What GPS Street Navigation products are available to me ?

19th January 2003

Navman 3000

Navman 3000 was the original bundle supplied for the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC.  This is now quite out-dated, and has been updated to the newer 3400 model (below).

GPS Receiver

Comes with the Navman 3000 sleeve as seen left, which has a groove on the back for the supplied suction mount to slide onto the sleeve and to affix to the windscreen.

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Compaq iPAQ 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 5400

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe using TomTom's CityMaps and RoutePlanner bundled in the package.

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

Software can be purchased direct via TomTom (CityMaps and RoutePlanner), hardware can be purchased now and again through various vendors, but mostly is only available as a bundle.

Pros

Great if you want to walk or hike a lot, no cables

Cons

Slower acquisition times, maps are old and outdated and so is the software interface.

Read UK/Europe Review

Navman 3400/3420

Navman 3400 came out in September 2002 and updated the original 3000 product and again is solely for the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC.

GPS Receiver

Comes with the Navman 3000 sleeve as seen left, which has a groove on the back for the supplied suction mount to slide onto the sleeve and to affix to the windscreen.

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Compaq iPAQ 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 5400

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe, USA.  Navman's new in-house product SmartST Professional

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

Software cannot be purchased seperately.  Hardware can be purchased now and again through various vendors, but mostly is only available as a bundle.

Pros

Great if you want to walk or hike a lot, no cables, interface is slick, sexy and looks good.  Maps are also quite nice to look at, and comes with Voice Navigation.

Cons

Slower acquisition times, minor routing issues will route you off of a major road, down several minor roads, and back onto the same road.  Software will only work with the supplied GPS Receiver.

Read UK/Europe 3400 Review

Read US 3420 Review

TomTom Navigator

TomTom Navigator came out in August 2002.  The software has had many bug fixes and updates applied to it, TomTom are very committed in resolving problems with their software, and it's nice to see a company willing to produce 4 updates in 4 months!

GPS Receiver

Comes bundled with the Leadtek 9531 receiver, fast acquisition times, never has you waiting more than 50 seconds for an acquisition, and is the favourite GPS receiver of many.  The GPS receiver has a felt/magnetic base, and a suction cup on the cable to help stop it slipping around the dashboard, and due to the weight of the receiver, there's no worry there!

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Compaq iPAQ 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 5400, Pocket Loox, O2 XDA, HP Jornada 500 Series, Casio E115, Casio E125, Casio EM500, Casio E200.

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe, but are only available in country box sets, so you do need to buy a country specific.  If you're looking for complete European maps, this can get quite expensive!

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

Software can be purchased direct via TomTom and via various stores.  Hardware can be purchased direct via Leadtek UK (TecRep.co.uk)

Pros

Interface is slick, sexy and looks good, and the maps are just as good if not better!  Comes with Voice Navigation which is the loudest on the market, which makes driving at motorway speeds a dream.  Comes with a complete vent and windscreen mount package which gives you every option available for mounting your Pocket PC in-car.

Cons

No good for walking or hiking with the current GPS Receiver, minor mapping issues discovered in UK around Cornwall/Devon and Wales/Anglesea with other minor map problems in other areas of the country.

Read UK Review

PowerLOC Destinator 2

PowerLOC Destinator 2 came out in November 2002.  

GPS Receiver

Comes bundled with the Leadtek 9531 receiver, fast acquisition times, never has you waiting more than 50 seconds for an acquisition, and is the favourite GPS receiver of many.  The GPS receiver has a felt/magnetic base, and a suction cup on the cable to help stop it slipping around the dashboard, and due to the weight of the receiver, there's no worry there!

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Compaq iPAQ 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 5400, Pocket Loox, O2 XDA, HP Jornada 500 Series, Casio E115, Casio E125, Casio EM500, Casio E200.

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe, USA

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

Software can be purchased direct via PowerLOC or through various stores, hardware can be purchased direct via Leadtek UK (TecRep.co.uk)

Pros

Interface is slick, sexy and looks good, and the maps are just as good.  The 3D Drive view is superb, and makes you want the product just for this feature.  Comes with Voice Navigation and over the speed limit notification.

Cons

No good for walking or hiking with the current GPS Receiver.  Doesn't come with any Pocket PC holder in-car, so you have to purchase a separate holder

Read UK Review

Pocket CoPilot

TravRoute Pocket CoPilot released 3.5 UK package in October 2002.   There are two bundles currently available, one with a Compact Flash GPS Card and one with the new EMTAC GPS Sleeve for the Compaq iPAQ.

GPS Receiver

Comes bundled with a Compact Flash GPS receiver, fairly fast acquisition times,

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Any Pocket PC that has a Compact Flash Type I or Type II Socket for the GPS Receiver to plug into.  You will also require an SD slot as a 128mb SD card is supplied with the maps installed.  Current Pocket PC's that have both a Compact Flash and SD card slot are Compaq iPAQ 3800, 3900, 5400, Casio E200 and Toshiba E570.

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe, USA

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

No, Software will only work with the CoPilot hardware, hardware can be purchased separately from the original manufacturer.

Pros

Interface is okay, maps do look a little basic compared to other products, but the Voice Navigation blows other products away with Fonix speech technology speaking road names rather than just directional turn information.  Also the manual re-route button to divert you away from the traffic you're stuck in comes in very handy!  Comes with Voice Navigation as standard.  Good receiver allows you to use other map products to go walking or hiking.  Also comes with a Pocket PC Holder that allows you to connect the Pocket PC to an air vent.

Cons

Software will only work with the supplied GPS Receiver.  Use of the Compact Flash slot leaves only a few Pocket PC's that support an SD socket for you to store maps to.

Read UK Review

Pocket CoPilot

TravRoute Pocket CoPilot released 3.5 UK package in October 2002.   There are two bundles currently available, one with a Compact Flash GPS Card and one with the new EMTAC GPS Sleeve for the Compaq iPAQ.

GPS Receiver

Comes bundled with a Compaq iPAQ GPS Sleeve (EMTAC), fairly fast acquisition times,

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Compaq iPAQ 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 5400

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe, USA

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

No, Software will only work with the CoPilot hardware, hardware can be purchased separately from the original manufacturer.

Pros

Interface is okay, maps do look a little basic compared to other products, but the Voice Navigation blows other products away with Fonix speech technology speaking road names rather than just directional turn information.  Also the manual re-route button to divert you away from the traffic you're stuck in comes in very handy!  Comes with Voice Navigation as standard.  Good receiver allows you to use other map products to go walking or hiking.  Also comes with a Pocket PC Holder that allows you to connect the Pocket PC to an air vent.

Cons

Software will only work with the supplied GPS Receiver.

Read UK Review

TeleType

TeleType comes in both European and American formats.

GPS Receiver

Comes bundled with a Compact Flash GPS Receiver

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Any Pocket PC that has a Compact Flash Type I or Type II Socket for the GPS Receiver to plug into. You will also require an SD slot as a 128mb SD card is supplied with the maps installed.  Current Pocket PC's that have both a Compact Flash and SD card slot are Compaq iPAQ 3800, 3900, 5400, Casio E200 and Toshiba E570.

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe, USA

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

Yes

Pros

Not Currently Reviewed

Cons

Use of the Compact Flash slot leaves only a few Pocket PC's that support an SD socket for you to store maps to.

Mapopolis

Mapopolis comes in both European and American formats.

GPS Receiver

Comes bundled with the EMTAC/Socket Bluetooth GPS Receiver and is available seperately

What Pocket PC does it support ?

The software supports all Pocket PC's running Pocket PC 2002, for the Bluetooth receiver bundle you need to make sure you have a Pocket PC that supports Bluetooth.  Compaq iPAQ 3870, 3970 are amongst a few that natively support Bluetooth.

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe, USA

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

Yes

Pros

Quick software with tons of features

Cons

Maps currently let it down for the UK!

Read UK/Europe Review

Navman 1000

Navman 1000 was the original bundle supplied for the Pocket PC.  The maps are now quite out-dated.

GPS Receiver

Comes with the Navman 1000 Compact Flash Type I card as seen left

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Any Pocket PC supporting a Compact Flash Type I or II socket.  You will also require an SD slot as a 128mb SD card is supplied with the maps installed.  Current Pocket PC's that have both a Compact Flash and SD card slot are Compaq iPAQ 3800, 3900, 5400, Casio E200 and Toshiba E570.

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe using TomTom's CityMaps and RoutePlanner bundled in the package.

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

Software can be purchased direct via TomTom (CityMaps and RoutePlanner), hardware cannot be purchased separately.

Pros

Great if you want to walk or hike a lot, no cables

Cons

Use of the Compact Flash slot leaves only a few Pocket PC's that support an SD socket for you to store maps to.

Read UK/Europe Review

Street Navigation (Palm OS Bundled Packages)

Navman 500

Navman 500 for the Palm OS.  The maps are now quite out-dated.

GPS Receiver

Comes with the Navman 500 sleeve for the Palm as seen left

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Palm m125, m130, m500 series handhelds.

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe using TomTom's CityMaps and RoutePlanner bundled in the package.

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

Software can be purchased direct via TomTom (CityMaps and RoutePlanner), hardware cannot be purchased separately.

Pros

Great if you want to walk or hike a lot, no cables

Cons

Navman 350

Navman 350 for the Palm OS.  The maps are now quite out-dated.

GPS Receiver

Comes with the Navman 350 sleeve for the Palm as seen left

What Pocket PC does it support ?

Palm III, Palm V series handhelds.

Country Map Availability

UK, Europe using TomTom's CityMaps and RoutePlanner bundled in the package.

Can Hardware/Software be purchased separately ?

Software can be purchased direct via TomTom (CityMaps and RoutePlanner), hardware cannot be purchased separately.

Pros

Great if you want to walk or hike a lot, no cables

Cons