First Review: Garmin iQUE M5

Darren · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:09 pm Post subject: First Review: Garmin iQUE M5

davespda.com have taken a look at the first Windows Mobile based GPS device from Garmin, the iQue M5.

Although they incorrectly award it the accolade of the first Windows Mobile based GPS when we all know the Mitac Mio168 was the first the review is an interesting read.

Combining GPS functionality with a Windows Mobile based handheld and Garmin's Mapsource map product it allows PDA users to always have a GPS receiver with them, and GPS users to use the PDA functionality to increase their productivity. Read the complete review here.
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Darren Griffin

AlanK · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:41 pm Post subject:

Looks nice but two blocks to notice you are off track? Thats pretty poor from my limted experience isn't it?

Darren · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:58 pm Post subject:

That depends on the size of the blocks! Seriously though I would need to read a review from a GPS oriented site before making an assumption of its performance.

My gripe with Garmin solutions is that whilst they're fine on devices such as StreetPilots as you know you're locked into Garmin software, on a PDA such as this it makes no sense to lock yourself to Garmin when there are many other alternatives at least as good.

A device such as a Mio168 does all that the M5 does, has an NMEA compatible GPS and can utilise any of the myriad of solutions available which allows you to switch to better solutions should they arise or use seperate apps for different purposes.

For me, Garmin make excellent hand held outdoor GPS units, their in-car stuff is best avoided and I owned a StreetPilot so speak from experience.

And if Garmin are listening, we'd love to review more of your products, perhaps my view would then change but as you make it almost impossible to get review kit I guess that's not going to happen anytime soon.
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Darren Griffin

AlanK · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:10 pm Post subject:

True,

Ahwell - still waiting for the new TT units tho I have to admit an integrated PDA/GPS thing would be more convenient for me.

Fancied the Mio till I read something about the battery problems. Also full postcode searches will be major selling point for me since every where I go seems to miss the streetname of their address...

Darren · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:26 pm Post subject:

I haven't heard of any serious battery issues with the 168's and TTN5 will run on them fine?
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Darren Griffin

AlanK · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:31 pm Post subject:

Something about them losing data if the battery goes flat?

What would I need to do tho to get a Mio with TT5 & the new maps (i.e. full PostCode) - thinking that would probably cost as much as a new 500 which is what I think I will end up with (just worry that its not really pocket sized)

Darren · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:36 pm Post subject:

AlanK · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:45 pm Post subject:

Its a tough call,

Really could do with a pocket size unit that I can work when walking about London but which would also have all the bells n whistles of v5.

Does anyone know how much the new maps will cost or if they can be purchased with v5 of the software?

Darren · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:58 pm Post subject:

v5 will be available in software only form with the new map data soon. You will doubtless see Mio168 bundles with TomTom5 when it is launched.

The battery issue is only a problem if you leave it in a drawer for a week without keeping it charged. Even then if you are careful enough to backup to SD card using the built-in backup app it takes only a few minutes to restore once charged.

v5 for PocketPC has all the features of the GO except where the PPC hardware lacks things such as Bluetooth etc. And you can install other software such as OS maps and standard PocketPC software, games, apps, utilities etc etc.

You can get a Mio168 bundles with TomTom 3 for approx £330 and would then be entitled to the upgrade at a discount but this late in the day I#d reccomend waiting for v5 to be released to the retailers.
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Darren Griffin

AlanK · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 7:02 pm Post subject:

Aggh... the mention of OS maps is a good point as I could actually use it for the mountain biking..

ahwell got plenty of time to see what happens before the new TT's come out by the looks of it anyway... only thing I know so far is the Navman 610 I have at the mo is going back as the lack of touch screen is makin it nasty to use. (and it has not battery)

Cheers for the advice... time to go read up a bit more on the Mio...

soweezy · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:00 pm Post subject:

maybe Garmin were first ?

press release... http://www.garmin.com/pressroom/mobile/010803b.html
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SW

Garmin Zumo 390LM

Darren · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:20 pm Post subject:

Except that Press Release is for the iQUE 3600 Palm OS PDA rather than the M5 Windows Mobile based verson which came much later.
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Darren Griffin

mchilds · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 15, 2005 Posts: 1

You are mistaken about the iQue m5 forcing the use of the Garmin proprietary (but documented) GPS protocol. The m5 makes a NMEA GPS data stream available on COM2 of the device, so you should be able to use any NMEA-compatible GPS software on the m5 (there is a thread about this on the PDA Street m5 Forum, something about wardriving and the SDK).

-Mike

Darren · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:30 pm Post subject:

I've edited the news item and removed that comment.
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Darren Griffin

AlanK · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 9:09 pm Post subject:

So does that make the Mio and Garmin PDA's comparable then?

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