Electronics

If you want to charge using a regular USB cable on some of the Roadmate series you can disable USB detection using a hidden menu.

Go to Menu>Settings>System  at the top is a bar that says 'System Settings' click on the top left twice, top right twice, top left once, top right once to get into the hidden menu.

There are a few options like resetting the GPS for first use, bur for charging from computer or a standard USB charger, choose next and disable USB Detection.  Have Fun

I have been wondering why no other charger works with a Magellan Maestro 3250 and other models.  If you are not using the 'Magellan' charger, it shows that it's connected to the computer with a message: USB Connected - The USB has been connected to the unit. Please follow instructions from PC application for updating maps or software. This is great when actually connected to a computer as it allows you to get rid of the junk navigation software that the unit came with. But when you are trying to USE the unit for navigation this screen blocks the navigation.  As an added hassle, the unit reboots as soon as it is disconnected from USB mode.  The method that they use to determine if a charger or a standard USB mini-B cable is used all resides in the miniUSB connector.  The difference is in the type of miniUSB connector, specifically pin 4, type A=connected to ground, type B=not connected to ground.

• Connect to computer = Standard mini-B connector


• Charge = Next to impossible to find mini-A connector

* NOTE: If you get the USB Connected message while using a Magellan charger, the connector/cable is dirty, warn, or broken.

Repair and Workaround Options:

1. Use a Magellan charger(clean the contacts or replace connector if necessary).


2. Open the unit and solder USB pins 4 and 5 together or even better, add a switch.


3. Modify a mini-B connector by soldering pins 4 and 5 together.

This has always been my advice, wait for an Android based phone, there are a ton out there already.  This advice now comes even from Steve Jobs himself which makes me laugh. http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/steve-jobs-porn

So I guess android really does do everything, including porn, YAY.

I was tired of worrying about handing my camera over to my 2yo son William.  He loves to take pictures though, so I decided for xmas to get him and I a new rugged camera.  This way we don't have to worry as much about him breaking it while practicing his photography skills.  I can just hand him the camera mostly without worry.  There has been a leaning towards rugged electronics after my son put my cell phone(handy) into the dish washer.  I had decided before as to some camera specifications and recommendations before.  Everything in life is a compromise though and this is no exception to the rule.

Pros: SDHC card(using EyeFi wireless card), ultra-compact, 12megapixels, 1.5meters shock proof, 3.0meters waterproof(and dustproof), Optical Image Stabilizer, great reviews, video with HDMI out, and 4.6x Optical Zoom, underwater housing available for SCUBA diving.

Cons: Special Li-ion battery is pretty much a requirement in an ultra-compact camera, it's a bit on the expensive side, special USB connector(but I have an EyeFi Card, so it won't be used).

So it came time to look for a new phone recently.  I was going to get a 'rugged' phone, but all of them had at least some issues for my preferences.   I wanted to keep the plan I'm on the same as there are two other people involved, otherwise a smartphone with WiFi and Android OS, would have been at the top of my list.  Having a $150 upgrade credit helped with the selection.  But what really helped me narrow it down is the PhoneArena website.  On the left hand side, they have choices of phones and carriers, I choose Sprint as my carrier.  Then I looked at the sprint website and determined which ones would be free to upgrade to.  I was originally willing to pay for a rugged phone(Motorola i365) with good battery life, good reviews, but didn't have a standard USB port, and I hate having special chargers.

So on the next screen I put a check mark in all of the free phones that I might be interested in and click on the 'compare' button.  This brings up the phones features next to each other so you can make an informed decision.  As you eliminate the possibilities, just click on remove to narrow down your search.  Battery life over 5hrs and a standard microUSB port were high on my list.  Which narrowed it down to two phones, Samsung Reclaim, and the LG LX370.  Now choosing between these two was quite difficult because I like LG but complaints about the font and screen size kept me away, I really liked the 3.5mm headphone jack and larger screen on the Reclaim.  So anyway, I got the eco-friendly Samsung Reclaim in earth green for free after all of the instant rebates(I don't like mail-in rebate fraud), should be here tomorrow.  If you are thinking of a new phone, def check out PhoneArena.

http://sharebee.com/bb2b3feb

I do not recommend this GPS because it is very selective about the chargers that it will accept, which is an artificial limitation, and this is true of other models in their lineup.  They charge more for updated maps then you can buy a new GPS for.

Currently my favorite GPS devices run Nav N Go iGO8 software, it is absolutely the best I have used, and I have used all of the major ones.