This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

I love this thing! To get an initial fix it needs some kind of view of the sky, after that it’s amazing. I can take it into my back yard, let it get a fix, put it in my pocket, go inside my house and it never loses the fix!!

The only problem I had was configuring my ATT Tilt w/WM6 to work with it: There are no instructions with the Freedom 2000. So the lack of instructions is the debit, it’s the reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5.

There are a few settings that need to be taken care of with your smart phone and with the GPS apps you’re using. To that end I’m including some notes I made that hopefully will help anyone who buys this get going.

Do this first for using GPS Bluetooth Receiver on ATT Tilt running WM6.
1. Go into Wireless Manager and select Bluetooth.
2. Go to [...] to see how to config your com port and make a note of the com port number. I used a baud rate of 4800 and COM1 where the example uses COM6.
3. You’re only half done now, the next step is to go into your GPS app and tell it what Bluetooth port to find the GPS Bluetooth receiver on.
4. NOTE: I have the Freedom 2000 and the Bluetooth icon will NOT blink 1/sec to indicate a connection till you have opened a GPS app and configured that app to communicate with it. However it will blink 1/5sec w/o connection so don’t be fooled

Google Maps:
1. W/GPS rcvr on open up Google Maps, select Options>GPS Settings
2. Select Set Manually, select COM1, baud rate of 4800 and tap OK.
3. From main screen select Menu>Use GPS. If it’s working the upper right corner of the screen will show Seeking GPS satellites and the 2000′s Bluetooth icon will blink 1/second.

Garmin XT:
1. W/GPS rcvr on open Garmin XT app main page select Settings>System>RemoteGPS. The default value was GPS Intermediate Driver.
2. Select Disable to turn off the regular GPS connection. You should get a prompt with radio buttons to select either Use Bluetooth GPS, Use GPS Intermediate Driver, or User Serial GPS. To active the Freedom 2000 select Use Bluetooth GPS and hit Enable. The screen now shows Keychain GPS 2000 and the Bluetooth icon on the 2000 is blinking 1/sec.
3. Note: I’ve seen “Com0:COM0″ come up as though the app thought this was an option for GPS. Just hit the Disable button and you can select the proper input.
4. Note: When my ppc is turned back on and I re-access Garmin XT it says “Scanning Bluetooth as though it’s looking for the 2000 even though I’ve set it to use it’s own GPS Intermediate Driver. It’s not a problem and times out soon.

This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

works great. even while still in my pocket. once it locks on it just stays locked on. on the keychain, and so small, you never know its there and never forget your gps device. works with my samsung i760 and inav v4.0. highly recommended

This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

This is a great little product – fits on a keychain and is just about the size of my remote lock thingy for my car. There’s also a convenient little quick-release that lets you remove it easily.

It’s pretty accurate, and works even if it’s in my pocket when I’m walking around outside. Unfortunately it takes some time to acquire enough satellites to start working (less time the more open you are, more time if you’re in e.g. a wooded area or the city; range probably from somewhere around 10 seconds at best to over a minute).

In case anyone might find it helpful, I’ve used this with my laptop and Google Earth and a Samsung i760 smartphone using Google Maps, MS Live Search, as well as a GPS data collector that saves all the GPS coordinates to a file for you to import to your computer (convenient for geo-tagging your photos).

This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

The Freedom 2000 Key Chain GPS 2000 receiver is truly a small miracle. When I took the unit out of the box it needed a charge, and after charging I went to work hooking it up with my BlackBerry 8320. The user manual is relatively short and cryptic. It does not tell you a lot about the system, but I did find the Bluetooth code required for the GPS receiver to latch on to the Blackberry. After the link was established, I went outside to find the satellites. It did take a minute or two before it had gathered enough signals to determine my location and transmit the same to my Blackberry, where I use Google maps as my GPS software. Returning indoors, I did not lose the GPS links.

The next day I took my combo on the road for a test, with the keychain GPS receiver dangling off the key chain below my ignition. Google Maps and the GPS receiver had my position mapped out in about 30 seconds and the connection remained solid for a 100 mile road trip. I have not experienced a drop of synchronization as some of the other reviewers have indicated. I also tried the receiver with the BlackBerry Maps software and it worked well, except that the Blackberry Maps update was too slow for my travel speed, so that I saw my position in a “blank” map, which of course is no help. When waiting for a traffic light, I would see the map loading catch up, so that I could see where I was. I guess BlackBerry Maps will work well when I take it for a walk. But remember, all BlackBerry GPS software systems mentioned here require data communications to retrieve the maps, so this GPS combo will not work for a hike in the boonies.

The only issue I noticed was that the battery life of the Keychain receiver is shorter than the 9 hours advertised. I would put it more around 5 hours. That said, since it uses the same standard USB charger as the Blackberry, it is not too difficult to pump some additional power into the GPS receiver while driving.

In short, I am happy with this purchase. It works and it is affordable.

This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

This little unit performs impressively and the build quality is better than I expected for the cost. It reliably gets precise GPS readings to within 30 feet or less and works very well with my Samsung i760 smart phone using Google Maps. So far it has easily kept the satellite lock even inside a moving vehicle in residential neighborhoods. But the lack of detailed documentation for connecting it to a PDA or smartphone is lamentable. They do offer a simple one-page setup guide plus a link to their (terrible) website, where you can find barely adequate configuration instructions if you look hard enough. Nowhere do they even tell you that you can charge the device with your computer using the USB cable — you can, and it’s a great feature — but providing hardware with no instructions on how to use it is inexcusable. If the documentation weren’t so laughably inadequate for such a great product, I’d give this 5 stars without question.

This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

I bought the Freedom 2000 keychain GPS to use with my BlackBerry Pearl, which didn’t include a built-in GPS. The Freedom 2000 has worked extremely well. Once the GPS locks onto a signal (~30 seconds), this receiver doesn’t let go! You can place the receiver in your pocket, and it will continue provide tracking information.

I have since used this tiny GPS to power Google Maps, Microsoft Live Search, the free NAV4ALL driving navigation program, and more on my BlackBerry. I even found a free program for my BlackBerry that would let me record my bike rides and upload the tracks to the internet!

I truly believe this GPS is best in class, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it!

This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

Very happy with the Freedom Keychain GPS 2000. Works with Garmin Mobile XT on my Palm 680 just fine. Very fast in locking in position, and battery life seems ok (about 6 hours for me). Quite sensitive–I can keep it in my pocket or in the car center console and it stays locked on the satellites–doesn’t need to have a direct view of the sky. Only thing I wish it had was a “battery meter” like Garmin’s Mobile 10x receiver (maybe it does, but Mobile XT doesn’t recognize or display it, as it does with the Mobile 10x receiver).

This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

I purchased this item for my boyfriend and he loves it! He had been using a similar device that he borrowed from a friend and really wanted one for himself. He pairs up this device with his smartphone and uses it for geocaching and traveling. This device keeps the signal even when in the woods which is normally an issue. He also loves how small it is and can carry it on his keychain so he always has it with him. I would definately recommend this device to anyone!

This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

First: Read Port Tack (regarding Com settings (phone, not Google), and Marty’s (overall info).

Second: Enjoy a POWERFUL unit at a great price.

Very sensitive, really good performance, small, light, totally cool. Don’t be without it….I’ve tried others, this is THE one.

This review is from: Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver (Electronics)

Use this to replace my Tom-Tom Navigator unit which was much bigger. Surprisingly the smaller unit works better, both in terms of longer battery life and reception. It is capable of most in-door recpetion while the previous larger unit was not able to do this. While in the car, the unit can be in your back pocket and still works will lots of signal strength. The previous unit sometimes needed to be placed on the dashboard. It synced up to my Treo Tom-Tom software thru Bluetooth with no problem, although it does require the passkey setup. Note that it does not come with any nav software so you’ll need to buy one.

Price:$399.00

Price:$219.95

Price:$191.96

Price:$579.00

Price:$12.71

Price:$495.00

Price:$202.95

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I got this GPS unit last week, and for an entry price range unit, I was really blown away by the performance and functionality of this unit. This unit only takes about 5 to 10 seconds to acquire satellites and locate my position, and I love the ability to select major road as a route option and the ability to navigate by higher level view or zoom in to local streets.

In the high level view, I really like that every street is named so I really know what’s around me, and I can really see where I’m going. When I pull off route into a McDonald, the GPS recalculate my route in seconds when I get back on the road. I haven’t tried out the MP3 player or the photo viewer yet, I am sure it work fine but I really don’t need this unit for those function anyhow.

I’ve owned and use other navigation products from the Tom Tom One, to Mio C220, and even the Garmin Nuvi 360, I like this GPS unit the best. This product really exceed my expectation, so I highly recommend this product.

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I got it from staples, which has a very bad reviews. From my personal view, I found that this unit is reasonably good especially when you look at the text to speech function which is really nice at this price tag. It receive the GPS signals in about 1-3 mins, while the first time you use it may take longer time. The directions are clear and accurate.

One common problem one may encounter is that this unit may automatically shut down. However, after you change the setting for the sleep time, the problem will be gone. Some guys in the staples review give this unit a poor score due to this, while they don’t know /change this setting.

The turn by turn and text to speech function is excellent. Some other guys in the staples review found that the battery maybe poor, however, for me ,it may last about 2 hours. This is reasonable for me since most of the time you will drive you car. Another good thing is that you can charge the battery by directly connected to computer.

Some minor problems with this unit is that it may not respond very quickly (compared to MIO C220) when you touch the screen. However, it is good enough to handle.

Anyway, this unit is a deal especially when you can get at a sub200 price.

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I loved everything about this unit. It was super-easy to use. Quickly responsive. Provided street names. Had all the features one could want. But we regretfully had to return it after one short trip. We soon discovered that when traveling at a faster speed on the open road, the volume, even at maximum, could not be heard over the normal road noise in a Honda Accord. If you’re alone in your vehicle, no music and just in-town traveling, it would be ideal.

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

Let me start off by saying I like this GPS. It has all the feature I like and I really can not complain about it while it was working . However, I would have to say buyer be warned. I had mine for a year and just short of the warrantee it died. One day it worked the next it would not go passed the splash screen. I would say it was my bad luck but in researching it online I found quite a few others had the same problem, some shortly after they purchased it. Nextar has a lifetime exchange program but the price is about $140 which is more then I paid new. They originally told me they would fix it but the supervisor turned it down because I lack a good reason. Standing by there product is not a good enough reason. it is also my understanding that even under warrantee Nexter requires you to pay for return shipping on your repair both way. I caution you to research this unit before considering a purchase

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

Unit does not even work and Nextar will not resopond to requests for a replacement or repair. My suggestion would be to spend a little more for a real GPS that works.

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

This Nextar GPS is great. For less than $100 you get 3.5 inch screen, text to speech, mp3 player and photo viewer. Unit is a little slow acquiring GPS signal when first powered up and battery life coulld be longer. However it comes with a car power plug and an ac power plug and will charge via USB. I see a lot of people complaiining about the volume and not being able to hear it. I do not have that problem mine is extremely loud and I have to keep it turned off the maximum because it is blowing me away. I drive an old Toyota 4runner that is 4 wheel drive so I have plenty of road noise. Anyway I would highly recommend and put it up against anything Garmin and Magellan make in the $150-$200 range.

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

Our unit started out a little unreliable and has totally conked out after just a few uses. It started out occaisionally shutting itself off even with charger plugged in. On our last trip it died completely. Nextar’s return policy says see your store, the store says see Nextar.

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

Easy to learn, A first gps as good as Tom Tom 130s and Garmin 255w. both 3.5 screen. I paid 89.95 + tax.If you can get it under a $100.00 its a steal.

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I’ve own the Nextar X3-T for 2 years now and will NEVER own another Nextar product again. NO SUPPORT, No updates, nothing. Had to go out and buy a Tom Tom while on vacation to Disneyworld so I could find my way. Unit is SLOW – you can get where you are going before it locks in on a satellite. No map updates – my maps are over 4 years old and Nextar has no plans to update.

Unit also locks constantly – have to keep pressing the RESET button in order to get it to half-way function. Buy something else – I would purchase this unit if it was $5 dollars

This review is from: Nextar X3 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

Bought one, had to take it back because at full volume I couldnt hear it. Got another and still had the same problem. Now I have a Garmin and can hear it fine.

Price:$117.99

Price:$356.00

Price:$225.00

Price:$444.99

Price:$29.40

Price:$120.33

This review is from: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device (Electronics)

I have recently purchased a Forerunner 301 after having used a Sports Instruments heart rate monitor for about a year. The heart rate monitor was excellent, and certainly usefull in the gym – rather than wait a certain length of time between sets, wait until your HR is below 120bpm. It allows you to pace yourself much more.
When it comes to running, it is difficult to measure your performance (time, heart rate, and distance) over the days and weeks. A heart rate monitor is good, but when training you need to push yourself and will always have a high heart rate.

The forerunner is a completely different animal. So different, that there really isn’t any fair comparison at all.
With this puppy on your arm you can build a workout (they are quite simple but effective) on your pc, slap it on the forerunner, and off you go. Great running feedback, and excellent info when transferred to the pc. Everything is easy to do – not quite WinXP wizard easy, but simple none the less.

If you live in a large city, forrested areas, or anywhere with sky obstructions, then it may give your trouble with reception. I have had a gps for years, and with my wifi experience I knew that reliable reception was going to be an issue. However, for me I found the reception excellent. Great in fact! In my lounge I can still get a lock with 4 good strength sattelites! If I stop it reacts within 1 second, and another second it knows I have stopped (due to the 1 second display update speed). Much better gps calculations than my garmin gps12.

If you are gagety inclined, and ARE taking (not just wanting or planning to) your running or biking seriously then without a doubt, this is the machine for you.

It isn’t too big, but big enough to read. Locks on in less than 1 minute in my small back yard, and has stellar reaction time. Perhaps even just keeping track of your exercise history is worth it for you? Or the in running feedback? Or the calorie (much more realistic than anythng else I have seen) info?

I am very happy with my buy. I paid $230 for it. Worth every last buck. From my experience I have no trouble recommending the Forerunner 301 to any one who is taking their running seriously!!

This review is from: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device (Electronics)

I have had my Garmin Forerunner 301 for about nine months. During that time I have seen it has some good points but it fails significantly in several ways.

I’ll start with the Garmin 301′s best point(s): It is an excellent GPS device for a runner. I have done several organized races on certified courses which proved the Garmin GPS is an excellent distance gauge. Your stride length can vary greatly with no affect. I have not seen anyone run with a Polar foot pod and get nearly as precise measurements as I get from the Garmin. I just ran the California International Marathon with the Garmin. At the finish, it said 26.2 miles. Compare that to the Polar with foot pod my brother was wearing that said almost 28 miles. The only time I have found Garmin’s GPS questionable has been on winding trail runs under trees.

Coupled with its ability to measure distance is the Garmin’s setting for automatically tagging and storing mile splits. I love this function. Often times after a really long run, it’s difficult to remember how you felt over certain areas of the course. This function means you don’t have to remember anything. It’s there.

I also like that it will tell me elevation, and even the steepness of the grade I am running up. This is especially nice if you are a trail runner. However, I don’t like that it won’t tally the total elevation change like a Polar will.

The speed and pace measurements displayed while in motion are a valuable gauge. I know of no device that does it better for a runner. But the accuracy can vary widely depending upon your overhead view. Clear sky generates an accurate reading. Throw a tree or a building in the mix and forget it. I have accepted this for what it is, a relative gauge that requires me to factor in my own judgment.

If you are a really serious athlete, you might want something that will run a little longer from a single charge. It isn’t waterproof and it crashes periodically with no way to reset until the battery actually dies completely.

The heart rate feature, the one thing that supposedly makes this device worth $100 more than the Garmin 201, is actually its least reliable feature!! They owe me a hundred bucks! The unreliability of the heart rate monitor on this device should be so embarrassing to Garmin, it warrants a recall. Search the web. It’s horrible. I routinely see readings over 220BPM. There is less than a 50/50 chance it will even READ my heart rate through an entire workout. Between the CONSTANT spikes and signal drops, there is no such thing as really knowing your average heart rate. I have given up on the heart rate function. It’s a negative distraction from my training. As a result, I would not buy another Garmin 301. I would not recommend one to my friend. I would even go out of my way to dissuade a casual acquaintance from buying one if I found out they were considering it!

Customer service: I sent an eight-year old monitor back to Polar with a dead battery. For the cost of shipping they sent me a whole new monitor. I sent an email to Garmin telling them I thought their product had some strong points but could benefit from a few improvements. I offered specific suggestions about the software and offered to provide any additional necessary feedback. Garmin didn’t even send an automated reply.

With all these factors in mind, I bought my wife a Polar heart rate monitor and a Garmin 101 for Christmas. Together, they cost less than I spent on my Garmin 301, and the combination will provide the same information far more reliably.

This review is from: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device (Electronics)

The idea is amazing; combine a compact GPS unit with a multi-functional heartrate/exercise monitor. I have owned one for one month. Overall, the unit is light, easy to operate, and easy to download to my pc. Using the unit on trail runs, I find the GPS functions give consistently reproducible data. The pc download gives accurate distance, elevation, and pace. The heartrate monitor, on the other hand is very unreliable, often blanking out or giving unrealistic heartrate. My recommendation is to get the Forerunner 301 if you want a compact GPS. If you are looking for a heartrate monitor to structure your workouts, look at something far superior like the Polar S610i. Also, the Garmin pc training program, for all its bells and whistles, does not compare to Polar’s software.

This review is from: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device (Electronics)

I’m a gadget freak. So when I read about the 301 last year I decided I had to have one. And I am glad that I got it — I really am. The 301 released me from the need to clock running routes with my car, or to run on a treadmill if I wanted accurate pace times. All the stuff that the product description says: all true. It really will transform your workouts. I really like the advanced workouts — when training for a race I set up a month of training runs at a time, and the 301 keeps me honest.

Or it tries to. Because there are a couple of problems with this wee beastie. First off, cloud cover and trees cause it to lose the signal. A lot. When I ran the Vancouver half-marathon, I didn’t get a signal once after entering the wooded areas of Stanley Park (2 miles). At home in Sammamish, WA, I regularly lose the signal if it is raining or if I am running in a suburban area with treed streets. And if you know this area you know that there are A LOT Of trees here. In the summer (no clouds) it works great.

The 2nd complaint I have is with the heart rate monitor. The strap is hard plastic — not nearly as comfortable as my Polar HRM. And the pickup is spotty. You have to keep the contacts wet or it won’t pick up at all. And even when I am sweating profusely there will be times that the 301 just starts yelling “Heart Rate Too High”. I’ll look down and it’s reporting a h.r. of 200+. Trust me, when I am running my heart rate NEVER gets to 200. This happens often enough that you start to doubt if you can rely on the data it provides.

THE “PERFECT” 301 (I would pay $100 more for this!)
Here’s how Garmin could fix this:
1. Use a soft Polar HRM strap rather than their plastic one.
2. Include an inertial shoe tracker similar to the Nike or Timex models, and have the watch use the shoe tracker when the GPS signal is spotty.

SUMMARY
It isn’t perfect. But I haven’t sold it, and I still use it 5 times a week. I know that sometimes it won’t read correctly and I am bummed by that. But I don’t have anything better.

This review is from: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device (Electronics)

I was concerned about this product because of the negative reviews and particularly about the heart monitor. But I received it the next day after ordering from Amazon – whose service continues to get better for me – and I immediately charged the battery and then set up my profile.

The next morning I used it for the first time and the heart rate monitor worked flawlessly for me. The GPS was exceptional as well. The heart rate monitor worked as well or better than my trusty Polar and they agreed with each other, too.

The only negatives I experienced were: 1) that the unit seemed a little bulky to me at first but I gradually became accustomed to it; 2) the lap button is near the start/stop button and I run in the dark so I had a bit of trouble with laps. I think I’ll get the hang of the buttons soon.

Also the Training Center software did not work and I had to download the latest version from the web site. But I like the training center software just fine for my needs.

I would recommend it.

This review is from: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device (Electronics)

Let me start by saying I use the forerunner mostly on my bicycle. I don’t have the mount as I just wrap it over my old bike computer.

I have had it about 3 months and I can’t leave the house without it. I ride my bike to work, which is about 3.5 miles away. I also ride three times a week at a nearby college since they have a nice mountain in the middle of campus.

On the road it is very accurate. In about 50 sessions I have had it lose a satelite once. I also don’t get a lot of cut off corners, but I think streets lend themselves well to GPS. For each ride home I use the Training Assistant and essentially race against my best time. It’s not perfect since it only shows you how you are doing against an average speed, instead of how you were doing during a sepecific leg. This has really made beating personal records a lot of fun.

Next often, I use the device in the woods. Here it is still invaluable, but it’s recption does suffer a little. I usually will lose the satelite several times during an hour ride, but often times I don’t notice it. It polls often enough that a few missed point has a minimal effect.

For climbs, it is excellent. It polls the satelite enough to provide an accurate detailed map. For downhills it polls the same amount, but my speed increases 10 fold and critical corners are missed during the polling. Downhills aren’t near as detailed as they should be.

I have used the device for running a few times, and really liked it. I am a stats freak and record every run and bike ride. This really eases the burden.

As I mentioned, I have had few problem with picking up the satelite. Even under trees, it’s reception is acceptable.

Battery life is excellent and when the battery dies you don’t lose all your data. It shuts down with enough power left to store the data.

Garmin is also pretty aggressive with their updates. The last update I installed actually improved my battery life and added new features.

Another feature that would be nice is to save routes with the personal trainer allowing you to save and use different times for different routes.

The Garmin PC software is very basic and the overlay maps stink. I do use it, but in conjuction with some freeware called SportTracks. It downloads maps from the USGS and they are much better than what garmin provides. You can also save images and upload your route to Google Earth. It will also figure out what the temperature was at the time you rode/ran.

The Forerunner has a very large memory. After at least 50 rides, I still have not had to clear the memory. I think I read that it can store up to two years of data.

The heartrate monitor has been a little flaky recently, but i suspect I just need a new battery. Once I break a sweat it works great. It could also be my chest hair causing poor conduction.

Support is not that great, at least via email. I asked a real simple question, but never got a reply. It wasn’t important enough to call, so I didn’t.

The forerunner is well made and waterproof, although make sure the USB slot is covered before you dip it in water! It is very feature rich and can be adapted to different styles of use.

Garmin is coming out with a new GPS just for bikes that fixes most of the flaws I pointed out.

If you keep track of every run, I think you can’t go wrong. if want to use it on a bike, wait for the bike specific one to come out later this year.

This review is from: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device (Electronics)

I dont like that you cant print your results from the workout from the software. The device isnt completely accurate on distance. Close, but not precise.

If you accept this then the Garmin 301 Forerunner is a great tool for excersize. The workout partner feature I use alot. You set your pace and the display shows you a partner keeping that exact pace. It then lets you know how far ahead or behind you are. It has high and low alarms for your pace as well as heart rates. You can easily customize your workout by workout time, pace or distance.

It will lose signal if you go under large trees or underpasses. I recently did a half marathon and lost signal when I went under the bridges. This caused a discrepancy in the overall distance.

The software lets you trend your data (distance, pace and heart rate) on overlapped or seperate displays.

I do like the Forerunner. Its just a training aide and does a good job at that.

If you are particular about your information being very accurate then you should get a different product.

Because of these slight inaccuracies it loses one star with me. Its still worth a solid 4 stars.

This review is from: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device (Electronics)

The Garmin Forerunner 301 is an incredible tool, but make no mistake–you will need to learn how to use it.

Basic functionality of gathering distance, pace, and time is easy–turn the Garmin on and press the start button. But if you want more, like a virtual partner, auto-lap markers or directions home, you need to spend some time playing with it and reading the manual.

I can guarantee that every minute you spend learning will be worth it, though. My favorite feature is the ability to set pace alerts. When running, the unit will signal me with one beep if I’m running 2:00/mile too fast and another beep if I’m running 2:00/mile too slow. It also auto-pauses when I stop and begins to record this as “rest time”. Oh yeah, and it will help you find your car in a parking lot.

There are many more features that can be used with this item, so I suggest you download the manual for more detailed info.

As for the accuracy of the GPS unit, it is excellent within standard GPS parameters. What the heck does that mean? No GPS can track you in a tunnel, and no GPS can track a moving target in a forest. (I’m sure the military has something for these applications, but we’re talking about a wristwatch priced in the low hundreds here) So when you run in an open field on a clear day, the Garmin will be nearly flawless. But when you run in the city or in a park, be prepared for some inaccuracy. If you hit open sky every once in a while, you should be fine, but just be aware that it will not be perfect.

Some tips:
1. Each time you’re out for a run, wait for the Garmin to acquire its signal before starting. A little bit of patience pays off when your start location is accurate.
2. All data produced by the GPS is a “best estimate”. Don’t get worried if your pace alert says that you’re running at 2:15 minutes per mile. Wait a second and it will clear up (unless you really are that fast!)
3. The Garmin probably uses the same Mini-USB connector as your digital camera, so try it out before swapping cables!

In short, if you are willing to take the time to understand the Forerunner 301, you will LOVE it. If reading the manual and minor tinkering is not for you, then you might want to think twice. Have fun!

This review is from: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device (Electronics)

I’m an avid cyclist who loves gadgets. I purchased the Forerunner 301 several months ago and overall I’m disappointed. The Forerunner 301 is not particularly good at any of its tasks. As a GPS it frequently looses its signal. This may seem tolerable but if like me you like to keep records of your cycling performance (ie average speed, top speed, distance, etc) the 301 is mostly useless. The signal drops will result in loss of top speeds and very erratic high speeds when you are standing still. Mine has recorded speeds as high as 60 mph. The graphs indicate that I achieved this speed vertically while waiting for a traffic light. To be fair, I tend to ride roads that often have a lot of tree cover but comparatively my Magellan Gold GPS generally will keep its signal much more solidly than the 301. As a heart rate monitor… well read the other reviews – it too can be very erratic at times. And last but not least – the software. Garmin’s Training Center software is woefully inadequate. As a result I signed up for the MotionBased subscription service. The folks at MotionBased are I believe truly dedicated to trying to provide a quality service. It just isn’t there yet. Further, why do I want to upload my result sets to an internet based subscription service for analysis? I’d rather purchase PC software that runs on my local PC and avoid the common upload and connectivity issues associated with MotionBased or any other WEB based service. If you are looking for a great tool for recording and analyzing your cycling performance then buy a Polar. I own a Polar S720i and a Polar 725. Both have performed extremely well. Polar’s software, while not perfect, is light years ahead of Garmin’s Training Center and well ahead of MotionBased. So in short my recommendation is buy a Polar S725 for cycling and heartrate analysis. For GPS capability, take a look at the Garmin eTrex series or the Magellan Meridian series.

Price:$43.99

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This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

The GPSMAP76CS continues the evolution of Garmin’s GPSMAP line of GPS receivers. It is well-suited for walking, car navigation and casual marine use. I already own a GPSMAP76S. The major advances of the 76CS are:

(1) Color TFT screen – makes it so easy to see your maps and data; it’s bright and sharp, easy to read in any light. The variable-level backlight is great in low-light situations. The night-time color scheme is pretty cool, too. You can have the receiver automatically switch between day/night color schemes at sunrise/sunset, or manually select the mode. There are several alternate color schemes for day or night-time use.

(2) Point-to-point automatic routing – works very well. There are two audio-visual prompts for each turn, one about a minute before, and again (with a different tone sequence) about 10 seconds before the turn. You can choose from several different tone sequences, but I’m happy with the defaults. The prompts display a zoomed-in view of the intersection (great for tricky interchange exits and ramps). If you miss a turn, it re-calculates your route to get you to the next point, or your destination. Generally it uses the most major roads available for routing. For areas that I know well, I may take a local road that I know will get me where I’m going sooner. When driving in unfamiliar territory, I rely on the route it calculates for the most part. Apparently, you can select variations on the routing algorithm on the “follow roads options” page: Car/Motorcycle (the one I use), Truck, Bus, Emergency, Taxi, Delivery, Pedestrian and Bicycle. I haven’t tried any of the other routing options yet. Overall, I would give the routing capability 4 stars.

(3) Customizable page sequence – in my other Garmin GPS receivers, you can cycle through the main pages forwards or backwards, but you can’t change the sequence. The 76CS lets you add, remove, or move individual pages within the sequence. I put the pages I use most often next to each other; I like this feature.

(4) Recent Finds page – a new feature and real time-saver when I want to go to a place that I’ve looked up before. I use this page so often, I added it to my main page sequence. However, I discovered you can bring up the Recent Finds page by pressing the Find button twice.

(5) More memory – 115 MB stores detailed map data from optional Mapsource CD ROM sets. I was able to load all of North Carolina and about half of South Carolina and Virginia from the North America City Select database. This is nearly 5 times the memory of the 76S!

(6) USB connection – my old 76S (with serial connection) takes the better part of an hour to load a full 24MB map set from the Mapsource CD ROMS. The USB connection on the 76CS makes loading the full 115MB much quicker. Also, loading waypoints, routes and tracks between the receiver and PC is way faster now.

Garmin periodically updates their GPS receivers’ software, and you can easily download the updates from the Garmin website. They have already posted an update to the GSPMAP76CS (version 3.40 was released June 8, 2004).

Quibbles: as mentioned in another review, you can’t customize the data fields display to show small data fields three-across, as you can with the 76S. Admittedly, the small data fields on the 76S are hard to read while driving; I would consider this a minor setback for the 76CS. One can still display up to 4 data fields in large or medium size as an option on several of the pages, much like the 76S.

One feature of the 76S that I like is the ability to show the name of the upcoming cross-street (when lock-on-roads is enabled). This is a useful feature when you’re just cruising around an unfamiliar part of a city. At first, I thought this was missing from the new 76CS, but I discovered that when the map has guidance text turned on all the time (instead of only when the unit is actively navigating) then when not navigating, the text area displays the upcoming street name. Another great feature of the 76S which carried over to the 76CS: graphic editing of a route. When the “use map” option is selecting while editing a route, move the pointing arrow to touch a route segment. The segment then appears as a dotted line, and if you press the Enter key, acts like a tight rubber band attached to the panning arrow. One can then move the panning arrow to any other map feature (for example an intersection) and press Enter to add an intermediate route point. I’ve found Garmin’s manuals provide a good introduction to basic operation, but may not cover all the features. However, I’ve found the 76CS operation to be fairly intuitive.

Now for the major gripe: to enter text or numbers, Garmin has reverted to the character matrix format (found, for example, on the Etrex Vista), where you move the cursor about a grid of letters and numbers, press Enter to select that character, then move the cursor to the next character, etc. Finally, you move the cursor to the “OK” spot on the grid and press Enter. On the 76S there’s no character grid, you just cursor left to clear a field, cursor up to advance the current letter or down to move back through the character set, then cursor right to select the next character, etc. I found this method fairly intuitive and much easier to use on the fly. Hopefully, Garmin will fix this in a future software update.

As with the GPSMAP76S, the sensors are a useful feature, particularly while walking. The compass can be used for getting a bearing while standing still, and the barometric altimeter provides useful information for those of us who just have to know, “how high (or low) are we?”. If you don’t need these features, the GPSMAP76C should work just as well at a lower price. Garmin’s GPSMAP60C / 60CS have the same color screen and similar software, but only 56 MB of memory in a smaller unit. Nearly all Garmin GPS receivers have rugged, waterproof cases, but I prefer the 76-series size and flat shape. They even float!

If you’re looking for a general-purpose, easy-to-read, easy-to-use mapping GPS receiver, you need look no further than the GPSMAP76CS (or GPSMAP76C without compass and altimeter). Garmin got it right with this one!

This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

The Garmin 76CS is a major improvement over the Garmin 76S, which I also own. (See my review of the 76S on Amazon.com.) Not that the 76S is bad; it’s a fine unit. But the 76CS is better in significant ways.

Specifically:

1. The batteries last much longer, despite the more sophisticated color display. I haven’t managed to get the battery power to drop below 75% yet. In addition, the 76CS allows you to specify whether you’re using NiMH or NiCad batteries.

2. The color display is much easier to read than the grayscale on the 76S. The main reason I bought the 76CS is that I found the 76S’s grayscale display difficult to read in national forests using the Mapsource topographical maps, because the background (green) shows up as a solid gray.

3. The display automatically changes its color scheme after dark, and the default nighttime display is dazzling. It’s eerie to be riding my mountain bike after dark, push a button to light up the nighttime display, and feel like I’m reading the data panel of a modern jet.

4. The antenna is much more powerful. With the 76S, I would regularly receive no-satellite-reception messages when I went under tree canopies. This rarely happens with the 76CS.

So why four stars rather than five, given that I gave the 76S five stars when I reviewed it a couple of years ago? It’s because I’m now better acquainted with the quirks of these units, and Garmin hasn’t fixed all of them. Here are a few:

1. The compass is always demanding that you hold the unit level even when you’re sure that you are. It is extremely finicky.

2. I can’t tell whether elevation readings are coming from GPS triangulation or the air pressure barometer. When it says “elevation,” what is it measuring against?

3. The follow-the-road navigation feature operates anomalously in this area. Recently, on a drive from Oakland to Sacramento, it kept urging me to exit on, e.g., a side street in Vallejo and a couple of freeway junctions that wouldn’t take you to Sacramento. In the Oakland-Walnut Creek area, it seems to think that Calif. Hwy. 24 is Mt. Diablo Blvd. and that Calif. Hwy. 13, the Warren Fwy., is Warren Blvd. Hwy. 24 was built around 1960. And I wonder if the Warren Fwy. was known as Warren Blvd. 40 years ago.

4. The trip data page won’t display maximum elevation. I believe you can still get maximum elevation, but if so, you have to go to another page.

Despite these reservations, I can highly recommend the Garmin GPSMAP 76CS. It is a wonderful GPS receiver.

This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

I have had this super gps for about 2 weeks. This is not for the faint at heart. The unit is PACKED full of items you may or may not ever use. The unit is definitely trying to be all things to all people.

This is not an exceedingly intuitive device, but after a couple of weeks I have most of it figured out. Plan on a fair amount of time, even to learn the basics. I wouldn’t recommend a wilderness adventure on the first day.

That being said, it is a wonderful mapping gps. I am a biologist, and needed it be able to stand up to field abuse at sea and on land. It performs VERY well in setting up routes, waypoints and tracking. I also decided to get the City Select software, which then turns into an car navigating gps. Very slick, easy to use, and big enough to read.

The software add-ons are quite expensive, so bear this in mind in your purchase price. You can not do road navigation unless you have the City Select or equivalent. I purchased the “Auto-Nav” kit, with an auto holder and dc power cord that attaches to the cigarette lighter. This also includes the City Select software, and the package was a great deal, just a bit more then the CD alone.

This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

I am writing this to hopefully prevent others from spending the kind of money I have in finding what I firmly believe to be an amazing piece of gear. I have purchased the following GPS items over the past 2 years:
1) ALK Co-Pilot Live Laptop v7 (4 stars) – good for street navigation. It gets somewhat confused on which road you are on when close and parallel). NOTE: I did not have a WAAS enabled receiver.
2) Delorme Earthmate with Street Atlas 2004 software – (1 star – software was awful).
3) ALK Co-Pilot Live Laptop v8 (4 stars) same problem as above. I went to website to purchase WAAS receiver and decided ALK was charging too much given what I had already paid for the software. This led me to GARMIN…
4) First purchased the GPS 18 OEM (a WAAS USB receiver for a laptop). I had intended to use it with ALK software, only to find out that Garmin and ALK don’t “talk to each other, i.e. Garmin uses proprietary language for this (USB (vs. serial)) receiver.
5) Purchased another GPS 18 WITH the MapSource City Select v6 software (now I have a receiver in my wife’s car as well).
MapSource Software comments: This software has a “Windows” type interface (compared to ALK which has it’s own screen layout – very good I might add) that enables you to get into the data. I find it more to my liking, but I am a bit of a computer person (not quite a geek, but an accomplished user).
6) Purchased Garmin US Topo because I wanted to go backpacking and was interested in reviewing the layout. (I don’t think ALK has this and I am not sure about Delorme).
7) Of course, now I wanted to be able to carry this excellent info with me, which led me to the GPSMap 76CS. After reviewing the various models, I decided to go with the larger memory model. Of coarse, since I was in sooo deep, I purchased the car power supply, the car mount, the bike mount, and case. This is getting way too expensive!
Having laid out my trip info on computer, was ready to move it to the 76CS, when I was told the City Select maps were locked! Since I had already registered my 2 USB (GPS 18s) receivers and the software will only unlock two at a time, I was forced to spend another $139 to unlock the 76CS. Now to the experience:

This unit does it all! The navigation on the road is as good if not better than using the PC – something that amazed me since the screen is so much smaller. This wasn’t the reason I purchased it, but I will no longer have to connect my PC in the car!!! I can’t say enough about the navigation and software.
I went for a 5 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail and had preloaded the TOPO maps as well. Worked like a charm. I had put in a few waypoints in case the trail was difficult to find (and it was in some areas) and I am really glad I did. I used the “TrackBack” function (for testing only) and it worked to perfection. Once home, I downloaded my hike into my computer and could review all of my hike, seeing the climb in elevation changes graphically, etc. Again, the combination of software and hardware is EXTREMELY powerful.

Pros:
1) Does it all. Great reception. Powerful software built-in. Rugged design. Changeable batteries.
Cons: 1) Price of all of this – hopefully someone will read this and realize the best way to go. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with the 76CS. Remember, the CitySelect software will unlock 2 units. After that you need to purchase another code.
2) As others have said, the software on the 76CS is not intuitive. If you hit menu again within submenus, many times there are additional options. But it really does cover everything. Good luck!

This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

Well, I was going on a day hike so that provided a good excuse to buy one of these things. We were going through old growth forest on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. We were not on a maintained trail and wanted to explore a small lake we had seen on satellite photos. The GPSMap 76CS performed as expected. I lost the satellite signals a number of times in the forest but I think this was because I held the unit incorrectly. This unit has a quad helical antenna and should be held in the vertical plane when signals are weak.

Being able to download the National Park Topos helped place us anytime we could get a signal. We were working very hard scrambling up a steep hill and being able to show all parties where we were and where our destination was helped diffuse the “this is taking too long, let’s head back” syndrome. The batteries held up fine with a lot of use during one day. I did find that the size/weight was a bit much if you’re trying to travel light. After I got back I had second thoughts about the wisdom of buying this unit primarily for hiking because of the size and weight. I looked at the Geko and color eTrex units and concluded that for hiking, the new color eTrex Vista C would probably have been a better choice for me. The Geko can’t download topos, the screen is tiny and the AAA batteries don’t last long enough.

Anyway, the compass and altimeter features on the GPSMap 76CS worked well too. The memory on this unit is total overkill. I downloaded all the Mapsource topos for the Puget Sound area and a number of topos for the Olympic National Park and adjacent forest from the US Topo 24K CD. That took 5 meg of the unit’s 125 meg of memory. Yes, I know this unit is more of a marine unit or car unit so it was my mistake. If a marine application is what you are looking for, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. If you want to go hiking, get the eTrex Vista C.

This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

I got the gpsmap 76cs just in time for a trip to Alaska. So far the unit is great. It acquires satellites faster than my old gpsmap 76, which is a much appreciated improvement. The new screen is great. Clearly readable without backlight in many different lighting conditions. The color is does not make the screen look washed out or illegible as with other units I have seen.

The new operating system is quite good though I have a few quibbles. The unit will not display as many data fields in certain views as the old operating system but it is also less cluttered. I have also always wondered why Garmin does not include GPS elevation as a data field choice. The lack of an SD card slot is mildly annoying but 115 mb with a USB port is a big improvement.

I would recommend this unit to anyone who is looking for a high quality color GPS. It is also worth noting the Garmin is really good about providing free updates to operating software.

This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

This is the first gps unit I have bought, and it does most everything I hoped it would. I can load up both the city select maps and the topographic maps at the same time (you do have to pick which one to view, though, since it only displays one at a time) so I can navigate over the roads to a national park, then switch to the topographic map & go hiking.

Getting the 76 with its 115MB of memory was definitely a good idea–I took a trip of several hundred miles including a couple of major urban areas and I needed about 70MB to put in full detail maps of everything along my route.

Another thing I like is the AA batteries. One set lasts about a day and a half for me (a day being 10-12 hrs of continuous use), so if I am camping I just take a few extra sets and swap batteries when they get low (I don’t know what you do with rechargables when there is no electricity!)

A pleasant surprise was the sunlight-readable color display–it really is readable in direct sunlight! (unlike my cell phone’s color display)

It did take me several hours of playing around & a couple of test runs before I got familiar with it, but in the end it became pretty easy to use.

This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

Let me say up front that I bought the 76cs almost exclusively for marine navigation. It is a great little GPS for that purpose and I’m sure it’s equally good for hiking. There are a lot better choices for auto navigation but I’m totally happy with it for my purpose.

I was initially quite skeptical that a handheld’s small screen real estate could be useful as a chart plotter. Nonetheless, I purchased and installed the Blue Chart Americas CD and activated the Caribbean charts. After 2 weeks of constant use sailing in the Windward Islands, I’m astounded at how well it works.

With the ‘declutter’ mode engaged, the screens show an appropriate level of detail and the display has excellent visibility in direct sun. Although the backlight is adequate for viewing in bright conditions under a boat’s bimini, I found that I actually preferred to hold it out in the direct sunlight. I particularly like the ability to customize the paging sequence and the autozoom feature is handy as well.

There is nothing intuitive about the interface but after I got over the learning curve, I was surprised how quickly I could get to the info I needed. Entering lat/lon waypoints is never going to be fun without a keyboard, but is certainly manageable. If you plan ahead, you can enter them on a PC and download them.

A storage card slot would be nice but the entire Caribbean chart set used less than 1/4 of the available memory and on the plus side the unit really is waterproof. The battery life is about as advertised and you can really stretch it by turning it off and on as you need it because it gets a fix in about 15 seconds if you haven’t moved too far.

Highly recommended!

This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

I purchased the Garwin 76CS, then soon afterward purchased both MapSource ‘Bluechart’ and MapSource ‘City Navigator’. The 76CS seems to be in perfect working order, however, once I installed both MapSource programs and unlocked them, either the MapSource programs or my computer will not recognize the GPS unit. I have tried to update the drivers to no end, and I am still having no luck. I have spent around 4 hours on the phone with someone in Garmin’s technical department; this has not solved my problem.
If anyone has had a simular problem with getting MapSource to recognize the GPS 76CS unit, [...]Thanks.
KA

This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76CS 1.5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS (Electronics)

If your on the road or in the boat, this is the GPS for you. Has been Great. The only thing better would be Voice Navigation in the car but it does beep when a turn is coming. Highly recommend the device. The magnetic compass keeps you pointed in the right direction even when at idle.

Price:$13.95

Price:$183.61

Price:$1,999.00

Price:$40.95

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Price:$154.98

Price:$284.58

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

The TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with U.S. Maps is one of many new updated GPS units available this fall. It is compact and well designed. And for those with more extensive foreign language needs than the standard “English or Spanish” options included with most beginner units, the two dozen included screen languages and even more spoken languages will blow you away.

Perhaps the overall best feature is the “map-share” updates that allow users to alert when a route has been closed or changed due to construction. Instead of having to pay and wait for next years update, if you subscribe to this you get it for free! Additionally, the TomTom’s safety features are also head and shoulders above the competition. The included menu allows you be alerted with speed warnings, traffic cameras, and even directions to emergency services via the one touch “Help Me!” menu.

However, there are some basic features missing, including an SD memory card and text to speech directions. While I do not intend to outline all the features of competing products, I am going to compare this product where relevant to show users where they might need to consider other options. I personally have owned many Garmin models, one Magellan Maestro and a starter Navigon unit. There are even many more options on the market today, but I believe most users should be choosing from these four brands for a starter unit.

PROS:
+ Great compact starter GPS unit with convenient all-in-one form factor
+ The “map-share” updates are the killer app of the TomTom GPS line; bad routes are corrected by users like you, and you can get the updates with the application
+ Comes with a GPS, USB PC syncing cable, car power adapter and mounting disk
+ The included integrated mount is more convenient, though it mounts closer to the window than I would like
+ An updated map is provided free of charge if they come out within 30 days of purchase
+ Add-on applications and updates are not all free but still priced better than Garmin’s
+ AWESOME safety feature extras to alert for driving breaks, speed limits and thresholds
+ Also warns you by default to remove the unit when you reach your destination
+ Cool safety camera alerts give you audio and video of cameras on your route
+ “Help Me!” emergency menu directs you to emergency services with one click
+ Status bar preferences also allow extra features (compass, next street, etc.)
+ Many more included car symbols than Garmin or Magellin
+ Includes a pedestrian mode comparable to Garmin’s under “planning preferences”
+ Interface Includes icons to alert you when you are nearing POIs
+ Does seem to update route changes faster than other models
+ Gives you the option to automatically avoid delays with traffic updates (though receiver is sold separately and it’s not clear if and where one can be connected to this model)
+ The TomTom Home application makes it VERY EASY to update settings and download software extras
+ Still displays info even without a connection, unlike the Garmin models which sometimes *hide maps* till they find the signal again
+ While it is equally poor at acquiring signals as other models, it does seem to hold signals better than others
+ Incredible spoken and display language options give you almost 25 language options!!!

CONS:
- No SD memory card slot!!! That means internal memory is your absolute limit; new maps may replace old ones, and you will have to update for each new map with a computer when travelling, while with the Garmin you could simply bring all your maps on cards
- The power / USB connection port is recessed into the bottom of the unit; this may make it hard to use some standard USB cables to connect to your computer in a pinch
- The standard USB connection cable has a connector that is at a right angle, which keeps it out of the way but also makes it harder to remove
- Dashboard mount disk must be stuck with adhesive to your dash; Garmin friction mount is better, though they do sell alternative mounts that are comparable for the TomTom
- Need an additional attachment for traffic service (though not great in all areas)
- Must hold on/off button for a long time when turning on
- Did not come pre-charged, like my Garmin did
- Software interface is not as slick as others like the Garmin and the Navigon
- Neither the 2D nor the 3D views are as attractive as any of the other brands
- Not the least expensive starter unit on the market
- Does not include text to speech to give you spoken street names
- No included Bluetooth connectivity to pair with your smart phone for hands free operation
- Traffic receiver is sold separately and it’s not clear if and where one can be connected to this model
- Won’t alert you to missed turns and will automatically recalculate, which may not always be ideal
- Equally poor at acquiring signals as other models
- Without a signal, the screen gives you much less device information (such as battery life)

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The product description notes this unit as “widescreen.” It is not really widescreen. This is the standard 3.5 inch size that all starter units come in. In fact, though the body seems slightly more narrow than the Garmin 200 series, the screen is exactly the same size. The Garmin simply has a larger border area around the screen. It’s adequate for me, but those with weak eyes often prefer the 4.3 inch widescreen models.

The description seems to indicate that this unit includes Bluetooth, which it doesn’t as far as I can tell. Bluetooth has become an almost standard feature for GPS unit. If I can find a way to pair my BT phone with it, I will update this. But this seems like a typo to me.

FEATURES VERSUS THE COMPETITION

Garmin has been feverishly updating their lineup, and the entry level unit that compares most closely with the TTO125 is the Garmin nüvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator. It is one of several updated models in the 200 series. Like this unit, it has a similar size and form factor.

The Navigon 2200T 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator includes the additional features of text-to-speech (for street names) and free traffic alerts. It’s also much slicker and has a 3D reality view that is best among all manufacturers. Similarly the Magellan Maestro 3250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator adds a host of features, though the improved looks are still a notch below Navigon. It also includes maps of all of North America and Mexico standard. However, neither Magellan’s nor Navigon’s data updates are as good as TomTom’s. Still, given all the extras, they are both strong competitors as well.

Some of the higher-end 4.3 inch wide Garmin versions like the Garmin Nuvi 205W and Garmin Nuvi 255W offer more features and a bigger screen.

Learning where to go in the menu to change settings also seemed less intuitive than the Garmin. One thing I may have to wait a year to learn is whether they are going to spam me with *map update* sales pitches like the Garmin does.

Like all GPS units, this one also has the dreaded delay in finding satellites, particularly when indoors. However, once you do find a satellite this unit seems to hold the signal well. While satellite acquisition seems about the same on all my units, holding the signal was better on the TomTom.

CONCLUSION

This is a GPS unit that covers the basics very well and has many more software options than entry level models from the competition. Thanks to map-share and TomTom Home, the data seems to be updated better than units from Garmin, Navigon or Magellan. So if you need a starter GPS, this gives the Garmin a run for its money.

But the included features, even for base models, are not nearly equivalent to competing units. The look and feel is also not nearly as slick, though that should matter less than features and functions to most people.

But of course, value is a concern. For the price of Garmin’s maps, they have guaranteed I will probably never buy an update from them. With the TomTom, investing in extra apps or updates might actually be a little easier to swallow. But the prevailing prices for the Garmin units themselves, including the 205, 255, and 255W, make most of them a better value. The 205 sells for about 20% less than this model, and the wider screened 205W goes for around the same price. Even a few 600 and 700 series models are not too far off in price. And many models from Garmin, Navigon and Magellin also include Bluetooth connectivity and free traffic updates.

If you need the frequent updates and extra choices in languages, the TomTom One 125 wins hands down. Similarly, the safety features are really tops in this product category. Some may just want the TomTom because they prefer the simpler looking interface. But considering the greater number of features and lower costs of most comparable Garmins, many will opt for one of those models instead.

Enjoy.

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

With the acquisition of the TomTom One, I now have GPS navigation systems from all three major companies. The TomTom One stands up to both the Garmin Nuvi and the Magellan Maestro, although its pros and cons are quite different.

I like that you merely have to tap the screen anywhere to get the menu. This unit has a wealth of options, including several voices and languages for spoken directions and route types, including limited speed and bicycle routes. You can select from several different “cars” to show your location and different map colors. The available options are too numerous to list here, but they exceed both the Garmin nüvi 650 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and the Magellan Maestro 3100 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator. But how does the TomTom navigate? The mapping software is much better than the Maestro and equal, maybe even slightly better, than the Garmin. However, its user interface isn’t always the best. For example, to cancel a route, you have to go to the second page of options. If you miss a turn, it doesn’t tell you (both Magellan and Garmin give a “recalculating” message), giving you a chance to turn around, and instead moves silently to the next version of the route.

Pros:

– Spoken directions in advance. For example, “Take left ahead, then in a half a mile, turn right.” The others only give you both turns if they will occur within a few seconds of each. You don’t have to remember both directions because it will still say “Turn left” when it’s time to make the route change. (Also see cons.)
– Reliable mapping software. It was the only one of the three to recognize that I wanted to take a certain road when I made a turn. The others tried to get me back to the predetermined route. Equivalent or better than the Garmin. Much better than the Magellan.
– Fold up stand that can stick to a windshield (if legal in your state) or to a mounted disk. When the stand is folded up against the body, it can be easily slipped into a purse or crowded glove box.
– Lots of options to personalize the unit.
– The set up is more compatible than the other two for removing this from your car and using it as a walking or biking GPS.
– No annoying “recalculating” messages when you decide on a different route. (See Cons.)

Cons
– The points-of-interest are woefully inadequate. If you want to find a specific store or restaurant, you may need the address.
– Satellite pick-up can be slow, about the speed of the Garmin, but not nearly as fast as the Magellan. If you are sitting in the driveway, this isn’t a problem; however, it can be if you’re already driving in an unfamiliar area.
– The directions-in-advance can be confusing. “Left turn ahead”‘ can mean that you take a left turn in two miles. It does not mean that you are almost at the turn.
– The unit must be manually turned on and off. Both Garmin and Magellan ask if you want to continue on battery power. The TomTom assumes that you do, thus draining the battery if you forget to turn it off.
– It does not tell you if you’ve missed a turn.

My ideal GPS unit would be to take the TomTom mapping, the Garmin user interface, and the Magellan satellite pick-up, but alas, customers will have to choose. Because all three do the job, I recommend identifying the options most important to you and then comparing prices.

– Debbie Lee Wesselmann

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

My brother got a TomTom special edition on Black Friday last year at Best Buy for $99, so I jumped on the ONE 125 model for $99 when it was offered on Amazon this year. Overall, there were several features that I liked about the product, but once I got acquainted with my TomTom, the shortcomings were too great to overlook. Here’s the rundown of my likes/dislikes:

LIKES:
*Innovative and compact mount

*Map corrections available through online community helps keep maps up-to-date for free.

*Arrangment of trip information at bottom of screen

*Easy-to-use menus

*Lots of user options to customize map colors, trip information, etc.

*Great price for A-to-B navigation

DISLIKES:
*No multi-point routing (itinerary planning). This feature was available in last year’s special edition for $99, but was removed from the ONE 125. This is a must-have for my motorcycle trips.

*Point-of-Interest database is lacking, especially compared to Garmin’s (My wife has an older Garmin model).

*Firmware apparently has not been updated to work with the “Send To” function from Google Maps as advertised. I tried confirming this with TomTom’s customer suppport, which leads to the next point.

*Poor customer support. After 10 days, I have given up trying to get a response from their on-line support. Don’t know good the phone support is, but you will not get a response within the 1-2 business days promised online.

If you are looking for a basic navigation system and don’t need customer support, this is a great unit. I decided to upgrade to a more feature-packed unit to address my dislikes above and add features such as a wider screen/text-to-speech. I considered the TomTom XL330S and the Garmin Nuvi 750, which I found for $199. After reading further reviews, I decided on the Garmin because of its superior POI database and consistently positive reviews.

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I’ve had the 125 for about two weeks and really like it. Although this is the first GPS I have owned, I have had limited experience with units in rental cars (Hertz NeverLost). It was hard to decide which starter GPS brand to buy, but I decided on the TomTom from the good reviews and a very positive experience I had with the way it maps a few years back.

A fellow from England was in a training class with me about 4 years ago in the San Jose, CA area and he had a pocket PC with GPS software from TomTom. We were headed to a Sharks hockey game in two cars, with me riding with him. It sure seemed like the TomTom was taking us on a different route than I would have taken, but we arrived at least 15 minutes before the other car. That always stuck in my mind and ultimately swayed my decision to go with a TomTom. I’m sure a lot of the differences between brands are a personal preference like a Coke or Pepsi thing.

I got this a few days before we flew to FL so I gave it a good test running around KY. Some of the routes it chooses aren’t exactly like my “shortcuts”, but it never took me on an obviously wrong route and truth be told, some of my “shortcuts” probably aren’t as quick as the routes the TomTom plots. Depending on the route, if you go a different way, it will attempt to guide you back to the planned route or plot new directions according to the street you turned on. This recalculating happens pretty fast and I was pretty impressed with it. This little GPS had two hospitals I was looking for in small towns in its’ POI database and it plotted good routes to/from each of them.

Then we flew to Orlando where I rented a car and when this little guy really came in handy. It took us from the airport to a hotel at Disney where my wife was staying for a conference. Then the next day it took us to Port Canaveral where we were leaving on a cruise. It also guided me from the port to Cape Canaveral where I dropped off the rental. One thing I like about this TomTom is it lets you know in plenty of time which direction you’ll be turning next so you can get in the correct lane.

The only problem I had in FL was when I first left the rental car garage. These little guys don’t really pick up a satellite signal indoors so it took a few minutes when I pulled out of the garage for it to find the satellites. That seems to be common with all GPS units and because mine was in a different state from where it was last used it probably had to search longer for the signals. There is a program you download and update weekly from TomTom called QuickGPSfix that is supposed to speed that process up, unfortunately I didn’t have that program installed yet.

This little GPS has answered four of my main concerns about a small entry level GPS:

1. The sound will be too hard to hear or understand while driving.
A: The volume is loud enough for me to hear when it isn’t even set at max volume.

2. The small screen will be hard to read and hard to see in sunlight.
A: Neither of those concerns about the display have been a problem at all.

3. Sure the GPS units all have good maps of the main cities, but what about small rural areas?
A: I haven’t found that to be a problem either.

4. The older units had an external antenna, will a GPS this small with a built in antenna be able to pick up signals in rural areas?
A: No problems yet picking up a signal unless I’m inside something like a parking garage. From my understanding it isn’t your geographical location that would cause a problem but tall buildings or mountains blocking the signals.

I have absolutely no regrets buying this for the Black Friday special of $100 and I already saved $16 by not having to rent a GPS in the rental car I had in FL.

Is this little GPS perfect, no, it does have some limitations but for an entry level GPS I’d say that is to be expected.

Not every POI is listed in the database, but there are sure a lot of them, I even found my favorite pizza joint in Reynoldsburg, OH listed (Massey’s Pizza). If where you want to go isn’t listed you can easily enter the address and even save it as a favorite.

As noted this model (like most in this price range) doesn’t have text-to speech, so instead of saying `turn left on Elm Street’, it just tells you to ‘turn left in so many yards’ and then to ‘turn left now’. You can set the preferences to show the name of the next street/route you’ll be turning on next at the bottom of the screen. I find that feature to be very helpful and perhaps more useful than hearing a computer generated street name get mispronounced.

I’m not sure if this is a problem or not, but there is no external slot for a memory card. I guess that would only be a problem if the next map update exceeded the available memory.

Here on Amazon they list a new feature called Send Addresses Directly from Google Maps or Mapquest. When I tried that with Mapquest the button was only valid for Garmin units and Google Maps wouldn’t send to my unit either. I think the problem with Google Maps is the computer software (TomTom Home) has not enabled the feature to operate the GPS from your computer. Since the 125 is a new model I’m not sure if that will ever be corrected or not, but it would be nice to send locations from a map program into your favorites.

Being an entry level GPS it looks like it will serve my needs well. It will also help me determine if any features on a more costly unit would be worth doing an upgrade. Maybe next Black Friday will be another great deal with even more features.

I haven’t really used the suction cup mount yet; I just keep in on the center console of whatever I am driving. Since I usually drive a mini-van where the windshield is a long reach I’ll look into a dash mount. I found this to be a very easy to use device and right after I opened the box I had it in the car plotting a route to a restaurant we were heading to that night.

If anyone is interested this only has the maps of the United States, but just for kicks I turned it on while we were at sea on the cruise. While it obviously couldn’t map where we were it did pick up satellite signals and listed our direction, speed, and location via Latitude and Longitude.

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I have an Allen Sports Navigator Mobile Phone Software and Bluetooth GPS Device that works through your cell phone, but my phone screen is very small. When I received the `Tom Tom ONE 125′, I was amazed at how easy it was to setup and use. I had once visited a friend 65 miles away and it took me almost two hours, due to not being familiar with the area. With the Tom Tom, I was there in one hour. Even when I took the wrong highway (on purpose), the Tom Tom recalculated my route with the same destination.

The Tom Tom is all touch/tap controlled on the screen. The driving view is in a nice perspective or plan view (2D) giving you plenty of warning both verbally (you can pick from eleven English voices and several other languages) and visually (large crisp screen). Some of the great features are its easy Tap to zoom in/out, showing you your current location, names of roads you are on and near, trip time, remaining distance and arrival time. The GPS signal strength is strong. Only once did it get lost through a tunnel and it recalculated itself within a minute.

To navigate an upcoming trip, just tap the intuitive screen and select “Navigate to…”. You can enter an address with a small keyboard (i.e., street, house number, town). You’re done.

Some cool features:

*Shows current time
*Navigate to any address
*Add any address or location (ATM, restaurant, gas station, etc.) to Favorites
*`Help Me’ feature that addresses `phone for help’, `drive to help’, `walk to help’, `where am I?’, `First Aid Guide’.

Change preferences allow you to:
*Use night colors
*Show your Points of Interest (POI) on a map and warns you when you are near one
*Guided Tours of Tom Tom
*Safety preferences (seven items you choose like, `warn not to leave device in car’, `warn when driving faster than speed limit’, `suggest driving breaks’, etc.
*Turn sound On or Off with a Volume control
*Display the status bar horizontally or vertically
*Can be set to specific units, clock, keyboard, car symbol, brightness, map colors, left-handed option, language (other than English) and more

The only thing I did not like was the fact that you can only update maps for FREE the first 30 days after purchase. However, this version of the Tom Tom is simply easy to use (I could learn to use the functions before I read the manual). The voice and map (a perfect 3.5 inch screen) are a solid reassurance that you are headed in the right direction. In fact, it guided me to my own driveway parking spot and my parking stall at work. I would recommend updating maps with its easy USB port every six months or so, like all other GPS devices (the `Allen Navigator GPS’ is the only self-updating GPS on the market). I highly suggest reading the manufacturer’s list of functions here on Amazon to get a FULL picture of what this great GPS device provides. This is only a snapshot, but I am very happy with this unit.

Caution: California does not allow windshield mounted devices for safety, and the adhesive mounting pad is a pain to get off. I’d suggest getting a weight mounted dashboard holder. Also, never try to use your Tom Tom while driving – pull over safely.

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I love Amazon. Thankfully they have a very liberal return policy which will allow me to return my recently purchased TT One 125. The unit does not allow input of addresses with letters or dashes. Where I live, nearly all addresses have a dash (i.e., 67-9876) so this unit is useless. I checked some online forums and this is a known issue that TT will not resolve. Their tech support is terrible and unresponsive. And I have read that their maps are way outdated.

I like the unit for its size and price (<$[...] here at Amazon) but the inability to do something as basic as entering an address is an unfortunate deal breaker.

If you don’t now need, and will never need, to input a street address with a dash or letter, then by all means buy this unit. Otherwise, most other GPS units (as well as the Magellan and Garmin units I tried at my local Costco) allow full address input including dashes and letters.

Some have suggested that I input cross street information but if I knew that much about where I was headed, chances are I wouldn’t need a GPS unit to begin with!

Thanks Amazon for saving the day again!

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I used my tom tom-one for a short 13 months when on it’s last ride, I touched the screen; heard and felt a little “zap” and the screen went blank and did not come back despite hitting the reset button. I called their service number and spoke with a very sympathetic woman who said she had never heard of this particular problem and then informed me that since I was one month outside of the warranty there was nothing she could do. They wouldn’t service it even if I wanted to pay for it. She did refer me to a manager who, via email, thanked me for being a loyal tom tom customer. That’s it!

I’m sure I’m better off with a different system. On many occasions when driving a route with which I was very familiar, tom tom would take me on a very bizarre route. Once, it thought I was on an access road when I was on a parkway and the voice kept telling me to turn left in 600 yards! If I wasn’t familiar with that road I would have caused a great deal of trouble if I had tried to turn.

I cannot in any way recommend a tom tom.

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I bought two units on sale for two employees to use in company vehicles on local trips around Los Angeles. Even here in one of the nation’s largest cities, the routes are not direct. From our office in the Santa Monica mountains it routed me a mile south, then a mile in the reverse direction back to an intersection I could have reached by simply heading half a mile north. Later, traveling north on Interstate 405, it had me exit the freeway and make three right turns on surface streets to get back on highway 90 West. Double checking with google maps, there is indeed a highway 90 West exit directly off 405 north about 1/4 mile after it had me exit. Now, maybe it’s somehow shorter to exit the freeway and get back on, but in LA traffic, it’s certainly not faster. I’ve never had these problems with a three-year-old Garmin unit I use for driving and flying.

The unit itself is nice enough with a clear screen, lightweight, and so on, but with such unreliable directions (both units we bought had the same problem), what’s the point?

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I spent two painful weeks with a Garmin Nuvi, and gradually watched my Mio C320′s maps get more and more outdated, so I was overjoyed when I found this for $79 in Best Buy. There was a $200 version with a wider screen, but being a cheapskate I opted for the smaller model. And for once, I made a good technological decision!

Highlights, in order of excellence, are:
- The unit starts up and locks satellites in seconds – it’s really fast. I live in San Francisco where the fog is a natural enemy of GPS, but little TomTom seems unfazed.
- The screen-mounting device is so elegantly simple that I’m amazed not all GPS systems work the same way. I can mount it in 3 seconds flat and it never falls off.
- The screen layout is the most intuitive of any I’ve seen. The map is clear, it shows speed (and speed limits), current time and estimated time, and upcoming instructions. It’s also easily configurable to add traffic cameras and anything else you choose.
- Searching for points of interest is rapid and accurate. Enter SFO instead of “San Francisco Airport”, or “Trader Joe’s” and it finds matches in no time at all. And you can enter zip codes, city centers and intersections without getting frustrated.
- The menu navigation couldn’t be easier, and even though the configuration options are extremely detailed, they’re easy to find and change.
- Selecting alternative routes (if you hit traffic, etc) takes two clicks without having to reenter everything over again. It also confirms if toll roads and HOV lanes are acceptable.
- The voice is clearer and louder than other systems I’ve tried.
- It changes between day/nighttime colors automatically on schedule.

… and best of all…

The integration with TomTom’s online features is absolutely flawless. You can add map updates from the user database of changes, meaning that the system is completely up to date whenever you plug it into a computer. There’s also some free maps (such as traffic cameras) which you can download and install in seconds. This feature alone makes it worth $79, since there’s no waiting for manufacturer updates or paying for new maps.

Overall, I don’t see how this system could be any better, especially for the price. The user interface beats every other system hands down (reminiscent of when I started using Google Chrome instead of Internet Explorer). I now understand why TomTom has such a loyal user base – buy one today!

PS – I’m not sure what the complaints are around multiple destinations since I entered several en-route to Los Angeles and had no issues here.

PPS – The integrated GPS in the Chevy Tahoe is a model example of how *not* to build a GPS system, in case you’re interested.

This review is from: TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I ordered two of these; one for my wife and one for myself. They arrived yesterday and I tried one. It seemed to work fine initially. After I used TomTom Home software to update the unit, however, it stopped working. The GPS would not come on or reset. It just cycled through three different screens over and over. Eventually, it got stuck on one screen and stayed there. I researched the problem on the Web and saw that others had the same or similar problems. I found instructions on how to fix the GPS from the TomTom web site and spent hours trying to get it to work, but the unit kept returning errors. Nothing would execute successfully. I tried backing-up the files and the unit wouldn’t perform a back-up either. I sent TomTom a request for help but I’m confident even if TomTom gets back to me with advice, the unit will not work. It is a DUD. I’m not sure if I’ll get another GPS. If I do, I can pretty much guarantee it won’t be a TomTom. My experience with this unit was too frustrating and disappointing. Both units are being sent back for a refund.

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