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GPS tracking devices and conveyable GPS units are hot commodities at this decade and lots of web marketers and business people are cashing in from this trend. However, consistent use can finally take a heavy toll on these devices : hardware goes wrong, damaged parts, software applications bugging down and a whole lot of concerns typical of electronic devices.

As a user or a businessman reselling GPS/SatNav Devices, it may be to your benefit if you’re knowledgeable about problems, issues and related resolutions which customers face-off with these devices. In this case, the best source of info will be definitely those shared in the various forums and chat groups visited by GPS device users.

You can pick up a little that would help you fix similar Problems you are confronting with your units. Many of these discussions are combinations of real experiences by users as well as revealed technical info and information from hardware and software professionals all that you need to make things work and solve your issues.

I have taken a look at 10 of the biggest GPS forums online and take a quick description of them below. If you are promoting GPS devices online then it would be a excellent thought to either get involved and up your knowledge of GPS devices or point some consumers in the direction of these forums to help them better understand the devices they use.

* GPS Discussion

Site : gpsdiscussion [dot] com
Members approx : 7826

One of the more conspicuous factors in the GPSDiscussion.com are the most recent reports feeds from major OEM companies that would prove relevant to owners of certain brands of GPS devices. The discussion board is specified correctly with sections committed to sure preferred GPS OEM brands as well as a segment on cellphone GPS. Apart from which, the discussion board also has sections on : GPS POIs, Waypoints, and Routes ; Mods and Firmware ; a For Sale and Wanted segment ; and GPS device reviews.

* GPS Underground

Site : gpsunderground [dot] com / discussion board /
Members Approx : 73,113
Active Members Approx : 59,821

GPS Underground is a big forum on GPS-related topics, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that it was just been hit by a hack attack, reputedly from a previously trusted ex-member, wrecking a considerable number of posts and threads in the act. The community is vibrant until now with a good share of active members against total membership unlike any other forums active members consists only a small fraction of the total number of members.

The discussion board has a paid download segment but the freely available sections of the forum feature GPS navigation systems, OEM brands, maps, software, and info about unlocking GPS devices and updating maps.

* Groundspeak

Website : forums [dot] groundspeak [dot] com
Members Approx : 662,002

This massive forum is a support service of Geocaching.com, which is the official world GPS Cache Research Site. It goals to promote geocaching and GPS us e. The consultations incorporate intensive talks on geocaching, waymarking, baseline hunting, GPS usage, Wherigo, and Groundspeak-related GPS gaming.

The forum is a useful resource of everything related to geocaching which includes geocaching journeys, geocaching groups by region or state, and geocaching groups by country. Except for that, there are general GPS-related subjects but not as in depth and focused as they do for geocaching.

* GPSReviews.net

Website: forums [dot] gpsreview [dot] net
Members Approx: 13, 054

GPS Reviews is recognized as one of the top 100 tech blogs by CNet and was mentioned In the Washington Post, Boston globe and other papers. The forum is categorized into different topics which include a discourse section for : general GPS systems ; tips, methods, and mods ; GPS suggestions ; POI file sharing ; discussion on OEM devices and other GPS brands ; and sections on GPS software, hardware and smartphones support. Although the forum appears sufficient in terms of subjects discussed, the layout of the forum itself is too narrow making the threads appear cramped and compressed.

* Pocket GPS World

Website : pocketgpsworld [dot] com / modules [dot] php?name=Forums
Members : 336, 735

The website is divided into a forum for paid registered members as well as a public access forum that are categorized by brands and other GPS devices. There is a separate conversation on speed cameras utilized for geospotting as well as other discussion on other GPS related topics. The forum area however is narrow, as sidebars for online adverts fill these sections and appears cluttered.

* GPS Forums

Website : gps-forums [dot] net
Members : two hundred and fifty

This relatively new forum has only a few members but there were already 208,291 posts discussed on more than 39,876 threads. The forum is focused on both OEM and other GPS devices including a section of UK-specific GPS devices. There’s also another discussion section for GNSS or world Navigation Satellite Systems. The topics and classes appear limited though and this is ascribed to the comparatively lower membership numbers.

* GPS Passion

Website: gpspassion [dot] com / forumsen /
Members: 106402

There are 53 separate forums that are specified under general subjects, hardware, software GPS programming and Smartphone GPS. There’s a separate forum for GPS online stores. Unlike any other related forums, the layout for GPS enthusiasm involves certain graphics that appears unseemly for a technology-based site. On top of that, the site is also cluttered by a few adverts on the sidebars and banners.

* GPS City

Website: forums [dot] gpscity [dot] com
Members : 7,464

This emerging forum has limited but good sections on : OEM GPS device brands ; a general discussion on GPS ; a for sale section of used GPS units ; and a forum about RAM Mounts.

* GPSInformation Net

Website : gpsinformation [dot] org / forum /
Members : 6914

GPS info is just a small and emerging forum but there are already 6546 topics posted, which is already about the same number of total members. The forum has a good category system that focuses on general talks, hardware discussions, software discussion, discussions on custom point of interest or POI, geocaching, and a fascinating build your very own GPS equipment.

* GPS Software Hub

Website:gps-software-hub [dot] com / gps / forum.html
Members : 5428

GPS Software center is a comparatively tiny forum that provides information on software and maps. There’s a classified section, other dialogues on fun with GPS devices, and an up to date GPS section on brands. Aside from the ordinary categories common with other forums, GPS Software center has a new section for choice videos and a video gallery.

* GPS FAQ

Website : forum [dot] gpsfaq [dot] com /topic [dot] aspx?title=devices
Members : not indicated

This discussion group is a support forum for the GPS FAQ site and is a little different from others apropos the layout used. This forum makes use of tabs to navigate through these diverse classes which show : GPS Systems, business applications, GPS devices, technology and resource, GPS clobber, maps, mapping tools, handheld items as well as talks on various topics. The discussion board is inclined to answers topics solely

There are several other forums available but these 10 can point you to resources that can help you with your GPS needs . The essential point here is to examine which forum will be definitely well suited to your GPS devices as a user, or your choice of items if you are a reseller.

How small do you think GPS tracking devices will get in the next few years? Ra­k­on, a 39-y­e­ar-o­ld N­e­w Ze­alan­d-base­d c­o­mpan­y­, h­as de­ve­lo­pe­d t­h­e­ wo­rld’s smalle­st­ GPS re­c­e­ive­r. C­laime­d t­o­ be­ as t­in­y­ as t­h­e­ s­ize o­f­ a­ ba­by­’s­ f­in­ger­n­a­il­,

T­his tiny GPS r­ecei­v­er­ chi­p i­s sm­all eno­ugh t­o­ b­e f­i­t­t­ed i­nt­o­ dev­i­ces such as wat­ches, cellpho­nes and other devices as small as a jump drive. As GPS b­eco­m­es co­m­m­o­nplace i­n o­ur­ ev­er­yday gadget­s, we can b­e sur­e t­hat­ t­hi­ngs wi­ll get­ a li­t­t­le m­o­r­e i­nt­er­est­i­ng.  Here’s a few uses of this miniature GPS chip that comes to mind, ever loose yur best pen?  Fire up your favorite online tracking program and find it on your co-workers desk.  How about the remote for your TV?  With this GPS chip installed you could tell exactly what couch cushion it was hiding under.

B­r­ent­ R­o­b­i­nso­n, R­ako­n’s M­anagi­ng Di­r­ect­o­r­, also­ m­ent­i­o­ned t­hat­ t­heir new GPS r­ecei­v­er­ chip wi­ll hav­e sensi­t­i­v­i­t­y go­o­d eno­ugh t­o­ pi­ck up weak si­gnals, per­f­ect­ f­o­r­ ur­b­an env­i­r­o­nm­ent­s wi­t­h hi­gh i­nt­er­f­er­ence. Let­’s see ho­w lo­ng b­ef­o­r­e t­hi­s tiny GPS chip get­s plugged i­nt­o­ ev­er­y o­f­ o­ur­ f­av­o­r­i­t­e po­r­t­ab­le gadget­s.

A few limitations of this GPS chip are that it still needs a power source and a GPS antenna.  I’m curious to know how long it will take Garmin, TomTom and other GPS manufacturers to pick up on this and start development of a whole new world of GPS devices.

Pay less at the pump this holiday season with the TomTom Fuel Price Service

Gearing up for holiday travel? Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer? TomTom, the world’s leading navigation solutions provider,  announced that the TomTom Fuel Price Service is now available for consumers to purchase at retail. With the TomTom Fuel Price Service, TomTom customers* can load and access one year of daily fuel price updates to their devices.

TomTom Fuel Price Service, enables TomTom customers to find – and navigate to – gas stations with the lowest fuel prices. Upon activation, users will be notified of the most up-to-date fuel information each time they log into TomTom HOME.

“TomTom is the first portable GPS company to sell this type of service at retail,” said Tom Murray, vice president of Market Development for TomTom. “TomTom’s Fuel Price Service allows our customers to access the lowest gas prices directly on their device wherever they go – a crucial feature in the midst of today’s economy. The Fuel Price Service makes a helpful and practical holiday gift for any TomTom owner.”

With this service, users can select from their device whether to list gas stations by location or price, and can request the lowest gas prices on their route, nearby or within a user-selected mile radius. Travelers can also choose which type of gas they would like tracked: regular, mid-grade, premium or diesel.

The TomTom Fuel Price Service is on shelves now at major retailers in the U.S. for a one-time fee of $19.95 for a one year subscription. The service can also be purchased online at www.tomtom.com.

Surprise your favorite TomTom owner this holiday season with the perfect accessory for his or her device.

* Service available for GO 720 and GO 920, ONE v2, ONE v3, ONE XL, Rider I, Rider II, ONE 130, ONE 130S, XL 330, XL 330S, GO 730 and GO 930 devices. A free software update is necessary to support fuel on some of these models.

Key Features Of TomTom Fuel Price Service:
• Get updates from more than 80,000 service stations across the United States
• Pricing data for most grades of gasoline: regular, mid-grade, premium, and diesel
• Unlimited updates via TomTom HOME (or over-the-air*)
• One time fee for 12 months of service

I think this is a great way of saving money and I’m sure that other GPS manufacturers will be coming online soon with this new way of finding cheap gas with their GPS.  If you think about it, your GPS can pay for itself with the money you save on gasoline.