Garmin Mobile PC by Garmin
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List Price: Category: GPS or Navigation System See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin Mobile PC
Digital camera Review: Returned iGuidance, bought Garmin Mobile PC, never looking back!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought iGuidance for $100 to work as a GPS application in my car mounted PC.
However after learning how dated the maps were, how clunky the interface was I quickly returned it.
For less then the price of the iGuidance software I bought Garmin Mobile PC, and it came with a better USB GPS unit then I already had. If you think about it your simply getting a good GPS receiver for the low price of $20 compared to the software-only version. And the GPS unit works as your DRM key, so you can install the software in multiple locations and transfer the USB receiver.
As far as the actual Garmin software, it works great. The interface is fast, easy to read and touch-screen friendly. The text-to-speech voice is easy to understand, unlike iGuidance who uses pre-recorded sounds for stuff like "Turn right" and then a horrible text to speech voice for street names. Imagine the sound of two different people telling you...turn right on..and then another separate person half a second later saying ....main street.
Garmin is also smart enough to give you directions ahead of time depending on your speed, and multi-point directions such as "Turn right and then the next left". iGuidance would give me directions only based on how close I was to the destination, ignoring my present speed, you could easily out-drive the turn before it finished trying to tell you what to do.
The interface is very fast, as far as bringing up points of interest and switching screens in general. Adding custom points of interest is also dirt easy. Everything feels very polished compared to iGuidance.
The routings seems pretty smart so far although I have not yet done a long trip using the software.
Digital camera Review: Try Streets & Trips 2009 trial before you buy Garmin software
Summary: 2 Stars
Garmin makes excellent GPS systems for your auto. I have used one for several years, however, the Garmin Mobile PC software is not what I expected. Insallation wasn't too bad but not as easy as Microsoft Streets and Trips 2009. The Garmin software operates much like the Garmin 360 in my auto and is primarily designed for providing driving information as you travel down the street. If you need to route out a trip, look at details and play "what if scenarios" it will not do it. In my opinion most people would be better off applying the Garmin software cost to a handheld Garmin. They are much more portable and usable. The GPS receiver that comes with the Garmin software does not work as well as their handheld units. On the other hand the Streets and Trips loaded on a PC makes it easy to route a trip and modify it as needed. It can be used to plan trips,even without a GPS reciever connected. I have removed the Garmin Mobile PC software from my computer and have purchased the Micorsoft product.Digital camera Review: Useful Tool
Summary: 3 Stars
It works and is much less expensive than a handheld. Using it on a netbook with extended battery life makes it a very useful tool.Digital camera Review: Very User Friendly Interface
Summary: 4 Stars
I was a DeLorme GPS software user but wanted a PC based product that displayed in "3D", similar to the small GPS units in use today. Garmin Mobile PC software does just that, and does it well. The moving map displays the same as the small dash mounted units, and have read, is actually the same software modified for the Laptop PC.
Unlike the DeLorme product, which is "2D" based, the Garmin display shows the roads and turns out "ahead" of you, not "above" you. I'm very pleased with the product itself, but the installation could use some tweaking. I had to go to Garmin's FAQ and troubleshooting site to get it to install completely and then, when running it under Windows 7, had to set it to "run as Administrator" to get it to operate correctly. Knowing this ahead of time would have saved me a few hours of frustration, but having successfully installed it, it runs flawlessly on my new HP Pavilion Laptop...
Digital camera Review: Who needs a stinking map!
Summary: 5 Stars
This product is the perfect solution for a budget. You already have a laptop and would like a GPS but don't want to spend a fortune...this is the one for you. The ease of use is outstanding. A laptop provides a great view, no small GPS screen. The only drawback some might experience is finding a place for the setup to sit in your vehicle. Overcome that and you will be completely satisfied. Happy trails!