TV with DVR & Internet: $89.90/mo
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 15 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Great little device"
Pros: Screen, features, ships with GPS Software
Cons: no cradle, tough to sync with Groupwise
Summary: I love my new Pharos 525 and was waiting to play with it a few more weeks before reviewing it but felt compelled to do so sooner based on Under_clocker's write-up. I researched very carefully before buying (at Buydig.com)and feel like the unit is exactly what I expected. The GPS works very well, even though it does have difficulty getting a lock inside (most of these devices do) and the maps are not perfect (non are - people even complain about Tom-Tom maps) - mine gets a lock in just a few minutes and routing is accurate enough to get me where I need to go as long as I'm paying attention and not relying completely on the device - as we all should be when we're driving. The screen is beautiful and even though it's smaller than my old Toshiba PPC, the color and clarity blow it away. WiFi works well and the Skype client is very good. The whole unit is small, so complaining that the stylus is small seems like a strange non-complaint - it's fine really. The Pharos web site is ok and I agree that more work needs to be done to make it more user friendly - with that said, they did respond quickly to an emailed question. A sync/charging cradle would be a useful addition to the retail package - I wound up buying 2 on ebay. Syncing with Groupwise in my office was a challenge because the old Syncwise client I was using is not compatable either with the new PPC 5 or the Activesync 4.1 - I tried upgrading to the new version but that still didn't work. I tried installing the Outlook client on my system but that still was problematic. Finally, I installed PortaMail 2005 from Quartz Development which works perfectly - while the interface is kinda fugly, it works really well and installed easily. Overall, the 525 is a major upgrade over my 4 year old Toshiba and with the $50 rebate from Pharos seems like a very good deal.
- 2 replies to this review
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This is my update and response to Under_clocker. First let me assure you that I don't work for Pharos - never did - and didn't get paid for my review. You cannot compare it to a Myguide - this is a full featured PDA which I use for schedules, accessing Groupwise over WIFI, opening Office documents and even listening to MP3s. On a recent cross country trip, we put this device up against a Garmin Nuvi 350 - they both made and equal number of mistakes - the Garmin was stronger at holding a signal through short tunnels and around buildings in DC - but overall, the Pharos held it's own pretty well considering the Nuvi 350 is a highly rated single function device. The maps have consistently gotten better and the website much better. Tech support is great - answering the phone quickly and being truly helpful. I stand by my review.
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Pa lease?
This unit is a piece of garbage. You either work for the company or are paid by them to write your thing here? Truly dude this unit sucks. The stylus is made for an imp the unit bugs out on the maps and for $600 you can get a way better unit. I purchased a myguide for $200 at frys and have a bigger screen and way more dependable unit. Don?t listen to this guy, this unit is a irritating piece of garbage and I will warn anyone away from it.
Im a woman and I have trouble holding on to that tiny stylus. So I cant imagine how it would be for men? I work in the I.T. field. I know windows ce devices and have been using palm tops and ppc?s since the 90s. This thing here is as buggy as they come. Believe me. You can get a great gps for way less than $600?Don?t buy this thing?
