 "Nice unit" | 2008-04-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: AQCKJ3C6BQB1J |
This GPS unit is very nice and simple. The unit actually arrived DOA aka broken but Garmin technical support was very helpful and was prompt to turn me around a new working unit (I think the defective one was just a fluke). I will mention that Garmin has limited support for using a computers built in Bluetooth with this GPS unit. I ended up having to purchase a cheap external usb bluetooth dongle to make it work with my PC. The unit pairs and works fine with the bluetooth built into my Blackberry Curve (T-Mobile version) however. The precision of the unit is very good for the price point, being WAAS enabled the unit returns a quite accurate location. All in all a very nice device.
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 "Great!" | 2007-12-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2SQKB09AW8AAN |
This thing is awesome!! And now that it comes with Garmin Mobile XT, it is even better.
Mine came with an old version of Garmin's software, but the upgrade to XT was free. Now my PDA detects the receiver automatically and easily. In a couple of trips to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Longview, Chicago, and California...this thing has definitely paid for itself!
I'm so surprised that these things can be so precise.
...and keep the charger hole cover in a safe place. Even then, you will lose it. |
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| "Garmin Bluetooth GPS/Software for the Axim X30 PDA" | 2007-12-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1TXB98D2KHGDW |
All I can say regarding this unit/software package is WOW!!! I purchased it for driving directions and also purchased a Bluetooth Speaker Kit for it so I don't have t look at the screen for my position if I need to turn a lot. This unit is well worth the money in that it also allows a topo map capability (Topo Software additional cost but it too it worth it if you hunt or hike very much). This unit is easy to set up, locks in rapidly, is small and with the built in magnetic mount with the vecro tape capabiliy is very versatile. In summary, it has to be seen to be believed. I use mine wih a Dell Axim X30 PDA and have the 2000 Mha extended battery so there is no problem with a full day's use and no recharge. The only advice I might give (for hiking and so on) is to make sre you have the DC (Cigarett Lighter) adapter for it. If you are handy in electronics, you can even make a beltpack for it via the Cigarette Lighter adaper should you need a longer battery life.
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 "Want grief? Buy Garmin" | 2007-11-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3KIDN4SAD0JBA |
| If you like hassle with a capital H, buy a Garmin. Unlocking maps, product registration and a website that will not provide a simple e-mail link to contact support all contribute to make using a Garmin a major pain in the behind. They way they act, you'd think they were licensing nuclear technology. We sold our GPS10 and bought Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS receiver. What a difference. MS treets and Trips works without a lot of hassle. It's easy to install and use. The receiver works when you want it to, not when it feels like it. No company's maps are up to date and Microsoft's are no worse than Garmins. Probably better. We learned the hard way. Do yourself a very big favor and look elsewhere when buying a GPS device. Under no circumstances will we ever buy anything Garmin again. |
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| "Fun to Use - Difficult to set up" | 2007-07-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A17MECJ23SA278 |
The only trouble is using the software on the CD which came with the unit. It would not properly interface with my "Windows Mobile" handheld. However, after contacting Garmin the had an updated download available from their web site.
Now it works great. Very good battery life and very fasst satellite aquisition. Unfortunately, my wife does not like the voice commands - its hard to make everyone happy!
I recommend it. |
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| "This is really a good solution" | 2007-06-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1JDCXLSJ1LU0H |
I am rarely impressed with this type of technology. There are always some arcane functions/restrictions that almost defeat the entire purpose of the solution. Of course this solution is not without those same quirks. Garmin's whole approach to "protecting" its maps and unlocking them is maddening at best. The maps seriously need updating in some areas. And the worst problem is that the instructions that are available for implementing this are fundamentally useless - if not downright damaging. However if you suffer through this set of problems and the time to get it working, with heavy use of the web to find folks who have encounterd and answered most of the questions, it is actually very useful.
I bought this for use with my Cingular 8525 "smart phone". This is the first nav system I have put on the phone but I have a built in one in a Honda I own and have had one on my laptop for a few years. I loaded the maps and applicaiton onto the phone's micro SD card. The end result actually works well. Much better then the "built in" nav system in the Honda. Actually nearly as well as the Garmin system I had on my laptop in terms of recalculation speed and routing calculation time.
The reveiver has a magnetic mount and is waterproof so it can be put on the car roof for better satellite reception but I get quite good reception with it on my dashboard. Also the receiver is small and easy to carry around so that is a help. Battery life seems to be OK but I haven't really stressed that part yet.
The charging system overall is a bit of a drawback. It uses a 2.4mm pin connector that is not too common. I presume it uses this so there is a simple rubber plug (that can be very easily lost) to cover the charger hole for waterproofing. Unfortunately it is used by only one cell phone manufacturer that I'm aware of so it is not a common connector and you will most likely need to have 2 chargers with you. It does, however, charge from a 5 volt source so you can charge it from a USB source if you can find an adapter tip.
Overall I'd rate this a "buy" if you are looking for a reasonable nav system for your smart phone or your laptop. |
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 "Decent GPS and price. Mediocre software and maps. Absurd installation process" | 2007-05-12 |
| - Reviewed By dparv |
The GPS 10 is a decent Bluetooth GPS receiver, but the software associated with is obsolete, routes weirdly, and will immediately require an upgrade. Combine this with the torturous installation and upgrade process and despite a good price you're probably better off looking elsewhere. 1.5 stars off for the software and the maps and 1.5 off for the upgrade and installation process lead me to two stars.
The GPS 10 receiver is the highlight of the package. It took a while to connect with a Palm 700wx via Bluetooth, although that may have been the fault of the 700wx rather than the receiver as the 700wx can be picky about connections. Reception on the unit is ok but not great. You'll not have a problem finding satellites, but periodically you'll find yourself driving in a river rather than next to it. Battery life is also just so-so at 8 hours, but at least it is stable enough to remain on the dashboard without much work and small enough to slip in your pocket when you want to leave your car.
That was the good part. The bad part is the Que software that is included with this unit for PDA is over 2 years old and is incredibly painful to put on your PDA. You cannot install the Que version sent with the unit to the PDA; you'll need to check the OEM page on Garmin's website to find the GPS 10 and download the newer version of Que before it can be installed. Even updated, in general Que feels like a program dating from the late 1990s and isn't particularly nimble.
Garmin's free upgrade to XT Mobile helps somewhat. Unfortunately, while it has much better graphics and some useful functions like searching for gas stations and supermarkets and fairly accurate ETAs, the biggest problem with XT Mobile is that it routes bizarrely. You'll be sent on a lot of 2 lane highways and backroads if you allow it to fully control a long trip; for instance, it wanted to send me to San Bernadino via Lancaster while coming from Bakersfield, an addition of 40 minutes and a lot of treacherous driving that made no sense. What's worse is that it will keep trying to reroute you with no real way of forcing your preferred route, and if it loses a signal you have to force it to redraw the map to your preferred size. It also will not share GPS data with other devices, which can be quite aggravating. In general, it's not good software.
Unfortunately, it gets worse. Garmin makes its money selling maps, not GPS software, and the major point of buying this unit is access to Garmin's Map Installer software with maps to the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Map Installer is a real pain. Even the most recent version requires selection of each individual state and province, and if you miss one you get to go through the entire process all over. The real issue is that it took me the better part of an hour and two full reinstalls (with no help from customer service) to get Map Installer to recognize my PDA. The trick? Have Que running, or Map Installer won't see the PDA at all. (Same goes for installing XT Mobile). Worse yet, you don't get European or Asian maps. And worst of all? There are updated US maps available - but you get to pay as much for them as for this unit. About the only good news is that a full map install takes about 1.5 GB total, and with 2 and 4 GB SD prices dropping it's affordable and easy to be able to have everything available on one unit.
The price is right on this and the bluetooth receiver isn't bad, but there are definitely better software packages available. If you're desperately looking for something for cheap, this might be worth a try; otherwise, look elsewhere. |
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| "Garmin GPS 10 on Palm TX" | 2007-03-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3RK7OOSHFE2PV |
| Works like a charm. Easy installation(unlike TomTom). Easy BlueTooth pairing & connection (unlike TomTom). I would like to see more current maps from Garmin. |
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| "Works just as advertised" | 2007-03-09 |
| - Reviewed By whaywv |
| I am extremely happy with this GPS device and software. I use it with my HP IPAQ 2795 and they work great together. I have used it about a dozen times now and I have had no problem with the GPS. (The pocket PC has a few quirks,though no fault of the Garmin software.) The software was easy to install and setup and the user interface of the Garmin Que software is very good. Thumbs up for this product Garmin! |
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| "Treo 700P users Beware" | 2007-02-14 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2D4FXOYYRFQFU |
If you own a Treo 700P (Palm based PDA-Phone), be sure to ONLY install Garmins (beta) MOBILE XT software. You have to download this from the Garmin Website. After hours of trying unsuccessfully to install the Deluxe version Que palm setup CD that came with the unit, I finally contacted Garmin, and had them walk me through the Mobile XT intallation. Garmin should at least put a disclaimer in the box for Treo 700P users.
Now that it is up an running, the Garmin GPS10 works great with my Treo. Also purchased the Heavy duty PDA mount for the phone. I also use a Garmin 60CSX for navigation, topo, and marine use, and the GPS 10 is my favorite for street navigation. The unit seems to reset every once in a while, but overall performs great. I like the 'weather-proof' magnetic mount, and the charge seems to hold the full 12 hours. I can now use my Treo-Garmin in any vehicle, and is extemely easy to transport. I especailly like the capability of using my contact data base, and automatically routing to their address. The software is missing some features and controls that are available in my 60CSX, but overall performs great. |
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