Entered CNET Catalog: 08/11/2006
SKU: 0805931019165
Manufacturer: Palm
Manufacturer description
Featuring TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 software, voice guided, turn-by-turn directions help keep your eyes on the road. You can navigate using the latest Tele Atlas maps covering the United States and Canada, including millions of points of interest to help you find fuel, restaurants, parks, airports and more. Automatic route recalculation puts you back on track if you take a wrong turn. Friendly user interface and touch screen operation make navigation simple and fast. Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition 2 includes a memory card pre-installed with a map of the continental United States and Canada. Simply insert the pre-installed memory card into your Treo 650, 700w, or 700p smartphone to launch TomTom NAVIGATOR! The device cradle holds your Treo smartphone securely in place and within reach. Now, there is no need to re-fold maps!Product summary
The good: The Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition features text- and voice-guided directions, an accurate receiver, and a vast number of navigation and map customization options. Setup is also easy, and you can dial a phone number from the points-of-interest database directly from your Treo.
The bad: The Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition is a bit pricey, and we wish there was a mounting apparatus for the Bluetooth GPS receiver.
The bottom line: For the true road warrior, the Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition can take some of the stress out of your busy on-the-go lifestyle by bringing accurate driving directions right to your Treo; just be prepared to pay a price.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/15/2006
The compact and lightweight GPS receiver is powered by a SiRF Star III chip. A power switch and a port for an optional external antenna are on the left spine, while on the front of the device are three indicator LEDs that show the status of GPS reception (orange), Bluetooth operation (blue), and the battery life (green for fully charged, red for low). There's a mini USB port on the bottom end for charging the user-replaceable lithium-ion battery, which is located on the back along with two rubber pads designed to help prevent the receiver from sliding around on a flat surface. However, we found they weren't quite strong enough; the device took a few tumbles as we drove around curves and went over bumpy roads. We wish it came with a more stable mounting apparatus for the receiver. However, Palm does include a windshield/dashboard cradle for your Treo, a USB memory card reader, and a car charger with connectors for both your Treo and the GPS Navigator.
The Palm GPS Navigator features TomTom Navigator 6 software, which includes 2006 TeleAtlas maps of the United States and Canada and a comprehensive points-of-interest (POI) database. All data is loaded on the included 1GB memory card, so you don't have to deal with any map transfers from your PC. Once you insert the card, you'll have to endure a couple minutes of setup and activation. You'll be asked to input preferences such as language choice and whether you want your distance units displayed as miles or kilometers. After four or so questions, you will then need to activate the software. To do so, you'll need to have ready the product code (located on the flap of the included software CD) and a device code (presented on the Treo once you start this process). We suggest you have a pencil and paper on hand, as well.
Fortunately the setup process is the most difficult part about using the Palm GPS Navigator. If you've ever used a TomTom navigation system before, the GPS Navigator's interface will look familiar. And even if you haven't, you'll need little acclimation, as the menus are easy to understand and intuitive, with large icons and clear identification. What's more, the Treo's touch screen and QWERTY keyboard make it easy to enter commands and addresses. If you already know where you're going, the Navigator's map browser gives you a general overview map and you can use it to keep track of your location. Otherwise, you can enter a specific address, city center, or intersection or select a recent destination, a POI, or a name from your Contacts list to receive driving directions. There is also an Itinerary function where you can add other destinations and waypoints into your current route. Under the Preferences menu, you can instruct the Navigator to calculate a route that avoids all freeways or takes the shortest time or distance. You can also plan by bicycle or walking routes.
Maps are presented in 2D or 3D view. If you select 2D mode, you can choose to have either north or the direction you're traveling always face the top of the screen. There's also a night mode that changes the color of the maps for better nighttime viewing, and if the default settings don't suit you, you have the option to change the color schemes under the Preferences menu. You can choose to have driving directions presented as text or images. The main driving view will give your current position, the name of the next major road, the next instruction, and information about your trip, including remaining trip time and distance and estimated arrival time. In addition, you can zoom in and out of maps. And though the GPS Navigator has voice-guided directions, it does not feature text-to-speech functionality, which speaks actual street names.
There are some added bonuses to the Palm GPS Navigator. If a POI has a phone number associated with it, you can dial it directly from your Treo--great for, say, making dinner reservations or calling ahead to see if there are any vacancies at a hotel. You can also access traffic information, safety camera warnings, and more via TomTom's Plus services. However, it will cost extra; you can find more information about subscription fees here. Alternatively, if you don't want to pay for traffic info, the GPS Navigator has automatic route recalculation, in case you go off the prescribed route.
For our tests, we used the GPS Navigator with the Palm Treo 700p for Sprint, and we had no problems with the pairing process. The Treo found the receiver immediately and identified it as a Palm GPS. We entered the four-digit passkey (0000), and we were set to go.
From a cold start, the receiver acquired a satellite fix in less than two minutes, and subsequent starts were much faster. Driving around without a preplanned route, the Palm GPS Navigator did a good job of tracking our position as we shuttled around the streets of San Francisco. We ran into a couple of problems as we drove through the downtown area and lost reception, but this is typical of all GPS devices, as tall buildings block a clear view of the sky. We also plotted a course to the Cole Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, and the GPS Navigator got us there with accurate driving directions. Voice prompts were loud enough to hear in the car via the Treo's speakers, and they even paused when we received an incoming call. We purposefully missed a couple of turns to test the automatic route recalculation, and we're happy to report the Navigator didn't miss a beat and immediately got us back on track.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12out of 12 user reviews
Huge Disappointment!
Pros: Good idea, should be a winner
Cons: Support Sucks, both Palm and Tom Tom
FYI I have a Palm Treo 700p with Verizon
out of 12 user reviews
Great integration with a Palm Treo.
Pros: The main pro for this device is the awesome fact that you can use your contact list in the Palm to directly have the GPS use an address. This is a great feature!
Cons: If you are on a call you have to remember to switch to Navigator or you will lose the map and directions!
The neat thing is the ease of use. You just hit the program on your Palm, or program a quick button for that matter, and away it goes. Even inputing an address is quite quick.
The major cons to this is that you have a smaller screen then other GPS devices, as well as the fact that when you are on a call, unless you have it on speaker and you change back to the Navigator software, you cannot see the map, let alone hear any directions. Also, TomTom is not so swift on email replies, and if you have a support question, call as early as you can as they get busy and you could be waiting a while.
One caveat about their support, though, as earlier this year it took me at least 15 to 20 minutes to get someone. I think they have heard the complaints as this time around I not only got to a human quite quickly, twice in the past two weeks, but they were very knowledgeable as well as super friendly. I am doing some research on a new unit and they were also very helpful with pre-information.
One other con is that their Bluetooth system is LIMITED!!!! I mean LIMITED!!!!! Very few phones will work on their bluetooth system as you have to have a CDMA phone and not GPRS. However, on the plus side, if you have a Mac, and the right phone, their software works well together.
All-in-all this is a sweet package, especially since it comes with a phone holder. I am probably going to go back to it or use the Navigator 5 with an older Palm so I can have a phone always available. I hope this helps!
out of 12 user reviews
This thing is bugy !
Pros: Well organized menu, easy to use
Cons: Freezes a lot, almost useless.
out of 12 user reviews
Qulity GPS System
Pros: Integrates with TREO very well, allowing you to navigate to your contacts. Also gets time from your cell network and initial set up it as easy as plugging everything in.
Cons: You need to open the application again after making or recieving calls, but it will remember the last route and resume when you come back.
I wanted a GPS to help save time and improve safety with my job, and this certainly works. I no longer have to pull over to check maps and directions, and I can concentrate on driving...road conditions, weather, other drivers, etc. with the confidence I am going the right way and won't miss a turn. I use a wired plug in ear piece and I can hear the GPS directions clearly through it (it was very difficult to hear over road noise through the speaker phone on the TREO).
With the current price after rebates I paid under $200 and would have spent double for a stand alone unit. Great value!
out of 12 user reviews
It does what I want it to do and I found excellent support.
Pros: It is a bit expensive but it's better than buying a complete stand alone unit. Much more convenient.
Cons: Very poor instructions. No information on card reader or software.
out of 12 user reviews
Even better than some built-in car GPS systems
Pros: Excellent value for the price, detailed maps, POIs
Cons: had to put a USA+Canada map, no USA only map, Cant browse map directly from navigation view.
If you're thinking of getting a portable nav system, definitely stick with a PDA+Tomtom Navigtor 6, you wont regret it!
out of 12 user reviews
This is JUNK! With NO support!
Pros: The receiver is small! even though it doesn't work!
Cons: NOTHING works as it should - No support
PS They will not allow a rating less than 1 or I would have given it lower!
out of 12 user reviews
Unbelievable performance and great versitility for Treo
Pros: Portable, easy to install software, Treo integrated solution
Cons: Unable to use bluetooth ear piece, maps did not move with route
Software installation was simple and easy, but phone needed to be turned off to install and turned on to connect bluetooth receiver. Also tried to install software in a second phone, but only activates on one phone. No option to activate code on a second phone available. Bluetooth ear set did not work at the same time with GPS receiver.
We called a friend and asked for their address. We then input it into the Treo. We then proceeded to navigate and pick them up and call them once we reach their address.
Navigation was great, but required us to manually move the map on our Treo touch screen to follow route. Voice was loud and clear. Warnings of turns was impressive and timely.
We loved the versitility and integration with Treo. No noticeable problems or gliches other than the moving map. We recommended it! Great value with rebate offer.
out of 12 user reviews
When it works, it is a nice portable unit. When it doesn't, support in non-existent!
Pros: Nice portable unit.
Cons: Customer service/support is non-existent!
out of 12 user reviews
Pricey but worth the money
Pros: easy to use
Cons: sometimes hard to get the bluetooth to connect, requires a minimum of a 1 GB memory card, a long trip with the GPS in use can lock up the phone requiring a reset.
out of 12 user reviews
Good when it works
Pros: When this thing works it does an excellent job comparable to any other GPS on the market. Custom voices are a cool feature.
Cons: Sometimes doesn't link up to satellites or Treo won't link to GPS unit. Better have that Google map printout as a backup.
out of 12 user reviews
Great product. Would be better with a serial GPS
Pros: Accurate, easy to use, long battery life, easy one handed operation of software
Cons: Bluetooth connection on Treos allows for either GPS or Headset connection – not both
The only thorn in the side of this package is that Palm chose to use a Bluetooth GPS receiver which makes using a Bluetooth headset or car kit impossible. I tried the software with a hard wired GPS and was still able to use my Bluetooth car kit for phone calls and it worked great.
I would hope that in future planning, Palm will give the user an option for hard wired or Bluetooth use.
The bottom line is that if you want a Bluetooth GPS receiver and the absolute best software package for the Treo, and you are aware of the limitations of Bluetooth use – buy this package.
If you are a Bluetooth headset or Car kit user and you want to drive with GPS guidance – be forewarned – you will lose your headset/car kit connection if you connect to the GPS receiver.
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