Gold Lantern GL3250 With Integrated GPS

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90143152' target='_blank'>http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90143152</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The GL3250 is an all-one Pocket PC, GPS, MP3 Player and Voice Recorder. With an on-board integrated GPS you can navigate from inside your car or on foot from the palm of your hand. Turn by turn spoken directions and visual prompts help insure you will never get lost again. Automatically re-routes directions if you miss a turn."</i><br /><br />Specs include:<br />• WM2003 SE<br />• PXA263 400Mhz Processor<br />• SDIO<br />• SiRF Star II LP GeoHelix GPS chip<br />• Bundled with Mapopolis<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20050318_goldlantern.jpg" /><br /><br />This looks pretty good for $399 ($499 without the $100 rebate). While I'm not a big fan of antennae, at least this one looks fairly sturdy. If you're looking for an integrated GPS unit, this one looks like it's worth a look.

[ctmagnus]

This one looks like it could be nicknamed "the eye-gouger".

[sylvangale]

Those controls are just right for gaming... does the antenna twist off? ;)


I noticed other stores are advertising this (GL3250) as having 128MB of memory... is there more than 1 model?
http://www.servicemerchandise.com/pt-glngl3250.html
http://www.fadfusion.com/selection.php?product_item_number=10022000596
http://www.digitallyunique.com/gl3250.html

[ip0000]

This device is being sold in Taiwan under D-Media InView N911 name for 6 months or so, and features 128 Mb of memory... looks very ugly.

[sylvangale]

Thanks for pointing out the N921... found a review!

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16704

PROS:
1. The built in antenna: Very compact and aquires satellites fast.
2. The screen: Very bright and colorful. 20% brighter than Axim X5 compared side by side and measured with a spot light meter (reflectance value)
3.Build Quality: Average but not dissapointing so I put it as a PRO rather than a CON.

CONS:
1. CAR MOUNT: It's a little odd in that it has a long 15" flexible gooseneck, suction mount that attatches to a fabric case using velcro straps. It's a good idea because it keeps the concept simple and makes for a very thin profile. However, the fabric mount is a little sloppy in that it fastens toightly and securely to the gooseneck you can still twist the PDA from side to side too easily. THE WORST PART is the fabric mount completely covers the speaker!
2. SPEAKER: Because there is no powered mount the PDA relies 100% on it's little speaker. The volume is way too low and is hindered further by the fabric mount covering the speaker! Boooo. This thing totally needs a powered mount. Perhaps an Arkon Mount would work with this.
3. POWER CABLE: How small are the cars in Taiwan? The charging cable that comes with this unit is completely USELESS. It's exactly 2' in length and is barely long enough to stretch from the 12 volt socket to the mounting position in my compact car. This cable simply will not be long enough for regular sedans, not to mention SUV's, pick-up trucks, or RV's! This is the worst thing about the system. Way too short and completely hinders the system.

CONCLUSION: All in all, there are better solution than this. With some work, if they offered a more secure mount with an amplified speaker and a longer charging cable, the N-911 would be a contender with it's brilliant display and strong, compact built in GPS antenna. 7.0 /10