Navman PiN: Another Pocket PC With a GPS Flap

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/5245.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/5245.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"GPS is not a common feature for a handheld, yet, but for some types of users it can be indispensable. Unfortunately, Navman's first foray into the GPS-handheld market is quite dispensable, as its otherwise decent design is crippled by one show-stopping problem. The PiN (Personal Interactive Navigation) is pleasantly small at 111 x 68.5 x 15.2 mm and 147 grams. The casing is a not-unattractive two-tone gray plastic, and the GPS patch antenna flips up from the back or locks down with a clip."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040901_navmanpin.jpg" /> <br /><br />Before I crank up the invective, it may be helpful to note that this device looks exactly the same as the Mitac Mio Digiwalker 168, which will be reviewed here shortly. That said, InfoSync's review is full of fun words like "crippled", "painful", "inaccurate", "unsafe", "abysmal" and "worst". This contrasts with <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26846&amp;highlight=">Anthony Carauna's review</a> in Pocket PC Magazine, in which the device is called "very capable". What do you think? Would you buy a device with built-in GPS?

[Anthony Caruana]

Having just read the Infosync World review I think that their overall score is a little harsh but then again, multiple independent reviews are the best way to get a full picture of a products value and quality.

The big beef comes from 2 areas as I see it. Firstly, they didn't like the joystick. Secondly, the mapping software with their device was poor.

The Mitac unit I reviewed didn't come woth any software. I got software from a developer and used that as it was localised to my city (Melbourne, Australia). It did the job and I could not fault the GPS, although i agree that it was sometimes a little slow in acquiring a satellite fix.

As for the joystick - everyone's entitled to their opinion. My wife uses the Mio 168 for gaming every day and has not yet complained.

Mitac don't sell the 168 with mapping software. According to my sources, they leave it to local distributors to bundle mapping software that works locally. That means that the software experience will vary from country to country and even between which distributor suppliies your vendor.

As for the joystick, I encourage you try it out - just like any PDA.

[Ryan Joseph]

I'm working on a review of this device as we speak. I haven't read any other reviews yet and probably won't until I finish mine. Wouldn't want them corrupting me. :D

But I absolutely LOVE the PiN. It's great! It has some flaws and some things I think could have been done better, but overall it's a great navagation solution! :mrgreen:

[kozak]

I have one of these. I bought it for my dad. He drives a lot and needed a cheap GPS. After reading reviews, which all were based on the software, NOT hardware. I bought it anyway.

Here's why I bought it:

1. The screen is beautifull, it looks amazing, much better then my H2215.
2. It's simple to use. NO hardware to install. (I have a CF GPS in 2215)
3. It can accept any Navigation Software.

I knew that the software that came with the PiN wasn't great, so I just installed Destinator on it. It works great. Even my dad can use it. He doesn't have to worry about the CF antenna not being recognized or figure out a Bluetooth connection. He just turns it on and launches Destinator.

From a Hardware perspective, I give it a 9/10.

Oh, and it comes with a great windshield mount and all the cables you'll need.

[gorkon280]

I think alot of this comes from being a newer map program. When map programs first came out onthe pc, they were notorius for planning incorrect routes and when address to address navigation first came out, it was very common for it to get confused. I don't necessarily fault that at the program thanks to wacky city planners who like to rename existing streets to names of other existing streets. Also, your map is only as good as the Navtech data that was used to create it. If it was older data, the map will not be correct. That said, I have also ran across problems with other map programs having me get on the freeway in the middle of it. This is the main reason that you don't want to just jump in your car and then plan the route. Plan the route before hand so you can avoid pitfalls of the mapping software and you will be just fine. OR, test the software before and then if the software that comes with it doesn't work good for you, try another package. Personally, the beauty of PPC or laptop based navigation is your maps can be more up to date as they are not proprietary (most of the time) and you are not dependent on the GPS maker (Garmin) releasing a new map pack (like on my eMap).

[gorkon280]

I have one of these. I bought it for my dad. He drives a lot and needed a cheap GPS. After reading reviews, which all were based on the software, NOT hardware. I bought it anyway.

Here's why I bought it:

1. The screen is beautifull, it looks amazing, much better then my H2215.
2. It's simple to use. NO hardware to install. (I have a CF GPS in 2215)
3. It can accept any Navigation Software.

I knew that the software that came with the PiN wasn't great, so I just installed Destinator on it. It works great. Even my dad can use it. He doesn't have to worry about the CF antenna not being recognized or figure out a Bluetooth connection. He just turns it on and launches Destinator.

From a Hardware perspective, I give it a 9/10.

Oh, and it comes with a great windshield mount and all the cables you'll need.

The navman is cheap?? Ok...if you compare it to the highend Streetpilot from Garmin. I paid less the half of the Navman for my Garmin eMap. The ONLY downside is there's no routing at all in this Garmin unit, but I did no tneed it for that. I did use my Garmin with a USB to serial adapter and a serial cable with my e740 and it's usb adapter.

Since my new 4350 does not have USB hosting ability I have not been abl eto navigate at all with my PPC.....but my Mac with Route 66 can use the Garmin. Route 66 is bad.....but it doe shave good maps. The only feature that's broke on it is the routing sometimes is a little bad and it has no voice navigation.

[Jornada Holdover]

I purchased the Mitac Mio 168 a few months ago ($450 at MobilePlanet). In the USA, it comes with Destinator mapping software and CD's containing the maps. For me, it was more economical to buy this and use as a PDA as well as GPS. I could have gone with a Bluetooth GPS unit, but then I would need a Bluetooth-capable Pocket PC. I wanted a new Pocket PC, so this was cheaper overall. Of course, you have to get used to that antenna hump on the back of the machine.

I have used it on trips between Rhode Island and North Carolina with excellent performance. Route selection was usually very good. Getting a fix on the satellites from a cold start takes a couple of minutes, but this was not a real problem in practical use. Rerouting after missing a turn was fast and reliable.

The Points of Interest database is very detailed and up to date. The maps are mostly up to date, but I did see problems in newer construction areas. Mitac indicated there could be new maps in the next 6 months or so. Of course, you could install whatever mapping software you like.

Pocket PC performance is good considering the processor. The joystick is different, but I've gotten used to it. I haven't had any software or syncing issues.

- Brad

[Ryan Joseph]

I actually like the software included with the PiN. It's not perfect, but as has been said already, no mapping software really is. It makes some mistakes, but it's ability to reroute is amazing.

I was driving with it and I accidentally got off the wrong exit and before I'd reached the bottom of the exit ramp, it had routed me another way. Quite impressive.

[nodyel]

Having purchased one of these units a few days ago, I must say that I am quite impressed with it so far. No, it's not perfect but it does a pretty good job, as others have indicated.

The unit I purchased here in Australia came with SmartST V2 with the Australian map set.

Hardware-wise, everything seems to work as it should. I copied the contents of the supplied 128meg card to my 512meg card (on my laptop) and then inserted that, and all the software & maps were then installed and configured. A quick setting of the com port & baud rate and all was functional. And I don't find I have any problems with the joystick.

The maps seem to be reasonably complete and up to date allowing for its probable packaging and release dates. Hope there is an update at some stage as there is a newly opened stretch of freeway near my residence that is not shown :? .

The routing portion of the package seems to work quite well - the trips I have done so far show routes that are pretty close to the ones I would normally take.

Comparing it to my Magellan Meridian GPS, I would make these points:

1. Meri is certainly more "rugged" and I would feel more comfortable taking it hiking or off-road.
2. The Navman has the routing, which the Meri doesn't.
3. The Meri provides a lot more detailed information as to what is going on and where you are.
4. The display of the Navman is certainly better (colour, larger & brighter screen).
5. The 3D display of the Navman is quite good.
6. Map coverage of the Navman is good in the areas it has details such as major cities & towns. The Meri provides a lot more detailed mapping for rural areas, down to a lot of 4WD tracks.
7. I haven't done a side-by-side test yet, but my inital feeling is that there is not a great deal of difference in the time to acquire satellites and get a position fix.

So, I am unsure as to whether I will sell my Meri. The Navman is great around the city and major rural towns, but I think I would feel "safer" with the Meri with its extra map details & information when I am out of town.

Of course, there is also the option of using different software on the Navman and I might try a couple, but to me it comes down to the level of detail & coverage of the maps themselves. Whilst the included software is pretty good, there are a few things I would like to see added such as routing via waypoints, allowing me to say plan a trip from point A to Point B, but travel via points C, D & E...