- Turn your iPAQ Pocket PC into a complete in-vehicle navigation system
- Find the shortest distance, quickest route or avoid freeways turn by turn directions with moving map display
- Instantly locate nearby hotels, police stations, gas stations, restaurants
- Bluetooth GPS receiver features the same power port used on the HP iPAQ Pocket PC devices
- The HP iPAQ Navigation System is compatible with HP iPAQ Pocket PC H1940, H2200, H3870, H3970, H4000 and H5000 Series products
Pluses:
Works great with the IPAQ 1945; good, clear voice guidance; good maps; good software
Very straightforward, very friendly user interface -light year ahead of my Magellan GPS.
Minuses: It is great so why I gave it only three stars?
The GPS receiving unit is just a small hard plastic device and as slick as a hockey puck on your car's dashboard. I just don't know where to put it without it sliding off into the floor board each time I make a turn. I tucked it between the winshield and the dashboard, but that is not a good place as it can be very hot under the sun.
The so-call bracket for your PCPocket is a joke. There is not a single piece of information on how it should be put together or at least how it should look like assembled. Anyway, after a some trials and errors I managed to put it together and found that it simply does not work on the car's air vent as intended. It simply cannot hold the IPAQ. It is quite frustrated because simple you cannot use this GPS receiver/IPAQ while driving unless you can find a suitable holder for your IPAQ.
For walking/hinking: Unlike other GPS's where the receiver and display is in one unit now you will have to hold two (2) devices in two hands. It simply awkward and not workable while walking/hiking. I even try to hang the GPS receiver around my neck in a clear plastic bag, but it did not work out because the receiver would bounce as I walk and make the display jittery and jumpy.
So here I have, in my opinion, a technical marvel that I really like, but as a practical matter, I cannot 1) use it in my car until I can find or devise a way to safely mount the IPAQ display, and 2) walk/hike with it because it will require two hands to hold both devices!
-------------------------------------------
Additional review after three weeks, with one long trip from Texas to Florida:
Yes, it did give opposite turn instructions a few times. My guess is that, in this case the highway exits were very close to each other and the software's position predictor probably estimated that I already missed an exit/turn and issued the turn around instructions.
Bought a Akron holder for my IPAQ, so that now it can be firmly attached to my windshield at a good viewing angle.
Bought an inexpensive cell phone case, with plastic window for the GPS receiver. This cell phone case, which holds the GPS receiver, can be clipped to my belt and the GPS receiver still can receive good satellite signals.
Found out that it will take a long time to generate and down load a big map such as the entire state of Texas. I suppose this is a function of the PDA -not much I can do about it.
Wish that I can enter known GPS coordinates as destinations. Bummer.
Overall I am a much happier camper now. I jacked it up to 4 stars!This GPS receiver appears to work great with my 4155. I've only used it a few days, but I am very pleased so far. Installation of the software and first connection to the GPS went very smoothly. I like the way that it will start the Bluetooth connection automatically on startup of the software. The maps are from NavTech and seem to be pretty complete. I've found a few mistakes, but they are generally less than the web based mapping programs. Having a power cord that is compatible with my PDA is very helpful as well.
I plan on using this GPS while hiking. GpsDash (app for navigating and tracking with a raster map) works well with this receiver.
As far as negatives, the manual is only available online in the form of a pdf. The kit came with a mounting bracket, but I can't figure out how to use it. The power switch could be a little better constructed also. These negatives are pretty minor overall.I ordered this to replace a Navman unit I used to use with my 3870, however I lost the 3870 and replaced it with a 4155 and this.
The good:
Excellent battery life
Excellent GPS, locks in within a minute with cold start
Bluetooth works great
The unit comes with a power adaptor using the Ipaq connector meaning you only need carry one charger around
The maps appear upto date
Software is intuitive
Routing is quick and auto-rerouting works well
Spoken instructions are particularly good. I often don't use the display
I like the points of interest and the way you can ask for a list and be directed to the nearest gas stations, restaurants etc.
Never locked up
The bad:
Only thing I've found better so far on the Navman was the map display
Generally very impressed!The Hp Gps unit is a good buy, It has its pro's and cons. But overall is a great buy. Don't pay more than $200 for the unit though. Pros: The unit is small and easy to operate, Connects quickly and reliably,software is great and fairly reliable.
Cons: The holder as many have writtin is cheesy and cheap, it rocks when you make corners and requires you to tape a button with double sided tape to the back of your PDA. I would reccomend a different mount and one with a speaker like the ARKON Powered PDA & GPS Mount Kit listed in another review. I would also reccomend using velcro to fasten the gps unit to your dash otherwise it slides around. As far as using the gps for walking, it is a bit of a pain to use unless you put it in a T-shirt pocket, anything thicker than that and it wont recieve a signal.I sewed a velcro strip to my jacket and stick the gps to that. Also I would reccomend having at least a 256 or 516mb memory card in your PDA If you plan on travelling state to state. I put 5 state maps on my pda and it fills my 256mb card. So the more memory you have the farther you can go.
I am giving it 4.5 stars because of an annoying feature of the flashing BT blue light from the 4355 (which is not really the fault of the GPS device)when driving at night but otherwise a really great product.
No comments:
Post a Comment