Category Archives: gadgets

Solar Powered GPS Unit

solar powered GPS unit

Adding to the ever increasing flood of “solar” electronic devices this solar powered GPS the i.Trek Z1 (couldn’t marketing come up with a better less annoying name than that?).

Features

# 32 Ch. MTK Chipset – i.Trek Z1 is equipped with the new 32 channel MTK chipset which offers ultra high sensitivity at -158dBm (tracking) and low power consumption.

# Data Logger – i.Trek Z1 can record up to 50,000 way points with built-in 8MB memory. The recorded track can be uploaded to Google Earth with bundled utility for viewing and analysis.

# Dual Power (Solar Cell + Battery) – With the combination of Solar cell and high capacity Li-Ion battrey, i.Trek Z1 can achieve 100 hours in full operation or permanently ready in stand by mode.

# Auto On/Off – When you use i.Trek Z1 for the first time, just power up and place the receiver under the windshield in car. Anytime when a paired PDA or laptop computer with Bluetooth connectivity is onboard, i.Trek Z1 will wake up on Bluetooth for your navigating usage. When Bluetooth signal is not present, i.Trek Z1 will go into sleeping mode automatically (Slow blinking blue LED).

# WAAS Enabled – i.Trek Z1 has an exceptional accuracy of WAAS which makes it ideal for detailed turn-by-turn navigation.

# Bluetooth – i.Trek Z1 takes advantage of the Bluetooth wireless technology to offer hassle free installation on a Bluetooth enabled PDA, laptop and smart phone.

# USB – i.Trek Z1 has on-board USB for using GPS in real-time through USB connection. The USB interface can also be used for data download.

For the most part I stay away from a lot of gadgety crap like this, but the last thing you would want is to have your batteries run out on you while you are way out in the woods. Who cares if it will store 50,000!!!! way points if you can get accurate map data with a little help from the solar cell, well that could save your life.