-
"Awesome, absolutely awesome!" on by Uncle Ben007
Pros: Best display ever, routing flexibility and 600 mHZ fast!
Cons: Sound level could be better but with the audio out...
Summary: I have been using this PND for a bit over a week now, and I'm impressed. Admittedly, the learning curve is a little steeper than with some other systems I've used. But there is so much routing flexibility built-in that I think this is a fair compromise. If you want things simple, with no itineraries, no multi-destination routing, no on-line trip planning, no 600Mhz CPU/GPS chip combo designed specifically for navigation... then look for another product, a simpler product.
Yes, the sound level is not one of the 310's strong points. But for fairness sake, I think one should look at the package as a whole, not just one aspect of the audio features of the 310. You can't look at the audio capabilities of the 310 WITHOUT taking into account the Audio-Out port which, by the way, is not a feature common to all GPS devices. Once you connect your 310 to AUX port on your car audio system, directions and videos come out LOUD and CLEAR, much better than any FM Transmitter type connection that some other devices offer.
But more importantly, the claim that the 310 is inept at route recalculation is not only incorrect but absurd. I have been using the 310 for over a week now, and never once experienced a problem with route recalculation. If the CNET reviewer got such poor results on this point, then I suspect that the unit they were using was defective; or else, which is the more likely cause, the 'Off-route recalculation' was NOT set to 'Automatic.' This is a setting that one will find under [Settings][Route]. Bonnie - even if you did set the route-recalc to Automatic, if subsquently you chose a start point on the map other than your current GPS location, did you know that in doing so, the off-route recalc is automatically turned off? That's another possible explanation the poor results you obtained.
No, this is a very good GPS system, one that certainly deserves better than a 6 rating. I deplore the fact that the CNET review is incomplete and flawed in many ways...but eventually, user ratings will speak themselves and prevail. I still think that CNET should make a correction here though. -
"Very good but could be great" on by daldridge
Pros: Contrary to what the review said, I found that route recalculations are fast, and there are a multitude of POI
Cons: I've experienced lockups and fatal errors that can be recreated.
Summary: HP, I hope you're listening... I've noticed some issues with HP not having the correct support on their website. Also if the points of interest have a phone number, and if my phone is connected to bluetooth, then WHY can't I tap on the phone number and have it dial? I hope this is an oversight that is fixed in a nearby release. All in all though, great unit, VERY accurate. I feel it's a good showing for HP being the new kid on the block.
-
"Seeing The World in 3D" on by KENNL
Pros: Super fast satellite acquisition, Good routing, Super fast route recalculation, Best screen in the industry
Cons: Tele Atlas maps (good, but not on par with Navteq yet), Can't modify screen colors (yet), Battery life?
Summary: I've owned the Ipaq 310 for almost a week. This is is very nice device. It uses NavNGo's IGO8 software. The Ipaq acquires satellites very quickly from a cold start (less than 10 seconds). Routing is good and recalculating is VERY fast! Certainly on par with the two leaders in the GPS market (Garmin and Tom Tom). The screen is magnificent! The graphics are the best I've seen on a GPS device, although I wish I could modify the screen colors. You see terrain, texture, overpasses, bridges, etc. in 3D! The buildings and attractions are quite interesting, too. I can't wait to visit a 3D rendered city that's included in the map. (I browsed Atlanta and NYC). There are a few icons on some screens that are not accessible yet because HP has not yet opened their new Ipaq website for updates. I cannot add any contacts, etc., from Outlook yet. I'm sure the website will open soon as it is already up, just no way to access anything. Overall, a good device and one I would definitely recommend.
-
"Has potential but nees work" on by t0ne67
Pros: Screen Size, features
Cons: Software, maps, weak instructions and non user friendliness
Summary: This is a novel concept but it seems to have been rushed to the market without being tweeked or proofed.
Sold this item on EBAY, for the simple fact that HP will NEVER update its maps.
There are some problems i've seen in other reviews that can be resolved by reading the instructions, however the instructions arent as detailed as they should be an appear to be done by the marketing guys rather than the technical guys.
Some aspects of maps are woefully out of date not chronologically consistent, in that some aspects of the maps in my area are anywhere from 4 to 10 years out of date while other locations are current. Considering this unit came out on Nov makes the inconsistent and out of date maps unforgiveable.
The unit's memory seems to be incapable of retaining settings at times and will revert to settings on its own.
Route recalculations are incredibly stubborn when you have traveled off route, meaning that it will tell you to turn back 3 or 4 times before it decides to recalc an alt route.
The bluetooth seems to mute calls at times, i havent determined if it is my phone, i have a motorola w385 however if i answer a call using the phone, the other party can hear me but i cant hear them, it only works if i answer the call from the unit, sometimes.
The instructions does not adequately explain some of the operating procedures well enough and seem to be centered on bragging about the unit rather than offering substanial information.
The trip planner that they promote has parameters that are too restrictive because not everybody who uses this thing will be going to a business meeting and adding POI's favorites or marking positions is tedious, the search option as well as other options are hard to find and require alot of screen tapping so it is definitely not to be used while driving, perhaps not even riding a bike.
Updated on Oct 29, 2008 -
"Don't bother buying it. Device have lots of issues!" on by kyushomaster
Pros: I don't see any pros in this peace of junk.
Cons: Unreliable route calculation, screen is freezing, very slow, bad video playback with lousy sound. Generaly speaking it has outsourced (designed/tested in India) quality.
Summary: This is one of the good examples of low quality hi-tech devices where company outsourced their engineering to India. Engineers out there are not qualified to do such job, in many cases not capable thinking out of box, prompt to produce a lot of mistakes while coding and testing that leads to the products like iPaq 310 with extremely low quality. They cheaper, but is it worth loosing reputation on the market by saving few thousands dollars. Another thing you should take in account that you don’t have Customer Support, because those idiots in India are not capable to troubleshoot any issues. Generally speaking you don’t want to buy peace of device with LOW QUALITY and EXTREMELY POOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT!
Write a Review
%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/car-gps-navigation/hp-ipaq-310-travel/4852-3430_7-32595205.html&x_breadcrumb=10863:3424:3430&x_arw_bkts=MAD:high_wireless_switcher){kind=small}