 DeLorme, a long standing GPS Mapping company, has kept their strategy simple. Do what you know, and do it well. DeLorme has been supplying recreational handheld GPS units for many years, primarily to the USA, with some minor sales into Canada. This year they have decided to branch off into relatively new territory, garnering a deal with Globalstar subsidiary SPOT. This partnership has produced a global positioning system and satellite communicator combination. The target market for this device is huge, ranging from amateur hikers, and outdoors enthusiasts to Search and Rescue operations throughout the world. The benefits of the satellite communicator include being able to contact others for help, or send friends and family messages, even when cell phone signals are not available. Debuting at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, availability should be as soon as Spring 2010. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it is a sure bet that it will be fairly reasonable. Multi-functional units are becoming more common, with parts readily available and the technology already founded. Another advancement from DeLorme is the addition of Canadian Topographic maps. These are now available through their NetLink program, which comes included on the software provided with the GPS. For a yearly subscription of $29.95 users will have the option to download specific regions or "tiles". The subscription is valid for 12 months, and all downloads are saved to the computer for future use. | 
