Can't decide between bluetooth GPS or Navman GPS

Jonathan Chan · 03-31-2005, 04:14 AM

I can't decide between which would be more useful.

Help?

They are approximately the same price and the technology for both is relaitvely new.

The implication is, I would be able to use the bluetooth unit with my laptop, whereas, with the Navman unit, I also get the additional CF-sleeve functionality.

On the other hand, if I get the bluetooth unit, I can purchase a CF-sleeve for relatively cheap as well.

Those are the primary differences... What do you guys think?

I'll be travelling in Europe this summer as well and I need to keep in mind the costs of European maps. I already have a 1GB sd card, so storing maps shouldn't be an issue.

Suggestions / Opinions?

Thanks.

- Jonathan

Jack Cook · 03-31-2005, 07:46 AM

Hi Jon

I don't have any experience with the Navman so I can't compare units but there is reason for that. Years ago I purchased my first GPS from DeLorme that I used with my laptop. It was a phenominal unit and gave me years of terrific navigation. Of course the software was the best which made the whole experience terrific.

Eventually I decided to migrate to my iPAQ for navigation and naturally went back to DeLorme. I can tell you that that choice was a terrific decision. The DeLorme Eatrhmate Blue Logger is an extraordinary unit. I have used it in a variety of situations with my iPAQ (and laptop) and have found my way everywhere I have gone. It certainly is worth looking at.

Take a look at these two reviews:
DeLorme Earthmate: http://davesipaq.com/articles/iPAQ_D...hmate_GPS.html

Delorme Bluelogger: http://davesipaq.com/articles/iPAQ_D...Tooth_GPS.html

Good luck in your choice and your travels!

Reidan · 03-31-2005, 12:20 PM

Hello Jonathan,
I have the older NavMan 3420 GPS Sleeve. I have had it for about 2 years now. It is a great unit and has worked well for me in all situations. It works great with my older iPaq 3765. But, my newer 5455 does not work as well. The volume on the newer iPaq is not as loud as the older iPaq. This makes it hard to hear the driving direction voice prompts. It is not a problem with the NavMan hardware. This is a known issue with 5000 series iPaq’s; the speaker on these units just is not as powerful as the older units. This would effect and GPS unit used with these units. I do not know if the 3800 and 3900 iPaq’s have the same volume problems or not.

Recently I decided it was time to get updated software for my NavMan unit. I really like the Smart ST software that comes with my NavMan sleeve. It uses the Navteq maps, which are known to be the most accurate maps for GPS use. All major car makers use these maps for their in-car GPS systems. NavMan has released a newer version of their program, now called Smart ST Pro. I decided to give it a try. The cost of ordering the software directly from NavMan was $189.00. I could buy the latest expansion sleeve with the software for $199.99 at my local Fry's store.

I choose to go ahead and get the one from Fry's. Having two sleeves would allow me keep a sleeve in my wife’s car and another in my truck.

I was very disappointed with the new unit. The new software no longer uses the Navteq maps. The maps they are using now are full of errors. There is a major road near where I live that did not even exist on the Smart ST Pro software maps. This is not a new road and it did exist on the older Smart ST software. Some other roads are not in the correct location. There is one intersection where a road crosses a highway, the map should show a normal intersection shaped like a + sign. This one does not, for this intersection the road does not meet correctly, one side is in the correct location, but the other side of the intersection is about 2 blocks down the road on the map. All of these errors were within the 7-mile drive I do everyday going back and forth to work. This did not give me confidence in the rest of the maps so I returned the unit to Fry's for a full refund.

I decided to just buy a generic software package off of the shelf. I picked MS Streets and Trips since it uses the Navteq maps and it does work with the NavMan sleeve. And it was a lot cheaper at $39.99.

Now, if I were in the market for a new GPS today and did not already have a NavMan, I would go with Bluetooth. The main reason being is that the NavMan sleeve limits your future upgrade paths. It will only work with the old body style iPaq’s. HP is no longer making this body style. Once the 5500 series iPaq’s are gone there will not be another model that can use this sleeve.

The hockey puck style units depend upon special cables or adapters to allow them to fit a specific model PDA, be it HP, Dell, Toshiba, etc. Bluetooth is one size fits all.

I have no experience yet with a Bluetooth GPS so I cannot give you any direct feedback. As Jack has posted he has had a good experience with the DeLorme units. I trust Jacks review and would most likely buy that unit if I were to buy one today.

Hope this helps,

Jonathan Chan · 04-01-2005, 02:51 AM

Jack and Reidan, thanks a lot for the posts. I completely forgot to mention I will be using my 5550 for the navigation.

I think that Reidan brought up a view I didn't take into account before -- I'd be able to use the bluetooth unit in the future when I upgrade to a different PDA.

Jack I read the review about the DeLorme units and those seem to perform extremely well, I'll probably end up going that direction with off the shelf software for maps in Europe.

Thanks again guys.

- Jonathan