Comments on: Magellan GPS for m500 Series Now Available

After first announcing it back in January, Thales Navigation has finally introduced the GPS Companion for Palm m500 Series, a GPS receiver and software combination capable of giving the user turn-by-turn directions. It is bundled with Rand McNally's StreetFinder Deluxe software and is available now for $200.
Return to Story - Permalink

Article Comments

 (36 comments)

The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.

Comments Closed Comments Closed
This article is no longer accepting new comments.

Down

Greaaat.

paulnaama @ 6/4/2002 12:23:47 PM #
i like it.
nothing new cause i like ALL GPS accessories for PDAs.

So when will we see the Clie GPS add on?

RE: Greaaat.
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/4/2002 2:07:05 PM #
When one of Sony's units with a specific connector and case type really starts selling well..... right now, Sony is too diversified for such a specific product.
RE: Greaaat.
BiffK @ 6/4/2002 3:21:58 PM #
There is one made by Sony. I have no idea how well it works. It's small and fits in the Memory Stick slot. I've been told that it drains the batteries pretty bad, though.

-Biff K
RE: Greaaat.
Ed @ 6/4/2002 4:02:22 PM #
Biff, the GPS Memory Stick from Sony is available only in Japan. The company isn't showing any signs of releasing it anywhere else.

---
News Editor
RE: Greaaat.
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/5/2002 9:36:06 AM #
i've had my sony t615 for 2 months, and been searching high and low for a GPS clip on for a long long time. since the new NR series has the same connector as the Tseries, i sure hope company picks up the ball and developes a GPS clip on. Delorme, RandMcnally, Magellan are you listening!!!???

PS: although i can attach a garmin etrex via a serial cable to my clie, i still prefer a intergrated system. dont you all agree?

RE: Greaaat.
mikemusick @ 6/5/2002 10:35:50 AM #
Don't hold your breath for a Sony-compatible sled.

Consider the Sony platform(s) to be a closed format. Unlike Palm (and, yes, Handspring), there is no third-party hardware engineering support from Sony. Also, given that they like to change models like underware, no hardware maker in their right mind is going to risk making the tooling investment for something that takes a year to get to market.

Sony's PDA line is innovative, but understand that they have an attitude: "If we don't have it, you don't need it."

Been waiting for this one

Altema @ 6/4/2002 12:33:59 PM #
But was hoping they would go with a rechargable power pack that could be charged along with the Palm. Oh well, I certainly cannot complain about 12 hours.

I almost bought the Navman, but the only retail store in the state was out of stock, did not seem interested in checking their new shipments, and I was given a curt reception when I dropped in personally. Their loss... I had the cash in my pocket and was looking forward to doing a review.

I actually like this new one better for the improved accuracy and seemingly superior software. 4 times the battery life also does not hurt, especially since it won't be sucking power from the Palm.

RE: Been waiting for this one
Servo @ 6/4/2002 1:11:02 PM #
I bought this the first day J&R had them in stock.

Replacable batteries allow you to swap them out if you use the GPS off-road for an extended time. I'm using NiMH AAAs in mine -- recargeable, and I can carry an extra pair.

The car adapter they sell will both power the GPS and charge your Palm.

RE: Been waiting for this one
Altema @ 6/4/2002 1:13:34 PM #
Guess what? The power adapter for this device ALSO recharges the Palm while powering the GPS! No choices now; decision made. Now if I can only find someplace to get it in Michigan...

RE: Been waiting for this one
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/4/2002 1:33:45 PM #
Harmony computers has them (searched via Cnet.com):

1 * MAGGPSPALM5 (Magellan)(Magellan GPS for Palm M500/505/515 (980621-01) ) @ 179 = $179.00
1 * MAGPDA220 (Magellan)(Magellan Nylon carrying case for PDA GPS (701220)) @ 14.99 = $14.99
1 * MAGPDA256 (Magellan)(Magellan Vehicle Mounting Bracket for Palm M500 Series GPS (701256)) @ 49.99 = $49.99
1 * MAGPDA338 (Magellan)(Magellan Vehicle 12-Volt Power Cable for PDA GPS (730338)) @ 19.99 = $19.99

I ordered the lot...

RE: Been waiting for this one
Altema @ 6/4/2002 2:09:37 PM #
Thanks.

RE: Been waiting for this one
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/4/2002 2:20:51 PM #
Be careful...the site
www.randmcnally.com/rmc/store/strProductDetail.jsp?OID=1073834787
shows that the cord, mounting bracket and software comes with the package at 199.99.
RE: Been waiting for this one
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/4/2002 2:24:18 PM #
Ooop, different GPS units. My mistake...sorry.
RE: Been waiting for this one
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/19/2002 1:36:38 PM #
I just purchased the Magellan GPS Companion to go along with my Rand McNally Road Atlas. Apparently the Magellan unit does not work with the Road Atlas PalmPak because the Road Atlas application is looking for a different baud rate data feed.

No m125, m130, or i705?

kevdo @ 6/4/2002 2:14:58 PM #
It is unclear to me why this is only for the m500 series. It attaches to the Universal Connector so what's the problem with these models?

-Kevin Crossman
RE: No m125, m130, or i705?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/4/2002 2:22:50 PM #
The palm probably has to be the right height. Too tall and it won't fit in the sled.
RE: No m125, m130, or i705?
Altema @ 6/6/2002 1:03:19 AM #
The second poster is right. Althought the measurements between the universal connector and the clip openings are the same, the antenna would hit the top of larger models and prevent it from latching because it protrudes forward from the surface of the sled. You could always use tape...

Ho hum.

mikemusick @ 6/4/2002 4:32:06 PM #
That's all we need - yet another GPS sled that fits a specific model. Haven't these folks figured out yet that by they time they get this stuff to market, they're targeting an old platform? Will it fit the OS 5 equivalent of the m500/505/515? Probably not.

If and when somebody ever does one in SDIO, that'll be worth the press release. Oops... excuse me?... you say that Palm's locating the SDIO slot in three different places makes an SDIO GPS unmarketable?

Why is it that Palm and the OS licensees keep shooting themselves in the foot by changing the form factors every few months? Are they actually NOT wanting any third-party hardware support? Seems that way to me.

RE: Ho hum.
Ed @ 6/4/2002 4:45:45 PM #
Mike, I hope you saw yesterday's announcement that Transplant Computing is working on a global positioning receiver which has built-in Bluetooth networking. It will ship sometime late this summer.

www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=3580

---
News Editor

RE: Ho hum.
mikemusick @ 6/4/2002 4:55:27 PM #
Thanks, Ed. No, given my stupor after a 4 a.m. debug session I missed it. To a BT GPS I say "Hallelujah!"

RE: Ho hum.
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/4/2002 7:23:08 PM #
I don't think that Bluetooth GPS is very practical.

ted

RE: Ho hum.
Altema @ 6/4/2002 10:15:44 PM #
"you say that Palm's locating the SDIO slot in three different places makes an SDIO GPS unmarketable?"

Take a look at the engineering differences: The i705 cannot have the slot on the top, it's designed for a specific market for always on email services via wireless. The antenna occupies the top of the unit.

The m125 and m130 have the top of the device occupied with the power button, IR port, and the hinge mounts for the flip cover. Not enough real estate for the SD opening on top with everything else, so they rotated the slot to the left side. Any card protruding beyond the slot now sticks out of the side, but if it was on the top, it would probably be damaged by an errant flip of the cover.

The m500, m505, and m515 have the slot in the preferred position, and one company already has an SD GPS in the works as reported here on PIC. If you are going to make such a product, it makes sense to aim for the higher end devices, rather than midrange devices with smaller screens, and specific purpose devices that already have an antenna on top.

In all of this though, I'd prefer a sled that compliments the battery life rather than draining it, and leaves the SD card slot for an SD card.

I would have preferred all the slots to be in the same place too, but mechanical necessity sometimes gets in the way.

RE: Ho hum.
MacPrince @ 6/5/2002 12:34:55 AM #
>I don't think that Bluetooth GPS is very practical.

Really? It seems quite practical to me: it's not model (or even device) specific, you don't have to take your Bluetooth card out to use your GPS, and the you can place the GPS where it's most convenient; like up on the dashboard (better reception) while you keep the handheld close to you for easy reading.

RE: Ho hum.
mikemusick @ 6/5/2002 1:08:50 AM #
>Take a look at the engineering differences:

Of course. Any design is a matter of ordering priorities. In this case, uniform location of the SD slot (or at least placement on the top) was de-prioritized. As a result, SDIO devices that work better or at least make more sense with top orientation (GPS, camera, BT) have a compromised market.

>I don't think that Bluetooth GPS is very practical.

Like MacPrince said, it's eminently practical. I've used GPS's for ten years. To have one that does its job and interfaces wirelessly to any computer or PDA that I might have with me for serious nav or GIS work cuts the clutter factor immensely. Sign me up!

SD/MMC card support...

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/4/2002 7:51:30 PM #
What about SD/MMC card support. As far as I know, Navman doesn't support card usage with m500 series.
RE: SD/MMC card support...
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/5/2002 12:59:49 AM #
Yes, it does. I'm using the Navman GPS with QuoVadis on 512MB SD card with no problems at all.
RE: SD/MMC card support...
Altema @ 6/5/2002 11:23:49 AM #
"on 512MB SD card"

Where did you get your card?

RE: SD/MMC card support...
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/19/2002 1:36:57 PM #
I just purchased the Magellan GPS Companion to go along with my Rand McNally Road Atlas. Apparently the Magellan unit does not work with the Road Atlas PalmPak because the Road Atlas application is looking for a different baud rate data feed.
RE: SD/MMC card support...
Altema @ 6/24/2002 11:17:55 AM #
Nope, there is no SD/MMC support. You can copy the StreetFinder app to the card and let Palm OS move it back and forth like any other app, but that's it. It will not recognize any map or route on the card. The ONLY way to store maps and routes is in RAM. You can use a file utility like McFile to copy them from a card to RAM, but if StreetFinder does not even run if it can't find anything in RAM.

RE: SD/MMC card support...
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/28/2002 4:21:44 PM #
>Nope, there is no SD/MMC support. You can copy the StreetFinder app to
>card and let Palm OS move it back and forth like any other app, but that's it. It
>will not recognize any map or route on the card. The ONLY way to store maps
>and routes is in RAM. You can use a file utility like McFile to copy them from a
>card to RAM, but if StreetFinder does not even run if it can't find anything in
>RAM.

How about using PowerRun or MsMount? I don't have
GPS companion yet. I guess it will work. Otherwise,
8M memory is too small for a map of a long trip.
I'm considering buying a Magellan GPS companion for M500
and will appreciate more info on getting it work with SD.


If i load nyc map?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/5/2002 3:35:57 AM #
im not familiar with gps. but if i load lets say an nyc map. no destination or starting point..just a map. will it be able to tell where i am and what avenue and st i am? will it tell me where the traffic is heading, if its 2way or one way st.? i just move to a new area in newjersey and i would like to buy this to know where the places are since its just a town, driving directions isnt necessary.


RE: If i load nyc map?
Lock @ 6/5/2002 7:15:45 AM #
> will it be able to tell where i am and what
> avenue and st i am?

Yes, it will tell you exactely where you are.


> will it tell me where the traffic is heading

No, how to detect other cars with satellite?


>if its 2way or one way st.?

it depends on what software will you choose to use. MapViewer will tell you, Quo Vadis no.

Bye

RE: If i load nyc map?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/5/2002 12:41:13 PM #
i didnt mean cars hehehee... but hey it would be cool right?
RE: If i load nyc map?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/5/2002 10:54:42 PM #
I have a newbie GPS question. How big is lets say the file(s) for Chicago and it's suburbs? Do I have to link with my pc every time I want turn-by-turn directions (I know a car unit has cd(s)).
thanks for the help!

Wonder how it'll compare to XMap?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/6/2002 2:00:04 PM #
It looks like DeLorme FINALLY started shipping XMap after repeated delays. I wonder how the two solutions compare (XMap with the Earthmate). XMap is supposed to be able to calculate routes on the handheld and read maps from the SD card.

Road Atlas PalmPak and Magellan Problem

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/19/2002 1:35:30 PM #
I just purchased the Magellan GPS Companion to go along with my Rand McNally Road Atlas. Apparently the Magellan unit does not work with the Road Atlas PalmPak because the Road Atlas application is looking for a different baud rate data feed.
Top

Account

Register Register | Login Log in
user:
pass: