Garmin iQue M3 Pocket PC integrated with GPS – Customer Reviews
Jack of all trades, master of none
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I have been using this for over a month now. Got it for < $300, which is less than most standalone auto GPS systems and several PDAs.
Pros:
-Excellent value for the money.
-Performs all the basic functions of a good auto GPS system, with some added ones. Warm start times are good.
-Everything you would expect of a windows mobile PDA is there. Application performance is fairly good.
Cons:
-Not as fast as many dedicated GPS systems. There are times when that can be an issue,especially when initially calculating the route or recalculting as you go off track and need to know which turn to take quickly, in traffic.
-Software interface has much room for improvement. e.g. does not allow you to move the map to see whats around when showing route on map. You have to flip through some screens to access that. When addresses are added for Contacts in contact list, does not attempt to locate address. It has to be manually located on the map.
-Cold start sat acquisition can take a while at times.Receiver not so good.
-No built in connectivity (modem,wi-fi,bluetooth)
Bottomline: Highly affordable GPS with PDA functionality, one of the best values for the money, but does not excel at either.10/25/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
NOT compatible
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I am not a tech 'saavy" person.I found it extremely dificult to begin using my unit.I wasted HOURS of my life on hold and on the phone with tech support trying to trouble shoot the problems.The first dude was okay helpful, but it didn't matter, because after a 62 minute phone call (including 30 minutes of hold time) still the unit was not functioning.The next 2 cust service people decided that it could be the cord, so each of them sent me out a new cord- which was not the problem.The next dude was much more knowledgeable and we found out that my processor, because it is not intel, was not compatable-that is after I also found out that the disc they send is DVD, not CD, so I was already using my daughters computer to attempt to load the disc.So in the end, I was able to copy the DVD onto the hard drive then copy to the card reader.But of course, I have still not loaded active sync and therefore I cannot back up or save any contact or calender info.I was told from Garmin that if the batteries die then all your contact and calender info is deleted.I can buy an additional backup system and back the info up to the SD card, but I will have to borrow a friend's compatible computer to do that!!!!
I guess that technology has progressed so far that it is no longer for the common user.I would have to be a freakin' rocket scientist to figure out all the problems I have had to this point.I hope that it works well as a GPS because at this point, that is all the unit is good for.10/11/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
Nice idea but buggy software
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I bought this unit as a gift for my wife. We already have a Garmin GPS unit that we love and she had a need for PDA functionality so this seemed ideal.
The GPS side of things is fine. I have maps for all of the east coast of the USA and as far west as Ohio on a 1GB memory chip (and only 60% of the chip used). The screen is clear, voice prompts are the same as my Street Pilot III, finding addresses etc is pretty easy.
My gripe with the unit is that the PDA functionality runs on Windows and is very frustrating at times. In the two weeks we've had this unit, individual programs have locked up and at one point the entire unit did. The manual was totally useless in figuring out how to get over these issues. In the case of the individual programs I ended up deleting them from memory via the settings page. The locked-up unit eventually got going again after 30 minutes.
The software provided will only synchronize with Windows Outlook. Great, now we're forced back to that **** software. At least we only synchronize appointment, tasks and contacts. Oh, that reminds me, another one of Microsoft's gems...contacts only become available to be added to appointments etc if they have an e-mail address. A minor irritant, but an irritant nonetheless.
If you buy this unit you should install the autosync program and get the updated operating system from Garmin. Apparently, this unit would be even more buggy without it. The instructions for doing this aren't very clear, so good luck.
Lastly, the autosync allows you to back-up the PDA data on a regular basis. Get in the habit of doing so as a complete reboot for a totally locked unit will result in data loss from the unit's built-in memory.
In summary, the GPS/PDA is reasonably priced. GPS functionality is good. Microsoft side of things very infuriating at times.10/4/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
I love it
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This is better than I expected with large software interface buttons and loud speaker.The only thing is...if you are not familiar with GPS devices, it may take you a little while to figure out how the antenna aquires a signal.
8/27/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
Very pleased with overall product.
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Overall I think, for my money, nothing beats this product...hands down. The reviews about slow satelite connection or slow off route recalculation do it a kind of disservice. These people are either impatient or to "tech savy" for this piece of equipment. Putting half the US on a 256mb card or having a wifi connection on the go is waaayyy worth a slow connection here and there. This total package is what any "average Joe" can handle and would be well worth any pennies spent.
8/8/2006 12:00 AM | Rating: