Garmin iQue M5 Integrated Pocket PC and GPS
by Garmin
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Category: Network Media Player
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Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: GarminBrand: Garmin
Edition: Electronics
Model: 010-00344-00
Publisher: Garmin
Studio: Garmin
Music Label: Garmin
Product features:
- Pocket PC running Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition with integrated GPS and Que navigation applications
- Powered by a 416 MHz Intel PXA 272 microprocessor; includes 64 MB RAM, 64 MB ROM, and data back-up protection
- Embedded Bluetooth transceiver lets you network with computer systems and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, PDAs, printers, etc.
- Check e-mail and view documents--then sync seamlessly with your laptop
- Includes MapSource City Select North America data CD-ROM with full coverage/full unlock
- Bracketron UFM-300-BX Nav-Pack Weighted GPS Dash Mount/Carrying Case
- NAVGEAR Universal Dash Mount
- GGI International LCD Screen Care Kit, with Overlays, Care System Microfiber Cloth / Wipes
- Bracketron UCH-100-BL Universal Cup-iT Mount with Grip-iT for GPS
- Bracketron PHW 203 BL Mobile Grip-it Suction Mount
Digital camera reviews of Garmin iQue M5 Integrated Pocket PC and GPS
Digital camera Review: As expected - a really nice piece of hardware
Summary: 5 Stars
Wrapup:
A nice navigation unit, fast display of maps and routes, very good integration of GPS features and Windows Mobile features. Complete package, I just purchased a charge/sync usb cable, which allows you to synchronize when abroad - the cradle usually stays at home. Complete map coverage if needed. Garmin does not pretend the earth being a disk - see below.
Before I dive into the technical details, a few introductory words:
I'm travelling a lot, both in the U.S and in Europe. This is the first reason for wanting a transportable navigation unit: you don't carry your car in your hand luggage when starting an intercontinental trip.
And most of those other handy navigation units still pretend the earth being a disk - they offer either European mapsets or U.S mapsets and getting one of the other mapsets is usually a major adventure. For Garmin units, its just a matter of adding the wanted additional maps to your shopping list.
AAh, English is NOT my native language, the text might read a little strange.
General:
The M5 comes almost complete. The unit, a DVD containing maps/software and the car mounting kit featuring the famous suction cup known to Garmin users since the e-Map was the state of the art GPS unit. In addition, it provides a self adhesive mounting plate to be fixed on the dashboard for those poor people whose state law forbids equipment fixed to the windshield (California and Minnesota so far).I believe it is a good idea NOT to glue a pound of hardware onto the windshield. Imaging an iQue crashing into a drivers face in case of an accident. The built in speaker is another positive piece of hardware worth to mention: It is really loud and has a volume control, most of the other units won't even offer a speaker which makes them unuseable in an older car or in Germany, where almost every car has an higher noise level when travelling with some 90 mph speed....
The docs are short but sufficient and expect that the reader knows what he/she just purchased. In other words, some familiarity with GPS units in general and Windows CE/Mobile is expected.
Setup:
Because I'm using Windows based handhelds for years, ActiveSync was already on my laptop. Because I was using an Ique3600 before, the Mapsource program was also available. I just integrated the new Mapset (North America V7 )delivered with the M5. Filling a 1GByte SD Card with a set of Maps was as easy as with the Ique 3600. Even a 2GB SD card was accepted by the M5 - most other handhelds (and cameras :-)) won't accept cards larger than 1 GB.
I use some unusual UK based synchronisation program in order to synchronize with Lotus Notes (mNotes). Installation of the software was flawless and syncing with Notes (Inbox,Calendar etc ) worked as expected. I see no reason why it wouldn't be the same with Outlook integration. BTW, a copy of Outlook (not ..Express) comes with the M5.
Operation:
Mostly as expected.
- Initial satellite fix took almost three minutes. Better set your approximate location before flipping the antenna, this reduces the initial fix to some 90 seconds.
- Routing in Texas is fast and easy - but I abandoned the Ique 3600 because the three year old unit is no longer able to handle the huge amount of map features in central Europe. It was almost impossible for the Ique 3600 to display a route from Cologne to Paris using the actual maps (City Navigator V8 )- it takes up to 15 minutes to draw a map of central Europe.
- YES, the M5 works just fine, even in dense populated central Europe (or perhaps in the SF Bay Area or the Hudson Valley). This is exactly the point, where the user notices the existence of the separate 48 Mhz coprocessor for GPS and routing purposes- the main processor draws a lot faster.
- Routes can be saved to the unit, but transferring a route from Mapsource to the unit is still not supported (which is on the top position of an Ique owners wishlist for years).
- Transferring of Waypoints in both directions is supported.
- Under rare circumstances, the unit crashes, but I was not able to recreate the exact error condition. In most cases it is the usual problems who come with Windows Mobile, but in general, the unit is as stable as every other Windows Mobile unit. Specially the stability of the 'Que' applications seems above average.
- Battery capacity seems considerable for a Windows Mobile Unit. The unit offers different brightness settings for day- and nightime both for battery and external power. A feature I don't have with my other windows mobile units (various phones and Dell units). It is definitely better than what I experienced from the Ique 3600.
Peter
Summary of Garmin iQue M5 Integrated Pocket PC and GPS
Garmin iQue M5 combines the popular Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SE operating system with the dependability of Garmin GPS. Go from the boardroom to the hotel room without stopping for directions. Calendar and contact information is seamlessly integrated with the GPS navigation functions, so the iQue M5 will remind you of appointments, show the location on the map and route you there with detailed, turn-by-turn directions and voice prompts. The mobile office applications will give you the ability to check e-mail and view documents when away from the office, then sync to Outlook when you get back. The iQue M5 includes 64MB of RAM, 64MB of ROM and 15MB of safe storage along with a SecureDigital memory expansion slot, all of which can be used to store map detail and points of interest data from the included MapSource. City Select North America CD-ROM software application provides millions of residential streets and business addresses for all 50 states; nearly every town in the United States and also includes extremely detailed roadmaps for Canada and Puerto Rico. Vibrating alarm Offers Bluetooth wireless technology and IR Infrared communications Ports for headphone and external GPS antenna optional connections Includes RS232 and USB interface connectivity Has a digital-media memory card slot that has SecureDigital SD / SDIO / MMC compatibility Protective flip cover and metal stylus Intel PXA 272 Xscale Processor 416MHz with dedicated 48MHz ARM7 coprocessor 3.5 Diagonal Color TFT LCD with 240x320 QVGA pixel resolution Automotive windshield mount with integrated charger and speaker AC power and charging adapter USB Activesync cradle Unit dimensions - 2.83 W x 5.04 H x 0.75 D / Weight - 5.9 ounces City Select North America mapping software Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 2nd Edition for PocketPCHandheld & PDA Accessories
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