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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Electronic gadgets a hot holiday gift

By Susan Haller
Gannett News Service

An array of gadgets perfect for giving can help frequent fliers, cross-country drivers and outdoors lovers navigate their journeys or work more comfortably in a coach airplane seat.

Handheld global positioning systems or GPS technology integrated into other devices are among the hottest gifts, according to David Brandos, president of Pharos Science & Applications Inc., which develops navigation systems for personal digital assistants.

"Navigation is kind of underserved; its one of those applications that people don't know how useful it is," Brandos said, explaining how GPS systems can provide real-time access to traffic reports and comprehensive points of interest. For example, a GPS system not only can identify all the restaurants in a five-mile radius, but it can narrow the search to just Mexican restaurants.

Pharos GPS receivers (www.pharosgps.com), which work with Palm and Pocket PC handhelds as well as Windows laptops, range in price from $199 to $299.

While GPS devices might attract the attention of hard-core techies and early adopters, here are some other options:

Eliminate "Are we there yets?" from the backseat with a Digital Map Reader, $19.95 at www.brookstone.com. The device uses a measuring wheel to calculate the exact mileage of map routes and can work on several different scales.

A satellite radio will provide relief from static when away from home. Pioneer's XM radio receiver with controller and FM modulator for car stereos is $199.99 at Best Buy. (www.bestbuy.com)

Rand McNally makes using maps easier with a road atlas for Palm devices. Use the PalmPak Travel Card, which fits into Palm models with a Secure Digital card expansion slot, to navigate U.S. roadways. Attach a GPS module and the program also will give a current location as well as where to turn. The PalmPak Travel Card: Rand McNally Road Atlas retails for $39.99. (www.palm.com)

The Garmin Rino 110 ($169.99, www.garmin.com) is a two-way family service radio that includes a GPS receiver, trip computer, and way-point storage to record points-of-interest along your adventure. It also has the ability to communicate with other Rino users in a five-mile radius and can transmit locations to users within two miles.