| Versions |
  |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
rockymtnwulf
USA
17 Posts |
 Posted - 04 nov. 2007 : 14:15:26
|
NOTE : pictures added below in the thread
Last night I went to the CompUSA in Orlando and purchased the iPAQ 310 . For the past three years I have been using the GPS system which came with my Mazda3 nad for a week I used the Garmin you can rent from Avis. So I am not a GPS expert at all.
I have been patiently waiting for the Navigon 7100. This past week I went to Best Buy and played around with the display unit. I have to say, the Navigon is really terrible. I did not like having to press so hard on the screen. When I would select something on the screen, it sometimes took up to three seconds to
register or if I pressed on a certain portion of the map, something else would register as being selected. I attempted to move the map screen around with my finger and the map started jumping all over the place and when the map finally caught up, the rendering was so slow. Basically, I felt this would be a very frustrating device to use.
I was about to purchase the Garmin 200W when I saw the iPAQ 310. I did some research - and there is not much on the net. The most has been on these forums.
Anyways, here are my first impressions (I have only used it on the 1.5 hour drive back from Orlando and messing around with the settings in my house)...
The iPAQ 310 is powered by NavNGo.
NAV Version Oct 11 2007.
OS Version: Windows CE 5.0
Driver Version 1.00.00
The state maps are Data Source 2007 Tele Atlas N.V. [071010]
The Basemap is Data Source NIMA VMAP0 [070914]
There are maps for Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Puerto Rico too.
Under the Entertainment menu there is Videos, Music, Pictures, and Games. The games are Flux Challenge and Gamebox Classics. Gamebox Classics has four games - Snake, Fireball, Jewel Master, and Cannons.
Under the Extras menu there is Calculator, Clock, and the Phone.
Other than the Navigation and the Phone applications, I will most likely not use any of the other applications on the iPAQ.
Pros :
1) The screen is truly amazing
2) The 3D map view mode. I have not seen the 3D buildings. I am sure there are none in my area.
3) Shows the exit numbers on the interstate.
4) The windshield mount.
5) Comes with two USB cables - leave one in the car and one in the house.
6) Route calculation is fast.
7) Off Route recalculation is fast too.
8) The processor is amazingly fast. However, looking at the whole US is a lot slower to redraw the screen (not Navigon slow though).
9) Can enter Latitude and Longitude Coordinates.
10) Can choose from several different voices.
11) Have I said how amazing the screen is?
Cons/Annoyances:
1) In 2D map view mode, the map is displayed in a conventional top-down view with a fixed North-up orientation. You cannot tilt or rotate the map. You do not have a perspective view - just North-up.
2) There is a clock icon with a checkered flag in the center of the map screen. This displays:
-Time to destination and ETA at destination
-Time and ETA to next via point
This is on two lines. I think the font is 7 or 8 point. You cannot see this from the driver seat - at least I cannot. Clicking on this icon makes a click sound and the icon moves down as if it was just pressed but it doesn't do anything. I assumed you could change this from two lines to one line by clicking it like you can with the clock on the map screen and get the bigger font but it does nothing. I really do not like this.
3) Speaking of clocks...there are two clocks so to speak. One clock is on the Map and the other clock is a system clock you can get to under Extras. It took a bit of messing around to get these two clocks to display the same time - weird.
4) More on the clock...there is no DST setting. I picked up the iPAQ 310 before the new daylight saving time ended this morning. The time was off by an hour. It is correct now since daylight saving time ended but this concerns me for March when we change the clocks back.
5) There is a yellow paper in the box and it reads...
You're invited to experience the power of HP iPAQ Navigate.
Visit http://www.ipaq.com/navigate to get the latest software updates and to use the new trip planning services.
This site does not exist.
6) I had to reset the iPAQ 310 after I made a call with my Cingular/AT&T 8525. This was due to the Bluetooth stack crashing.
7) Does not say street names. It just says turn in so many feet or turn left. It does not say turn on X street. NOTE - maybe need to select different voice, see below.
8) I am not too keen on the day time color scheme. Water is a light blue - almost white. Night mode is blue/red.
9) I have the Map set to 3D view yet it jumps to a 2D view for no reason. Or no reason that I know of. This is annoying.
10) There are 4 icons across the top of the Map. On the left are the Phone and Route progress (looks more like a Contacts icon) icons. On the right are the Music and Speaker icons. This takes up too much space. In the middle is the next maneuver and an icon for what the next maneuver is or if you click it, it will display the current road you are on. If the length of the next maneuver is too long, it scrolls. I don't think these other icons should be there.
11) I was going to install the Content Management and Outlook Contacts Sync Tool but I cannot. You have to download it from the web so when I clicked the Getting Started link it just goes to http://www.ipaq.com/. From my understanding of this it will display your Outlook Contacts as POIs.
12) Same goes for the Web Trip Planning Service. It goes to http://www.ipaq.com/.
There is a lot to like about this. There are a few "quirks" and some items which are not yet implemented but overall, I do like this device.
Sorry for the long post. |
Paul |
 |
|
|
rockymtnwulf
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 04 nov. 2007 : 14:25:43
|
Oh yeah...I forgot...the manual is in the .chm format - which I personally hate. It would have been better if it was a PDF but it is not. It is more of a help file than a manual.
@gpspassion
the Help File is 1.01 MB if you want it e-mailed to you so it can be posted?!?
Also, under the Nav Extras menu is Traffic Messages and there are references to TMC. Not sure if HP will put out a TMC antenna for the US.
|
Paul |
|
|
|
rockymtnwulf
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 04 nov. 2007 : 14:57:20
|
Third post...sorry.
There is 1.95 GB ROM which has everything loaded. Used space is 1.76 GB and there is 188 MB Free space. This does not come with an SD Card. |
Paul |
|
|
|
rockymtnwulf
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 04 nov. 2007 : 15:45:20
|
@Uncle Ben
Under Navigation then Settings then Regional. I had Voice set to Amy v1.1.
I just changed it to Susan (TTS) v1.0.
I will see how it does later and report back.
Thanks, that may have been my fault.
|
Paul |
|
|
|
JohnCougar
172 Posts |
Posted - 04 nov. 2007 : 16:48:30
|
@rockymtnwulf,
I read somewhere you have choices of screen colors. Is this option available? How is routing on the unit? Any problems on your journey with weird route choices? Thanks!
John
P.S. Hummm, I wonder if the websites aren't up yet because it appears that CompUSA is the only retailer with stock for sale?
|
IGO8... IS GREAT! |
Edited by - JohnCougar on 04 nov. 2007 16:58:25 |
|
|
|
gpspassion
93392 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2007 : 01:17:27
|
Yes, by all means, that's what user forums are for and we all need to start somewhere! A few tips, you can edit your messages by clicking on the "pencil icon", better than posting several messages in a row (I added a reference to the TTS voice in your original message) and you can upload pictures and files to the server using this method. Would be geat to see pictures.
Looking good so far, although not having the companion websites up and running is a bit disappointing, but that's probably a question of time.
Would be interesting to know what type of 3D data is available in NYC indeed, just a few buildings here and there or full streets like in the brochure. |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
|
|
|
rockymtnwulf
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2007 : 11:47:22
|
@Uncle Ben
Thank you!
Susan does speak the street names. First she says turn right and then turn on the name of the street. It is very computerized sounding. My opinion, it does not sound too good and I prefer just turn right or turn in so many feet. The Garmin I rented when I was in New York kept mispronouncing street names - it was a bit humorous.
@JohnCougar
I do not see any options for screen colors. I attached the iPAQ to my computer. There is a data.zip file which has a defaultskin folder and a bunch of .ui files (xml). When I unzipped the folder most of the bitmap graphics are corrupt/unreadable. I believe this is more for the HP specific UI than the NavNGo software.
My drive to work can be anywhere from 20 minutes to 40 minutes depending on traffic/some Florida drivers go 10 - 15 mph under the speed limit. Anyways...the iPAQ says its an hour drive. The roads it calculates are "similar" to what I would normally take (there are a lot of side streets that link to one major road). I simulated the route and it showed me driving side streets at 16 mph (I usually do 25 - 30) and the major road as doing 30 mph (speed limit is 45 mph). I assume it is taking this into effect to calculate the time to destination. It is overkill but I guess I rather have worse case than getting pissed - my former GPS would say it takes 25 minutes to get somewhere and it was really 40 minutes.
@gpspassion
Thank you!
The 3D view with buildings in NYC (Empire State Building area) is painstakingly slow! Zooming in and out were not bad. What was terrible was moving the map with the stylus. Not sure how it would be driving though since the map moves.
NOTE: DO NOT download the manual (Compiled HTML Help file) with IE. I have IE7 running on Vista and it changes the security settings for the help file after you download it; each web page becomes unreadable. Firefox leaves the file as is.
I posted the manual http://www.gpspassion.com/upload/iPAQ_310.chm
Pictures
iPAQ Front
iPAQ Back
iPAQ Back
iPAQ Back Side
iPAQ Back Side
iPAQ next to 8525
iPAQ next to 8525
iPAQ next to 8525
Attention! Screen
Nav Screen Menus
Nav Screen Menus
Go To Menu
Nav Extras Menu
(Trip Planner and Traffic Messages)
3D View
3D View Destination
3D View Route Start Day
3D View Route Start Night
NY 2D View Empire State Building
Empire State Building
Empire State Building
3D View New York
3D View New York
|
Paul |
Edited by - rockymtnwulf on 06 nov. 2007 12:06:21 |
|
|
|
gpspassion
93392 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2007 : 12:02:32
|
Excellent, thanks a bunch for these great pictures. I'll put a link from the portal. Could you take a picture of the back of the unit when you have a chance ?
The addition of these 3D buildings doesn't look very convincing and you mention the scrolling is slow too, can you try a simulation to see if it's ok in that mode?
What are all these little stars on the map? POIs ? Can they be turned off?
You mentioned the unit switched back to 2D from 3D, is it maybe an auto-switch when you near an instruction and then it switches back to 3D, that's the way the MioMap v3/iGo 2006 software behaved. The MioMap 2008 (iGo 8 based) no longer does that though, it just zooms in/out.
This unit is supposed to be the first one with Centrality's "Autonomy" that automatically generates ephemeris predictions for faster acquisition in the morning, instead of having to download them over the internet (see here for details on "offline AGPS") are you seeing any settings for that? Or any information saying you have X days of "autonomy"? |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
|
|
|
rockymtnwulf
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2007 : 13:40:07
|
@ gpspassion and Uncle Ben
I did a simulation from my house to a local movie theater and it took close to 40 minutes for a 25 minute drive. I would like to do a simulation from Florida to New York (approximately 18+ hours) but I do not have that much patience. :-). If there was a way to speed up the simulation I would but there is none from what I can tell.
Under settings there is Overview Mode. I believe this setting was causing it to switch from 3D back to 2D. Since I unchecked that - no more switching. If it does, I will let you know.
Under 3D settings, you can set the Buildings to Off, Close, Medium, or Far. So, you can turn off the Buildings. I feel the buildings are more of a WOW factor.
I believe the stars are POIs. I have ALL POIs off. Yet they show up?!? I will play around more to see if I can get them off. I can see nothing for the icons which would represent a star. For instance, a camera is a tourist attraction, an H is Medical, a dollar sign is Finance, etc.
I do not see anything for GPS autonomy on the GPS data page.
A note on the GPS…I am connecting to 8 satellites and I am getting High accuracy inside my house. That's a bonus. I will check it at work…close to my building we cannot get a GPS signal.
I will take a picture of the back this evening and post it. |
Paul |
|
|
|
JohnCougar
172 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2007 : 13:52:09
|
Paul,
How is zooming on the device? It appears that you can zoom in and out pretty well. As far as simulation, I know the IGO software has (had) something called a "flyover" which let you see the route quickly, from a bird's eye view. Is this included? Thanks for all the information you are providing! This is GREAT STUFF! |
IGO8... IS GREAT! |
Edited by - JohnCougar on 05 nov. 2007 13:55:24 |
|
|
|
rockymtnwulf
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2007 : 14:00:34
|
@JohnCougar
Zooming/Scrolling is extremely fast in 3D.
There is a Fly Over and a Simulate. Fly Over is running an average of 100 - 161 mph.
Okay…turning buildings Off but leaving Landmarks selected will show the Empire State Building and buildings nearby. This does allow for faster zooming (than having Buildings On) in and out and faster scrolling of the screen as it is when I am near my home. Hope that sentence makes sense.
I will take a picture tonight of the Landmarks selected and buildings off in New York.
The device crashed as I was messing with the POIs…somehow the stars are gone. I have no idea what I did.
@ gpspassion
I could try and do a video tonight (my Canon camera does video too) and post that but it may be too large. Let me know. |
Paul |
Edited by - rockymtnwulf on 05 nov. 2007 14:09:11 |
|
|
|
gpspassion
93392 Posts |
Posted - 05 nov. 2007 : 14:13:11
|
Thanks for the update.
Yes, hopefully they've kept the "trip planning" mode where you set your start/end/via points and can then run a simulation, that way, no need to waith for hours ;-)
Glad they have separate buildings and landmark settings, in Europe Mio only have landmarks since buildings are only available in Bern and Rome, so they didn't bother with that feature. Wonder if there are more towns outside NYC that have buildings. Maybe you can take a look at SF when you get a chance.
Disappointing that there is no info about "autonomy", still you can check whether it's working when you turn on your device in the morning, with predictive ephemeris you'll get a fix in 10 seconds without 30/40s, with a good view of the sky. In more difficult conditions (urban environment, moving, coated windshield), the gap widens. |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
|
|
|
rockymtnwulf
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 06 nov. 2007 : 12:31:54
|
@gpspassion
I updated the pictures on the previous page to include some back pictures and one with the screen off.
I left 3D Buildings on and did a Fly Over from Queens New York to the Empire State Building. Prior to reaching the Empire State Building the 3D buildings started "popping up". There was no lag and no problems which I could see.
I left the iPAQ in the car last night. When I woke up I went outside and turned on the iPAQ in front of my house. It took 10 seconds to acquire approximately six satellites and say High accuracy on the GPS data page. I would say that is pretty good. I also checked by my work. I was able to get the equivalent ~ six satellites and High accuracy while standing about a foot away from my building. I work with some really expensive GPS systems and we have to go approximately 100 feet away from our building to get a decent GPS lock. All in all, I am very pleased with the GPS chip in the iPAQ.
@Uncle Ben
The voice sounds great when it says turn right, turn in so many feet, etc. – it sounds very realistic. The problem is when she says the street name. It sounds too computerized and very unrealistic. All in all, that can be turned off by using a different voice or getting used to the way she pronounces the streets and "adapting".
I want to keep the iPAQ. It is so much better than the one which came with my car. My main frustration is with the device locking up. While searching for a POI at lunch yesterday the iPAQ locked up then re-booted itself. On the way back from lunch the iPaq locked up when I reached my destination (work). I had to use the stylus to press in the reset button. Then there was the third lockup when I was looking at the 3D buildings in New York and had to use the stylus again to press in the reset button. When I took the iPAQ out of my car it felt very warm to touch. Could it be overheating? It was only in the mid 70's yesterday in Florida. If it is overheating, what happens when we are back in the 90's?
READ POST ON NEXT PAGE ABOUT LOCKUPS
The other frustrating thing is the POI search. Should probably update the CONS on this one. The place I was looking for at lunch is named Mustard's Last Stand. On the POI search I typed in Mustards Last Stand - minus the apostrophe since there is no apostrophe or special characters on the keyboard. I know there are two locally. It came up with none. Then I typed in Mustard and searched on that. It displayed both of them. One would hope/assume that a POI search would remove apostrophes special characters in the names of POIs?
I really like the iPAQ…there are just a couple of things I need to think about before I decide whether or not to keep this. |
Paul |
Edited by - rockymtnwulf on 08 nov. 2007 14:14:24 |
|
|
|
JohnCougar
172 Posts |
Posted - 06 nov. 2007 : 13:54:45
|
| Rocky, I'd say it sounds like a keeper to me. I wouldn't worry too much about the lockups. This is a brand new device, right off the line. In my opinion, Windows CE is pretty stable, given the amount of devices in the marketplace using the brand. I've used many devices with Windows CE and really never had a real problem with lockups. Given some of the problems with new GPS devices being launched (Mio, Navigon, Garmin and Tom Tom included) I think this device is DEFINITELY worth a try. Routing seems adequate, satellite acquisition is fast, recalculation is fast, maps are concise, screen is great, etc. I haven't read any inherent issues with the processor and/or algorithms yet, so it sounds like HP did a great job with a new device right off the line. |
IGO8... IS GREAT! |
Edited by - JohnCougar on 06 nov. 2007 13:57:50 |
|
|
|
Alexo
Canada
160 Posts |
Posted - 06 nov. 2007 : 17:29:41
|
A big thank you to rockymtnwulf for the review.
I do have some questions though:
quote:
Originally posted by rockymtnwulf
The iPAQ 310 is powered by NavNGo.
NAV Version Oct 11 2007.
OS Version: Windows CE 5.0
Driver Version 1.00.00
NavNGo... Is that iGo version 8 or something else?
Also, how does the iPAQ differ from other devices that use the same software on a WinCE platform?
Thank you! |
Edited by - Alexo on 06 nov. 2007 17:31:32 |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
| This page was generated in 4,12 seconds. |
 |
|
- 
- 
[TOPIC] HP iPaq 310, 3x0 - Reviews - 03/2009 EOL
