T or 785T will no longer turn on. [Garmin Support]

DeLorme announced recently [PDF] that its Earthmate PN-30 and PN-40 handheld GPS devices are now compatible with Navionics’ Gold marine charts and HotMaps Premium lake maps.

To make things easier for current Earthmate PN-series owners, nothing needs to be installed or updated on their handheld device. Just pick up the marine chart or lake map of your choice, pop it into the SD Card slot on the Earthmate, then start enjoying your new mapping buddy. Of course, you’re more than welcomed to continue using DeLorme’s TopoUSA maps.

Isn’t everything better when we can all play nice?

Read - DeLorme Earthmate PN-Series Receivers Support Navionics (Press Release)
Buy - DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-40 Handheld Bundle

Updated June 8, 2009 at 3:27 PM: Our distributor has indicated that no affected cards were shipped to our customers. We encourage every customer to verify that they have version 2008.5 or prior. The fully corrected 2010 map data cards will be available late this year. Please contact us with questions.

Garmin has issued a product recall of the BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision data cards sold from January 1, 2009 to June 3, 2009. The cards contain inaccurate depth information for some coastal areas.

At LocationStore we are absolutely committed to protecting your safety and are proactively contacting every customer we have sold an affected product to in order to alert them of this recall.

We have not yet received a definitive recall procedure from our distributor, but to obtain a replacement directly from Garmin, you can call them at 1-800-800-1020 or email them at cartography@garmin.com.

Up to date information on the recall can be found at http://www.garmin.com/bluechartrecall/ . The initial announcement is posted below:

Out of an abundance of caution, Garmin has voluntarily chosen to globally recall its 2009 version of BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision data cards. In certain waters, there are inaccuracies and/or omissions in the way that this specific version of charting represents depth contours and depth areas, resulting in the depiction of water depth as deeper than the actual depth under certain display conditions.

Boaters should not use BlueChart g2 or g2 Vision 2009 data cards, dated March 2009, for navigation. Any boater who owns BlueChart g2 or g2 Vision v2009 will be given a replacement traditional BlueChart card or g2 Vision card v2008.5 (dated July 2008) free of charge and will also receive the 2009 card free of charge when it is re-released. Affected customers may contact their retailer or Garmin directly at 1-800-800-1020, email cartography@garmin.com, or visit www.garmin.com/bluechartrecall.

Garmin apologizes for this inconvenience and is working diligently to ensure that boaters can rely on future versions of BlueChart.

Who is affected by this recall?

Any boater that is running BlueChart g2 or g2 Vision v2009 data cards is subject to this global recall.

When did Garmin become aware of these issues?

Garmin was made aware of these issues during the last week of May. We investigated these reports and out of an abundance of caution, we decided to stop selling BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision v2009 and issue a worldwide recall on June 2, 2009. That announcement took place on June 4, 2009 after the proposed recall notice was notified to the applicable product safety regulatory agencies.

Are these errors prolific, or concentrated in one area?

We are aware of specific reports within the waters along the coast of Sweden and Denmark. However, we cannot be certain that these issues won’t manifest themselves elsewhere, which is why we’ve instituted a worldwide recall of BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision v2009.

Has Garmin determined the cause of the errors?

Yes. In the 2009 version of BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision, changes in the production process resulted in the current issues.

What should boaters do who have BlueChart g2 or g2 Vision v2009?

Boaters should not use the 2009 version of BlueChart g2 or g2 Vision for navigation. Any boater who owns a 2009 version of BlueChart will be given a replacement BlueChart g2 or g2 Vision card v2008.5 (dated July 2008) free of charge. Affected customers may contact their retailer or Garmin directly at 1-800-800-1020, email cartography@garmin.com, or visit www.garmin.com/bluechartrecall.

What functionality will boaters lose by reverting to the 2008.5 version of BlueChart?

Older versions of BlueChart do not support the additional depth information contained in the 2009 version, and do not have the uniform presentation present in the latest release.

Are all versions of BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision affected?

No, only version 2009 data cards are affected by this recall.

How do boaters check to see which version of BlueChart g2 or g2 Vision they’re running?

This varies from unit to unit. Consult your owner’s manual or contact Garmin at 1-800-800-1020.

How have boaters been affected by these chart inaccuracies?

We have heard of two unverified reports of boaters running aground in the Stockholm archipelago. We do not believe any serious injuries have resulted from these incidents.

Will boaters get a new version of the latest edition of BlueChart g2 or g2 Vision once Garmin corrects the errors, and if so, when?

Yes, once this latest version of BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision is corrected, we intend to make it available free of charge to affected customers. We expect this new version will be available by the end of 2009. Go to www.garmin.com/bluechartrecall to check the status of this revised version.

How many Garmin products are affected by this recall?

These numbers are considered proprietary by Garmin. That said, we intend to work with maritime authorities, distributors, and dealers and the media to ensure that all affected boaters are notified of this recall.

Will boaters need to send in their Garmin chartplotters for repair?

No. This is an issue with the most recent version of BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision data cards, and not the hardware or firmware of your unit. Other versions of the cartography are not affected.

Are you proactively communicating with distributors, dealers, and customers who are affected by this recall?

Yes, Garmin is contacting these groups and is taking the appropriate steps to ensure that our customers are made aware of this recall.

GPS News

• Garmin Announces Oregon 550 and 550T [GPSLodge.com]
  • [Editor's Note: LocationStore will be carrying the Oregon 550 and 550T in late November 2009]
• What’s up with “GPS satellites doomed” news? [Navigadget, GPSWorld]
• NAVTEQ announced semifinalists and judges for LBS Challenge APAC [GPS Business News]
• TomTom Software on Windows Mobile [Navigadget , GPS Business News]
• Volkswagen to offer optional Garmin PND (”Click and Ride”) - [GPSLodge and GPS Business News]

Interesting Uses

• Interstellar GPS - Using Pulsars for interstellar navigation [Navigadget]
• MLB Gets Geolocation Patent to enforce blackouts on mobile devices [GPSLodge]

Amusing Uses

• GPS being used to catch cheaters [UPI]

If you tweet about geocaching, list your Twitter handle, geographic location, and any comments (like @locationstore Austin, TX) in the comment field below to be listed in an upcoming Geocaching and GPS twitter directory. It is a great way to get connected with people that share similar interests! Message me if you have any questions.

Don’t forget to tweet about this list to your friends:

Geocaching? Add your name to an upcoming Geocaching and GPS Twitter directory! http://is.gd/kKUD

1. Hide it

It sound totally simple but the number on reason that someone steals a GPS from a car is that it is in plain sight.  These people aren’t the fancy, think-ahead folks that you see in Pierce Brosnan movies, it’s a crime of opportunity.  If you’ve got your GPS sticking to your windshield, on your dash, or on the seat then it removes all the guesswork for the thief.  He heads straight for your car and you wind up with a broken window and a missing GPS device.  So the first and best theft-prevention measure is just to hide the thing when you leave the car.  Either take it with you or stick it under the seat or in your glove box.  If your GPS is too big to hide or take with you, consider upgrading to a newer, slimmer model.

2. Remove the Evidence

But hiding the GPS itself isn’t enough.  You’ve probably got a dash mount or windshield mount too.  Hide that as well.  You’ll be really unhappy if someone breaks into your car because they see the mount and assume that the GPS is inside, only to find that it’s not.  Now you’ve got a broken windshield for nothing.  Though I think that this happens much more rarely, some thieves have been reported to look for the suction rings that a windshield mount can leave behind.  Consider wiping that down with a cloth before leaving your car, or invest in a bean bag mount that won’t leave a trace.

3. Get it Insured

Your homeowners or renters insurance policy may protect you against personal losses outside your home.  Check your policy to see if they will cover thefts of items in your car.  You may also want to see what kind of proof they will need if something should happen.  Some companies will accept packaging or something like that, but others require the receipt.  And, if you don’t have homeowners or renters insurance then get some!  It’s pretty cheap and you never know when you’ll need it.

4. Report it Correctly

If someone should steal your GPS, you need to report things correctly so that you can get reimbursed by your insurance company, and maybe even get it back.  Make sure to make a police report and get the appropriate numbers from the officer who makes it.  Call your insurance company to ask what steps to take to replace it.  Don’t assume that if you buy a new one they will automatically reimburse you, call first to check.

5. Shop Smart

Replace your old GPS with a new one (if it’s old at all then they probably don’t make the exact same one anyway).  Take this opportunity to learn from your old GPS what you liked and didn’t like to find a new one that will fit your needs.  Remember that there are lots of new features available, and tons of new devices, so check out our Buying Guide for help choosing a replacement.

Remember also to always buy from a reputable dealer (like www.LocationStore.com!).  Your stolen GPS probably wound up on the street being sold.  This only works because people buy them.  Never buy a GPS device from anyone other than a reputable dealer and tell your friends to do the same.

Good luck and stay safe out there!

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• NaviGONE: Portable GPS system theft reportedly up 700% (autoblog.com)