CoPilot Live Pocket PC 5 (Bluetooth GPS)

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CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 7 reviews
See all user reviews

Product summary

The good: Improved interface; excellent reception; voice-guided turn-by-turn directions; integrates with Pocket Outlook.

The bad The bad: Directions are occasionally confusing at complicated intersections.

The bottom line: The new and improved CoPilot Live takes an already user-friendly in-car navigation package and makes it even easier to use.

Specifications: Product type: GPS kit; GPS receiver: 12 channel; Antenna: Built-in See full specs

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Daniel A. Begun
Edited by: Bonnie Cha
Reviewed on: 09/21/2004
Released on: 07/21/2004

CoPilot Live Pocket PC 5.0 with Bluetooth GPS improves on Alk Technologies' already impressive and easy-to-use GPS-based navigation system for Pocket PCs by offering a more intuitive interface and easier-to-read onscreen maps. The previous version of the software worked well, but this time around you probably won't even need the manual.

The $350 package comes with a Bluetooth GPS antenna (works with any Bluetooth-enabled PDA running Pocket PC 2002 or Windows Mobile 2003, first and second editions), a car charger, and a vent mount. Alk also offers several different packages, including a software-only package for $199 and a CompactFlash bundle for $299. The Bluetooth-based antenna, which measures 0.7 by 2.0 by 3.5 inches and weighs 2.1 ounces, uses a SiRFstarIIe/LP chipset that supports up to 12 channels. The antenna includes a rechargeable battery that takes only one hour to charge and is rated for six hours. We managed to get slightly less than eight hours out of one charge. Despite the good battery life, it would have been nice if Alk had provided an AC power supply so that the antenna could be charged at home or the office. (This accessory is available for $30 via Alk).

To get started, you simply enter the street address of your destination. CoPilot calculates the route and provides turn-by-turn directions from your current location. CoPilot interfaces with Pocket Outlook, so you can even pick addresses from your Outlook contacts--a nice feature. You also have the option of avoiding specific roads or requesting a detour to the provided route. If you make a wrong turn or miss your exit, CoPilot automatically recalculates your route. Finally, if you need to plan a pit stop, CoPilot makes it easy with a plentiful database of 3 million points of interest.

User reviews

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 7 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 3 of 7 user reviewsSee all 7 user reviews
2.5 stars

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

"Nice graphics can't make up for poor accuracy."

by kfatica on June 10, 2005

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3.5 stars

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

"Excellent maps and options for a Pocket PC GPS"

by gordonrd on May 12, 2005

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2.0 stars

"Frustrating !!!"

by ddjmrql on March 10, 2005

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See all 7 user reviews Write review

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CoPilot Live Pocket PC 5 (Bluetooth GPS)

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