My First GPS Experience - Palm GPS Navigator with Garmin

I've never used GPS in any fashion before (probably because in my opinion I have a pretty solid sense of direction), but I thought I'd try out the Palm GPS Navigator with Garmin. Overall it was a good experience and while it wasn't a life-saver in terms of getting me from point A to point B, it definitely made getting around easier. It helped with things my sense of direction could never do, e.g. telling me what gas stations are the closest and selling the least expensive gas (kind of a big deal given the current prices of gas these days).      

I used it in multiple circumstances and really liked the portability (the GPS puck is pretty small, so it was easy to take with me in the car and walking around on foot). I took it with me to run errands in a location I wasn't really familiar with, used it on my commute home from work to pick the path of least resistance, (i.e. the least amount of traffic) and also used it to explore neighborhoods throughout San Francisco on weekends.

Details about features of the Palm GPS Navigator, as well as a couple of videos of my experiences, are included below (in case there are others out there who have yet to try out a GPS solution). Also, I am continuing to test it out so this is not meant to be a review, just sharing my personal experiences. I will add links to the reviews of others as they become available.

-Paul Loeffler

Some of the features included on Palm GPS Navigator:

• Voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions right to the front door featuring Garmin Mobile XT software.
• With the latest NAVTEQ U.S.and Canadian maps, find fuel, restaurants, parks, airports and other destinations. Garmin Online is also included to help you avoid traffic tie-ups, view the weather forecast, locate the cheapest gas prices, and more.
• Specifically for Palm only smartphones, integration capabilities such as contacts search and direct dialing.
• No subscription fees, just one-time purchase (retails for $209)! Also, as the carrier is not involved, you will receive strong reception even in rural areas.
• Easy setup--just insert the microSD card preloaded with maps into your compatible Palm smartphone for automatic installation and connection to GPS receiver.

(Trying out turn-by-turn directions and gas prices)

(turn-by-turn directions and restaurant search)

Comments

[Chad Garrett]

I watched these videos the other day, coincidently, and I am sold!

[Dave]

Speaking of GPS-like functionality, is there any news on adding support for Google's MyLocation feature?

I'm yearning for support on my Centro. Please post an update on this issue to your blog. It would be a thousand times nicer to have a basic GPS-like function built into the phone instead of having to use a third party device.

[Brian Jameson]

Built in GPS. Need I say more =)? Come on Palm, we know you can do it. In all fairness though, that little puck thingy seems like it brings a lot to the table for it's size if you don't mind shelling out a little more money.

[Marc]

Good application, but I think I would need glasses to see the map on Centro So Small Square Screen.

Come on Palm, we need a Big Landscape Screen Device!!!

Give us a TX2 + Cell radio with built in GPS and for sure it will be the best Convergence Device of all times. Jobs is almost there with the IPhone but I think you Palm can do better than him:)

[ALZ]

I have an TX and I want this GPS BUNDLE. When will it be available for TX?

[Jerome]

GPS solution has been key application in the PDA/smartphone mobile world since years.

GPS/PDA bundles have been a good way of selling inventories of handhelds since 2002.

This is surprising that working at Palm you are discovering the GPS solution in 2008!

[jay]

I bought my Real Time GPS Tracker for teen tracking at www.gpsteentracking.com. I noticed that a simular product is at www.ggppss.com. They seem to be close in features and price. I bought mine to monitor my teens driving speeds. They are also good for monitoring the whereabouts of a teens vehicle via a home computer....how cool.