Amazon.com Product Description

This powerhouse GPS unit just keeps gaining in popularity. Recently bestowed the honor of being named one of "Oprah's Favorite Things for Holiday 2004" it's just getting better and better every year. With the previous version of the RoadMate 700 lacking in included accessories this years RoadMate 700 hits a home run as Magellan has wisely included in the package a windshield suction cup mount, a 12V DC vehicle power adapter, 110V AC power supply, USB data cable, universal cradle and of course a user's manual.

The Magellan RoadMate 700 offers a powerful dash-mounted navigation tool with turn-by-turn voice prompts, making it easy to get to new and unfamiliar locales anywhere in the U.S. and Canada (For a fee it can be loaded European maps using the Magallen web site and the included USB connection cable). It also features a bright color TFT LCD screen (2.25 by 3 inches), touchscreen input, WAAS reception (for 3-meter accuracy), and multiple ways to select your route and then view it on screen.

True View 3D navigation shows you the actual road layout.

The RoadMate 700 is one of the few GPS devices that's ready to go as soon as it's unpacked. Its whoppingly huge 20 GB internal hard drive comes preloaded with detailed road maps for all of the U.S. and the southern (most populated) section of Canada, so you won't have to fiddle with selecting map regions from a CD-ROM and having to transfer the data from a PC. If you keep your addresses on a PDA with IrDA capabilities then you'll enjoy the RoadMate's ability to upload the addresses wirelessly and point you right to your destination. In fact each of the 3 profiles that the unit keeps track of is allotted space for 100 addresses, making a total of 300 addresses available. Of course the most important address, home, can always be accessed with just a few clicks and from any menu and the RoadMate 700 will guide you back with ease.

You can also choose a map view, or the maneuver list.

If you are planning on using the RoadMate 700 with an older car--make sure it has a cigarette lighter power adapter, or leave enough time to charge it up in your hotel room or office with the supplied AC power cord. This also means that you won't be able to use the RoadMate 700 as a handheld device outside of your car. As for mounting, the included suction cup windshield mounting hardware is quite easy to use and allows you to mount the unit on any glass surface in your car. The RoadMate unit easily clips into the provided windshield bracket and can be tilted and turned with it's adjustable arm so you can see it easily and safely while you navigate.

Quickly locate points of interest and amenities along your route.

One of the benefits of the windshield mount is that because it's a suction cup mount you can move it in seconds from car to car with no problems at all. This newer suction cup based windshield mount is an improvement over the older three pronged mount that used to come with the RoadMate units. The older three-pronged mount was inserted into one of the middle air conditioning vents on your dash; the prongs are bendable to help you get the most secure fit, but never gave as secure of a fit as the windshield mount does.

But the RoadMate 700 shines as a virtual co-pilot. During our tests, it consistently acquired a satellite lock quickly (within a minute) and displayed our current position. From there, we searched through the vast library of POIs (points of interest) to find our destination (Seattle's baseball stadium). The RoadMate 700 has four different modes of getting you to your destination--shortest route, shortest distance, least use of freeways, and most freeways. Selecting shortest route got us to this venue using very practical directions that weren't far off from what we normally would choose.

If you're traveling to a destination that's not a widely known POI (such as a friend's home), no problem. You can enter the exact address into the RoadMate 700--using the touchscreen to tap letters and numbers into several search screens--to have it create a route. (You can also save 100 destinations in the address book.

QuickSpell minimizes typing.

The voice prompting was clear and audible (thanks to the two built-in speakers), and we were given ample warnings for upcoming turns. One of the RoadMate's nicest features is the Repeat button (which is smallish, but the only button found on the top of the device). If you miss a turn instruction, press it to repeat the previous voice prompt. Of the three view modes, True View was our favorite--it displays a 3D street-level view that helped us orient ourselves to our surroundings.

Overall, we were quite thrilled with the RoadMate 700's features: the color screen was bright and readable even in direct sunlight and the voice prompts were clear and not distracting to our driving. Best of all, the UI (user interface) screens are easy to navigate and--thanks to its large hard drive and map database--it's ready to go as soon as you open the box. While the price is not for the faint of heart, it will be a very valuable tool for many drivers (from business folk to parents) who need to get to unfamiliar locations quickly and smoothly. -- Agen G.N. Schmitz

What's in the Box:
RoadMate GPS, a windshield suction cup mount, a 12V DC vehicle power adapter, 110V AC power supply, USB data cable, universal cradle and a user's manual ... Read more

Features

• Turn-by-turn guidance with voice prompting
• Comprehensive mapping of U.S. and Canada on integrated 20 GB hard drive
• Exceptional GPS accuracy and reliability
• Advanced points of interest database. Easy to use touch-screen interface
• Comes with sunction cup windshield mount DC vehicle power adapter, AC power supply, and data cable

Reviews (47)

Magellan Roadmate 700
Eversince I used the Hertz "Never lost" navigation system in a rental car, I have been wanting to own one but at that time it wasn't available in the market . I remember, with a GPS, how easy it was for me to reach my destinations in Houston metropolitan area. An area I had never been to before. First I thought to use HP Jornada 720 for navigation but lack of compatibility was the issue. Also I didn't want too many wires around the dashboard in my car.So I dropped the idea of using a handheld pc as a gps. I started doing some research and found out that there are two GPS (Garmin Streetpilot 2610 and Magellan Roadmate 700) that dont need an installation, rather could be used with cigarette lighter. Both are portable and could be moved from one vehicle to the other. I liked the idea but could not decide which one suits my needs better. Luckily we are living in an age of information, so I was able to read a lot about these items on the internet. Garmin being couple of hundred dollars cheaper and also BestBuy had one on the display where I could actually see, touch and feel it. Unfortunately, Roadmate was not on the display like BestBuy had Garmin. Anyhow I read several reviews and could make a comparison. I am sharing my views here so that reader could get some feedback. Magellan Roadmate 700 is WAAS enabled while Garmin SP2610 is not. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) is more accurate to locate your position. Magellan RoadMate 700 has built in 10 GB hard drive . Maps of both USA and Canada are already loaded on the unit so you dont have to load them or worry about buying expensive flash cards. Roadmate 700 has little larger screen than the Garmin and that makes a difference and resolution is also good. Roadmate 700 is easier to operate than Garmin sp 2610.Voice prompts on Roadmate are very clear and pleasant. Roadmate 700 also shows a 3D heavy arrow before the turn which is good. These are the positives in the favor of Roadmate. Lets talk about some negatives. Roadmate does not have a good mounting design. Car vents are used to mount your unit. What if you have heat on . I think that wouldn't be good idea for your unit . It may also come apart and fall on the floor. Another negative about RoadMate 700 is that it does not come with AC adapter or USB cable. Also the price is higher than Garmin SP2610. Taking into consideration the pros and cons I picked the Magellan Roadmate 700. Yesterday I picked a unit at BestBuy with a 4 year warranty (US$39.99). It took me few minutes to set it up and turn it on. I was in Manhattan NYC. I drove back to New Jersey and it performed very well. I made a wrong turn and RM700 recalculated the route right away and put me back on the track. What a relief. Let me mention here about Roadmate 500 that does not come with a built in Hard drive. With RM 500, you have to buy additional memory cards. You will be required to get it activated from the company for additional cost. You will have to download the maps of distant areas you plan to drive to.That is the reason I did not buy RM 500. I am pleased to have Magellan Roadmate 700. I will keep you posted with additional findings in future. Drive safely. Peace and Love.

Never lost again
I've only been using my RoadMate 700 for a short time and my experiences echo most of the other reviews here.

Update January 22, 2004: It's been almost a full month with the Roadmate 700. My thoughts now? How did I ever live without this? I've used this extensively to travel all through CT and into NH and MA. I love that I can be in a completely remote location and this device gets me home. Ever single time. I also have searched several times for things like gas stations and restaurants - and it is simply amazing. I like this better today than I did when I bought it. And I'm someone who gets tired of their electronic gadgets quickly.

I found it to be very easy to operate. You truly can take it out of the box, plug it in, and within a couple of minutes be navigating to any address using the maps that are all stored within the 10 GB hard drive.

When starting up I find that it has a lag of 3 to 5 minutes where it has to acquire the satellite signal. This may account for some of the reports online of units being broken or not navigating properly. Once the signal has been acquired I had no difficulty with it knowing where I was. (Update 12/24/03: My unit developed a startup/fix time of around 15 minutes so I replaced it with a new unit that did not exhibit this problem. Normal startup/fix time appears to be a couple minutes unless you've moved significantly from where you shut down the device).

The 3-D navigation is nice -- though not all that I had hoped. When travelling 3D pops up a handly graphical overview of where you need to turn next. I think it is displayed a bit early though. I was navigating today and it showed me the turn in 3D about 5 streets ahead of where I needed to be turning. I'll have to see if it is my user error somehow but it seems it would be much more useful if the 3D popped up while you were in the turn rather than several streets back.

I looked at the Garmin 2610 in comparison to this unit. I also considered the RoadMate 500. The Garmin screen seemed smaller and a little harder to operate. The RoadMate 500 is the same unit at this -- without the internal 10 GB hard disk that stores all the maps.

Unfortunately the 700 doesn't ship with an AC power adapter or USB connector (which the 500 does).

The mount that comes with the RoadMate is a plastic coated metal piece that you are supposed to use to attach the heavy unit to your vents. I lucked out and was able to stick it into my dash molding on my 2002 Ford Explorer and it fits tight and is in a good position (use a flat edge screwdriver to slightly and gently pry the molding above the radio out a little and slide the bracket in there). If you call tech support they'll send a free windshield mount to replace the vent mount.

Overall I'm happy with the accuracy and especially the ease of use of this unit. It seems that Magellan has bent over backwards to make this an uncomplicated unit for people who want to plug in and navigate without worrying about loading maps or other technical details.

Magellan Roadmate 700 VS. Garmin StreetPilot III
My wife purchased the Magellan Roadmate 700. I have the Garmin Streetpilot III in my car. I was very angry with her for purchasing another GPS since we already owned one. She said it was easier to use than my Garmin. I took her Magellan GPS for a day to prove her wrong and had to eat crow. I really tried to make it worse, but it was just so accurate and simple to use. The Magellan Roadmate 700 came preloaded with the entire U.S. map. I had to purchase maps to download into my Garmin. Every time I go out of state I have to download the new area into my Garmin. The Magellan already has it loaded. The Magellan was very user friendly. The touch screen was a breeze to navigate with. It was just simple. Plug it in and go. Needless to say she wants her Magellan back. This is a great product. I had heard it advertised on the Glenn Beck radio show and it is everything they said and more. I highly recommend this GPS product.

Multiple problems, not worth the money...
I decided to go with the Roadmap 700 at the end of April, and I have had nothing but problems with it and the manufacter. It takes at least 30 minutes to get a lock on a position. I live 30 miles north of Boston in a major metro area!! The screen will lock up at times and not move for 20-30 minutes. The touch screen has a mind of its own and the manual controls are sticking and not responsive...

I did some checking around and found out that Thales is having serious product control problems with this unit. Either you get a perfect one out of the box, or a bad one. If you get a bad one, it is real bad. I can no longer return it to the store I bought it and 2 phone calls and 2 emails to the Thales have gone un-returned. I fear the worst, and went out today and bought the Garmin 2620.

Stay away until they fix their quality control, or become more responsive to these problems. If you do buy it, get the extended warrenty from the store so you can bring it back in case you get a "bad" one...

Great Unit, a few quirks I can live with!
Purchased the unit and have used extensively across the country.

THE GOOD:
- ease of use, no manual required (really), truly plug-n-play
- GREAT unit for frequent travelers and car renters
- it works, directs me well with ample and clear notice even in difficult cities with many turns (e.g. NYC, Wash DC, SF)
- its size and windshield mounting bracket work well in most cars, vans, SUV's
- nice clear voice prompts, lots of nice customization options

THE BAD:
- when moving from one location to another - like getting off plane in new place - its seems to take awhile to 'wake up' (up to 15 minutes so far). Website says 5-10 minutes, so I guess I should relax. I recommend getting maps from car rental places so you don't have to wait too long to begin traveling unfamiliar routes.

- having to pay $20 for USB connection, $20 for AC adapter. When paying over $1,000 for this thing, you'd think they'd include it especially considering they are used primarily to fix their shortcomings (e.g. download upgrades, patches, etc.)

- all kinds of CompactFlash compatibility issues (e.g. Lexar may not work?). Before buying a card, check Magellan website or pay arm & leg for their own formatted cards.

- as best I can tell it does not have a nice feature of Hertz NeverLost - which are the icons of many points of interest at each step of your trip (like gas stations, restaurants, etc.). You CAN get these, but need to cancel your current destination, select POI, and then 'Nearest' (and then re-enter destination).

- voice prompts aren't as loud as I like even with volume all the way up, and I get occasional speaker noise/hissing

- Careful in NYC. Pay attention to boroughs when typing New York, NY as your city -- there may be many '4th Ave' addresses across the NYC boroughs and it may not pick correctly (recommend using points-of-interest if a hotel) ... Read more

Product Description

TomTom (1D00.081) GO + USA MAPS PRELOADED ... Read more

Features

• Crisp audio turn-by-turn directions; works straight out of the box
• Portable vehicle GPS navigation system with 1GB Secure Digital memory card
• 32 MB of internal memory; includes preloaded U.S. maps
• Crystal-clear 3D or 2D navigation views with day/night variations
• 3-1/2-inch color TFT LCD screen with touchscreen operation

Reviews (6)

TomTom Go Plus Rocks
After a couple of months of ownership of the product I have nothing but good things to say about it. Put in the address of your destination and let TomTom Go Plus do its thing. I really like the talking prompts that give you ample time to do what ever manuvering TomTom calls for. Since I got it I've had two down-loadable firmware upgrades. One of the additions is the ability to enter a zip code to get a city. New updated US maps are due out in June and will come both on CD and installed on the card for a higher price. If you want easy out of the box navagation help let TomTom do the talking. The newer 300 and 700 versions will have many more capabilities such as Bluetooth. Phone call ability and many more goodies. TomTom rocks!!!!!!

How did I ever get by without it?
First I would like to thank the reviewer who brought up the TamTam software to make this device macintosh compatible. It was the deciding factor in my purchase. There are only a couple of minor inconveniences that aren't worthy of a star removal. I'm not sure how to put this, but the device is not very "grippable". i'm always afraid of it slipping from my hands because of its shape and smooth contours. Also, it is difficult to see the screen from some angles in bright daylight. However, this GPS system is unbelievable! Very simple and intuitive, portable, long lasting battery, clear voice instructions, 3D visuals and comes with a nice carrying case. You would not believe how small this thing is, yet the maps and menus are easy to read.

Good unit but serious flaw
Excellent ease of use coming out of the box, especially if you get the preloaded.Very unclunky looking and as discrete as you can expect from an aftermarket.3D view is a real plus.No it doesn't give the most direct directions but I didn't know where I was going anyway.I'm still ahead of the game.For the bad news, screen washout is not just an annoyance.Except for the voice prompts the unit is practically useless and distracting in NJ winter sun and likely even more so in summer or sunnier states.Forget about wearing sunglasses.Why wouldn't the company test this before putting it on the market? TomTom customer service says they are working on a screen cover to gerryrig a solution but that's a bs response.It's a hardware problem.Fix it.Drove from Jersey to Florida recently.Not much use in that drive.Get on I-95 and keep south til you hit water.The maps could use some updating.It's missing some sections of major roadways so it tries to swing around when all you need to do is go straight.Some addresses on roads that it does recognize is also missing.(Un)coupling the unit to the swing arm is clunky, especially if you have big hands or are wearing gloves.The unit is too easy to turn on in the carry pouch.The suction attachment doesn't work well in below freezing weather.Works fine once the car is warmed up.All of these are design flaws that should have been remedied in the product development phase.It has a feature that allows you to avoid parts of a route but would like one that allows you to force a route as well.Lack of WAAS makes it less precise than similarly priced products.Having to switch between maps ie. mid atlantic and southeast states is not that troublesome.Avoiding traffic jam feature was helpful.More good things is that I did feel more comfortable veering off my course to get gas and such. They could stand to shave a couple hundred off the price though given weaknesses in execution.My feeling is that they shouldn't be rewarded for selling a product that has such glaring and multiple design flaws.Instead buy the new Garmin c330 clone coming out in March.Looks good except for the fact that the Garmin doesn't seem to have a capture GPS position, which can be very useful.

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp330/

Good GPS
After owning for some years a Garmin Street Pilot III I decided to try a new GPS, hoping that technology would have improved- not that the Street Pilot wasn't doing its job, but there's always room for improvement.After seraching and re-searching, I went for the TomTom Go Plus with pre-loaded maps. Reasons?Several... A neat feature of the TT is that, with all the maps on the unit, there is no need for computer set up. You don't even need a computer, as a matter of fact, to use the unit right off the box.Another big plus is that there is no need to have all sort of cables across your dash -antenna, audio... The TT has only one cable, the power cable... which in a short trip you can do without, since the unit will run for at least 5 hours on a fully charged internal battery.The Street Pilot would run about 15 minutes with 6 AA batteries... More good stuff: the menus are very easy to navigate -touch screen- and information is entered with a screen keyboard (no more scrolling through the alphabet). I just wish that the keyboard was "qwert" instead of alphabetical.The satellite reception is much better than with the Street Pilot, and its built-in antenna picks up the signal just about anywhere you mount the unit... even inside the house! (magic?) The mounting winshield bracket works well, although in cars with very deep windshield (ie Beetle) places the unit kind of far to be able to read it comfortably.I have not tried the adhesive pad that comes in the box, after reading somewhere that it may become permanently attached to your dash... Navigation is cool, you probably read about the nice strong sound, and is simplified in comparison with the Street Pilot- less info about surrounding streets that are not in your route, only the name of the next street appears on the map. And the 3D view...I don't think I can live without it after trying it! Entering your destination is fast an definetly easier than with the Street Pilot.I have read some reviews that talk about the glare... and yes, that's a problem, and you may have to re-position the unit 'til you find the sweet spot.Downloading the latest software version (4.42) from their site -totally painless- increases the brightness of the screen, and that helped a bit.And finally, a couple of things that could be better:even though all the maps are loaded, you need to swap maps when you travel between regions, unless you use the less detailed "highway map" to route your destination.I that case, if your destination is a smal town, it will not be in the memory, and you'll have to settle for the next best (or bigger) city.The second issue is the points of interest.Garmin maps seem to be "better", including, for example, grocery stores, and above all, phone numbers -yes, it is convenient to be able to call a motel ahead to check availability... but not with your TT... On the other hand, is very easy to make your own list of POIs..to which you can add phone numbers if you wish.Despite these little "flaws", I definetly recommend this GPS...

Excellent GPS
The Tom Tom GO is an excellent product. With the preloaded maps there's almost no setup required, and it's very easy to use. It works as well or better than any of the original equipment GPS systems provided in automobiles. And because it is not original equipment it is unencumbered by liability-minimizing function locks present on some car systems (for example one car maker's GPS system doesn't allow anyone to enter a navigation destination when the car is in drive.)

The 3D views generated by the Tom Tom GO are uncannily realistic as they track exactly what you see through your windshield. As such they can be a bit distracting at first. But the Tom Tom GO provides an option to simplify the information displayed always or when traveling faster than a given speeds to eliminate potential distractions.

I've found the included maps (I have the Preloaded USA Maps version) to be very accurate and routes generated to be quite smart. In testing it out in my home town the routes generated have been very close to those I'd choose myself.

I've had another popular portable GPS system and the maps for that system were no where near as accurate or smart as the Tom Tom GO.

It's important to consider the pros and cons of a removable GPS navigation system. It's is an obvious advantage in that you can use it with any car and can take it with you when you travel and rent a car.But being removable it might make an attractive target for theft if left in place in your car. So you have to anticipate the minor hassle of packing it away when you leave your vehicle in any unsecured place.

The Tom Tom GO is a brilliantly designed and executed device that does what it promises and can be used by anyone. ... Read more

Product Description

Let's keep this simple,,,, In-car navigation has never been easier, or more affordable. Our StreetPilot "c-series" GPS navigators feature a simple touchscreen interface, with automatic route calculation to any destination and turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions along the way. Selecting a destination is straightforward and requires only a limited amount of input from the user. Plus, the StreetPilot c320 and StreetPilot c330 allow you to choose between a three-dimensional navigation view or the more traditional "bird's eye" overhead view.For budget-conscious users who only require detailed maps for a limited area, the StreetPilot c320 features an SD card slot, a 128MB SD card, and MapSource City Select street data on CD-ROM. The user simply selects the specific area of interest and the data is transferred from a PC via a fast USB connection. (The c330 comes factory preloaded with MapSource City Select map data.)The centerpiece of both units is a bright, 3.5-inch diagonal, 16-bit color display that makes navigation a snap. The StreetPilot c320 features dual integrated speakers for high-quality voice prompts, and an internal lithium-ion battery for out-of-car route planning. The new StreetPilot c-series boasts distinctive and sleek styling?the only buttons are a rotary volume knob and an on/off switch. The device is secured by a suction-mount cradle that fastens to the windshield for easy portability between vehicles ... Read more

Features

• Audible and visual navigation instructions and warnings
• Built-in lithium ion battery for trip planning; operates on DC power in your vehicle
• WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS unit for automotive use
• Built-in antenna
• Removable 128 MB SD memory card

Reviews (3)

One of the best for now
I've been using it for about 1 week now.Great little unit, easy to use, superior to the Quest and 2610 that I've also owned because of its faster calculation times and ease of use.Does indeed update arrival time depending on speed (at least mine does).Seems to be accurate within a couple minutes on my daily 35 minute commute.Starts the estimate based on it's internal average speeds for highways, etc, then adjusts depending on how fast you are actually driving.I would not spend the extra money on the 330.Spend a few bucks on a 512md sd card, I've tried but can't possibly think of how to use more than that on a single trip.And I would assume the sd card is a little faster than the HDD.You get more batter life, like 2x.Also, I like being able to upload favorites from the pc using the software, so the sd version is actually preferable to me.And it looks like the price is still too high here so until it comes down check out pricegrabber or nextag.

Pros
-large touchscreen
-easy to use
-portable, 8 hour battery, pocket sized (in loose pants or jacket
-fast calculation times & map drawing.
-nice mounting

cons
-no route saving or transfering, hence no waypoints can be stored in route but this is remedied simply by saving favorites and touching your favorite in route, just a little more attention requred.
-weak software.

Inacurate "Estimated arrival time"
The C320, including the updated version 2.8, is full of imperfections and has so far 1 bug: once the gps calculates the route, it gives the estimated arrival time on the lower left corner of the screen. This time is never accurate and does NOT take into account your speed. For example, if you are stuck in traffic for 30 min, the ETA remains almost the same (the ETA can be 8:45 while the current time is 9:15!!!).
On the iQue 3600, the ETA is accurate +/- 1 min, it is constantly adjusted to the traffic and your speed.

Keeping c320
Pros
- Easy to use.Almost no brainer
- Small enough to carry around
- Has alot of useful features like fiding nearest parking lot, restaurant, entertainment places, and etc...
- Bright and clear screen

Cons
- LCD is easily scrachable! put a screen protector
- Window mount sometimes fall off from the window (about 1 hr driving)
- Occational lost setalite connection.It would be good to display the predefined direction even though it lost the connection.
- Gets confused on the road when you're on a bridge and there's a road below it
- 3D is cool but I doubt anyone will use it.It's harder to see how far the next turn is.

Overall, I still think it's great GPS and will keep it for very very long time. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

There's a lot to Magellan's small, cool eXplorist 200 handheld GPS navigation device beyond its vibrant yellow exterior. Inside and out, the eXplorist is built to provide real GPS (global-positioning system) abilities for serious outdoor use--from its tough, impact-resistant, waterproof exterior to Magellan's proven, powerful, and easy-to-use technology. The eXplorist 200 rewrites the rules by proving you can spend less and actually get more.

The eXplorist 200 includes all-new Magellan TrueFix technology with a 14-parallel-channel, WAAS/EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver to provide precise position fixes within 3 meters while ensuring reliable, accurate satellite-signal acquisition and tracking. Small, lightweight and easy-to-use, anyone can pick it up and get going without studying a manual. Among its many features, the eXplorist 200 offers 3 navigation screens with track plotting to help you find the fun--then find your way back.

Explorers will appreciate Magellan's 1-button access, which takes you directly to the functions that matter most: the menu, navigation screens, personal points-of-interest, "go to" routing, and backlight. In addition, the eXplorist 200 stores up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and 5 track logs with up to 2,000 points each, providing ample storage even for avid navigators. The unit also supplies a built-in North American background map, which offers convenient access to roads, parks, waterways, airports, and more.

Designed for compact, fit-in-your-pocket convenience, the eXplorist receiver measures just 4.6 x 2.1 x 1.3 inches (11,7 cm x 5,4 cm x 3,3 cm) and weighs less than 4 ounces (115 g), yet still has room for a large, 2.3-inch (5.8 cm), 4-level grayscale LCD. A zoom capability and an amber backlight ensure optimum viewing, even at night.

The unit's rugged exterior is cased in a rubber-armored, impact-resistant shell that is waterproof to the rigid IPX-7 standard. The eXplorist 200 is ready for adventure in all conditions and terrain, whether you'll be hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, or simply finding your way around a new area. ... Read more

Features

• TrueFix technology with a 14-parallel-channel, WAAS/EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver provides precise position fixes within 3 meters
• 2.3-inch, grayscale LCD offers zoom and an amber backlight; unit's rubber-armored, impact-resistant shell is waterproof to the IPX-7 standard
• Stores up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and 5 track logs with up to 2,000 points each
• Built-in North American background map offers convenient access to roads, parks, waterways, airports, more
• 1-button control takes you to important functions like menu, nav screens, personal points-of-interest, "go to" routing, and backlight

Amazon.com Review

TomTom's GO portable GPS navigation system integrates TomTom's award-winning personal-navigation software into a portable, cable-less design that fits in any briefcase, handbag, or backpack. The GO system works right out of the box, with nothing to load or install. You can readily move it from one car to another, and it fits easily into the supplied car mounting kit, perfect for your windshield or dashboard.

The 3D navigation helps you to get perspective in an unfamiliar environment.

With TomTom GO there is no need for a set-up linked to a PC--in fact no technical knowledge is needed at all. It could not be easier: just turn it on and you'll be ready to access all software, maps, and color 3D navigation views, as well as the unit's helpful voice-guided instructions in your language of choice.

GO's unique touch-screen activation avoids the hassle of multiple buttons or extra hardware when calculating your route. The touch screen is completely intuitive and you can plan your route with just a few taps.

Instant rerouting around construction or other obstacles, or you can just program it to avoid a particular street.

At the end of the journey, simply turn the unit off with a click of a single button and drop it into your bag.

GO's built-in GPS receiver provides unprecedented levels of satellite navigation using the latest hardware and software. For the first time ever in such an affordable, all-in-one navigation device, the GO will feature Assisted Satellite Navigation, which provides virtually uninterrupted navigation in tunnels and urban canyons.

You'll enjoy up to 5 hours of continuous navigation from the unit's rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The GO's 3.5-inch "transflective" display offers clear visibility in any environment, from direct sunlight to low light. The GO also features TomTom's unique 3D and top-down views, which make navigation more true to life and interactive than many built-in car GPS systems. The intuitive interface is focused, extremely legible, and omits extraneous details.

A CD-quality voice prompt provides crystal clear sound that allows you to hear voice instructions above the noise of the engine.

What's in the Box
GPS device, vehicle power adapter, car mount, a rechargeable battery, AC/DC power adapter, a user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• Register for updates to be notified of pricing & availability
• Clear voice guided route instructions
• Crystal clear 3-D view even in direct sun
• Long-life rechargeable battery
• Includes cigarette lighter adapter and USB cable for PC connection

Reviews (2)

The best GPS Car Navigation System... Period
I bought a unit in The Netherlands and have used it for two weeks. The mount is rock solid using the suction cup mount to the windscreen. The device itself is a work of art. It has an exceptionally easy-to-use touch screen interface. You don't even have to read the manual- it is very intuitive.

You just put in the city, then the street, then the house number then follow the units directions- it will take you right to someones house with uncanny accuracy. Or you can ask it to take you to the nearest ATM/gas station/post office/etc.

The best thing about it is the 3D perspective used while navigating. It is much better than the 2D/top-down perspective that most units use. The full color map display is easy to read and 99% accurate so far for the Benelux area in Europe.

Another key difference from other PDA based units is the speaker on the TomTom Go is superb- It is loud and clear of distortion. The volume is easily controlled.

The unit gives clear voice directions in your choice of "voices" in many languages, man/woman, etc. It will say, "in 200 meters turn left" and then about 20 meters before your turn, it will say "turn left" (or you can change the units to feet/miles). And if you need the device to repeat the verbal instructions, you just press the lower left corner of the screen and you will hear the instructions again.

It has an internal battery that lasts about 5 hours or you can use the included 12v "cigarette lighter" power cord.

I can't write about the quality of the US digital maps, but the European maps are very good so far. Every single street in my small town is present including the alley behind my house. Every ATM/store/bank/train station/gas station/etc is faithfully represented as a Point of Interest.

This unit costs a lot of $, but is worth it. Overall, it is the best designed piece of technology I have used in years.

Childsplay!
I have had mine for 2 weeks and I was just as the box described it... within 4 minutes I had programmed 2 journeys, memorised my home address,and it had picked up all the satellites!The touch screen works very well, and the buttons on the virtual keyboard are large enough not to make mistakes,the directional voices are clear.I managed to keep a signal throughout mountainous regions and in tunnels! The only thing that it seems to be missing is a large compass. One thing to be aware of though: on some newer vehicles with athermal windscreens you will need to get the outdoor antenna to get a signal. Apart from that it puts many of the more expensive GPS units to shame! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

All other marine handheld GPS units pale when compared to the GPSMAP 76C. Under the hood, The 76C is a WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS receiver with a built-in quad-helix antenna and remote antenna capability. State-of-the-art receivers and powerful microprocessors give you a quick and steady fix. On the outside, The GPSMAP 76C has the familiar GPS 76-family keypad and styling. The bouyant case is water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). 115 MB of memory, an Americas Autoroute basemap with major interstates and highways, and a Marine Point database with navigational aids for North and South America are built in so users can be ready to go right out of the box. The unit is also compatible with Garmin's full line of mapping software for land and sea. Fast USB connectivity makes loading charts and maps quick and easy, while navigation instructions can be shared with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots using NMEA protocols through the dedicated serial port.

The 76C is easy on the eyes, too. The latest color-display technology featuring a 256-color, transreflective LCD gives the unit the brightest, sunlight-readable display available. The unit offers up to 30 hours of power on two AA alkaline batteries and there's no need to worry about data loss when the juice runs out. The 76C features permanent user-data storage; there's no memory battery required.

Other features include the ability to program 1000 user waypoints with name and graphic symbol, as well as track 50 reversible routes. The unit supports a wide range of position formats: Lat/Lon, UTM, Loran TDs, Maidenhead, MGRS, user grid, and more. Audible alarms alert users for anchor drag, arrival, off-course, proximity waypoint, and clock. A large-numbers option makes for easy viewing and a trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. A 10,000 point automatic track log with 20 saved tracks lets you retrace your path in both directions. Finally, built-in celestial tables suggest the best time to fish and offer sun and moon calculations.

What's in the Box
GPSMAP 76C unit, Americas AutoRoute basemap, Marine Points database, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager, carry lanyard, USB PC interface cable, owner's manual, quick start guide ... Read more

Features

• WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS receiver; built-in quad-helix antenna with remote antenna capability
• 115-MB internal memory for loading MapSource detail, including marine cartography; USB connectivity for quick chart and map downloads
• Includes a built-in Americas Autoroute basemap with auto-routing capabilities, including highways, exits, and tide data; internal memory is also pre-loaded with a Marine Point database
• Position formats include Lat/Lon, UTM, Loran TDs, Maidenhead, MGRS, user grid, and more
• Trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more

Reviews (3)

Costly Marine Software
I have just received my new GPS 76C. It is a great unit. There is however a major downside. If you intend to use this for marine navigation and are looking at buying a BlueChart CD to download Charts, you only get one unlock code with your CD. This means that you can only use one of the region charts. Ie. if you are in the Eastern part of the Med, you can use your one free download to get the chart for this area. If you move to the West of the Med, you now need to buy another unlock code. These are far from cheap and will start costing you a fortune. Buy a Magellan GPS as the Marine CD is cheaper and you get all the charts for the region you purchased included and not have to buy each areas chart. I am now stuck with a GPS that I don't really want.

Works well in Sunlight
I bought this unit for GPS data collection. I choose it because of the 115mb internal memory and the 10,000 track points storage, WAAS capability, external antenna jack, USB port, ability to load maps, and color screen.

The screen is very readable in full sunlight, better than any I have seen. The rocker switch makes text entry for track and waypoint descriptions easy.

Managing Waypoints is a bit cryptic. This is because there is no function to bring up the waypoint list except the "Find" key.

At first I did not realize I could search by name, there are many submenus whith additioanl functions. I think it would work better if there was simply a WayPoints menu (there is one for Tracks, and one for Routes, why leave waypoints out?) rather than having to "Find" your waypoints.

The MapSource program allows for a DXF export, all I could get was 5 points and a single line. I had collected 7 tracks and 30 waypoints.

O.K., why is Garmin putting games on the GPS units? I would rather have the ability to easily manage waypoints or more tracks than 5 stupid games.

Without WAAS I was getting +/- 21 feet (7 meters) on top of a levee, and +/- 49 feet under canopy, at least thats what the screen said. I was able to collect track and waypoints under different levels of canopy, but I did notice I lost track points while circling a large riparian area with 40-50 foot trees.

Track points can be set to collect once per second, or by distance. The smallest distance is .1 mile, it would be better if it could go down to meters. Track display is very good.

Summary:

I like the unit, but Waypoint Management could be easier.

What would make it better?

1) Waypoint Management Menu screen
2) Allow more than 20 tracks

3) Pulldown box descriptions for Waypoints, Tracks, with user item entrys, like "tree", "River", so I don't have to enter every letter every time.

4) Remove corny games, why would you be playing these games at sea? This is a MARINE unit...

Difficult to manage Waypoints
I bought this unit for GPS data collection. I choose it because of the 115mb internal memory and the 10,000 track points storage, WAAS capability, external antenna jack, USB port, and color screen.

The screen is very readable in full sunlight, better than any I have seen. The rocker switch makes text entry for track and waypoint descriptions easy.

However, once you have waypoints marked it is extremely difficult to delete them. This is because there is no function to bring up the waypoint list except the "Find" key. If you have waypoints far-away from you, you cannot delete them because you can only "find" waypoints near your current position.

Well, mine came with 2 waypoints outside of the United States, one was Garmin Europe, the other Garmin Taiwan. These points do not show up if I use the find function as they are too far away.

I see no way to delete these waypoints. Also, since there is no Waypoint management screen, you have to delete the waypoints you can find one at a time.

The MapSource program does not allow you to delete the waypoints, so how do you get rid of Garmin's headquarters?

This seems like a very ridiculous limitation for a NEW GPS unit in this price range.

The MapSource program allows for a DXF export, all I could get was 5 points and a single line. I had collected 7 tracks and 30 waypoints.

O.K., why is Garmin putting games on the GPS units? I would rather have the ability to manage waypoints than 5 stupid games.

Without WAAS I was getting +/- 18 feet (at least thats what the screen said). I was able to collect track and waypoints under canopy, but I did notice I lost track points while circling a large riparian area.

Track points can be set to collect once per second.

Summary:

I like the unit, but not being able to easily manage waypoints is a major limitation.

What would make it better?

1) Ability to Delete all waypoints
2) Waypoint Management Menu screen
3) Allow more than 20 tracks
4) Remove corny games, why would you be playing these games at sea? This is a MARINE unit...

Suggestion:

If you are looking for a GPS unit for Data Collection, this ain't it. Unit has the potential to be a great tool, but un-professional limitations restrict its use to a fancy toy. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

There's a lot to Magellan's small, cool eXplorist 300 handheld GPS navigation device beyond its vibrant blue exterior. Inside and out, the eXplorist is built to provide real GPS (global-positioning system) abilities for serious outdoor use--from its tough, impact-resistant, waterproof exterior to Magellan's proven, powerful, and easy-to-use technology. The eXplorist 300 rewrites the rules by proving you can spend less and actually get more.

The eXplorist 300 includes all-new Magellan TrueFix technology with a 14-parallel-channel, WAAS/EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver to provide precise position fixes within 3 meters while ensuring reliable, accurate satellite-signal acquisition and tracking. Small, lightweight and easy-to-use, anyone can pick it up and get going without studying a manual. Among its many features, the eXplorist 300 offers 3 navigation screens with track plotting to help you find the fun--then find your way back.

Explorers will appreciate Magellan's 1-button access, which takes you directly to the functions that matter most: the menu, navigation screens, personal points-of-interest, "go to" routing, and backlight. In addition, the eXplorist 300 stores up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and 5 track logs with up to 2,000 points each, providing ample storage even for avid navigators.

The unit also supplies a built-in North American background map, which offers convenient access to roads, parks, waterways, airports, and more. Going beyond the step-down eXplorist 200, the 300 adds a trio of handy tools to simplify navigation: a barometer, an altimeter, and an electronic compass, which frees you from needing to be in motion to get a direction to a destination.

Designed for compact, fit-in-your-pocket convenience, the eXplorist receiver measures just 4.6 x 2.1 x 1.3 inches (11,7 cm x 5,4 cm x 3,3 cm) and weighs less than 4 ounces (115 g), yet still has room for a large, 2.3-inch (5.8 cm), 4-level grayscale LCD. A zoom capability and an amber backlight ensure optimum viewing, even at night.

The unit's rugged exterior is cased in a rubber-armored, impact-resistant shell that is waterproof to the rigid IPX-7 standard. The eXplorist 300 is ready for adventure in all conditions and terrain, whether you'll be hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, or simply finding your way around a new area. ... Read more

Features

• TrueFix technology with a 14-parallel-channel, WAAS/EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver provides precise position fixes within 3 meters
• 2.3-inch, grayscale LCD offers zoom and an amber backlight; unit's rubber-armored, impact-resistant shell is waterproof to the IPX-7 standard
• Stores up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and 5 track logs with up to 2,000 points each
• Built-in North American background map offers convenient access to roads, parks, waterways, airports, more
• Offers a barometer, an altimeter, and an electronic compass, which frees you from needing to be in motion to get a direction to a destination

Amazon.com Product Description

There's a lot to Magellan's small, cool eXplorist 100 handheld GPS navigation device beyond its vibrant orange exterior. Inside and out, the eXplorist is built not merely to be budget conscious, but to provide real GPS (global-positioning system) abilities for serious outdoor use--from its tough, impact-resistant, waterproof exterior to Magellan's proven, powerful, and easy-to-use technology.

The eXplorist 100 includes all-new Magellan TrueFix technology with a 14-parallel-channel, WAAS/EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver to provide precise position fixes within 3 meters while ensuring reliable, accurate satellite-signal acquisition and tracking. Small, lightweight and easy-to-use, anyone can pick it up and get going without studying a manual. Among its many features, the eXplorist 100 offers 3 navigation screens with track plotting to help you find the fun--then find your way back.

Explorers will appreciate Magellan's 1-button access, which takes you directly to the functions that matter most: the menu, navigation screens, personal points-of-interest, "go to" routing, and backlight. In addition, the eXplorist 100 stores up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and 3 track logs with up to 2,000 points each, providing ample storage even for avid navigators.

Designed for compact, fit-in-your-pocket convenience, the eXplorist receiver measures just 4.6 x 2.1 x 1.3 inches (11,7 cm x 5,4 cm x 3,3 cm) and weighs less than 4 ounces (115 g), yet still has room for a large, 2.3-inch (5.8 cm), 4-level grayscale LCD. A zoom capability and an amber backlight ensure optimum viewing, even at night.

The unit's rugged exterior is cased in a rubber-armored, impact-resistant shell that is waterproof to the rigid IPX-7 standard. The eXplorist 100 is ready for adventure in all conditions and terrain, whether you'll be hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, or simply finding your way around a new area. ... Read more

Features

• TrueFix technology with a 14-parallel-channel, WAAS/EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver provides precise position fixes within 3 meters
• 2.3-inch, grayscale LCD offers zoom and an amber backlight; unit's rubber-armored, impact-resistant shell is waterproof to the IPX-7 standard
• Stores up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and 3 track logs with up to 2,000 points each
• 1-button control takes you to important functions like menu, nav screens, personal points-of-interest, "go to" routing, and backlight
• View speed, direction, and distance to destination on 3 easy-to-view navigation screens

Amazon.com Product Description

Building on its strong multimedia foundation, PalmOne's Zire 72 GPS Bundle provides all the navigation equipment and software you need to easily get you to new destinations. This GPS Bundle includes TomTom Navigator mapping software for the U.S. and Canada, Bluetooth GPS receiver, vehicle mounting cradle, and a 64 MB Secure Digital card for map storage. The first Palm OS-based PDA that can capture both digital video with sound and shoot digital still photos, the Zire 72 also features a bright 320 x 320-pixel color screen, voice recording capability, an MP3 player, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a 32 MB memory, and a fast 312 Mhz Intel PXA270 processor. And, of course, the Zire 72 features Palm's suite of information management applications and the ability to edit Word- and Excel-compatible files and synchronize with Microsoft Outlook (Windows only). It's also available without the GPS Bundle in the original blue version and silver special edition.

GPS Bundle Features
This GPS Bundle provides you with reliable and easy-to-follow maps voice-guided turn-by-turn instructions that enable you to focus on driving to your destination without stopping to study and refold a map. It includes a Bluetooth-enabled GPS receiver, which sits on your car's dash and triangulates your position using at least three satellites. This real-time location data is transferred to the Zire 72 via a wireless Bluetooth connection and is displayedin either a 2D or 3D map.

The maps are provided by TomTom Software, and this GPS Bundle includes 8 CD-ROMs with complete road maps of the U.S. and Canada. Special features include a wide array of street-level and highway maps, customized door-to-door navigation and voice-guided turn-by-turn instructions.

Also included with this GPS Bundle is a charging adapter/cable for both the Zire 72 and the GPS receiver that fits in your car's cigarette lighter, a vehicle mounting cradle that can attach to your windshield via a suction cup, and 64 MB Secure Digital card for storing maps.

Built-in Camera
The back of the Zire 72 holds the built-in still and video camera, which does not require you to slide the back of the PDA to activate it (like the Zire 71 did). You can shoot video with sound turned on or off at 320 x 240 pixel resolution and 15 frames per second. Justuse the handheld screen to frame the video, tap the "record" button on the display, then save your video to an optional expansion card after tapping the "stop" button.

For still photography, it features a 1.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with a fixed focus range of about five feet and a 2x digital zoom. It captures up to 1280 x 960 pixel images, as well as 640 x 480, 320 x 240, and 160 x 120 resolution modes.The camera also offers such customized image setting controls as white balance, brightness, saturation, contrast, and sharpness. You can also add date stamp or effects like sepia, black and white, and blue.

Audio
The included RealPlayer for Palm OS enables you to listen to MP3 music files stored on optional expansion cards via the built-in speaker on the Zire 72 or, for stereo sound, using optional stereo headphones or ear buds.

With the built-in digital voice recorder, you can create voice memos, then synchronize them to your desktop PC and email them to friends and colleagues.

Display
The Palm Zire 72 features a 16-bit, 320 x 320 bright transflective TFT color display, which supports more than 65,000 colors.

Connectivity and Expansion
With the built-in wireless Bluetooth connectivity, you can synchronize the Zire 72 with Bluetooth-enabled computer from across the room (within a range of 10 meters, or approximately 30 feet). But that's just the start. Using a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone, you can send and receive email and connect to the web, send multimedia (MMS) or text (SMS) messages, and even automatically dial any number in your handheld's Contact's application. You can also synchronize data the "old-fashioned" way via the mini-USB connection at the base of the handheld.

The Zire 72 uses Multimedia Card and Secure Digital expansion cards, which instantly add software applications, additional memory, large databases, and more without taking up built-in memory space.

Operating System and Software
The Zire 72 is powered by Palm OS 5.2.8, which provides higher performance, enhanced multimedia features, support for Bluetooth connectivity and networking, and enterprise-class security. It useses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize calendar, contacts, tasks and notes with Microsoft Outlook. The Palm OS features the following organizer applications:

• Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and it adds new contact fields for more phone numbers, multiple email addresses, instant messenger IDs, and a website for your contacts.
• Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due and important email, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your Calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, into the larger Memos and Notes fields on the handheld.
• Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important commitments.

Along with the standard Palm software, you'll receive a Software Essentials CD-ROM containing PalmOne's VersaMail, Web Pro, Messages (SMS/MMS), Palm Reader, Documents To Go Standard Edition, Acrobat Reader, Solitaire, powerOne Personal Calculator, and Audible Player for palmOne handhelds (Windows only).

Compatibility
The Palm Zire 72 is compatible with PCs running Windows 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, and XP, and with Macs running Mac OS 9, version 9.1 or higher, or Mac OS X, version 10.2 or 10.3.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Zire 72 handheld, built-in rechargeable battery, carrying case, mini-USB HotSync cable, power cable, stylus, CD-ROM with Palm Desktop 4.1 software for Windows and Macs (as well as bonus software), and printed Getting Started guide. The GPS Bundle contents include Bluetooth GPS receiver, vehicle mounting cradle, cigarette lighter adapter/cable, 8 TomTom Navigator CD-ROMs with U.S./Canada road maps, and a 64 MB Secure Digital memory card.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery that has a battery life of between 3 and 4.5 hours depending on screen brightness settings and usage. ... Read more

Features

• Bright, 320x320 transflective TFT color display supports more than 65,000 colors
• GPS Bundle includes Bluetooth receiver, complete 3D road maps of U.S. and Canada, vehicle mounting cradle
• Integrated 1.2 MP digital camera that also shoots video; Palm OS v5.2.8; 32 MB RAM (24 MB actual storage)
• Expansion slot that supports MMC, SD, and SDIO memory cards
• Palm Desktop Software for Windows and Mac and Software Essentials CD included

Features

• Portable GPS Pocket PC navigation system with SmartST V2 3D View
• Voice Navigation/Mapping and Route Guidance software

Reviews (1)

Incredibly useful device
I've wanted an in-car navigation system for a long time, but was put off by their high cost and non-portability. I was pretty excited to see this Navman unit - at last a totally portable driving navigation gps, that I could use hiking, driving or boating at a reasonable price.

The unit is well constructed and does not 'feel cheap'. It is very small/thin, but has a beautiful bright display. The screen really is nice. The maps (Australia in my case) come pre-loaded on a 128mb SD Card. They also come on CD if you want to use the SD Card for other things. It comes with a sturdy windscreen suction attachment, car charger, wall charger, slip cover and USB cable.

The small flip-out antenna can lock onto satellites when I'm inside my house! I was concerned I would need an external antenna for the car, but I've yet to encounter any difficulty with getting sattelite locks.

The Navman unit is actually a rebadged Mitac Mio 168 (first Pocket PC to include a built-in GPS receiver), which has received very good reviews. The primary difference is that the Navman comes with SmartST mapping software. Unfortunately, this may not be a such good thing. The SmartST software is great to use - the 3D street maps are fabulous, and it's very easy & intuitive to enter in addresses or search for location 'types'. However, it is *NOT* possible to enter waypoints or GPS coordinates, so it is not suitable for geocaching out-of-the-box (what a shame). There are 3rd party PocketPC programs that you can use for geocaching.

The voice prompting is loud and clear, and location accuracy seems to be quite good. I've been driving around the city of Brisbane for the last few days, and only had one 'error' with the directions (I was on a service road a few metres away from a highway - it thought I was on the highway). Roundabouts are handled well (ie. it will say "On the roundabout, take the second exit"). If you make a wrong turn, it auto-calculates a new route very quickly.

As it is a PocketPC, it comes with "Office" type software, such as PocketExcel, PocketWord, an MP3 player, games etc. Since I've never used a PDA before, I didn't realise how versatile they were. It's amazing how many 3rd party software packages are available. It now seems crazy to buy a dedicated GPS or car navigator when integrated gps PDA's like the Navman are available. If you've put off buying a GPS, take a look at the Navman PiN - highly recommended. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed for both back-road driving and off-road hiking, the Wayfinder V700 is the perfect tool for keeping track of where you are--and where you're going. Uniquely, the V700 automatically switches between vehicle and handheld use. When seated in its cradle, the V700 corrects for your vehicle's magnetic field. Outside your vehicle, the compass automatically switches to handheld mode.

The Wayfinder V700 offers a compass rose and eight cardinal points for ascertaining general direction. Its numeric, five-degree digital readout gives you precise headings, while its onboard holographic display is always bright, crisp, and clear. At night, a bright backlight illuminates the display to ensure clear viewing.

The V700's patented magnetic-sensor technology is the same advanced technology used by GM, Ford, and Chrysler in their built-in compasses. A magnetic-distortion flag alerts you when outside interference is affecting accuracy, and the unit's smart auto shut-off feature conserves battery life by automatically powering down the compass when your vehicle is parked for ten minutes or more.

The adjustable mounting bracket mounts to any windshield using strong suction cups; there's no hardwiring required and the compass slides easily from its mounting bracket for handheld use.

What's in the Box
Compass, an adjustable mounting bracket, two AAA batteries, a 12-volt cigarette-lighter adapter, and a user's manual. ... Read more

Features

• Shows direction with compass rose, 8 cardinal points, and 5º numeric digits
• Automatic Dual Mode:Switches automatically between vehicle and handheld modes
• Holographic LCD:Intense holographic LCD is easy to read in bright sunlight
• Smart Shut-off:Turns off automatically when vehicle is parked for ten minutes
• Bright Backlight:Illuminates the entire LCD screen for easy viewing at night

Reviews (5)

Useful auto compass
I live in a midwestern city and cardinal directions are important for driving, so I use this compass intermittently when I am getting lost. It works very well and is easy to configure - one drive in a circle and it is set up. It has an auto-off function that keeps you from running down the batteries. I have not had a problem with the AA batteries running out too quickly but I also do not use the compass every day, only occasionally. It has a well designed suction-cup mounted cradle that is easy to position. The high contrast display is easy to read, even in bright light.

PNI V700
This was the second of three different PNI compass models I have bought through Amazon, and I would not recommend any of them. If they worked right, I would love them. But all three of them will not stay on. It says they will stay on unless no change in the magnetic direction is for ten minutes. This simply is not true as all three of mine that I have bought shut off all the time, even if I just drive around the block all day.

baddly designed device
I did not buy this compass and I would not buy it because by just looking at the picture I can see it is badly designed.

An intelligently designed compass should always tell you, in a natural and logical way, which cardinal point is in front of you (and which one at your right, left and back). To achieve this, the compass should have a fixed arrow pointing forward (the car's direction), and on the head of this arrow should appear the true cardinal point to which the car is pointing. For example, if you are moving towards East, you would like to see E on the head of the forward pointing arrow; but instead, on the advertised compass you will see N in front of you, and an arrow pointing to your right. If you are moving South this compass will show you N in front of you (very bad), and the arrow pointing backwards.

The design error of this compass consists in having letters N, E, S, W fixed (painted) on the frame and a rotating arrow which points to this letters, but no to the true physical direction.

A good design should have a fixed arrow pointing forward and rotating letters.

In few words, this compass shows lack of intelligence and aesthetics in its design.

Thanks Dad
On my 10th birthday my father taught me how to use a compass. We spent 2-days in Yosemite with a map and 2 old military style compasses (the kind with the flip up site).

Well my 40th birthday was Jan 15th and I now have a 10 year old. Guess what my dad gave me? Yep a V700. There is really nothing to it. Set it up once for your car and once for the trail and forget about it. My Toyota truck does not have a built-in compass so my son and I are enjoying getting reacquainted with our surroundings, this time assigning cardinal points to landmarks.

I must confess that I have graduated to a GPS for my outdoor activities but knowledge of a compass is important to both 10 year olds and 40 year olds.

Good and easy to use
I purchased this compass after reading mixed reviews of other PNI compass products. I liked this compass because it could easily be removed from the car (I have a convertible).

Thus far (1 month later), I'm happy with the purchase. The compass is very easy to set (drive once in a circle, or turn the compass in a circle for the second, "hand" mode), easy to remove from the car (just lift it out of its cradle), and seems to be accurate (an issue raised in reviews for other PNI compasses); the three forms of readouts also are handly and easy to read. I would have liked the batteries (2 AAA batteries) to last longer, but at 200 hours, that's still half a year at 1 hour a day. (And the unit also comes with a lighter adapter cord, which is of a good and useful length.) And a soft case would be nice, for separately carrying the compass.

Assuming that performance issues don't develop in the future, I'd highly recommend this item. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Get all the information you need for hiking, climbing, or skiing with the Suunto Xlander Wristop Computer. The Xlander is a watch, altimeter, barometer, and compass in a stylish aluminum body with a carbon-fiber back and mineral crystal glass. It comes with a weatherproof black leather wristband and is built to be waterproof even if submerged up to 100 feet.

When traveling in the wilderness, knowing your environment is essential. Suunto X-Lander is packed with solutions enabling safe and responsible decisions. With the accurate electronic compass you can find your way whether hiking in the most demanding weather conditions or just strolling around in a foreign city. With the help of the barometric functions you receive essential information for forecasting the weather changes, which enables you to stay one step ahead of the storm.

The watch displays day, time, and date with three programmable alarms plus a stopwatch and countdown timer. Additional features on this model include a user-configurable logbook, complete calendar clock, and advanced memory functions.

The altimeter features a range up to 9,000 meters (29,500 feet), which puts all 14 of the world«s 8000+ meter summits within your range. It has also an adjustable altitude alarm, as well as different memory functions. With the logbook function you can record total and cumulative vertical ascents and descents, as well as the number of runs skied. Also view your ascent/descent rate in feet per minute. (All measurements are also available in metric units.)

The electronic compass displays the cardinal or half-cardinal point and the North-South arrow and can display bearings with 3-degree accuracy. You can also set it to track a certain bearing, which helps you follow a chosen direction in the terrain. The declination adjustment function allows you to correct the difference between the true North and magnetic North.

Suunto X-Lander displays the current barometric pressure and temperature as well as the pressure-related data for the past four days. It also shows you the present sea level pressure, which makes it easier to read and understand the barometric pressure at high altitudes. The barometer allows you to measure the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, absolute pressure, and a difference measurement to follow changes in barometric pressure and temperature.

The Xlander comes with a user-replaceable battery, which lasts up to 18 months, and a low-battery indicator. It is covered by a one-year warranty.

What's in the Box This package contains the Suunto X-Lander wrist-top computer and printed instruction manual. It is backed by a one-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Watch, altimeter, barometer, and compass in 1
• Top-quality craftsmanship--aluminum casing with carbon-fiber back, mineral crystal glass, and leather band
• User-configurable log book, complete calendar clock
• Altimeter with 24-hour memory and log book, bubble level for accurate compass readings
• Features 3 alarms, stopwatch, and countdown timer

Reviews (6)

A Fantastic Gadget for those of us who like Cool stuff
I collect watches, and I am NOT one to shy away from big watches, and in some cases, the bigger the better. What I really love about the X-Lander is that it is big but also very light-weight. Normally when you see a wrist watch this large you have to exercise your arm quite a bit just to get used to telling time, but not so with the X-Lander. And best of all: it does WAY MORE than just tell time!

Interested in knowing where you are going? How about the current temperature? Are you just the slightest bit interested in what your current altitude may be? GO BUY THIS WATCH! 'Course for those Suunto enthusiasts, this ISN'T a watch, its a Wristop Computer that just so happens to be able to tell time. Unlike the Suunto Observer which is about half the size (and more than a little extra spendy), this baby will do all that and still look great doing it. From the 3 different Suunto models I personally own, I must admit that they make a great wristop computer, or for the picky out there, watch. I mostly use mine to tell simple time, but I must say that as I drive over the mountains up to Montana or over to Oregon and Washington, it IS handy to know a few extra details just by looking down at my wrist. Oh, I almost forgot the barometer! It tracks the barometric pressure and helps you track and even predict the weather! I must say that I haven't been able to figure out the finer points of how to do that just yet, but I AM working on it.

I guess if I HAD to point out one flaw, I would say that the night-glo feature it comes with isn't all that bright, and the alarm could stand to be louder -- but it IS about 5 TIMES more audible than the absolutely embarassing alarm built into the Observer. Other than these minor complaints, I whole-heartedly endorse pretty much everything manufactured by Suunto, and especially the models I own, the X6HR, The Observer and of course the X-Lander. Sylish, multi-functional and quite durable. Choose one of these models and you will no doubt be as satisfied as I am.

Reliable, rugged, clear and easy to use
I've had this watch for 2yrs+ now and have just changed the (user serviceable) battery for the first time, as the compass had stopped working. This is to be expected as it uses more power than the other functions (but it does have auto-off in the compass mode after a time to save energy). There is no bubble level on this model as it has a mineral crystal glass instead of the usual plastic. I have knocked this watch so many times against things and there are many surface 'threads' you can see given the right light, but no truly visible damage, like big gouges or cracks like the plastic would show. The logbook feature is a great asset. Based on a rolling record (oldest record deleted when the memory becomes full), the logbook records Altitude and can be set to different sample rates (e.g. depending on whether you are walking, climbing, driving, etc.) and includes a record of greatest height. The logbook cannot be deleted (but as stated records over itself) but the max height can be reset independantly. The backlight is a little dim, but fine to keep your night vision, and the temperature does not compensate for being on or off your wrist (like some Casio models can). For a large watch (you won't lose it!) it is quite lightweight, with an aluminium case and carbon shell it also looks great. The new Ti models do not have the same clarity of display though so I would say stick to this screen size, but maybe get the heart rate monitor (HRM) model if you also exercise (cycle, etc) - it's only a small premium and it *is* a Polar model! I imagine the batteries might last less time due to the HRM receiver, but this at least is user-serviceable (and retains the watches environmental integrity, unlike changing a Casio battery). The only sad thing is the screenprinted/anodised(?) graphics for the points of the compass rose are wearing off - Suunto take note, laser etch/engrave them next time!! Sighting grooves in the bezel would be useful too, for taking bearings, but at least the bezel stays smooth as silk on this model as it has ball bearing detents rather than the friction-based ring the plastic housings have which stiffen up so you can't use them.

A few minor details aside (like a strap not long enough to go over your coat - just get an velcro Animal strap - and the print wearing off, and maybe the price), this is a cracking product, rated up there with the Garmin eTrex Legend GPS :-)

If you want a barometer, altimeter, compass, thermo & HRM in a decent, reliable, user-friendly package, this is it!

Bought and returned
I bought this watch and found it to be too big. Even though its smaller than earlier models it still takes up too much room on my wrist. Be sure you try one before ordering online.

Solid and durable time piece.
A well engineered and durable time piece. The X-Lander lived up to its expectation. I bought this watch new in July 2001 and proceeded to take it on 3 month expedition to Chile. During this time it got dropped down the side of a mountain, trodden on, baked, frozen and accidently dived down to 40 meters and it came through with only a few minor scratches. Compass and Altimeter very accurate. Excellent tool for trekking in the Laguna San Rafael National Park. My only critisism is the Barometer that makes weather prediction a bit awkward and it's size. It's a bit big to fit under gloves/jacket sleeves. Anyway, a very useful tool. B.T.W: Wesley Fine... How does it measure altitude in a pressurized aircraft???!!!

Supreme acurracy from this small suunto device
This time piece rocks with accuracy in the mountains of + or - 10 meters it is very useful for expeditions in unchartered territory.
Short of having maps programmed into it, it can be used in confidence in conjuction with a map to more easily work out where you are located and the compass is beneficial to assist in getting from point A to B.
Coupled with this accuracy its robust design means at can be taken anywhere without damage or breakage.
Additionally the barometer functions assist comprehensively in predicting weather patterns as well as adjustment to altimeter settings.
Their are two quams however with this instrument:
1. The Compass is very sensitive to movements off the horizontal plane i.e accurate readings can only be taken off flat and still locations. Approximate directions can be taken when the watch is on the wrist but the equipment is far more accurate when in its horizontal and still state.
2. When operation occurs in certain weather patterns (e.g Cyclonic and rain depression or Anti-Cyclonic conditions)when the barometer is at both extremes of the pressure scale requires adjustment to reset correct altimeter conditions and hence changing weather conditions will affect the accuracy of the altimeter.
Overall, a fine timepiece for any outdoorsmen who requires accuracy, consistency and reliability. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

For all serious outdoor activities, the Suunto Vector watch provides everything you need when hiking, climbing, back country skiing, or traveling through any tough terrain.

With a range of up to 29,500 ft, the altimeter works within all fourteen of the over-8000 meter summits in the world. Altitude difference measurement can follow vertical progress between stages, an automatic 24-hour memory stores the altitude and ascent/descent rate for every hour, and the watch also features an adjustable altitude alarm, among other memory functions. The logbook lets you record both total and cumulative vertical ascents and descents, and the number of runs you've skied while on the slopes. Total displays include altitude, vertical speed, altitude alarm, logbook, vertical difference measurement, automatic 24 hour altitude memory, temperature compensation. Its logbook capacity is 8 kB, recording intervals of 20 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, and 60 minutes, with respective times 16.5 hours, 50 hours, 20 days, and 125 days.

Current barometric pressure and temperature is also displayed to help forecast weather changes. The Vector automatically records barometric data for the past four days: the first six hours in one-hour intervals, then in six-hour intervals after that. It can also show the present sea level pressure, for greater understanding of barometric pressure at high altitudes. Total displays include sea level pressure, absolute pressure, pressure difference, pressure trend indicator, 4-day barometric memory, and temperature.

The Vector's electronic compass uses cardinal or half-cardinal points, and the North-South arrow. It can also be set to track a specific bearing, to keep you on direction in more remote terrain. There's also a declination adjustment that lets the user correct the difference between true North and magnetic North.

When used simply as a watch, the Suunto Vector also displays the time in 12 or 24-hour format, with three daily alarms, a calendar pre-programmed through the year 2089, and a stopwatch with split time measurement and a countdown timer. The watch features an electro-luminescent backlight, and a user-replaceable battery. ... Read more

Features

• Altimeter
• Thermometer
• Electronic Compass
• Time
• New Color!

Reviews (1)

suunto vector
FOR ANYONE WHO HIKES CAMPSOR ENJOYS THE OUTDOORS-THEVECTOR IS THE ITEM TO HAVE=THE COMPASS IS SPOT ON ANDEASILY CALIBRATED=BAROMETER ISVERY USEFUL IF OUT AND ABOUTIN *IFY*WEATHER AS WILL GIVEYOU TIME TO GET SAFELY LOCATED=ALTIMETER IS A LITTLE DIFFICULTTO UNDERSTAND BUT ONCE YOUKNOW IT IS AFFECTED BY BAROMETERYOU CAN JUDGE ACCURACY ACCORDINGLY==OVERALL A GREATITEM FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES THEOUTDOORS== ... Read more

Product Description

A great set of advanced features is packed into your pocket-sized eXplorist 600. You get a 3-axis electronic compass, barometric pressure altimeter, barometer, and thermometer plus the ability to expand your GPS mapping via a high-speed USB data port for unlimited Secure Digital (SD) card storage. ... Read more

Features

• Store up to 5 track log files, each with 2000 track-points to the internal memory and store an unlimited amount of track log files to optional SD cards, to easily find your way to your favorite spot again and again.
• Electronic compass - The built-in electronic 3-axis compass points you in the right direction even when you are standing still or upside down on a rocky peak.
• Full color screen - The 16-color screen makes reading maps and GPS information easy with vibrant graphics in all lighting conditions.
• Unlimited SD Card Expandability - Your eXplorist 600 features SD card compatibility for unlimited memory expansion.
• TrueFix GPS technology takes advantage of 14 parallel channels, supported by WAAS and EGNOS Satellite-Based Augmentaion Systems for fast signal acquisition, minimal signal loss and reliable accuracy to within 3 meters.

Amazon.com Product Description

The advanced technology of the handheld Bushnell DNS Pro allows quick, easy access to essential information in one compact package. Wherever you go, the DNS (Digital Navigation System) provides the most accurate location information at your fingertips. All Bushnell models features an alarm clock with snooze function, calendar, thermometer, and compass with cardinal points. The DNS Pro also features a barometer, altimeter, and weather forecasting functionality. It's protected by a rugged rubber-armored, 100-percent waterproof housing and has a large, backlit LCD monitor.Weather Forecasting Function
The DNS Pro's barometer is a tool that measures how heavy the air is, which helps to determine movement of weather pattern. For instance, a rising barometer means that the air is becoming more stable (and nicer) and a falling barometer means the air is becoming less stable (stormier). The DNS Pro is designed to forecast the weather up to 24 hours in advance.

The DNS Pro takes barometric pressure every hour and compares current pressure with the previous one to trace the change. If pressure keeps rising or falling for more than 3 hours, weather condition will be changed relative to the change in pressure. The weather forecast is calculated from the change in pressure per time period.

Power
The DNS Pro is powered by 2 AAA batteries. It is designed for continuous use and batteries will last over one year with regular usage. Heavy use of the alarms, light, or compass will shorten battery life. ... Read more

Features

• Full-featured, palm-sized digital compass
• Features a barometer, altimeter and weather forecasting capability
• Waterproof, housing; rubberized edges for excellent grip
• 4 time alarms
• Perfect for the outdoor enthusiast

Amazon.com Review

You can find less expensive GPS units than Brunton's Multi-Navigation System GPS, but you won't find another that offers as many functions. In addition to its Global Positioning System (GPS), the unit features a barometer, an altimeter, and a compass. It's also a rugged, expedition-quality device that's waterproof and will function accurately in temperatures ranging from minus 13 degrees to 158 degrees.

It's not a beginner's tool. There's no built-in map, so your coordinates are displayed in latitude and longitude. If you're unfamiliar with using this system to find your position, an extra source such as the Compass & Map Navigator book (recommended by Brunton) will quickly teach you how to find your location by using the GPS and a map. You can also pick up the optional PC cable, which lets you hook up the Multi-Navigator to a PC and download waypoints and routes from the included Global Map Planner software.

Finding your latitude and longitude is only one way to use the Multi-Navigator. It's easy to set waypoints--simply save and label locations with names such as "car" and "cabin." You can then use the Multi-Navigator to lead you to that waypoint by pointing in the direction of the location with its internal compass and displaying the distance in miles.

To test it, we wandered out into the fog-enshrouded trails of a nearby state park until we were thoroughly turned around. We were then able to use the Multi-Navigator to easily find our way back. Its distance and direction are as the crow flies, so there were a few turns and twists, but it kept us pointed in the right direction.

The Multi-Navigator's barometer is able to provide a rough forecast for the upcoming 12 hours, offering predictions such as Sunny, Partly Cloudy, and Storm Warning. Although not as precise as our local meteorologist, the Navigator did accurately predict clouds moving into our area. (Brunton recommends staying in the same location for at least six hours for the most accurate weather report.)

The Multi-Navigator also features an altimeter, accurate to within three feet, which aids in the waypoint settings (the Navigator included the distance we'd have to travel up or down to reach our desired waypoint).

Numerous other features--such as time, date, temperature, and sunrise and sunset times for location--round out the Navigator's comprehensive set of navigation features. If you need a rugged, high-quality aid for your global expedition, or if you just routinely get lost in the woods, the Multi-Navigator is worth consideration. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Multiple, accurate functionality
• Runs off only 2 AAs
• Rugged

Cons:

• No innate mapping capabilities

Features

• 12-channel expedition-quality GPS unit with barometer, altimeter, and digital compass
• Operates at extreme temperatures and up to 2 weeks on 2 AA batteries
• Record 10 routes with 1,000 waypoints
• Barometer displays 24-hour pressure history, 12-hour weather forecast
• Altimeter records high/low altitudes visited; accurate to 3 feet; includes serial PC interface

Reviews (9)

What's with the Amazon Price
How is it that Amazon, who claims to have lowest prices, is selling this GPS for $399.00, when Brunton, the manufacturer, has a suggested retail of $359.00?! I've seen this unit listed at $299.00 else where, and that includes shipping. Try Kooters.com

Nice
I've owned my unit for about a year now and I have to say that this is definitely a tool not a toy. This unit does nothing to diminish Brunton's excellent reputation. They've recently released a more user friendly GPS unit with more bells and whistles to more directly compete with the Garmin units, but there are still solid reasons why you should consider using this unit.

The altimeter, barometer and so forth work well enough. The compass feature also works well, although I usually use a handheld in the field also. The unit is also quite rugged, definitely more rugged than most of the competitors out there. It is also become reasonably priced; you should be able to buy a unit for considerably less than the $399 retail price if you search long enough.

My only complaints: ease of use. I like the fact that the screen is backlight and easy to read, but the buttons are awkwardly labeled and learning the nuances of this machine can take some time. The owner's manual could also be a little better in terms of actually providing you with scenarios on how to use the features correctly. I also wish they would hurry up and produce a USB data cable so that I can use this unit with my Mac; serial ports are getting old.

MNS For Mountain Hiking
I have used the MNS for about a year hiking in the mountains of Colorado. I decided I needed a GPS because I started climbing mountains without well-defined trails; I climbed the wrong mountain several times. I used the Brunton MNS in parallel with the Garmin Etrex Vista for about a month.

The MNS is more accurate than advertised when finding positions. When entering a waypoint on the "way out" of a daylong hike, the MNS usually registered "found" within 5 feet of the landmark that I recrossed and recognised on the "way back." The MNS can acquire a signal in light forests near tree line, but not in the heavy forests of Ponderosa Pine at lower altitudes. The heavy smoke generated by the fire burning West of Colorado Springs this Summer killed satellite acquisition.

The altimeter is not accurate to within three feet, even given that the weather is clear and constant. It is of equivalent accuracy to my Sunto Vector altitude watch which is rated accurate to 10 feet; both must have the same internal mechanism. If I start climbing at 10,000 feet and climb to 14,000 feet, both devices will register about 13,900 feet. Interestingly enough, both devices always register low, which allows me to intuit the real altitude. On that closed loop between 10,000 and 14,000 feet, both mechanisms will register within 10 feet of 10,000 feet on return to the starting point.

The MNS mechanism is capable and has kept me from getting lost several times when weather on the return trip became bad.

The Tracklog function has little value because there is a very small limiting number of collected waypoints; a user is bound to miss that bend in the trail or special landmark that he would enter if he were setting waypoints manually.

The MNS is somewhat more accurate than the E-Trex Vista in finding positions. The E-Trex is far more user friendly in entering data. It might take twice as long to manually enter a route using the MNS vis-a-vis the E-trex.

I wear reading glasses. I cannot view the E-trex map or any of the displays without my glasses. I can view all the displays on the MNS without glasses. This was the ultimate reason I kept the MNS and returned the E-Trex Vista.

The Map on the Vista is so tiny as to be of little value. When I hike, I print a map of my route from my mapping software on plasticized paper; this printed map is far more convenient than the tiny map on the Vista.

Buying second hand Brunton.
My aim was to get a GPS with no map capability in order to maintain good habits when navigating with visual checkpoints. The low battery consumption was also an important matter. The Brunton unit I got from Finalcall fulfills all my expectations. The very large screen, additional features such as the compass, the altimeter or the barometer in addition to a full GPS unit are perfect. I will use it mainly when making cross-country travel in a Cessna 172 as a complementary tool to classical navigation instruments. The service given by Finalcall has been perfect.

GPS Nut
After receiving the unit, I tried all the features it has. Wow!
It is an amazing gps. Great. It performance exactly as it said on the specifications especially under the thick forest trees. Without this I could be lost in the jungle during one of my weekend jungle trekking trip. Unbelievable. It even track signal under tiles roof in my house.
I have another gps of other brand (I wouldn't mention it brand name) it is of no use in that conditions eventhough it has all the other features which I think is great. These are good when I use it in lake and sea.But totally useless under thick foliage without satellites signal.
Trekking under the compass mode is great when there isn't any satellites signals. It saves battery. You wouldn't get lost in any conditions.Great feature!
Don't go jungles (from my part of the world a lot of jungles here are virgin jungles) trekking withou this gps. You can leave others gps at home at least it save you space and weight in your backpacks. Believe me.
TQ
GPS NUT ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

PNI's Wayfinder V7000 deluxe car compass is one very smart compass. Patented sensor technology gives this instrument the ability to assess its surrounding conditions. And it offers precise information on orientation, declination (true vs. magnetic north), and altitude, clearly and accurately. Easily readable on the unit's large LCD you'll find interior and exterior temperature (in your choice of Fahrenheit or Celsius) and predictions on potential changes in the weather (based on barometric pressure).

The compass' Auto-Integrate circuitry (patented and developed by PNI) gives you an instrument capable of knowing when to turn itself on and off, or even when it needs its backlight feature. Since it's so smart, the V7000 can be used virtually hands-free, freeing you to keep your focus where it should be: on the terrain without.

A bearing point can be stored in memory to map your course. Precise information on altitude and barometric pressure with trend indicators are constantly provided, as well as interior and exterior temperature readings with ice alert, for comfort and safety. The compass slides easily from its mounting bracket for safe storage.

What's in the Box
Compass, CR123 lithium battery, 12V DC power adapter, 10-foot temperature sensor cable with retainer clips, and a user's manual ... Read more

Features

• Shows direction with compass rose, 8 cardinal points, and 1º numeric digits
• Automatically turns on or off with car ignition
• Weather Forecaster & Inside/Outside Thermometer
• Altimeter & Barometer

Reviews (9)

Extra Features Are Inaccurate and Not Worth The Money
As a compass, this unit appears to function properly. The additional features are a waste of money. The altimeter must constantly be adjusted (During the course of a drive from to NY to VT, it will be off by several hundred feet). If the car is turned off, the altimeter must be recalibrated. The Weather Predictor has always said SUN... never anything else. I made the mistake of hardwiring the power cable to my 12Volt power port myself (not purchasing the PNI wiring kit). This voided my warranty, and I could not return the unit. I wired it 2 months after I bought the unit, the problems were always there.

Do Not Do Business with this company
I bought one of these computers and it broke within two months. They sent me a replacement and it broke. Now they will not even look at it. They said it is 'probably out of warranty and too expensive to bother fixing'. I could accept a defective product if they had good customer service, or vice versa. Instead, they have a crappy product and worse customer service. Avoid them!

Kevin L
Parker, CO

Waist of money
This item is a waste of money. You can get the same benifets by reading the elv. signs in the mountains.It will keep a good compas heading but that is all.

Not Reliable
I found this compass disappointing. As a sailor I am use to the accuracy of Loran, GPS and marine compasses. I suspect that the problem is not the instrument itself, but the difficulty of compensating for the magnetic influences in a car. The PNI often gives erroneous directional information. My unit has developed a defect after less than 6 months of infrequent use. The 'off' button doesn't work. The unit eventually turns itself off. It is an interesting gadget, but a good road map is a better value.

Great Features and Display
I have had other PNI compasses for the car but this one is the best. It has a great display and the calibration was a breeze. The barometer and altimeter are a bit unstable but what do you expect when you are using it in a moving vehicle. I also purchased the hard wire kit from PNI which is fantastic. Once wired, it automatically turns the unit on when you start the car and turns on the backlight at night. I wired it right into the wiring of the 12V power outlet and it works fine. ... Read more

Features

• Easy access to essential information in one compact package
• Alarm clock with snooze function, calendar, thermometer and compass with cardinal points
• Rugged rubber armor
• 100 percent waterproof housing
• Large, backlit LCD display

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed for the mountaineering, outdoor traveller, this hardy wrist-mounted computer provides all the information you'll need for any adventure, including a digital altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer, and a regular watch. It's backlit for easy viewing, and water resistant down to 100 feet below surface.

The altimeter includes functions showing current altitude up to 29,500 ft/9,000 m, and your ascent/descent rate in feet or meters per minute. Its difference measurement function allows zeroing of the altimeter for following your vertical progress between various destination stages, and the automatic 24-hour memory stores your altitude and ascent/descent rate for every hour continuously, with a logbook that stores total ascent/descent, average ascent/descent rate, and even the number of runs you've skied for the duration of the log.

The barometer provides absolute pressure range from 8.90 - 32.40 in Hg / 300 - 1100 mbar, and sea level pressure range 27.25 - 31.90 inHg / 921-1080 mbar. You'll also get 0.05 inHg / 1 mbar resolution, and a difference measurement function that allows zeroing of the barometer for following overnight changes in barometric pressure and temperature. There's also an automatic 4-day memory--which can store pressure information in one hour intervals for the last six hours, then in six hour intervals after that--and a handy, adjustable, sea-level pressure function.

The compass function includes bearing in degrees and cardinal or half-cardinal point, a North-South arrow, and a bearing tracking function which displays locked bearing, actual bearing, and the difference between these declination adjustments.There's also a bubble level to indicate level position to ensure +/- 2-3 degree reading accuracy, and a declination adjustment. The watch function provides a basic 12/24 hour clock, a calendar pre-programmed to 2089, 3 daily alarms, and a stopwatch and countdown timer that both run for 23:59:59 hours. You'll also get a thermometer, and the watch comes with a user-replacable battery. All this is packed into a 1.9 oz. device. ... Read more

Features

• Convenient, wristwatch design includes digital altimeter, barometer, compass, watch, and more
• Measures altitude range up to 29,500 ft.
• Automatic 4-day memory stores barometric pressure information in one hour intervals
• Watch function includes 12/24 hour clock and calendar pre-programmed to 2089
• Also features a thermometer, electroluminescent backlight, and water-resistance down to 30m/100ft

Reviews (1)

suunto vector
IF YOU ARE AN OUTDOOR PERSON THE VECTOR IS THE ITEMTO HAVE==THE ALTIMETER ANDBAROMETER WORK IN CONJUCTION=WHICH MIGHT INITIALLY CAUSECONFUSION==BUT BY SETTING THESEA LEVEL PRESSURE=THE SETTINGSWILL EQUAL OUT=THE COMPASS ISSPOT ON AND WHEN SET WITH DECLINATION ==WILL GET YOU WHEREYOU WANT TO BE==OVERALL THE VECTOR IS WORTH THE INVESTMENTIF YOU LOVE TO-HIKE-CAMP-CLIMB-OR ANY OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITYWHICH REQUIRES TO YOU TO HAVEA HEADSUP REGARDING WEATHERAND YOUR SAFETY IN THE FIELD=ONE NOTE ==YOUR LOCAL AIRPORTCONTROL TOWER-CAN GIVE YOU=ELEVATION==SEA LEVEL PRESSURE=DELINATION=WHICH MAKES SETUPEASIER=ALSO A FIRST CLASSPHONE HELP LINE=THE PEOPLETHERE ARE TOP NOTCH AND WILL TAKE TIME TO HELP YOUSET THE VECTOR UP PROPERLY= ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Vital data you need hiking, climbing, or skiing is just a glance awaywith the Suunto Altimax Wristop Computer. Get all the functionality of a watch,altimeter, and barometer in a stylish red design. The Altimax looks like a high-endwristwatch, with an ABS plastic body and elastic wristband with a Velcroclosure. The body is black, with a ring of black around the dial and anoversized, backlit LCD screen. The Altimax is made tough, built to be waterproofeven when submerged up to 100 feet.

The watch displays day, time, and date with three programmable alarms plus astopwatch and countdown timer. The dual time function allows you to stay on timeeven when traveling in a different time zone. The Altimax also offers acombination of altimeter and barometer functions.

The altimeter allows you to view the current altitude with a range up to 29,500feet and a resolution of 10 feet. Also view your ascent/descent rate in feet perminute. (All measurements are also available in metric units.) One-button accessallows you to see immediate information about vertical ascent/descent and thenumber of runs skied.

The barometer allows you to measure the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit,absolute pressure, and a difference measurement to follow changes in barometricpressure and temperature. The automatic four-day memory keeps track ofatmospheric pressure information. Another feature is the adjustable sea-levelpressure function.

The Altimax comes with a user-replaceable battery, which lasts up to 18 months,and a low-battery indicator. It is covered by a one-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Watch, altimeter, and barometer in 1
• Stylish design, waterproof to 100 feet
• Altimeter with 24-hour memory and log book
• Barometer with 4-day memory
• Dual time display, 1-button access to altitude information

Reviews (2)

two year owner of altimax
an excellent watch that could use some downsizing, but its size gives the advantage of an easily readible face. could use a mineral crystal lens...even though plastic and inset, ...but the best feature is the fact that the easily obtainable battery is so easy to replace that the wearer is not discouraged from using the features as often as necessary. Unlike many other digital watches, the band still fits my 6 inch wrist with holes to spare. Although the operational functions are laid out well, I was lost in trying to remember how to operate the watch after storing it away for several months...after all, to download the manual is 50 odd pages. Still I think this is an excellent product that could be made better with the additions I mentioned.

A very good choice for mountaineers, skiers
This watch has many great features, and few shortcomings. The bad first, and then the good: First; It is quite big. At first it seems like a hockey puck has been strapped to your wrist. Second; it uses a barometer to guage altitude, and therefore it requires some study, attention to detail, and monitoring and adjustment to get the most out of it.

Now the mitigating factors on these shortcomings: First (large size); while it is a bit large on your wrist, it is quite lightweight, and after a while, you get used to it. Overall, it is quite comforable to wear. The large control buttons are easy to use in winter with gloves on. And, the large display makes the data easy to digest. Second (barometer-based altimeter); all the other altimeter watches on the market work in much the same way, so this shortcoming should not disqualify this watch in comparison to other climbing/skiing watches.

Now the good: First; it has the features you need and not a lot of others you don't. Timekeeping, altitude, barometer. That's it. No other gadgets to confuse and add to the cost. Second; it's very rugged. I've abused mine heartily and it's stood up very well. Third; the features it does have are comprehensive and well executed. Fourth; assuming you master the arcane science of tracking altitude with a barometer -based altimeter, this one is quite accurate compared to some others I've tried (like the casio models).

Quick summary of features: the basic timekeeping functions are great! Time, date, multiple alarms, countdown timer, stopwatch, dual time zone -- all work easily and intuitively.

In Altimeter mode, the main display gives you your current altitude and a quick display of your recent trend. After this, it get complicated. The feature set is robust, and you'll have to spend some time with the manual to master it. It will measure just about anything related to going up or down a mountain that you could ever think of. It can also log these things and remember them for your future use. It can be changed from measuring feet per minute skied (for example) to feet per hour climbed. You name it, this thing can record and measure it.

What I use it for mostly, is just to show me where I am on the mountain in terms of altitude. To do this, you'll need to know what the actual altitude is where you start (parking lot, for example) and use that to set the altimeter. From there, the watch will keep an extremely accurate account of where you go from there. The only problem will be if a new weather pattern moves in. This will cause a change of barometric pressure and will affect the accuracy of the altitude reading.

In barometer mode, this watch will also give you a very accurate warning of a new weather pattern moving in -- as long as you are not changing your altitude substantially. As with the altitude mode, you can ask it to log data into memory to see trends and keep track of pressure over time.

In summary, it is an excellent tool for mountaineers and skiers. Used properly, it is a very accurate tool for navigation and weather forecasting. However, expect to spend some time with the user manual to master the features before you ask it to help save your life. I've tried several of the other watches on the market (Casio, Avocet, Nike) with similar features and this is the best of the bunch. ... Read more