Pharos Pocket GPS Navigator with Bluetooth Wireless Technology - Only $279.95!

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dpcomputerstore.com/banner_img/?click-1050099145-1058408743' target='_blank'>http://www.dpcomputerstore.com/bann...9145-1058408743</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/pharos-bluetooth.gif" /><br /><br />"Navigate wirelessly with this Bluetooth GPS Navigator Kit. Simply place your Bluetooth receiver on the dashboard and receive accurate GPS data on your Bluetooth-enabled Pocket PC*. The included Ostia software allows you to navigate to your chosen destination with street level maps and verbal turn-by-turn directions. The receiver s high capacity Lithium Polymer battery supplied will power the Bluetooth receiver for up to 6 hours between charges. A blue LED indicator flashes when searching for a Bluetooth connection and glows solid when a connection is established. For added flexibility the GPS receiver can be detached from it''s Bluetooth dock and plugged into an optional CompactFlash adapter (sold separately, see options).<br /><br />Save $50 on the new Pharos Pocket GPS Navigator with Bluetooth Wireless Technology. Tested successfully on all the new Bluethooth capable HP iPAQs including the H1940 & H1945. Mobile Planet Price: $369.95 Our Price: $329.95. Only $279.95 after $50 manufacturer mail-in rebate!"

[JonnoB]

I was thinking of getting a BT GPS adaptor to replace my CF Pretec GPS device. For anyone that would know, I would be curious as to how this device compares to the other BT GPS units reviewed over at gpspassion.com ??

[droppedd]

Cool! now if only i had money left after the 1GB CF card i just ordered for my 2210 :(.

I think i'd feel funny spending more on a GPS unit than i did on my PPC, though :)

[burtman007]

Is it possible to use the SD Bluetooth card with the Toshiba e740 and this device????

I'd love to have an excuse to mount my e740 in the car when I'm travelling!!!

[ctmagnus]

OOh! It comes with a vent clip!

Hopefully it's a good one.

[beq]

I was thinking of getting a BT GPS adaptor to replace my CF Pretec GPS device. For anyone that would know, I would be curious as to how this device compares to the other BT GPS units reviewed over at gpspassion.com ??
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14215&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=10#136320 for gpspassion's "pre-opinion" (at least of Pharos's Ostia software). But I still remember the old debates between proponents of Pharos vs. CoPilot software (way back when)...

P.S. drop, how much did you get the 1GB CF for, Buy.com's $185? Just curious...

[mirkazemisaman]

Here's another Bluetooth GPS with regular navigation capability + tracking ability from Deluo at such a reasonable price ($249 or $209 if preordered):

http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=BBOXGPS&Category_Code=GR

[dhettel]

Interesting, very Interesting. It says it is NMEA 0183 version 2.2, but then it goes on to say it uses 9600 Baud. As far as I know NMEA requires 4800 baud. To me that says it may not work with some of my software. Also it says it works with Street and Trips, but Street and Trips doesn't work with Bluetooth devices on PocketPC devices.

David

[droppedd]

P.S. drop, how much did you get the 1GB CF for, Buy.com's $185? Just curious...

It's ~$220 for a Viking 1 GB at Amazon. Minus a $50 MIR makes $170, and if you spent over $250 on electronics (before rebates) you get a $50 Amazon gift card, making net cost $120 if you count the gift card :) I bought a wireless G router to make the $30 difference (i needed to order one for the office anyways, and i get reimbursed for it).

found out through AnandTech (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=1094412&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=) and BargainShare (http://www.bargainshare.com/index.php?act=ST&f=1&t=10607&s=fe0784b0675021520c549b183a61052d).

If you do this, just be sure to not take free shipping - it's possible if you do you may get your items after it's too late to submit the rebates :?.

[beq]

Sweet, please do post if you should find large-size SD deals (for those who don't keep up w/ deal news all the time)!

[ctmagnus]

Sweet, please do post if you should find large-size SD deals (for those who don't keep up w/ deal news all the time)!

Yeah, especially from places that ship to Canada, with reasonable shipping.

[droppedd]

Sweet, please do post if you should find large-size SD deals (for those who don't keep up w/ deal news all the time)!

Hah. "large-size SD" and "deals" go together like "Mercedes-Benz" and "bargain bin" :)

i would've waited for the CF card, though, if i didn't need it for 30 or so hours of bus/plane/car rides in the next month... the new rounds of CF harddrive card will drive prices down nicely once they come out, i'll bet. They're talking $280 for a 2.4 GB CF drive... drool... and the high-capacity flash CF cards will have to drop in price to compete, as well.

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?topic_id=14438

[fyiguy]

Interesting, very Interesting. It says it is NMEA 0183 version 2.2, but then it goes on to say it uses 9600 Baud. As far as I know NMEA requires 4800 baud. To me that says it may not work with some of my software. Also it says it works with Street and Trips, but Street and Trips doesn't work with Bluetooth devices on PocketPC devices.

David

Currently Streets&Trips does work with Bluetooth on laptops and tabletpcs, but it won't on PPC devices.

Streets and Trips 2004, which is supposed to be released this week along with MapPoint 2004 is supposed to have support for Bluetooth, basically support up to COM 20 NEMA 2.0 or later...It is currently available at places like Amazon.com. I got the press release on it, but it doesn't look any more real changes besides updated data and the COM port restriction is lifted... More info on it is available here (http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?site=11616&subid=22&pg=1).

http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/22/images/boxshot/11616_fl_144.jpg

I have a loaner Pharos Bluetooth now, which I got to send back today (sniff, sniff) and it works comparably well compared to the EMTAC/Socket Bluetooth unit and it has more versatility in that it can be used via direct serial connection or CF slot via an adapter(which must be purchased seperately of course. The battery life is up around 6 hours. The only downside on the unit is the push button on the side of the unit can accidently be pressed while in your "gear bag" turning the unit on and expelling the batteries.And there is no way to charge the BT unit outside of using an AC/12VDC invertor.

Like this one from Vector (http://www.bostonpocketpc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=105):

http://www.bostonpocketpc.com/images/pix/review/vctr/vppuse.jpg

The vent clip is pretty cool and can be purchased separately for around $15-$19 at various places online you can check with pricegrabber. It comes with 2 long clips and 1 short one so you can angle the PDA to face you. It also has support clip to rest on your dashboard, I found this use ful for arranging the PDA to reduce the glare on the screen. The only downside is that has Velcro :pukeface2: instead a thin magnet lock, which is also available. I just ended up using a rubber band instead since it was a loaner. It also has a notch in the bottom for a serial connection and power cables.

http://www.pharosgps.com/images/product/PX001_2.jpg


If you don't prefer a clip holder the also have a suction cup windshield holder.