04-20-2005, 05:00 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 33
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IOGear Bluetooth GPS with Navigation Software System - Outstanding Gear for the Traveler
Product Category: GPS Realtime Navigation
Manufacturer: IOGear
Where to Buy: Available from the IOGear website.
Price: $299.99 USD
System Requirements: Pocket PC with 266 MHz or faster processor, Bluetooth, and a good storage card.
Pros:- Outstanding software;
- Easy to load large map areas;
- Outstanding battery life;
- Great value;
- Lots of ways to carry.
Cons:Summary:
No longer can my co-workers tell me to get lost. The IOGear GPS navigation system is an outstanding Bluetooth-based real time navigation system for my Pocket PC, and it works like it just might be psychic.
It can take me to places I've never been and get me back out again with no sweat...
Read on for the full review!
IOGear Bluetooth GPS with Navigation Software system
I have to travel about once a month, and it's usually into areas I am only slightly familiar with.
About a year ago, I discovered the Hertz "Neverlost" GPS navigation system and was instantly in love. I no longer had to worry about carrying lots of maps, or trying to map things out before I went on the trip. Now I could find my way in real time. The down side was that it only works in rental cars. Of course I knew that the Pocket PC offered similar GPS system options, but the ones I tried just didn't seem to have the same ease of use that the Hertz system had.
Until I found the IO Gear system.
Figure 1: The Map View.
The IOGear Bluetooth GPS with Navigation Software System is a compact hardware and software system that can provide a user with a with accurate, voice based navigation. Just like the $1500.00 Hertz NeverLost system.
What�s in the Box
Figure 2: What's in the box.
The packaging includes the GPS unit itself, 2 compact disks (containing the map software and software for your computer) a clear pouch and swiveling belt clip, a neck lanyard, an AC charger, and a car charger.
Unfortunately, there is no mount for holding the GPS unit in the car. The GPS receiver unit does, however, have some rubberized pads on the underside. These keep the unit from sliding around on the dashboard. Even with my driving.
Figure 3: The GPS receiver in the holster with the belt clip.
Figure 4: The GPS receiver with the neck lanyard. Bluetooth bling bling. Check it, yo.
What You Have to Do
Installation is really a breeze. There are 2 disks containing software for a PC and Pocket PC, as well as maps of the entire US and most of Canada. These install on the desktop rather quickly. One component of the desktop software is the Map Loader, and the other is navigaation software for use with bluetooth enabled tablet or notebook pc's (I wasn't able to test the system on one of these yet).
After installing the software on the Desktop and the Pocket PC, the next thing you have to do is load up your Pocket PC with the maps of the areas in which you will be traveling. The Map loading software presents you with a view of the entire United States, as well as portions of Canada. When choosing what to put on the Pocket PC, you have the option to go by individual cities or whole regions.
Loading by City
When loading by city, you actually get to choose the radius around the city, so you can get as much or as little of the "suburbs" as you want.
Figure 5: Loading maps by City.
Loading by Region
By choosing to load a region, you actually get to load entire states. This makes life much easier, since you don't need to know exactly what area you need, you just grab all of the area. Simply click on the state or states you want and everything in them is transferred.
Figure 6: Loading maps by Region.
I loaded up the system with Ohio, Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, and together they took up about 165 MB. Not bad, really. However, if I tried to push that across an ActiveSync connection, I might be able to walk to my destination faster. The software knows this and allows me to load this information onto my SD card directly. After I loaded up my Pocket PC with the software and maps, I had to connect to the GPS receiver unit.
This is a Class 2 Bluetooth unit, which means that it has about a 30 foot range. My car isn't really that big, but it also means that I get a good, strong connection. Just starting up the software will direct my Pocket PC connect to the GPS Receiver unit... no hassles with pairing, no fuss. When this is set, the software changes to map mode, and my location is shown on the map. The GPS Receiver unit itself is fairly large, but lightweight, and it has 3 LEDs; GPS connection, Bluetooth connection, and charging. I kind of wish that is would clue me in on battery status, but IOGear claims that that the battery is good for 25 hours of use. I wasn't able to check it for that long, but it did last a serious amount of time. The unit is powerful enough that I was able to wear it on the lanyard and have it operate with no problems while driving.
As with other GPS systems, once you have the map information and have made your GPS connection, you select your start point (or let your GPS input it) and then your destination, and BAM! the software figures out your route.
Navigation
While on the road, entering a new destination couldn't be easier. I should say up front that you should always pull over before typing in addresses. Typing and driving do not mix (there...that should satisfy the legal department). Tapping the large menu button on the main screen presents you with 8 options; Destinations, View Options, Route Options, Speed Alert, Map Options, Record, Volume, GPS Info.
Figure 7: The Main Menu.
Destination
Destination, ironically enough, is where you tell the computer where you want to go. Since the software knows what you have loaded, it limits your options to that set of data. If you have an entire state loaded, you get the option to enter the city, and then the street and then the number, all in a drill down manner. The letters and numbers are large and easy to tap out with a finger (instead of a stylus) and as you type, the software is comparing your input against the database of locations and presenting you with possible matches. This speeds input considerably. Once a destination is selected you can add it to your favorites, see a map of the area, or have the computer plan out your route.
Figure 8: The Options Screen.
Volume
This gives you a very simple slider control, mute button, and a test button (to make sure you like your selection).
Figure 9: The Volume Screen.
Display Options
From this screen you can choose a normal top down view, and 3 different "3D" forced perspective views, depending on what works best for you. I have noticed that the 3D views take a little more processor than the traditional top-down. You can also set the display for day mode, night mode, or automatic.
Figure 10: The Options Screen.
Figure 11: A 3D View.
Route Options
This lets you control to some extent how the software will plan your route. For example, if you know that you are broke, you can tell the software to exclude toll roads from the route. Conversely, if you are on a Vespa, you can tell the software to avoid the highway. Of course if you are using GPS on a Vespa, there may be other issues to be dealt with...
Figure 12: Route Options.
Speed Alert
If you want to be a conscientious driver, you can activate the speed alert - if you go above the user defined speed, the software will chastise you (oh yeah, just what I need..)
Figure 13: The Speed Alert.
Map View
Takes you back to the map.
Figure 14: The Standard Map View.
Record
Record will record your route and save it as a file that you can play back or set as a route later if you need to retrace your steps, or have found a route you particularly enjoy. You could also give this route to someone else with a GPS system so that they could follow your route.
GPS Information
This will display your latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, and information about the GPS satellites you are using.
Figure 15: The GPS Information Screen.
Interface
The thing I think I like the most is the interface. It's clear and uncluttered; very important for something which I can only glance at while I am driving. A quick glance gives me the ability to see where I am (the local street name and adjacent addresses are displayed on the bottom of the screen while moving) the next "waypoint" that I have to be aware of (displayed at the top), miles to my destination, a large button to access the menu, a large volume mute button, and of course a very clear map.
Figure 16: The Options Screen.
A great "gee-whiz" feature of the map display is the automatic day/night changing of the graphics. In day mode the background on the map is a light color, and the roads are dark, while this is just the opposite in the night mode. If you choose, the software will keep an eye on your clock and automatically make the adjustments for you.
Voice
The system wouldn't be much of a co-pilot if it didn't actively help me, and here the system does not fail. The directions and upcoming course changes are read to me by a pretty decent synthesized voice. The system will say things like "in 2 miles turn, right" at which point I can look at the display and see what I am to turn right onto. Better yet, if this is highway driving, the system may even say things like "in 2 miles follow the signs for 480 north". The voice is clear and easy to understand, and the volume is completely controllable. The only problem with this is that my iPAQ 6315 speaker is not that loud, so I either connect to the car stereo thru an FM transmitter (and thus have no radio), or thru my corded hands free earbud. I tried to make this connection with my Motorola Bluetooth headset, but it gave me problems, maybe because the system is also connecting to the reviever with the Bluetooth. I have a feeling that this is a function of the wacky Bluetooth stack on my 6315, and not a reflection on the IO Gear system.
Actual Use
I started testing the unit by inputting destinations that I already knew routes to, and watching how the system got me there. Most of the time it chose as I would. This built my confidence in the system. But I knew that I would have to take the ultimate test, and put my trust in the system to go to an address that I had never visited. I entered the address, the system thought for a minute, and then we were off. Since I had never been to this address before, I had no way to gauge if the surroundings were right or not, so I just blindly followed the directions, and I was not let down. The system not only got me to the door perfectly, but faster than routes my co-workers had used in the past. The fact that the Pocket
PC may be smarter than some of my co-workers is not really a surprise, though...
Conclusions
I can�t state enough how impressed I am with the IOGear Bluetooth navigation system. It operated flawlessly for me, and I was able to carry a large amount of map information. Simply put, the unit got me where I needed to go with clarity and ease. It is the best Pocket PC based GPS system I have used. I simply won�t travel without it!
John Walkosak is a registered Architect specializing in the design of hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the northeast (www.hfpambuske.com)
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04-20-2005, 09:31 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 2
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Is the Navigation software available by itself?
Sounds like a great system. I have DeLorme Blue tooth GPS. The receiver is good, but I simply hate their software.
Do you know if the Navigation software is available on its own. I have been looking for good GPS software.
Bryan
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04-20-2005, 10:04 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 33
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As far as I know, it is a package deal. The software really is great.
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04-20-2005, 10:24 PM
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Swami
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,303
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Interesting review. Cheers John! 8)
I am in the market for a GPS setup and am looking towards the new Tomtom release. Something that takes nokia batteries and has an LCD screen as well as on-board Bluetooth would be nice, but you usually can't have everything. 
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04-20-2005, 10:29 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5
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From the pictures, it looks exactly like the Delou Routis software which I have been very pleased with.
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04-20-2005, 10:52 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 444
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The software is iGuidance from iNav, which is rebranded and sold under several different names and with several GPS units. Check to see which version you have; the newest version has some great improvements, most noticeably to 3D views. Check out http://www.inavcorp.com/.
Bad news is that they're pricey, not prone to very generous upgrade terms, and will only cut a very minor discount if you're upgrading OEM bundled software rather than their own retail package. I never bought the upgrade, but zilla31 did last fall. You could discuss with him.
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04-20-2005, 11:24 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 174
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I agree that the screens look Exactly like Routis. Which is why I hope they offer the software separately.
Anyone out there from IOgear???
Ron...
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04-21-2005, 12:13 AM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 899
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The recommendatio for iNav is interesting for me too. From recent PPCT discussions I was under the impression TomTom and Mapopolis seem to be most popular around here, and I've been waiting to try them out and switch away from my CoPilot Live...
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04-21-2005, 12:25 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 367
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I knew I recognised this software! It's the same as the Navigator Pro software that somes with the Ambicom BT GPS that I use with my rx3115.
I really like this software, but I don't like that you have to use the CD to load maps. On my current trip, I left home without realising that I still had the maps loaded for my last trip to MO. This time I was going to NY and I didn't have the proper maps loaded. So I had to get up here using a Mapquest (downloaded to my PDA via Avantgo over a GPRS connection to my cell phone). When I got to NY I just re-downloaded Mapopolis and the maps I needed and I was back in business. I wish I could have done the same with this software (which I still think of as Navigator Pro since that's how Ambicom labels it).
Ambicom makes no mention of how to upgrade the software with newer maps anywhere on their website, so I jumped for joy when I saw this article and realised it was the same software. However, the upgrade policy is pretty stringent and I don't think I can. I no longer have the original receipt for my unit and they require this for the update. Also, it costs $79 to update, which I don't think is really that bad considering that Mapopolis is $99/year, but I was hoping it would be less.
But I do like the voice (nice, clear female voice) which is much better than Mapopolis' robotic male voice and the interface is much better than Mapopolis'. Accuracy of both programs seems to be the same, but the ability to download maps as needed from the Mapopolis web site does give that program an edge.
__________________
XBox 360 S, 16GB iPhone 4S, iPod Classic 160 GB, Dell Inspiron Mini 1018; Macs: Mac Mini 2.4 GHz 6 GB RAM; Macbook 2.0 GHz 3 GB RAM; MacBook Air 11", 24" Cinema Display
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04-21-2005, 02:35 AM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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Yes it is definitely the same software as Routis, Navigator Pro, and iGuidance. I have the latest version of iGuidance, and love it. You can find the software for about $110.00 USD at iNav Corp. I would recommend this software to anyone.
If you are Canadian, the latest version, v2.1 has updated Canadian maps which are very detailed from what I have seen here in Ontario.
http://store.yahoo.com/inavcorp-store/gpsnaso.html
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Linear Mode
