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Fact Sheet & User Opinions

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Size 2.4" x 4.3" x 1.2"

Weight 5.7 oz. w/ batt.

Memory 3 K on Visor when inserted (GeoView maps take extra)

Accuracy 2-3 Meters

Availability Unknown

$289.00
Geode by GeoDiscovery

>> Read Review (Rating 4/5) <<

The GeoDiscovery Geode GPS Springboard module for Handspring Visor is an interactive travel guide that easily snaps onto your Handspring Visor. It incorporates a GPS receiver, a digital compass, and two memory expansion slots. The SiRFstar II-based 12-channel global positioning system receiver has an integrated antenna that enables the Geode to receive L1 C/A (course acquisition) signals from any of the 24 GPS satellites orbiting the earth. The Geode uses SiRF's FoliageLock technology, which provides a high level of signal sensitivity and performance even in canyons, between buildings, and in dense foliage. It also incorporates dual multipath rejection that eliminates stray data from reflected signals. This feature boosts GPS accuracy in many environments where the radio signals can bounce off rocks or buildings before reaching the Geode.

Further enhancing the GPS accuracy of the Geode is the implementation of the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) developed by the Federal Aviation Administration. It is a geographically expansive augmentation to the basic GPS service. WAAS improves the accuracy, integrity, and availability of the basic GPS signals to approximately 2 meters in the United States, northern Mexico, and southern Canada.

The Geode runs on two AA batteries and includes two MultiMediaCard slots capable of holding at least 64 MB each of storage for maps and trip information. Additionally, it includes a digital compass and a temperature sensor.

The GeoDiscovery software runs on any Handsping Visor with Palm OS version 3.0 or higher. The GeoView Mobile software enables users to browse information linked to interactive maps and interactive travel guides. It can show you where you are on a moving map, provide navigation assistance, and help you bookmark your favorite places.

See VisorCentral's extensive review for more infomation...

User Opinions
Thumbs Up  63% Thumbs Down 37%

Thumbs Up

GeoDiscovery GEODE GPS SpringBoard
Impressive. With 3 settings, PowerSave, HighPower, and HighPower with WAAS.1. PowerSave - Works great in this mode but because it does not continuously track satellites in this mode, some satellites will drop off occasionally, hence accuracy is slightly impaired.2. HighPower continuously tracks the satellites (using more power) generating fairly accurate readings- about 10 meters or better.3. HighPower with WAAS is awesome. I can track my self down to as accurate as 2 meters! WOW!Mapping software much better than GPS costing 3 times as much. I can even get the name of the street I'm on!There is much more I can tell you, but I'll save it for those who ask. [email protected]
by hiriseco

Thumbs Down

GeoDiscovery on hard financial stand
GeoDiscovery is having hard cash flow. They're NOT paying money back on returns.
by calhoe

Thumbs Up

Great, high-performance GPS capability
It has lot's of features that most other GPS modules (and even many stand-alone GPS units) don't have, like: - WAAS for greater accuracy - Built in digital, magnetic compass - Slots for two MMC memory cartridges for a total of 128 extra Megs
by GeorgeYK

Thumbs Up

Geode hardware is best SB GPS period; software is improving every month!
I have 2 portable GPS units for various applications. This is one of the most accurate GPS units I have used! Even better than a couple in the $1,000+ price range! Software is still lacking a little, but is quickly improving. Unit has two expansion slots that can support up to 64MB MMC cards each. Still waiting on the software to support the MMCs, but the money is in the hardware and with Flash upgrades the performance and features of the Geode keep getting better and better. Tech. support is awesome! Keep up the great work my Geo comrades!
by raa29671

Thumbs Up

Geode hardware is best SB GPS period; software is improvely every month!
I have 2 portable GPS units for various applications. This is one of the most accurate GPS units I have used! Even better than a couple in the $1,000+ price range! Software is still lacking a little, but is quickly improving. Unit has two expansion slots that can support up to 64MB MMC cards each. Still waiting on the software to support the MMCs, but the money is in the hardware and with Flash upgrades the performance and features of the Geode keep getting better and better. Tech. support is awesome! Keep up the great work my Geo comrades!
by raa29671

Thumbs Up

Getting better by the day.
I have had my Geode for about a month now and the software seems to improve every week. Sat locks are much quicker than they used to be, and the company actually listens and responds to questions and input The maps have been recently upgraded and if the company continues on the road they are on, this will be a phenominal product. I tried the handy GPS and could never get a Sat lock and with the Magellon it always had OS errors that would lock up my VDX. Great product with great support!
by LPlumlee

Thumbs Down

Software primative, at best
I'm not returning mine only because the return was extended until new software is released. While the position is more accurate, the software is so poor it makes the unit useless. I hope they survive to honor the returns!
by Anonymous

Thumbs Up

Very Solid Product
I have had my Geode for about three weeks now, and am very satisfied with its performance. Granted, the initial product had some difficulties regarding its propensity to induce fatal errors on the Visor, but those problems have been solved in their latest version of beta software. After disposing of my noisy VDx, I have had absolutely no problems getting my Geode to acquire satellites and develop solutions in my car, or in my home. I used my Geode, with WAAS enabled, to create points of the location of the tees and greens at my local golf course, and compared the locations from one week to the next. The various points ended up virtually on top of one another. The accuracy is phenomenal. I would recommend this product for anyone looking for a top of the line GPS receiver with nearly infinite expansion capability. .
by GPSfan

Thumbs Down

Magellan Out Performs Geode
See my first review- Where are the Satellites? I got my new Handspring along with a Magellan GPS Companion. I did a side-by-side comparison of the Geode and the Companion for satellite reception (Geode was put into the new Handspring). On average, the Companion would track at least two more satellites then the Geode. Once locked on, the Companion never lost reception where as the Geode would loose reception often. This was very noticeable on roads lined with trees. Note that it is still winter and the trees do not have any leaves on them so reception will probably be non-existant in the spring, summer and fall. It was not uncommon for the Companion to track 8 to 10 satellites traveling in the car. In doing the above test while sitting in the pasenger seat the Geode had to be held close to the windshield to maintain reception where as the Magellan did not. In conclusion I sent my Geode back and am keeping the Magellan. Geode can update the software all day long to improve maps but what good does it do if you can't see where you are on the maps. Will Geodiscovery update the antennas? I doubt it. You will have to buy an external antenna in order to get better reception($$). With the $150 I am saving I am putting it towards a Compact Flash storage device to store maps (see the site below) http://www.users.qwest.net/~khudsonllb2/ a windshield mount and an AC adapter.
by GB

Thumbs Up

Very good hardware... not so good software
I like the unit. It locks on to satellites quickly and I find it to be very accurate. I borrowed a friends HandyGPS and there is no comparison between the two, the Geode beats it hands down. The software is another issue entirely. I find far to slow to redraw the screen and the map files are to big. Other than that I do like the features of the software but the slowness issue is a pain in the ass.
by ORION


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