Navman GPS m Series for Palm m125, m130, m500, m505 and m515 series handhelds | List Price: $199.99
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Brand: Navman
Binding: Electronics
Features: - Complete GPS solution with mounting hardware and vehicle power adapter
- Rand McNally StreetFinder Deluxe mapping software
- Turn-by-turn directions with audible prompts
- Over 1 million points of interest and business locations
- Compatible with Palm m125, m130, m500, m505 and m515 series handhelds
hardware is fine, software [is bad] [Posted on 2003-07-22]
To start with the positive: The unit actually does a good job getting a gps position and displaying it on the map. I use it with the Palm m515 and it was a very tempting combination given the low cost of the unit (100 USD, now it's even cheaper). It came with a device for mounting it on the windshield of the car and a recharger that fits in the cigarette lighter and that all works fine.
It seems an obvious thing to combine a gps receiver with a color screen palm pilot that has both memory and processing power to do a decent job as a navigation device. However, the software is terrible. As noted by others, the Rand McNally software can only find directions if you are online, and it often picks strange routes. It will only do directions to and from a given address, not just a waypoint on the map. But the worst part is actually the part of the software that is installed on the Palm Pilot. It does not display simple (and useful) pieces of information such as instantaneous speed and direction (other simple gps units do without a problem). It frequently tells you you are off route even if you are not, and every single time I have arrived at my destination, the software has frozen up and crashed the Palm so I had to reset it through the pinhole in the back. I don't know of a single other Palm application that is this poorly written. I should say that if you just ignore the false 'off route' warnings (this requires you to have studied the directions in some detail before you go), it will guide you reasonably well to your destination (you'll know you have arrived when your Palm crashes). I have not had it give directions that were flat out impossible, just ones I wouldn't have picked myself. So it is reasonably useful. The mapping features are not bad, either. You can zoom in or out and recenter the map relatively quickly, and that is useful if you get lost. Which you probably will if you decide to go someplace new guided only by this unit... Addendum: inspired by another reviewer (thanks!), I bought the Delorme StreetAtlas USA Handheld 2004 software, and things work much much better.
Works for me [Posted on 2003-08-31]
I read a few of the reviews before I purchased this model, some good, most bad. I had a few reservations about the item myself @ first, and initially rated it only a 3. But after using it alot locally, and then travelling South with it, I find nothing wrong, with this GPS, or the software. I recently travelled to a town called Littleton, NC, where only about 700 people live according to the 2000 US Census. All of the local roads, where there. If a small town like that has that kind of detail, then the software is pretty good. BTW, did I mention I live in NYC, and downloaded most of the city to my Palm. All of the local streets appear. Inferior software would not be so detailed. There are other Software compatible with this unit, and I will eventually try, but for now, this works for me!
Don't know what these other users are complaining about! [Posted on 2003-09-01]
I think this is fantastic! The only down side that I can think of is having to upload your trips beforehand. But that is a limitation of the handheld, not this device. I took a trip from Upstate NY through Philly to the Jerey shore. And back. Another trip to Washington DC. This performed flawlessly for what it was designed to be. Beeped a little before my turns or exchanges. Tracked pretty well and only lost signal a couple times, ony to regain it moments later. I bought this along with a rebate and the deal was great. I recently bought the laptop version as well. That is how much I like this item. Unless you are nitpicky or expecting something this is not, you'll be pleased.
GPS great / Software terrible [Posted on 2003-11-15]
4 stars since the included SW is so terrible. I bought "Delorme Street Atlas USA 2004 Handheld" to run on my M125. Works great.
Navman does tend to eat batteries, but what Palm add-on doesn't.
Original SW was so bad, it couldn't catch up driving down the road. I had to pull over to let it catch up so I could turn the Palm off. GPS module works great, but included SW will make you mad.
Don't Buy this at any price [Posted on 2004-08-06]
The software often picks route 100's of miles out of the way for no reason. You cannot pick your own route at all. The Navman 12v connector is VERY weak. Mine broke within a few days. The GPS pulls the Palm's battery down in no time at all - 2 or 3 hours. Navman's web site states the 12v cord powers the Palm too - not so according to their tech support. I have recently purchased a Magellan gold handheld GPS that works great. I can even drive Delorme software on the Palm from the Magellan. DON'T BUY THIS THING!
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