Handy Gadgets

PC Advisor have published a review of the TomTom-XL navigator. 'The XL is the first of a new breed of TomTom devices that sports a slimmed down cradle unit. For drivers fed up with the chunky cradles and curved armatures that usually accompany satnav units, the TomTom XL's new EasyPort mount design will be great news. The TomTom XL twists in and out of the circular retaining bracket and can be angled forward as far as you need so the screen is clearly visible to the driver. The whole setup of the TomTom XL feels secure and more robust - we managed to snap the top off the brittle stalk on a TomTom device we tested a year or so ago. The new design was therefore a reassuring development.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:15 PM | Permalink

A review of the Navigon 2100 max navigator has been posted over at PC Magazine. 'The 2100 max has three usage profiles (Car, Bike, and Pedestrian) as well as three route preferences (Fast, Optimum, and Short). Using the default settings (Car and Fast), the routes my test unit generated were identical to those calculated by other Navtec-based devices. I did note, however, that route calculation times were significantly longer than those of competing devices. For example, my extended trip test route (about 640 miles) took almost 80 seconds to compute. I've found that most TomTom units calculate the same route in about 10 seconds, while the Garmin nüvis take about 20 seconds—reasonable times. Eighty seconds feels like an eternity in comparison.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:10 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Navman S50 3D navigator. 'The Navman S50 3D also boasts Sirfstar's new InstantFixII technology. This effectively allows GPS devices to predict more effectively the position of satellites in the sky, resulting in (supposedly) a much faster time to initial satellite fix, especially when the device has been switched off for a few hours or more. But, though the S50 3D is pretty quick at picking up a signal lock - around a minute from off even in extremely challenging situations - it's not noticeably quicker than other sat-navs I've tested. It does, however, hold onto its signal well once locked on - more reliably than the Navigon 2100, for example, when the tall city buildings loom.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 1:42 PM | Permalink

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Magellan Maestro 5310 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS navigator. 'The Maestro 5310 has an attractive black and silver shell, and a thin profile (0.8 inches) for its size. Its bulky window mount, however, creates a package that isn’t going to fit easily into any glove compartment. You’ll find the standard Maestro interface on the 5310, which is a good thing. The straightforward menu options are easy for anyone to master

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:08 PM | Permalink

CNET have publsihed a review of the Garmin Nuvi 880 Portable GPS. Navigator. 'Like the rest of the Nuvi series, the Garmin Nuvi 880 is sleek, compact, and simple. It measures 4.9 inches wide by 3.1 inches high by 0.7 inch deep and weighs 6.2 ounces for easy portability between vehicles. The small size also comes in handy when using the it outside of the car as an entertainment device or travel aid, since the Nuvi comes loaded with games and travel tools

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:19 PM | Permalink

CBC News have published a review of the Garmin nüvi 680, Sony nav-u NV-U83T, TomTom Go 920, Mio Moov C200 and LG LN735 portable navigation devices. 'Handheld global positioning system (GPS) devices, once used only by the U.S. military, have become common consumer gadgets over the past decade as ease of use has improved and prices have nosedived. Research firm Gartner recently published data suggesting that annual sales of dedicated GPS devices will reach nearly 100 million units by 2010, and that half a billion mobile phones and PDAs will offer embedded navigation systems, as well. Meanwhile, prices for GPS technology keep dropping. While evaluating the five GPS devices in this roundup, it was more helpful to check their list prices at major Canadian electronics stores than to rely on manufacturers' suggested retail prices, which in some cases were several hundred dollars higher than what they were actually selling for

Continue reading "PND Review - CBC News" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:14 PM | Permalink

ZDNet have published a review of the new ASUS R700T [Portable Navigation Device]. 'At just 3.1 inches high by 5 inches wide by 3.1 inches high by 0.5 inch deep and weighing 7 ounces, the Asus R700t is one of the slimmest portable navigation systems we've seen in a while--quite a feat considering the number of features that are crammed into the device. On front, there's a 4.3-inch touch screen that shows off 65,000 colors at a 480x272-pixel resolution. The display has a light-sensing technology that will automatically optimize the backlighting for your current environment. During our test drives, we didn't have any problems viewing maps and the touch screen was responsive.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:20 PM | Permalink

A review of the Magellan Maestro 5310 portable GPS device has been posted over at PC Magazine. 'The Maestro 5310 features a 5-inch screen, but that doesn't mean you're getting more information on it. With the same 480-by-272 resolution found on the 4000 series of Maestros, the information on the screen just appears larger, making it easier to view for those in the, ahem, "bifocal set," or for those with an RV. The device measures 3.6 by 5.6 by 0.8 inches (HWD) and weighs 10.2 ounces. That's almost 0.1 inch thicker than the 3000 and 4000 series Maestros, and significantly heavier, to boot. The additional weight is due in part to the larger 2,200-mAh lithium ion battery with a claimed battery life of up to 3 hours. It also includes a built-in real-time traffic receiver.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 1:10 PM | Permalink

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Garmin nüvi 5000 GPS navigator. 'The screen seems to be the sole reason for the nüvi 5000’s supersized $799 price tag. Typically, a navigator at this price would have Bluetooth; the nüvi 5000 lacks this as well as a battery. That means you can only use it while it’s plugged into your car’s cigarette lighter port and your car is running. The nüvi 5000 does have a few extras, though. Connect it to your Mac or Windows computer via USB to drag in MP3s or JPEGs. Pictures looked fantastic on the large 800 x 480-pixel screen and showed great detail and rich colors. The music player is basic, with Repeat and Shuffle controls, and the device itself offers nearly 500MB of free storage. While the nüvi 5000 has an FM transmitter for enjoying music over the car stereo, it performed terribly in our testing. We could just barely make out songs through the static.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 4:43 PM | Permalink

Press Release

Dubai - March 25, 2008 -HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; "HTC"), the world's leading provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile® devices, today launched the HTC Touch Cruise(TM), the third member of the HTC Touch product family and the first to feature built-in GPS for personal navigation. Building on the popularity of the HTC Touch(TM) and the HTC Touch Dual(TM), the Touch Cruise also includes 3.5G-HSDPA wireless connectivity.

Continue reading "HTC Touch Cruise Brings Personal GPS Navigation to the HTC Touch Family" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:18 PM | Permalink

A review of the Mio Moov 310 portable navigation system has been posted over at CNET. 'Despite the Navman acquisition, the hardware of the Mio Moov 310 is decidedly Mio. It's got a sleek black casing and a slim rectangular shape that's similar to the Mio C520's, measuring 5.1 inches wide by 3 inches high by 0.7 inch deep and 6.4 ounces for easy portability. There's a spacious 4.3-inch touch screen on the front with an antiglare coating and 480x272 pixel resolution. The display is sharp, but colors tend to wash out a bit in bright daylight. You can, however, adjust the brightness and map colors (in addition to day/night/auto map color settings) to help improve the visibility.'

Continue reading "Mio Moov 310 Review - CNET" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:59 PM | Permalink

Digital Reviews Network have published a review of the Qstarz GPS BT-Q1000 Platinum Bluetooth GPS Travel Recorder. ‘The BT-Q1000P proved to be like Qstarz 's other GPS Travel recorder, the BT-Q1200, consistently faster in getting a position lock than my other GPS units my old Bluetooth GPS receiver and Navman GPS navigator. In comparison to the BT-Q1200, I would say there isn't any difference between the two - this should be not surprising given the two units uses the MTK GPS Module with 51-CH.Both the BT-Q1200 and BT-Q1000P managed to get a lock in the some notorously GPS unfriendly areas Sydney CBD without too long (approx 1-1.5minute cold start). Big ticks for cold start position acquisition and strength of signal acquisition. And both units managed to get GPS location locks even whilst traveling on Tangara trains - something my trusty old GPS unit didn't managed to do.’

Continue reading "Qstarz GPS Travel Recorder: BT-Q1000 Platinum Review - Digital Reviews Network" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:11 PM | Permalink

A review of the Mio DigiWalker P550 navigation PDA has been posted over at ZDNet. 'At 4.1 inches high by 2.4 inches wide by 0.6 inch deep and weighing in at 6 ounces, the Mio DigiWalker P550 carries a similar footprint to the HP iPaq rx5900, but we'd have to say the latter is the more attractive of the two with its glossy silver-and-orange casing and rounded edges. Now, we're not calling the P550 ugly, rather it's just a bit frumpy and pedestrian. Looks aside, the handheld is compact enough to carry and use on foot. Overall, it has a solid construction, though the back of the device has a slightly cheap, plasticky feel.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:06 PM | Permalink

A review of the Mio DigiWalker C620T satellite navigation device has been posted over at the Register Hardware. 'The C620 comes pre-loaded with Tele-Atlas maps for 22 Western European countries, and also has Bluetooth for hands-free calling and A2DP stereo streaming - yes, there's a built in MP3 player, along with a picture viewer and a contacts book. It comes with a year's worth of free speed camera updates via the Mio website. The base unit also has 2GB of memory and an SD/MMC slot. Mio claims the C620 will run for two hours on full charge, a claim we found to be almost spot on.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 4:17 PM | Permalink

A review of the Nextar Snap3 GPS Navigation System with MP3 + Bluetooth has been posted over at CNET. 'The Nextar Snap3 has a simple design and compact frame at 3.9 inches wide by 3 inches tall by 0.6 inch deep, so you'll have no problem carting this petite portable navigation system between vehicles. The front features a 3.5-inch touch screen that's bright and readable in various lighting conditions. That said, the display doesn't quite have the sharpness or crispness of some of the other systems we've tested.

Continue reading " Nextar Snap3 GPS Navigation System Review - CNET" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:18 PM | Permalink

PC Magazine have published a review of the HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion GPS device. 'Most GPS devices that are built around Windows CE 5.0 have processors that run somewhere between 300- and 400-MHz clock speeds. The iPAQ 310 gains considerably more power from SiRF Technology's new SiRFtitan 600-MHz ARM11 dual-core processor. A new integrated chipset, the SiRFtitan is essentially an SOC (system on chip), and the iPAQ 310 is the first product to use it. One core provides processing for an application, and the other core is an integrated vector floating-point unit for 3D graphic acceleration. The SiRFtitan also includes an ultrasensitive 40-channel GPS receiver.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:18 PM | Permalink

A review of the Mio DigiWalker C720t portable navigation device has been posted over at PC Mag. 'Before deciding if the C720t is for you, you should check to make sure that there's live traffic data available in your location. Current coverage information can be found here. The Radio Data System traffic receiver bundled with the C720t is built into the mounting cradle. When you snap the C720t into the cradle, it picks up power and data through connectors located on the bottom of the device. This is a more-effective configuration than ones that require you to connect both a power source and the FM antenna each time you insert the device into the bracket. Still, it's not as clean an installation as, say, Garmin's nüvi 760, which combines the RDS-FM receiver and antenna with the DC power cable that simply plugs into its bracket. With the C720t, the FM antenna is a long piece of wire with suction cups that attaches to your windshield. Though the Mio's RDS receiver works well, Garmin still has the best receiver/antenna implementation on the market.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:25 PM | Permalink

Personal Computer World reviews the Satmap Active 10 GPS unit which comes pre-loaded with full UK OS MiniScale 1:1m (raster) road mapping, and full GB OS Meridian 2 (vector) road mapping. ‘The chassis is both waterproof and shockproof, which means the 3.5in screen isn’t touch-sensitive. The six rubber buttons, which require a firm press, are assigned different functions relating to the menu you’re in. It can be powered by three AA batteries, with a lithium-ion pack and 12v in-car connection optional extras. During testing, after around four hours’ usage the remaining battery indicator still showed three bars out of four, but it then popped up with a critical battery alarm about one hour later.’

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:10 PM | Permalink

A review of the TomTom Go 720 portable navigation device has been posted over at PC Authority. ‘Although TomTom is the clear leader in the Australian satnav market, the firm isn’t resting on its laurels. The new Go 720 isn’t just bursting with features, but boasts some genuinely brilliant innovations which are sure to become the norm in the future. As well as using the latest version of the excellent Navigator guidance software and including the latest maps of Australia on its internal memory, there’s a bright 4.3in widescreen and integrated Bluetooth.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:22 PM | Permalink

Digital Reviews Network have published a review of the GlobalTop Touch G66 pocket GPS receiver. 'The GlobalTop Touch G66 has a very Nano-like, luxurious piano black finish. In the off mode, there is only a discreet GlobalTop branding on the top face, and a double circle on the bottom to indicate the location of the touch pad. To give an idea just how thin the G66 is, the overall thickness is only about 2.5 mm more than the mini-USB port which is located on the bottom of the device for charging.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 8:43 PM | Permalink

A review of the Qstarz Super 99 Bluetooth Solar GPS Travel Recorder has been posted over at Digital Reviews Network. 'After putting in the battery and pressing the power switch for 2 seconds, the unit powered up and operated straight away. Getting a Bluetooth connection proved to be painless and within minutes I’ve managed to connect the BT-Q1200 to my Nokia 6210 and Loox 720 pda. The GPS satellite discovery also worked smoothly and managed to get a lock without much delay. In fact, the BT-Q1200 consistently proved to be faster in getting a position lock than my other GPS units – the TomTom One XL, my old Bluetooth GPS receiver and Navman (being slower than the TomTom). It also seemed better able to get position lock in difficult areas – it managed to get a lock in some notorously GPS unfriendly areas including Sydney CBD and my home in suburban Sydney . So far so good, big ticks for cold start position lock and strength of signal acquisition.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 2:55 PM | Permalink

PC Magazine have published a review of the TomTom Rider portable GPS navigation system that comes equipped with mountings to fit most motorcycles and scooters. ‘One of the biggest challenges of developing a motorcycle GPS is how to mount the device securely, since a suction cup or a beanbag mount certainly won't do the trick. TomTom partnered with Ram Mount to produce a mounting kit specifically for the Rider 2, which works with most bikes. While the assembly procedure does take longer than sticking a suction cup to your car's windshield, it took me only about 10 minutes to set up a bike. The mounting kit employs a U-bolt to attach a bracket securely to the handlebar. The Rider 2 snaps into the mounting bracket with a reassuringly solid click and is easy to remove using the release bar.’

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:30 AM | Permalink

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Netropa Intellinav 3 portable device. 'The Intellinav 3 is a small, boxy unit with a 3.5-inch touchscreen and external controls for volume, power, and Standby mode. It comes with a 2GB SD Card, a clunky window mount, an outlet power cord, and a cigarette lighter power cord. While it can store MP3s and JPEG photos, you'll have to remove the SD Card if you want to put files on it, since the USB port is used only for charging the unit,

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 11:42 PM | Permalink

Personal Computer World have published a review of the Mio A501 PDA which is a fully functional GPS PDA and smartphone. 'Having launched its A701 PDA phone complete with GPS last year, Mio is no stranger to hybrid devices such as this. The A501 is essentially a smaller, slimmer and lighter version that manages to pack in a similar array of technology. Mio's trademark grey-and-silver colouring and a 2.7in display takes up most of the front panel. Instead of nestling a directional controller among the shortcut keys under the screen, you'll find it at the upper left-hand side. Quite what the reasoning was behind this decision we're not sure and, although we did find it useful for operating the screen one-handed, it's a bit awkward to use accurately.'

Continue reading "Mio A501 PDA Review - Personal Computer World" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 10:09 PM | Permalink

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the feature-packed Navigon 7100 GPS navigation device. 'The 7100 has a glossy black exterior that should look right at home in even the fanciest cars, and the 4.3-inch 16:9 widescreen was always bright and clear in our testing. At $649, this unit is more expensive than today's $300-to-$500 sweet spot, but its innovative features pay for themselves. For starters, traffic data is free--a rarity among GPS devices. We also like the Reality View, which offers a photorealistic view of tricky jughandles and turns, and Lane Assistant, which recommends the best lane for your route. Last but not least is integration with Zagat Survey ratings for nearly 70 cities--not so new for in-car navigation systems but a first for a standalone unit.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 12:39 PM | Permalink

A review of the Mio Digiwalker C320 satellite navigation device has been posted over at Computeractive. 'The Mio C320 is a sleek-looking, black unit that houses a clear and bright 4.3in touch-sensitive widescreen. The screen can be split into two, giving users the option to have the route displayed on one side while viewing speed, time, points of interest or route information on the other. It's something that may come in handy for those who don’t want to have to navigate out of the journey planner to view those details. The C320 uses a fast and accurate GPS receiver, which can pick up satellite signals at a decent rate, but since this chip is common among navigation units nowadays, we didn’t notice much of a difference when we turned the device on.'

Continue reading " Review: Mio Digiwalker C320 Satellite Navigation - Computeractive" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 12:12 PM | Permalink

The Gadgeteer has published a review of the iGo powerXtender which is a battery operated charger that can be used to provide emergency power for your mobile gadgets when you are on the move. 'The powerXtender is a small cigarette lighter sized housing that ships with 2 AA batteries. Made of translucent Grey plastic, the iGo is a simple device with a Blue power LED on the top, a power tip post on one end, and ...The power tip receptacle can accept one of many available tips that are sold separately though the Mobility Electronics, Inc. website. There aren't any tips included with the iGo due to the fact that every device requires a special tip in order to power / charge it.'

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 4:45 PM | Permalink

Personal Computer World have published their review of the Mio Digiwalker H610 GPS navigation device which can also be used as a portable multimedia player. 'Mio’s Digiwalker range is part of a new wave of GPS solutions that combine traditional in-car navigation, multimedia playback and a collection of utilities for frequent travellers. Based around the MioMap v3 software navigation is pretty straightforward once you get used to the menu structure, but like the Mio C210 it suffers as an in-car solution due to the small screen and often fiddly controls. You do, however, get free speed camera alerts and a full range of POIs (points of interest) across Europe, and can buy a TMC (traffic message channel) module separately to provide traffic updates so it’s well in line with modern advances in navigation.'

Continue reading "Mio Digiwalker H610 - Personal Computer World" »

Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 5:23 PM | Permalink

A review of the GPS enabled Mio DigiWalker P550 PDA has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'The device has the usual arrangement of four buttons surrounding a central joystick. One is an on/off button, but pressing any of the buttons wakes up the device. The bottom left is mapped to the contacts list, while the top right takes you back to the main menu screen. The top left button switches the screen between landscape and portrait mode and works quickly, which is good.

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Posted by Handy Gadgets Admin at 9:56 PM | Permalink