Garmin Quest 2
Starting at: $269.00
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Bonnie Cha
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
The good: The Garmin Quest 2 features a nice, compact design that can be used in the car or on foot. Maps are preloaded on the device, and it offers accurate directions in various settings.
The bad: The slightly pricey Garmin Quest 2 doesn't have a touch screen and the menus aren't very intuitive. Voice-guided directions are available only through the included vehicle mount/speaker system.
The bottom line: Those looking for a dedicated GPS device in the car and on foot will find the Garmin Quest 2 delivers in portability and performance.
At 4.5 by 2.2 by 0.9 inches and 5.5 ounces, the Garmin Quest 2 is roughly the size of a PDA. The device has a solid construction and is comfortable in the hand, but since you can view maps only in landscape mode, you must hold the unit horizontally when traveling on foot. The Quest's streamlined design includes a rear-side, flip-up antenna that stores flush with the system's surface and doesn't add extra bulk.
The Quest 2's face has a 2.2-by-1.5-inch screen that displays 256 colors at a 240-by-160-pixel resolution. It's not the sharpest or brightest screen we've seen, and it's certainly not the largest. Fortunately, the system supports voice-guided directions (via the included 12-volt power/speaker adapter on the windshield mount), so you don't have to rely solely on text directions while driving. Also on the upside, the screen is readable in direct sunlight. Because the Quest 2 doesn't have a touch screen, all functions are handled through the nine rubberized controls to the right of display: power on/off, find, zoom in, zoom out, menu, speak, OK, page, and a four-way navigation toggle. (A keyboard appears onscreen whenever a text entry is required.) Though the buttons are tactile, the menus and interface aren't all that intuitive and require a number of extra steps just to accomplish one task.
Finishing out the Quest 2's design are a USB port and external antenna jack on the back, both of which are protected by an attached rubber cover. Aside from the aforementioned windshield mount and adapter, Garmin packages the Quest 2 with a USB cable and reference material. Unfortunately, you can't use the USB cable to charge the internal battery, and since the Quest 2 is such a portable device, we think a carrying case would have been nice. On a brighter note, the vehicle mount did a good job of holding the unit in place during our test drives. The Quest 2 also meets IEC 60529 IPX7 standards, meaning it can withstand submersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes--good to know, if you're using the Quest 2 for outdoor activities.
Compare to other gps
Compare selected Bonnie Cha is chief correspondent for Crave, covering every kind of tech toy imaginable (with a special obsession for robots and Star Wars-related stuff). When she's not scoping out stories, you can find her checking out live music or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California.
User Reviews
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Most Helpful User Review
stars 15 of 17 users found this review helpful
"Returned after two weeks" By dhugomalan
Pros Compact, with built in battery; Good interface
Cons Very slow, especially when searching for place names. Screen too small to be useful while driving. No AC charger.
Summary My only other experience with GPS products is the NeverLost devices in Hertz rental cars, which I've used extensively and found to be generally excellent.
I wanted similar functionality, in a portable package. Quest II seemed like a perfect solution - small, built-in battery, the entire US maps loaded, ... Expand full review
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Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- GPS receiver: 12 channel
- Destination: Motorcycle Automotive
- Audible assistance: Warnings Navigation instructions
