VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Springboard Modules (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10)
-- What ever happened to the Geode (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=9706)

I saw the HandyGPS at Palmgear
Which leads me to:

Why do you have to pay for maps after 1 year? And wouldn't you have to put any maps on the Visor RAM, instead of a Memory card or other option.

And what ever happened to the Geode, the GPS Springboard from GeoDiscovery? I could not find a release date for it, and I like it a bit more than the HandyGPS.

What happened?

There is a seperate discussion board on Visor central and a beta users page on geodiscovery.com. They say it should be out be Christmas.

__________________
My Treo has more memory than I do.

geode date

the geode is comming out within two weeks

The Geode? What?

Hehehe, even I'm getting ansy for the release! BTW, lot's of new information at http://www.geodiscovery.com Handhelds will never be the same again.

More delays

According to GeoDiscovery, they now predict a ship date of January 15, 2001. In October I was told mid November. They made their first public announcement on May 2 2000 (8 months ago), and said summer 2000. That's at least 5 months late. At the time they sounded like a winner with a plan, but it seems things haven't worked out for them, or anyone partnering with them. The Visorcentral Geode prize is actually a voucher redeamable for a Geode when/if they become available - implying the Jan 15 date is also uncertain. Personally, I'm very disappointed because I expected to have a GPS for my visor 12 months ago (with the HandyGPS) but no solid self-contained Springboard GPS products have emerged. It seems that I can't think of one major Springboard that's arrived on time or really delivered either - for those who like to worry.

Explorer1

People continue to amaze me

Have you checked out their website lately? Geodiscovery has publically announced the ship date of January 15, 2001. What you're confusing here is before it was speculation, an anticipated release date. Now it's make it or break it. But, when you're working with cutting edge technology that no one has done before it takes a bit more time to develop than just taking someone else's idea and slapping a trademark on it.

On your second note that no self-contained springboard GPS modules have emerged is untrue. If you look in recent articles in the newspapers, magazines, or even on television where it is featured, the Geodiscovery geode is solid, touchable, tangible, and has emerged. You are correct to say that none have emerged publically yet, but as I said before...the January 15th date is set in stone, not merely an anticipated release date.

In responce to paragraph 1. I check their website daily. My source of information was direct e-mail corrispondence with Geodiscovery. Not to fault them, but their predictions were still not accurate. Other companies have made successfull GPS's before (ie for the palm). I understand cutting edge technology and its risks and delays, I work at NASA. My complaint is that after 1 year, my Visor is due to be replaced soon and I still haven't seen a compelling Springboard. Geodiscovery may very well make the Jan 15 2001 date, (I sincerely hope they do, I'll be customer #1) but too many companies have announced release dates only to have them severely postponed. This erodes customer confidence in the entire platform. Especially when similar products quickly become available on competing platforms.

In paragraph 2, I hope your correct, but as of Today 12/13/2000, only the HandyGPS Springboard IS shipping and it has an unreliable history. Too questionable at this time for me consider a 'solid' product just yet.

Time will tell.

Below is copy of Geodiscovery's Oct 24 message to me (the names have been changed to protect the innocent):

Xxxxx,

Thanks for your patience. Right now things are looking very promising for
next month which is our goal to ship. Our target price is still $249. We
can't wait to see the Geode GPS as a vehicle used to bring location aware
computing to life.

Sincerely,

Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx

GeoDiscovery Support
----- Original Message -----
From: "XXXXXXXX, XXXXX X. (XXX-XXX)" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 8:02 AM
Subject: So when does the adventure begin?


> Been patiently waiting for quite awhile now. My Visor's a year old. Soon
> I'll be thinking about upgrading it and your products will influence my
> decision.
>
> The Power of Patience...
>

quote:

---

Originally posted by Explorer1
Below is copy of Geodiscovery's Oct 24 message to me (the names have been changed to protect the innocent):

Xxxxx,

Thanks for your patience. Right now things are looking very promising for
next month which is our goal to ship. Our target price is still $249. We
can't wait to see the Geode GPS as a vehicle used to bring location aware
computing to life.

Sincerely,

Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx

GeoDiscovery Support
----- Original Message -----
From: "XXXXXXXX, XXXXX X. (XXX-XXX)" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 8:02 AM
Subject: So when does the adventure begin?


> Been patiently waiting for quite awhile now. My Visor's a year old. Soon
> I'll be thinking about upgrading it and your products will influence my
> decision.
>
> The Power of Patience...
>

---

quote:

---

...buy a Geode GPS module on this site for just $289 (US) as soon as they become available...

---

__________________
Jeff

I received this today:


We're so excited to bring you the news! As of Wednesday, December 20, 2000 you can place your pre-order for a Geode(tm) GPS module by calling 1-800-861-2972.

Orders will be filled in the order they are received, and because you have signed up for e-mail updates, we wanted to let you know before the rest of the world. This is a pre-order only, with orders to begin shipping on January 15, 2001. You should expect to receive yours by the end of January. When you place your order you will be asked for a credit card number, which will not be billed until your order is shipped.

When you order, you not only get the Geode GPS module, but so much more:
* The Geode comes with 4 Mbytes of flash memory, pre-loaded with GeoView Mobile software, a World Map Pack featuring boundaries for world-wide countries and major international cities, and a U.S. Map Pack with major highways, roads, lakes and rivers in the
entire United States.
* CD containing GeoDiscovery U.S. Street Map Packs for all major metro areas.
* 2 AA batteries and hard cover for your Visor.

All for only $289. Call today, 1-800-861-2972.

Be sure and watch our website at http://www.geodiscovery.com in January for a full list of guides that you can also order, including a variety of GeoDiscovery Active City and Outdoor Guides from your favorite publishers and us. Accessories will include travel cases, a water resistant case, and a Geode GPS module power adaptor. This list will continue to grow, so check back often.

Thank you for your continued interest in GeoDiscovery. We are looking forward to delivering the very best in GPS technology along with tons of rich content to enrich your travels and your life.

If you have questions that you would like answered by e-mail, please send a message to [email protected]

mc.

Encouraging news. Beta team members were also allowed to preorder on December 18 and 19. But since I was the 46th person to order a visor when they were introduced last year but still waited almost 4 months for it to actually arrive (and then returned as defective), I'll keep a 'wait-and-see' attitude until my Geode arrives.

BTW: For those interested in GPS's, JPL is experimenting with a GPS for satellites that's accurate to 3 cm, yes centimeters. The news release is below. Maybe someday this technology could make its way to consumers.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/releases/2000/blackjackgps.html

MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109 TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov

Contact: Rosemary Sullivant (818) 354-0474

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2000

"WHERE AM I?" NASA'S BLACKJACK RECEIVER KNOWS THAT AND MORE

While an ordinary global positioning system (GPS) receiver uses information carried by radio signals from a constellation of GPS satellites to
calculate its position, NASA's BlackJack GPS receiver looks at the radio waves themselves. By making precise measurements of how the signals
are distorted or delayed along their way, the BlackJack provides a new way to study Earth's gravity field and atmosphere.

The first of these experimental receivers is flying on a German scientific satellite, Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP), launched in
July. The second is onboard an Argentine satellite called SAC-C, launched on November 21. Both instruments were designed and built at
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

"Like any other GPS receiver, the BlackJack can calculate where it is in space and time, but comparing the BlackJack to an ordinary GPS
receiver is like comparing a home camcorder to a professional studio camera," said JPL engineer Thomas Yunck, manager of the GPS
Observatories Office. While a typical GPS receiver can determine its position to about 20 meters (22 yards), the BlackJack can pinpoint the
position of its host satellite continuously with an accuracy of 2 to 3 centimeters (.8 to 1.1 inch). This flight data can be used to improve computer
models of the Earth's gravitational field, which in turn can help reveal different Earth properties, including the structure and evolution of the deep
interior, the movement of surface ice and atmospheric mass, and ocean circulation.

In a more dramatic departure from conventional GPS use, BlackJack receivers track the radio signals slicing through the earth's atmosphere
as the GPS satellites appear to rise and set. This information will help scientists construct detailed images of the ionosphere and will provide
precise profiles of atmospheric density, pressure, temperature, and moisture for climate studies and weather prediction. The BlackJacks are also
equipped with small down-looking antennas to attempt to receive GPS signals that reflect off the oceans. This highly experimental technique could
one day be used to map the subtle variations of the ocean topography, derive ocean circulation patterns, sense the roughness or state of the ocean
surface and estimate surface winds.

The SAC-C and CHAMP experiments are early attempts to assess the engineering feasibility of such measurements. Both experiments are
designed to last about 3 years.

JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

#####
12/13/00 RS
#2000-129

[Edited by Explorer1 on 12-21-2000 at 01:17 AM]

BTW:
I know they're workig really hard and are really close to shipping (again), but it IS January 20 and I still don't have a Geode yet, and now there is a real selection with the Magellan GPS coming real soon now also.

Well, the first Geodes have already shipped and are in the customers hands. Just so you know...

,Rich

__________________
Rich

[email protected]

My girlfriend is at the annual Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City (it starts today, Jan 25). She says that they have working demo Geodes on display there...

- Dan

Got Mine Today

They are out - I received mine today. I haven't had a chance to play with it too much, but during my lunch hour I gave it a quick "spin" and it worked great - fixed my position accurately within a minute or so, which as I understand it (not having used a GPS before) is pretty good.