Windows Phone Thoughts: IOGear Bluetooth GPS with Navigation Software System - Outstanding Gear for the Traveler

Interface
The thing I think I like the most is the interface. It's clear and uncluttered; very important for something which I can only glance at while I am driving. A quick glance gives me the ability to see where I am (the local street name and adjacent addresses are displayed on the bottom of the screen while moving) the next "waypoint" that I have to be aware of (displayed at the top), miles to my destination, a large button to access the menu, a large volume mute button, and of course a very clear map.


Figure 16: The Options Screen.

A great "gee-whiz" feature of the map display is the automatic day/night changing of the graphics. In day mode the background on the map is a light color, and the roads are dark, while this is just the opposite in the night mode. If you choose, the software will keep an eye on your clock and automatically make the adjustments for you.

Voice
The system wouldn't be much of a co-pilot if it didn't actively help me, and here the system does not fail. The directions and upcoming course changes are read to me by a pretty decent synthesized voice. The system will say things like "in 2 miles turn, right" at which point I can look at the display and see what I am to turn right onto. Better yet, if this is highway driving, the system may even say things like "in 2 miles follow the signs for 480 north". The voice is clear and easy to understand, and the volume is completely controllable. The only problem with this is that my iPAQ 6315 speaker is not that loud, so I either connect to the car stereo thru an FM transmitter (and thus have no radio), or thru my corded hands free earbud. I tried to make this connection with my Motorola Bluetooth headset, but it gave me problems, maybe because the system is also connecting to the reviever with the Bluetooth. I have a feeling that this is a function of the wacky Bluetooth stack on my 6315, and not a reflection on the IO Gear system.

Actual Use
I started testing the unit by inputting destinations that I already knew routes to, and watching how the system got me there. Most of the time it chose as I would. This built my confidence in the system. But I knew that I would have to take the ultimate test, and put my trust in the system to go to an address that I had never visited. I entered the address, the system thought for a minute, and then we were off. Since I had never been to this address before, I had no way to gauge if the surroundings were right or not, so I just blindly followed the directions, and I was not let down. The system not only got me to the door perfectly, but faster than routes my co-workers had used in the past. The fact that the Pocket
PC may be smarter than some of my co-workers is not really a surprise, though...

Conclusions
I can’t state enough how impressed I am with the IOGear Bluetooth navigation system. It operated flawlessly for me, and I was able to carry a large amount of map information. Simply put, the unit got me where I needed to go with clarity and ease. It is the best Pocket PC based GPS system I have used. I simply won’t travel without it!

John Walkosak is a registered Architect specializing in the design of hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the northeast (www.hfpambuske.com)