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(More customer reviews)The version that I got is Waypoint 205 (aka Waypoint 200 national edition). In my opinion, this PDA + GPS (or rather GPS + PDA) is probably the best in its class. However, its price range may put it on a not so competitive edge against other similar products. The reason I gave it only 3 stars is not because of the way the product was built but because I don't think that the PDA + GPS combined technology has matured to the point that makes this product useful for every one. In fact, if you are not a techie, you might find your experience in configuring this product for your own use frustrating.
As a PDA ...
It runs Windows CE and allows you to sync with Outlook via ActiveSync. Note that this unit comes with a fully featured Bluetooth adaptor but IT DOES NOT COME WITH A WIRELESS ADAPTOR (unlike most other PDAs/Pocket PCs priced half as much). So if you want to browse the internet at a cafe/airport/hotpoint, you will need to buy a wireless compactflash. Since the Bluetooth connection is indepensible (that is how this PDA communicates with the bluetooth GPS reciever), you probably would want to shop for one compactflash card that supports both Bluetooth & Wifi connections. There are very few manufacturers that make an adaptor for both of these wireless technologies. And when you do find one (see Ambicon for example), it may not work well. So chances are you will need to buy another wireless compactflash and take it with you whereever you go. This is not an actractive option, is it?
As a handheld GPS ...
This is what the product is marketed for (i.e., mainly as a hand held GPS). Its navigational accuracy is quite good. In addition, it comes with a well thought out auto gadget set that you will find it indispensible when you use the unit inside a car. It does a pretty good job of finding routes and will quickly detects that you've missed a turn and re-computes a new route/detour without requiring any manual interaction. Since it comes with a Bluetooth GPS receiver, the receiver can be mounted remotely from the unit to allow for better sattelite reception.
You can also record your GPS positions. This feature makes unit suitable for off-road use. But with limitted battery power, I don't exactly know how useful this feature can be.
The Waypoint 200/205 has several critical weaknesses that are common to nearly all products in its class. Basically, it is a complex computer with complex navigational software running on very limitted harware resources. These problems make this type of product better suited for techies and not for every one.
1. As mentioned above, this unit does not come with a wireless connection
2. Plan to spend many frustrating hours if you want to run ActiveSync on this unit via the Bluetooth connection. Mobile Crossing has a web page especially for this feature. But it is not of much help. There is an expert review on the web specifically mentioning his frustration in getting this feature to work. It took him 30 minutes to figure out how to use this features. Well, it took me about 1 day to get this feature to work.
3. The unit is not reliable. You will need to frequently soft resetting your unit. In some cases, soft resetting won't solve the problems. For example, you may find the unit automatically turns off the backlight when you tap on the screen and soft resetting does not solve this problem. In these cases, you will need to take the battery out to perform a hard/cold reset. This kind of reset will erase all software you've downloaded and your own customed configurations. Basically, you should always back up the data on your PDA to your PC or Laptop. The unit is just not reliable enough to function standalone.
4. Unlike the expensive GPS unit that comes with your car, the Bluetooth GPS will take about 1 minute (or much longer in some cases) to sync with the sattelites if you only turn it on sporadically. This wait can be taxing on your patience
5. Be careful if you decide to use the business locations that come with the detailed maps. They are accurate most of the time. But a good fraction of the times, it will direct you to go to a place that is a few miles away from the actual business address. Because of this problem, a could be very useful feature is of limitted utility. If you don't want to get lost, I recommend that you always look up the destination address on the web and use that for navigation.
6. The unit is really practical for 1 or at most 2 region maps loaded. Any more than that will make the unit extremely unresponsive. Loading the maps of 3 or more regions may even crash your Waypoint. Furthermore, you really have to be a techie and have a lot of patience to go through the map downloading instructions. The national edition allows you to have access to all US region maps. But it does not come with all of these maps installed. All US maps will fit into a 1GB compactflash card. You can buy this card from Mobile Crossing or you can build the card yourself. In either case, here is another card that you will need to carry with you whenever you travel.
7. At the time of this writing, Mobile Crossing map availability is limitted US, Canada, and UK. iQUE product has significantly more maps of other countries.
8. According to Mobile Crossing, the battery is specially made for the product. If you need an extra battery for your PDA, Mobile Crossing will direct you to their outlet. The battery alone costs about $60. I have not been able to find any other alternative.
Mobile Crossing tech support is better than most other companies. It is probably because they are still a small company whose products (though quite good in their classes) have not been widely adopted. I have contacted their tech support a few times. In most cases, they can diagnose the issues quickly. I would not be surprised if a significant portion of the cost of product goes to tech support.
The GPS/PDA combined product is a such a good concept. It fits the use profile of most of us. We only need to use the navigation feature on the average may be once a week or when we travel. For the rest of the time, we can use the unit as a full-featured PDA. But because of limitted computational power, memory, and reliability of the software, one needs to think twice before buying this product.
If your need is just for your own local area/state/region, the regional release of this product is probably what you want. You won't need to configure your unit since it is shipped with the map for your region (i.e., it is ready for use out of the box). However, if you need to use more than one region (as most of these units are national editions), you will need to ask yourself the following two questions:
Are you a techie?
Do you derive pleasure from figuring out how things work?
If you answer no to either question, your need for a mobile hand help GPS must be extremely great before buying this product or any other product in the same class. You might want to consider buying a PDA unit and a separate navigational unit. In my assessment, tt is still at least a few years away before we see a PDA/GPS product that can overcome most of the weaknesses mentioned here.
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Product Description:
The Mobile Crossing WP205 Way Point Pocket PCand GPS Navigation System integrates highly effective, satellite guided vehicle navigation with a high-performance Bluetooth-enabled Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC. If you're on the go a lot, you need a way tocombine personal information management, scheduling and navigation features into a single, pocketablesystem.
The Mobile Crossing WP205 navigation system works as well in your car as itdoes in your pocket.
The 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen with voice guidance helps you keep youreyes on the road. View larger.
Charging the WP205 is a breeze with the included USB charging cradle.
The handy, included car mount simplifies on-the-roadnavigation. With the Mobile Crossing WP205, you can wirelessly upload a contact from your PC, make an appointment,and get voice guidance to that appointment location when you need it. It's that easy! And while you're atit, enjoy the convenience of a Windows Mobile device with mobile versions of your favorite applications,a music player, games, photo viewing, and more. Featuring a complete set of national maps and points ofinterest, and a SiRF-powered GPS chip, the Mobile Crossing WP205 will also provide you with the fastestand most accurate navigation service available.
If it's important to you that your GPS system works aswell in your car as in your pocket, the Mobile Crossing WP205 is an excellent choice. Featuring alightweight, thin design, it runs for over three hours on battery power. Although it retains all thefeatures of much more expensive in-car navigation systems, the Mobile Crossing WP205 can be moved easilyfrom car to car and can even be used as a hiking and marine GPS in a pinch.
Featuring Navteq Onboard maps and data bases, the Mobile Crossing WP105 gives you millions of points ofinterests across the country, as well as the highest-quality maps available for a GPS navigation unit.With loud and clear, naturally spoken and pleasantly human voice directions, you'll be guided with turn-by-turn directions as you navigate to your destination.
The Mobile Crossing WP205 takes navigation another step by including a complete set of Windows Mobile2003 Premium Edition applications, including Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and Outlook-compatible organizer applications. This means that no matter where you are, your full set of contacts andimportant information, along with the world's most widely used set of software applications, are a touch-screen away, giving you the ultimate in navigation experience and convenience.
Among the navigation system's many unique quick-access features include:
The "heart" button, which gives you fast access to your favorite places and a one-buttoncommand to take you home in the middle of the night
The detour button that automatically takes you around the traffic
An information button that gives you information such as exact speed and location
The navigation button for easy access to traffic and weather information
An easy-to-use thumb wheel for zooming in and out of the map
When you purchase Mobile Crossing WP205, you'll also get a free one-year subscription to TrafficWatch, afeature that enables your system to receive delayed and real time traffic information in both visual andaudio format. Also included is a one-year subscription to Weather Underground, a location-based servicethat offers delayed and real time weather satellite imagery. Note that some features of these servicesrequire a mobile Internet connection delivered by your cellular phone service provider.
What's in the Box
WayPoint Pocket PC, travel adapter (USB and charging), main battery, stylus,USB desktop cradle/charging stand, USB cable, AC adapter, companion / documentation CD, getting startedDVD, plastic dust cover installed in the SD slot, CompactFlash Bluetooth card pre-installed in PDA,Bluetooth GPS Receiver, Bluetooth GPS charging cable/adapter, split charger cable, powered vehicle mount,vehicle mount T-slot docking plate, windshield suction cup with gooseneck, 12-volt cigarette lighter plugcable, PDA vehicle charging adapter, audio cord (3.5-millimeter to 3.5-millimeter), Waypoint usersmanual, additional software instructions, warranty card, product registration card with warranty sheet,Quick start guide, support sheet, and EULA booklet (end users license agreement).
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