Comments on: Garmin Debuts iQue 3600 GPS Handheld

http://www.tvnav.com/

They are accepting preorders now.

I am not afiliated with them, but am just a happy customer. These guys have a great rep.

In the benchmarks I've seen, the 200 Mhz xScale (Sony NX) blows the 145 Mhz (Tungsten T) out of the water when running benchmarks under PACE (the code that lets the ARM processor execute the M68000 instruction set), but is slightly slower in native ARM benchmarks. This may be because the benchmark was optimized for the TI ARM family (I don't know if it was optimized, just saying that it could have happened). You can optimize ARM code for any one of the ARM families, but this usually comes at the detriment of the other families.

Frankly, my NX already runs fast enough, and too fast at some things, in fact. Tank Pilot is unplayable on an NX, because things just go too fast. Remember, this isn't a resource-hungry PocketPC PDA we're talking about, and the ARM processors are dramatically faster than the EZ/VZ dragonballs, more than just the Mhz increase would indicate.

320 x 480 screen?!! that must be higher than anything else on the market (with the exception of the new Sharp C700).

Stewart Midwinter
PDA user since 1992
Handera HE330 and Compaq Aero 2110

- D

Heh, combine it with 802.11b or Bluetooth, and we'll finally have a solution to the age-old problem of losing the remote... "it's not lost, It's at 85 degrees 7 minutes 34.3 seconds longitude, 42 degrees 28 minutes 18.9 seconds latitude."

The one thing that makes me hesitate me about this unit is Garmin's spotty record in the past for customer support and for having waaaaaay overpriced accessories. I mean, they charge for a 16 mb proprietary memory card for the Streetpilot series what you can buy a 64mb SD card for use in a semi-equivalent Magellan handheld GPS unit. The Garmins are always the most desirable hardware but they really nickel and dime you to death on any accessory.

Finally, I can't help but shake the feeling that Handera's "consulting services" have been used in the design of this new iQue...hmmmm....

If so, I think this is win-win for Palm and Garmin. It means Garmin gets instant access to a bunch of accessories, and it means that Palm will get some additional revenue from the license without encouraging a compeitor to their core device line.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

1. I bought an open box Street Pilot Color GPS unit about 2 years ago and had a hard time getting any support from Garmin--they kept trying to convince me to order accessories I didn't need/want. I actually haven't used the unit in ages, since the exorbitant price of aftermarket accessories stunned me so. So I suppose I should give them another look and hopefully will have a better experience.

2. I apologize if my comments about Handera's input to the design of the iQue made it sound like I was slamming HE. To the contrary, I applauded them back in the day for really advancing the state of the art in Palm technology (dual expansion slots, multiple power options, etc), making many innovations that have still not appeared on another device to date. I just think that it would serve Garmin well to make some mention of Handera's involvement (assuming it is true) in their press materials, since to many of the techie-types, the Handera involvement is a good thing indeed.

It'll be nice to see that they are still "in" the game, so to speak, and have not just faded away due to the less than stellar sales of the HE 330.

...lars

This new handheld is killer but I won't be mounting one to the handlebars of my R1200C anytime soon. I'm sticking to my Treo for Palm duties and SP III for GPS.

--Dave

Here is what I wrote on Usenet:

This thread (and others on Usenet and elsewhere) has reflected assumptions and misconceptions and I'd like to set the record straight. I am a long-time Mac user, Windows user, Garmin GPS user and Palm OS user. I consider myself (no B.S. here, folks) to be an advanced to expert user of all of the above.

My OS of choice is Mac OSX and since, regrettably, there are far more applications written for Windows, I have been forced to find ways to run Windows apps on my Mac. Virtual PC has been a godsend in this regard, allowing me to run a multitude of Windows apps including AutoCAD and other processor-intensive programs. With a 1GHz G4 processor, there is a barely perceptible, yet totally acceptable, slowdown in certain tasks.

One of the things I have been quite successful at doing in emulation is programming handheld Garmin GPS units. I have successfully transferred LARGE MapSource files to GPSMap 176, GPSMap 176S, StreetPilot and other Garmin units. All of this was accomplished with the use of an IOGear Serial-to-USB converter (model GUC232A) and the assistance of the instructions available on the web at http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/gps_vpc.html.

Unfortunately, this method of transferring map data will not work with the iQue for several reasons. First, the iQue uses a USB cradle so there is no need for a serial adapter. Second, the iQue doesn't use the MapSource program to transfer map data. Instead, the map data is transferred during normal HotSync using an add-on to the Palm Desktop program called Map Install. This portion of Palm Desktop allows the extraction of map data from MapSource or City Navigator CDs and the creation of a Palm data file into the que (no pun intended) of items to be installed at the next HotSync.

For Mac users, this method of transferring map data should actually be easy to use since all that is needed to do is run Garmin's program and then move the data files (xxx.vpm.pdb files) from the VirtualPC hard disk to the Files to Install folder of our Home -> Documents -> Palm -> Users -> Your Name Here folder. Read on, however, to find out why this hasn't worked so far.

On the subject of transferring map data via serial port, my personal experience has been that these transfers have been flawless and totally bulletproof, and were accomplished at the same speed as if I had used an actual WinTel box.

That is, until I received my iQue.

Some of the writers on Usenet have complained that us Mac users shouldn't be whining about the lack of Mac support for the iQue when Garmin specifically states that the unit is not compatible with the Mac. Please take the time to read the following excerpts from an e-mail I wrote to Garmin today to express my dissatisfaction with the iQue. You'll see that Garmin has offered two different answers to this question (at least in my personal experience, YMMV so please don't flame me or, if you are Garmin, please don't sue me for libel as this is just my personal experience and opinion).

When I first heard about the iQue I contacted Garmin technical support to find out whether or not the unit would be Mac-compatible. I was told that map transfers would require the use of a Windows PC, but that HotSync capabilities would be, like all Palm OS devices, both Mac- and PC-compatible. Since I have been able to successfully transfer maps to several Garmin units (including GPSMap 176, GPS V, StreetPilot and others) using Virtual PC, I was not concerned about the map transfer limitation.

As a result of this initial conversation, on March 16 I placed my order with GPSCity for the iQue. I continually checked the Garmin web site for any word on the iQue's release date and anxiously waited for the day it would arrive.

In mid-June I called Garmin tech support for assistance in deciding between two models I was considering purchasing as a gift for a family member. As always, the tech support representative was very helpful. After we decided upon the right unit to purchase, we had a conversation about our shared enthusiasm, anticipation and excitement for the forthcoming iQue. I once again asked about whether or not the iQue would HotSync with a Mac and was assured that it would.

I continued to check the Garmin and GPSCity web sites for word on the iQue's ship date. As soon as I read on your web site about the unit's release I immediately called GPSCity to find out when I would receive mine.

Last Friday I received an e-mail advising that my iQue was finally on its way. Unfortunately, that was the day that I left for a two-week business trip. I instructed my secretary that when the box from GPSCity arrived, she should FedEx it to me at my hotel. The box was waiting for me at the front desk of my hotel last night and, like a child on Christmas morning, I could hardly wait to get upstairs to open it up and play with it.

My excitement quickly turned to disappointment and dejection as I tried for hours to get the iQue to HotSync with my Mac. It was as if that child on Christmas morning opened his most anticipated present only to find out that his new toy was broken.

I scoured the internet for any tips, tricks or drivers which would allow me to HotSync and finally went to bed, exhausted and depressed, well past 1:00 a.m.

I called Garmin tech support as soon as I woke up this morning and my feelings of disappointment and rejection grew. After the representative consulted with her superiors, she advised that the iQue was not Mac-compatible and that it would not HotSync with a Mac (contrary to everything I had been told up to that point). Further, I was told that even if I could get it to HotSync, Garmin would not support the use of an iQue with a Mac.

After months of anticipation and assurances, I am now a very dissatisfied and disappointed customer. Once again Garmin has shunned the Mac community even after making assurances that the iQue would HotSync with the Mac version of the Palm Desktop software (like any other Palm OS device on the market).

The bottom line is this: Garmin assured me twice that this unit would work with a Mac and it quite clearly does not. There is hope, however. The people at markspace.com (makers of TheMissingSync for Clies) say that they are hoping to add Mac support for the iQue. Stay tuned.

Hopefully this post has helped dispel some rumors and assumptions and will prove helpful to other Mac users longing for the Garmin iQue.

Thanks for your interest. We are in the final stages of preparing a Missing Sync for Garmin and it should be released this week. It won't have map functions per se, but will allow you to transfer map information (with the help of a PC or Virtual PC). Stay tuned to our website: www.markspace.com for an announcement.

Anyone out there happy with there iQue 3600-Missing Sync-Vitual PC-Mac set-up??

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are developing the WAAS program for use in precision flight approaches. Currently, GPS alone does not meet the FAA's navigation requirements for accuracy, integrity, and availability. WAAS corrects for GPS signal errors caused by ionospheric disturbances, timing, and satellite orbit errors, and it provides vital integrity information regarding the health of each GPS satellite. Although WAAS has not yet been approved for aviation, the system is available for civilian use such as boaters and recreational GPS users.

How it Works

WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. This correction accounts for GPS satellite orbit and clock drift plus signal delays caused by the atmosphere and ionosphere. The corrected differential message is then broadcast through one of two geostationary satellites, or satellites with a fixed position over the equator. The information is compatible with the basic GPS signal structure, which means any WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can read the signal.

But if you are in Boston, you MIGHT and usually should. I tell clients that you need an open location, with a direct line of sight to the theoretical geosync satellite positions over the equator (low azimuth??). If the view is blocked by trees, buildings or hills, then the WAAS signal is difficult to pick up. Airplanes & boats are typically out in the open and usually have no visibility issues. And since thats the application it was developed for, we can't complain too much, just ride in on the coattails.

GPS4FUN Lady

As I mentioned above, the PalmOS isn't limited to 160x160 displays. It's just that most programs assume a 160x160 display, which is why you wind up with PDAs that pretend to be 160x160 until told otherwise.

In the case of PDAs with minimizable grafitti areas (Sony NR/NX/NZ, HandEra 330, Siemens?, and now the iQue 3600), the program tells the OS that it can handle display resize events, after which point the OS will let the grafitti area be minimized. Then, when the user minimized the grafitti area, the OS notifies the program that the display extent (workable screen size) has changed. The program then checks the size of the display, and adjusts what it is doing accordingly.

Do you mean the Samsung smartphones--the i300 and i330?

The 12V adapter is like the one for the StreetPilot 3, with a large speaker built into the adapter, for louder directions while driving in the car.

GPS4FUN Lady

Miami lost, get over it. Their offensive leaders were bruised, beaten and out of the game. The call in overtime was correct. Missed calls in regulation caused the game to go to overtime in the first place. If you seriously think Miami deserved to win that game, you know very little about football.

Both the NA and Euro map programs will be available for individual purchase, so you could buy one in NA (getting the NA map set) and then purchase the Euro map set for use on the other side of the Pond). This would work in both directions of course...

Like a previous poster, this may finally get me to retire my Palm IIIxe.

coop

The smart way to navigate your day

The iQue 3600 is the first PDA to include integrated GPS technology. With the power of Palm OS 5 and the dependability of Garmin GPS technology, this "Super PDA" redefines multi-tasking. Our integrated software not only allows you to look up appointments or contacts, but also locates and routes you to them with voice-guidance commands!

Learn more about Que technology and the Integration, Organization, Navigation and Mapping that define the Garmin iQue 3600.
ÊiQue 3600 featuresÊÊ
* Powered by Palm OS 5
* Integrated Que technology, with Garmin GPS and mapping software
* Flip-up integrated GPS patch antenna can be positioned for optimal reception
* Speaker for voice-guidance commands, MP3 player, and message playback
* Voice recorder for making memos, quick notes, and messages on the fly
* Rechargeable internal Lithium-ion battery (charges in cradle or while connected to adapter)
* Built-in 32 MB of memory for downloading map data and [b]other Palm OS-compatible software[/b]
* New ARM processor enhances battery life, screen redraw, graphics, and audio
* SD expansion slot for flexible memory storage and additional software
* Unit size: 2.8"W x 5"H x .8"D (72 x 128 x 20.3 mm)
* Display: 2.16" x 3.24" (54 x 81 mm), 320 x 480 pixel, high-resolution, color display
* Applications: Astraware Game Pack, Documents To Go, powerOne Personal Calculator, StarCaddy, SplashPhoto, and Vindigo, with many more to come!