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View Full Version : PDAToday Reviews the Arkon GPS Cradle & MobiNavigator Software


Ekkie Tepsupornchai
07-17-2006, 07:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pdatoday.com/index.php/weblog/comments/arkon_powered_gps_docking_cradle_and_mobinavigator_software/' target='_blank'>http://www.pdatoday.com/index.php/w...gator_software/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The notion is very attractive: You've got a PDA. Wouldn't it be great to have a way to use it as a GPS in your car? There are a number of devices out there that clip on, transmit by Bluetooth, plug in by USB or card slot - surely something works. If you could find something that could hold your PDA, charge it up and add GPS functionality as well, wouldn't that be just cool? I thought it would, and so when I got an opportunity to try out an Arkon Powered GPS Docking cradle and their MobiNavigator software for my Axim V50x, I jumped at the chance."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_pdatoday_arkon_gps_review_200607.jpg" /><br /><br />There are so many options today for PDA owner wanting GPS functionality, ranging from Bluetooth receivers to converged cradle/GPS receivers. If you're an Axim x51v owner and are considering your GPS options, take a look at this article. The author is rather detailed in his narrative of both the cradle and the software though screenshots of the latter is lacking (aside from the image above). Also beware that according to the <a href="http://www.arkon.com/aximmount.php">Arkon website</a>, this product appears to have been discontinued in favor of a newer solution, so if you're interested specifically in the reviewed unit, you'll want to rush the reseller sites soon to check on pricing and remaining stock.

Paragon
07-17-2006, 08:58 PM
Hmmm...looks like MobiNavigator is iNav's iGuidance rebranded. It really is great GPS software. I have been using iGuidance for a year or two. I even used it on an Axim x50v for awhile. It's a nice PPC to use with GPS given it's large screen compared to most converged devices available today use a 2.8" screen

BTW, MobiNavigator appears to be v2.x of iGuidance. There is a new version 3.0 available now with updated graphics and so on.

Dave

TRB
07-17-2006, 09:56 PM
Looks like a reasonable GPS solution, but too bad they have discontinued the model that was reviewed!

The alternatives sure seem to have a lot of cords hanging all over the place that I wouldn't care for!

Sven Johannsen
07-17-2006, 10:10 PM
Looks like a reasonable GPS solution, but too bad they have discontinued the model that was reviewed!

The alternatives sure seem to have a lot of cords hanging all over the place that I wouldn't care for!

Don't think this is much better than what I have in that respect. I have a powered Arkon mount. It has a cable to the car adapter as this does, a cable from the headphone socket to the speaker/amplifier, as his does. Then I have a short cable from the mount to the PPC, which this doesn't, but I can change PPCs which you can't with this. Then there is the optional cable to power the BT GPS, which isn't needed if the trip is shorter than the GPS batterry life. Thing is I can use the mount for my PDA-N and just need to hook up the PPC power cable. These dedicated units are very convenient, but you need to consider that they tie you into a specific PPC model.

Jason Lee
07-18-2006, 03:01 PM
BTW, MobiNavigator appears to be v2.x of iGuidance. There is a new version 3.0 available now with updated graphics and so on.

Dave

OMG! thanks Dave! I just purchased 2.1.3 because i lost my 2.1 dvd somewhere.... :oops:
I just submited my upgrade offer. hehe. I would have never noticed that. :D

Paragon
07-18-2006, 03:30 PM
BTW, MobiNavigator appears to be v2.x of iGuidance. There is a new version 3.0 available now with updated graphics and so on.

Dave

OMG! thanks Dave! I just purchased 2.1.3 because i lost my 2.1 dvd somewhere.... :oops:
I just submited my upgrade offer. hehe. I would have never noticed that. :D

Cool! :cool:

I'm waiting on my v3.0 to show up. iNav are sending me a copy to review. From the screenshots I've seen so far I like the new graphics. They are much more finger friendly. I find I bounce off fewer cars if I have bigger buttons to push. ;)

Dave