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Memory
11 K on Visor when inserted
Weight
3.4 oz. (w/ batt.)
Size
2.1" x 2.9" x 1.3"
Accuracy
25 Meters
Availability Unknown
$149.99
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| User Opinions |
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52% |
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48% |
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This technology is not ready yet |
I write mapping software products for the Palm, and have been following the HandyGPS development for several months. That Nexian brought this to market with no provision for external power was extremely short-sighted, simply failing to recognize how the devices are used in at least the US market (mobile, and always on). The GPS chipset they use (SiRF) is still too power-hungry for handheld operation, at least as a PDA add-on. There's another generation of GPS technology waiting in the wings which further advance the power consumption issue, and once these new devices see production we'll have something that can be used in the real world.
The Nexian is an interesting curiosity at most, but anybody who wants a serious GPS today should be considering the Garmin eTrex or, for mobile application, the Rand-McNally "mouse" GPS.
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Anonymous |
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Could not get a fix |
Like others, I got the HandyGPS for Christmas. I immediately attempted to use it. I say attempted because I was never able to get a fix...anywhere. I tried everything I could think of in addition to the advice given in the lame response I got from Nexian. When I did find some satellites, I quickly lost contact when I simply tilted the unit! That is unacceptable. I need a unit that will acquire a fix quickly and not lose it. I don't want to hear that my car roof interferes with the signal! I use a Rand-McNally GPS for my laptop that works like a dream....and only $99! My opinion is that they have a very weak antenna in these puppies. Nexian told me that I needed to have the screen facing me to optimize antenna performance. How am I supposed to do that while driving a car? Anyway, mine is going back. I'll await the forthcoming Magellan unit.
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Scott |
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Cute idea... bad execution! |
I have a standard 2Mb Visor, and received my HGPS as a gift. I opened the box, took it out, plugged it into my Visor and BAM! it crashed it! Lost all my data... had to restore from docking cradle!
Then, reconnected it and tried again. It is everything the reviewers before me said it was...
Eats my Visor batteries very quickly, the Ubigo maps are way too big, and it takes a long time to acquire a fix, then loses it and it doesn't fit in the case I use. These devices are meant to be PIM organizers, putting expensive snapins into them to get them to do more that the OS is designed for is asking too much of them...
I am awaiting a Return Authorization as I write this
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Rick |
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The Unhappy Always Speak Loudest |
My HandyGPS was a Christmas gift, and I, of course, tried it immediately. Found the satellites right away. Discovered that some streets don't appear on the maps unless you load the map for your subdivision (ex. Tampa only covers the city proper, neighboring communities have their own maps). This might be annoying when traveling to a strange city, especially one with a metropolitan area that crosses county lines. I make it a point to load as much of my destination city as possible before my trip. I would not use the HandyGPS for long road trips, but would find it invaluable when trying to find my way around a strange town (I fly to many such towns). What I like the most is the fact that the mapping software covering the entire US is a FREE download for the first year, and a very affordable $9.95 for each subsequent year. I found one corrupt map, e-mailed Nexian about it, was responded to quickly, and told a new map would be available by the end of the month (considering the data to make the maps comes from another company, I think that's pretty good). I'm happy.
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Alan Frayer |
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Get a handheld GPS |
I too was an original purchaser. Mine did not work, etc. etc... The point is I bought a stand-alone GPS for $110 (Garmin eTrex) which acquires satellites in about 30 seconds (all the time), works GREAT in my car, interfaces with my Visor, will run for about _20_ hours on 2 AA alkalines, and is waterproof and can be dropped!! If you want a GPS, buy a REAL GPS.
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rdanell |
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Don't waste your money |
I received one of the non-functionanl units. After sitting outside under clear sky for 5 minutes I acquired a lock on the four necessary satellites which was immediately lost on ANY movement. Fresh batteries, clear sky, yada yada from Nexian support...long story short, sent back unit, lost $17 in shipping charges. Pretty expensive trial. Save your money and wait for another GPS unit. One where all the products work. Buy a HandyGPS and you're playing Russian Roulette on whether you get a working model or not.
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Inkscarab |
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Don't waste your money |
I received one of the non-functionanl units. After sitting outside under clear sky for 5 minutes I acquired a lock on the four necessary satellites which was immediately lost on ANY movement. Fresh batteries, clear sky, yada yada from Nexian support...long story short, sent back unit, lost $17 in shipping charges. Pretty expensive trial. Save your money and wait for another GPS unit. One where all the products work. Buy a HandyGPS and you're playing Russian Roulette on whether you get a working model or not.
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Anonymous |
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Not-So-HandyGPS |
HandyGPS:
1) Drains batteries too fast - to a point that it is not really useful on a trip.
2) Took a long time to initially lock satellites. Also took to long on subsequent uses (and that's if I could even lock on to 4).
3) Once satellites were locked, they dropped too easily. I needed the unit to be able to sit on my dash or car seat which it seemed to have a problem with.
4) I had to pull the springboard out and pluf it back in constantly in order for the Visor to recognize the unit. At first I thought this was due to the fact that I was using NiMH batteries. I even went back to Alkaline but then...
5) Eventually, I could not get the Visor to recognize the HandyGPS springboard at all - very frustrating!
UbiGo Software:
1) Very sparse maps (of my area at least). When I looked up my home street, it wasn't even on the map. Too many streets that were not labeled.
2) Maps take up a lot of space.
Final Comments:
I really looked forward to this unit and wanted it to work. I hung in there but I I couldn't rationalize spending even the $140 on it for the way it performs at this time. It seems that some people don't have the problems I experienced, but the majority of the reviews seem all too familiar. I hope they get the bugs worked out - if so, the price is right. I would have a hard time spending $250 or more for a springboard when I can get a standalone unit that works better. I should also add that Nexian's customer support was very responsive and credited me with no problems.
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Alien Hand |
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Battery killer |
For a mobile device, you don't want
to be limited by a 2-4 hour battery
life. Worked OK for me as a GPS, but
killed my visor battery within 20 mins
(ok, they were only 75% full to start)
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Dunor |
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Works well with a few flaws |
Used it to travel from Santa Fe NM to El Paso Tx. Tracked us most of the way. Followed road/highway on city/county maps we had installed. Found our hotel. Poor user manual, still trying to figure some things out. Uses batteries pretty fast. Have to install and load all maps you want it to track on, ie county map plus each city in county. Usually finds satellites within 3-5 minutes. Some locations it has trouble finding satellites. Can't wait to try it hiking.
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LC |
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