Garmin® Adds GPS Technology to Pocket PCs via cf Que™ Module

bkbroil · #1 05-03-2004, 05:41 PM

I've recently purchased a cf GPS reciever and Mapopolis software for my Toshiba. It's been awesome traveling around and watching my position on the streets right in front of me while driving.. (Not to mentiont the Voice Turn by Turn directions). I did have to purchase the Arkon powered PDA mount w/speaker. (also very cool.

)
Today, Garmin released a press announcement that pieces all this together by offering a CF GPS flip up reciever and North American Maps all in one component. Having a GPS device for a fraction of the cost of dealer installed GPS units in your car is sooooo cool!

The suggested price is $270 (US)... I purchased my software and reciever for about $150 (US) but this gives you the ability to have just one component.
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today announced that the company will offer its Que application with a new CompactFlash® GPS module that is optimized for popular Pocket PC handhelds. The cf Que 1620 is a module featuring Garmin’s new Que software application, which delivers high-performance GPS location, mapping and turn-by-turn navigation capabilities to Pocket PC devices.
"The cf Que is a comprehensive GPS module that offers ample memory and intuitive operation," said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s director of marketing. "Users don’t need to sacrifice internal memory or their preferred applications to get complete navigation capabilities on their Pocket PC, because all of the map data can be stored on the module."
Are you considering getting a GPS device?

Brad Isaac · #2 05-03-2004, 05:47 PM

My oh my that is nice!

After this past weekend getting lost all over the East coast, my one answer to "Are you considering getting a GPS device?" is Yes, yes and YES!!
This baby might just be the right one too. I'm going to have to take a closer look.

bkbroil · #3 05-03-2004, 05:55 PM

I do recommend getting a powered PDA mount from Arkon and also make sure that the Garmin software is compatible with WM2003SE so that you can view the maps in Landscape mode.
I just picked my kids up from school and had my Toshiba direct us home. (My maps are in Landscape VGA mode). To my suprise, it took us a different way than I normally take and it was faster....We had fun, listening to the map tell us (in monotone) "Turn Left on Manatawna, turn left at the next intersection." ..and I was playing around saying to my kids ... "Well, I don't normally go this way...but the computer told us to..so we have to."

Brad Isaac · #4 05-03-2004, 06:44 PM

hehe...yeah, the audible directions are handy. I'm looking for a setup that includes voice commands so I don't have to take my eyes off the road.

jkendrick · #5 05-03-2004, 08:04 PM

How do you update the maps in this unit? It must be flashable, don't you think?
I recently took a 2 day business trip and decided to drive (4 hours each way) instead of fly so I'd have my car with me. I've never been to the city my meetings were in but having the ability to let the nav system plot the route and talk me through it was great fun! Traveling down the interstate on the way back I even told it to find me the nearest gas station and it told me which exit to take and there it was!
GPS is absolutely great. BK, you're example is too true. I've been using the unit in my car for almost 3 years now and it's often plotting me different routes to get places. It's never given me a bad route- it's uncanny. Be careful though. Once you get used to it you find you don't have to pay attention to the route very much and the first time you get in a car without the GPS and try to go to a place you've been before....
Well, let's just say it's embarrassing,

bkbroil · #6 05-03-2004, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Be careful though. Once you get used to it you find you don't have to pay attention to the route very much and the first time you get in a car without the GPS and try to go to a place you've been before....
Well, let's just say it's embarrassing,

That reminds me of when I go to visit my Mother. I'll go over and she'll be watching television. I'll watch for a little while and then say "Can you check to see what else is on?" She'll respond with "Sure, go ahead." There's about a 30 second delay of me staring at her before I realize....she doesn't have cable..... AND.....her TV only has dials.

Woh! ...How does this work? .... Wait a minute! How do you live like this! Even worse.....How did I live like this! Did I really not have a remote control growing up?

It must have been so painful that I have blocked it out of my memory!