CT: (NEW MODEL - Review & photo Incl.) 7" touchscreen GPS $399

[[H]ackerK]

Just get back from my 2 day road trip. My experience w/ this new model of GPS is mixed.

The good is the Hardware, it is very sensitive and it an pick up sat really well (compare to my MSFT USB GPS). The touch screen and speed of the "firmware" is not bad.

However the not so good (but not a bad thing) is the device can get you from point A to B, but if you wish to explore the surround areas it is next to impossible.

I guess maybe I was spoiled by MSFT Map Point for many years... I just love to plan ahead and explore. And if you are like me, this GPS is not for you.

However if you just want to get from point A to B, this is easy and simple to use. And I think it is compareable to the in-dash GPS options.

Oh the audio nav you have to get used to it. Instead of saying 'keep left/right' it will say something like 'exit on the left/right'. At first it is kinda odd, but soon you get used to it. If it is a real exit, it will warn you as much as 500 meters ahead. then count down to 200M then 100M the just about 10 meters away, it will say somthing like 'left/right turn ahead'...

You can plan MP3 on the background, but the speaker is too crappy for that (but speech is fine).

I hope the next f/w update will allow to scroll around the map w/o auto center on current position.

[ud666]

Hay I got the exact same one from the same ebay seller!
I used it for the first time and it was so cool. It is quite handy to be built into a Palm Style unit. That way you can take it out for hiking or if you are wandering around a strange neighborhood in a foriegn city.

Mine was practically brand new. although it says "Newly Overhauled" so I guess it means refurbished by Garmin. I'm OK with it as it has 1 yr Garmin Warranty.

I was thinking about a unit that is for car only, but then it would be too bulky and not so flexible to take it to use for other things like Geocaching...

Check out this deal for a GPS . It's an Canadian Ebay online store. I bought this a couple of months ago. The first one was defective, but I had a no hassle exchange. The included auto kit is great, the maps are current, plus you get a Palm, MP3 Player and GPS all in one package. Read all the fine print to make sure it fits your requirements. Best bang for yer buck!

[[H]ackerK]

I have spent few hours today taking it apart and see what's inside... so far what I found is the Map database seems to be using SQLITE v3 format. And it is about 14GB in size!

The 40GB HD has 3 partition, the first ~19GB are for MP3 (or USB Storage), the second partition is swap. The last ~19GB are for the GPS dada file.

The firmware (Linux OS Kernel?) is stored on the flash memory itself.

The GPS does come w/ 'upgrade.rar' in the MP3 storage area. Maybe that's the kernel. But since this is not a x86 CPU, it will not run on your PC.

The HD does run pretty hot for long period, and there is a thermal sensor glue to the HD itself.

The GPS antenna is at the bottom of the case, near where the 'power' button is. (Notice the 'bump' at the bottom of the case, that is the antenna.

The uC & memory are sitting on a separate card. If I have the right equipment I should be able to make a dump of the flash memory.

(Photos to follow... hopefully) YES! Photos here

[Bigmouth]

Thanks for the deatailed review.

Can it do the auto-rerouting if I am off the pre-planned route?

[MukiCookiepaws]

How do these GPS devices compare with a PocketPC w/ GPS (MS Streets and Trips)?

I'm debating about which one I wanna get

[[H]ackerK]

Thanks for the deatailed review.

Can it do the auto-rerouting if I am off the pre-planned route?

Yes, see my previous posts.

[[H]ackerK]

How do these GPS devices compare with a PocketPC w/ GPS (MS Streets and Trips)?

I'm debating about which one I wanna get

This one is fully loaded w/ Canada map. To the best of my knowledge PocketPC you need to load the area of interest yourself. But then depends on how wide of an area you wanted to travel, this may or may not be an issue for you.

If you are talking about using MS S&T or MapPoint on a LAPTOP w/ GPS receiver (that's what I have been using for years) It is espically great if you like to explore the unknowns.

However if you just want to get from point A to point B, this GPS is a pretty good choice.

This GPS also allow you to set up an 'address book' (i.e. custom POI - Point of Interest) so you can quickly select a POI and hit the 'drive to' button and it will plot the route for you.

Another feature I forget to mention in my previous posts is there an option to switch from bright day light mode all the way to dark night mode w/o going into setting menu.

The hardware is great and I think it worth every single penny. And software is not bad but have area to improve (or maybe I was just spoiled by MSFT for the past years of using mappoint/S&T)

Also given the data format is in SQLite and the kernel suppose to be Linux based, if popular enough, I bet there will be some homebrew firmware.

[Doug]

Just wanted to say, I got this unit from Lowrance and am very happy with it.

http://www.lowrance.com/Automotive/P...s/iWAY350C.asp

(It'd be cool if in the future they'd include weather too. (Guess could do that with a pocket PC.) I know some are starting to get limited traffic information.)

[[H]ackerK]

Just wanted to say, I got this unit from Lowrance and am very happy with it.

http://www.lowrance.com/Automotive/P...s/iWAY350C.asp

(It'd be cool if in the future they'd include weather too. (Guess could do that with a pocket PC.) I know some are starting to get limited traffic information.)

The one CT selling is 7" LCD vs your is 3.5" LCD. And please stop thread-crapping.

[yuprules]

This one is fully loaded w/ Canada map. To the best of my knowledge PocketPC you need to load the area of interest yourself. But then depends on how wide of an area you wanted to travel, this may or may not be an issue for you.

If you are talking about using MS S&T or MapPoint on a LAPTOP w/ GPS receiver (that's what I have been using for years) It is espically great if you like to explore the unknowns.

However if you just want to get from point A to point B, this GPS is a pretty good choice.

This GPS also allow you to set up an 'address book' (i.e. custom POI - Point of Interest) so you can quickly select a POI and hit the 'drive to' button and it will plot the route for you.

Another feature I forget to mention in my previous posts is there an option to switch from bright day light mode all the way to dark night mode w/o going into setting menu.

The hardware is great and I think it worth every single penny. And software is not bad but have area to improve (or maybe I was just spoiled by MSFT for the past years of using mappoint/S&T)

Also given the data format is in SQLite and the kernel suppose to be Linux based, if popular enough, I bet there will be some homebrew firmware.

Sounds like an "ok unit" from your review thanks for taking the time to type that out for us.

The only thing holding me back is still the lack of city maps for the U.S. I drive there often and it's been over 6 months since they "promised them" in the old thread from Christmas. I'm sticking with my bulky laptop and Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 for now.

[[H]ackerK]

Sounds like an "ok unit" from your review thanks for taking the time to type that out for us.

The only thing holding me back is still the lack of city maps for the U.S. I drive there often and it's been over 6 months since they "promised them" in the old thread from Christmas. I'm sticking with my bulky laptop and Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 for now.

Agree. Until someone get a hold of P7 and make a dump of the HD.. heehee...

[trolldealhunter]

once again a reminder, costco has some Navigations on sale! Incl Garmin NUVI - Best in-car nav so far guys

[cpoole]

How do these GPS devices compare with a PocketPC w/ GPS (MS Streets and Trips)?

I'm debating about which one I wanna get

I am not familiar with the current version of Pocket Streets but previous versions did not route - they only displayed where you were located.

[MukiCookiepaws]

I am not familiar with the current version of Pocket Streets but previous versions did not route - they only displayed where you were located.

Alright ... I already have the Software w/ GPS Unit... that I can use with my laptop... I was debating if I should get a PocketPC to use Pocket Streets with it... I guess I'll think about that before I decide thanks for the info

[[H]ackerK]

Guts


Partition


Data drive 15GB used


Dir listing


The Harddrive


The 'Brain'


Backup Battery or Large Cap


GPS antenna module