Rumor: Garmin iQue 3200 Coming?

Posted By: Ryan Monday, July 19, 2004 1:57:23 PM

A number of leaks point to an possible new Palm OS based PDA release coming soon from Garmin. Amazon.com is now listing a iQue 3200 set for release in August.

Amazon.com has a listing for a Garming iQue 3200 PDA. It is listed with "Not yet released" with a availability date of August 1st. The list price is posted as $460, however Amazon has it discounted for $430 USD and is available for pre-order. The currently available iQue 3600 has a list price of $589.

According to the description on Amazon, the iQue 3200 shares many of the same features as the current iQue3600 PDA. It is not clear whether the description has possible been reproduced with information from the 3600 listing. It is said to run Palm OS 5.2, have 32MB or ram and a Motorola DragonBall MXL ARM9 processor. Its distinguishing feature is the built in GPS receiver and software.

The listing also states the 3200 will have a 16-bit color display with 320 x 480 pixel resolution. The picture provided for the new handheld shows what appears to be a fixed input silkscreen. That may account for the lower price if it indeed uses a smaller 320x320 pixel screen. It is not entirely clear whether the details listed for the 3200 are entirely accurate. The release date listed also falls on a Sunday, an unlikely day to release a new product.

Just last week an alert PIC reader noticed that Garmin's own website had a broken link briefly added to the top of the new products list for the iQue 3200, labeled as Garmin's newest GPS PDA. The link and reference have since been removed. More as it develops...

Thanks to Gaurav and Jonathan Choo for the tips.

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320x320?

LiveFaith @ 7/19/2004 5:05:10 PM #
320x320 would be like selling a car with 3 wheels. Seems like Garmin would market a similar lower cost PDA with the same form. Why not pick up on some sales with a nearly identical product and low development $$$?

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com
RE: 320x320?
ackmondual @ 7/19/2004 6:28:39 PM #
I think the bigger concern would be the 2 hour or so battery life of it's predecessor. IF they fixed, that to something reasonably longer, then we'd have ourselves a nicely featured GPS PDA

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]
RE: 320x320?
reinbeau @ 7/19/2004 7:31:59 PM #
If you're only getting 2 hours out of your battery as a PDA (and you've turned down the backlight, which is one of the biggest drains) then you've got an RMA candidate on your hands. Using the GPS function really does require an external battery source.

That being said, the 3200 is a stripped down version for a not stripped down enough price. We'll see how it sells.

I'd pay more for wireless and more internal memory......:::Hello Garmin:::

**************************************
Ann - happily using her Garmin iQue3600

RE: 320x320?
vesther @ 7/20/2004 7:12:24 PM #
I think the 320x320 are somewhat grounds for shorter battery life, and the GPS does use some battery as well. Furthermore, Garmin sees this machine as a business tool and some firms who wanted a Palm-Powered Device and a GPS in one can't afford the Hi-Res version of the Garmin, so Garmin listened. Though this 160x160 version has somewhat abmyssal resolution, I think that the GPS functionality is supposed to remain the same.

Intel PXA27X, Motorola's ARM Processor, or Texas Instruments OMAP? Pick one Palm Enthusiasts, the choice should be yours. When handheld makers make you choose the ARM Processor, you win.

Good enough

JonathanChoo @ 7/22/2004 6:02:31 AM #
320x320 is good enough. At ₤240 with European map, this beats the next best thing - a PocketPC with built-in GPS (Navman Pin UK map ₤370). Hell the 320x320 resolution beats that too. ₤160 could buy me a TomTom Navigator Bluetooth UK edition for use on my h4150 but without the European maps which I would need to fork out more. And the price is cheaper than most dedicated GPS car systems. TomTom Go for example costs ₤424.

They are just releasing a lower end model, not replacing the 3600. For those who need 320x480, just buy the 3600 (₤410 for Euro).

--
Psion 5> Vx > m505 > N770C > T625C > NR70V > e310 > T/T > HP h2210 > T/T3 & h4150
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