Reviews

I bought this GPS for running because I didn't like the clunky watches, and the price was reasonable. The unit is very accurate, but it does lose the satellite feed if I am running in a area with a lot of trees. Also, it takes about five minutes to pick up a satellite feed when I first go out. The Timex watch that goes with the GPS unit is easy to use and has more functionality that I'll ever need. Overall, it's a good value.

I'm using this in conjuntion with my Timex 5F001 HRM watch and the Data Recorder 2. No problems at all. Took less than three minutes for it to get an initial signal and about one minute for it to find the signal at each power-up. My watch picks up the signal up to three feet away from the device. No problems at all with using it. It's a recommended addition to the Bodylink system.

Here is my review: Pros : N/A Cons : - large for the propose - weak signal - loose signal many times even if you are in open area with clouds. - it does not get the altitude information - it takes more then 5 minutes to get the signal Suggestion: buy a Garmin Forerunner 305 insteady of Timex

Reviews

The Navman calls for a 5 volt 1 amp power supply. This item is 5 volt 2 amp and the plug is twice as long as the socket on the Navman. Now I have to search for a replacement for this useless adapter and I really don't know where to find one! Once again, this is NOT a good replacement for the original Navman adapter. I really wish I had read the reviews before I bought this! DO NOT BUY.

Can only agree with inetcruise - not only did I find the connection loose and unreliable but in trying to get it to operate correctly, the connector broke off completely. Spend a bit more cash for better quality.

Never connects snugly. When I use my regular wall outlet power adapter, I get a snug connection -which charges my GPS, but with this car power adapter, it's not charging it cause it won't stay snugly in place. What a POS.

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We bought our Garven nuvi at Costco and found a great price on the antenae from this company. We mounted it in our car and it virtually disappeared and works great.

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You have to input your address search twice to get this unit to make it work; there have been a few times it will not find the address that you may be looking for in its database. If you try to run both the navigation software and all the other database software it seems to slow down its processing speed. If you ever lose battery power completely you will have to reload the navigation software all over again! I do NOT particularly recommend this unit (even though I own one!)

Horrible software - very hard to enter addresses. Lets say you're looking for restaurants, you'll need to enter a 'Area'. So you enter a city - it will bring up several options with the same city name. You don't know which to choose. It cannot serach for POIs based on the current location. Worst gizmo investment I ever made.

I got this as a gift in Christmas of 04. All the other things you have read are basically true: good value, lots of accessories included, everything you need is in the box, except a decent sized memory card. I was very impressed for the first couple of weeks of use. No database or software is going to be perfect, so I can understand the strange routings and the incomplete/incorrect street information. Having to install NavMan into the thing straight out of the box before you could use it was also really annoying, but I guess you would have to do that anyway when you buy a larger memory card. Trying to find a town or address was definitely very clunky and almost impossible. Still, for the money, I thought this was pretty decent, at first. First problem was when I tried loading some other software on for hiking. Turns out you have to power off/kn the unit or else the gps receiver would not be released by the navman software for use by the other program. Cycling the power made all memory go away, so I was forced to realign the screen and go through the annoying Windows tutorial every time. I gave up on the topo software. The biggest problem by far is that the battery cannot hold a charge. If you take this out of your car for more than a few days without leaving it on a charger, the unit seems to forget that the Navman software was ever installed. What a huge hassle! I went through this a couple of times, then it seemed like even when leaving it on the charger it would go south. So, when I went to grab it and go on a trip, I had to mess around for 20 minutes reinstalling everything each time. Finally, it would not "remember" the installation at all, and I contacted NavMan tech support. They were pretty nice and sent me a refurbished unit, about a year after I first received it. It worked OK for a couple of trips, and I was careful to leave it on the charger, but then a couple of months later, I went to use it, and... dead again. I have officially given up. Again, I believe this is a Windows/platform problem more than a NavMan problem, but it still amounts to a useless piece of junk. Anyone want to buy mine, cheap? I have since gotten a Garmin ETrex Vista Cx, which is 10 times better, includes a barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and always works when I turn on the switch... what a concept! The screen is smaller, but it still gets the point across, and I can take it hiking and biking as well. Garmin gouges you for software and maps, but I would still rather have something that will actually work.

I have a Navman Pin 100 and the latest software SmartST 2005 and it still sucks as a GPS unit. The new software offers very little if any improvement over the old. The Tech support is poor also, they know the problems but can't offer any real solutions for you. I put my address in and it told me that there was not enought info. Would not recommend this unit to anyone looking for a GPS solution. If they would improve the address location there may be some hope for the thing. Battery life isn't very good either. I've tryed putting address in every way possible and it is still a crap shoot.

I've been using my PiN 100 for almost 2 years now and on an almost daily basis. I drive all over the state of Oregon and Washington for my job. I have to make multiple stops daily and to almost always never the same place twice. The PiN has done an excellent job at getting me from point A to B. For me, the GPS finds it's location typically within 1-2 minutes. Definately not the 10-15 minutes others have stated. The software can be a little difficult to find an address at times. I start with a zip code, then the street. If the street can't be found, I use the City for the search instead of the zip code. It will auto-populate the street names with just a few letters. Keep in mind, if the street is misspelled in the software (has happened several times) you may only want to put in the first few letters to see if it comes up with a close address. Another factor to consider is the date of the maps. There have been at least 2 map updates since this product was released. There have also been 2 major software updates since release. SmartST v3 and SmartST 2005. 2005 being the latest. It runs $99.95 from the navman store. I'm still using v2, and will be upgrading to 2005 this week. I've found this GPS/PDA to be the best purchase I have made in a very long time, not only because I find it very easy to use (I am however an experienced technophile) but also because it was very cheap considering it's competition. I also suggest looking into the updated software. One of the many new features is the ability to plan a route, going from point A to B, To C, To D without having to stop and put in a new address at each location. The PDA functions are what can be expected from Windows Mobile 2003. I have watched movies I ripped from DVD while on a plane or waiting at the airport. I've listened to MP3's, played games, and of course managed my contacts and calendar all while on the road. If I go out of town, I load a new map into my PiN and plug it into my rental car to get me around. It's familiar and I know how to use it. No need to pay the extra fee from the renal company, I've got my own. There is only 1 problem that I have had in my 2 years of use. My car adapter has failed me this week. It's broken and needs to be replaced. I just ordered a replacement online for $20, delivered. I paid $399 for my Navman 2 years ago during a promotion. It's by far the best $400 I've spent in years!

Reviews

Was sent a different antenna with a straight rather than right-angle connector and 7-foot rather than 10-foot cord. Allows more convenient use of handheld GPS in car, but of course it's a passive external patch antenna not an amplified one. The plastic backing does help to prevent marring your car paint. Too much aggravation to return. Unfortunate bait and switch by Semsons and Co.

There's really not much to say about this product other than it WORKS! I bought my Garmin Nuvi 360 roughly 2 years ago, and after 6 months it started to malfunction. The only problem was that it would never locate a satellite or take a really long time just to fail. So I threw it in my desk drawer only to never look at it again. Recently I had a friend who needed an inexpensive GPS and I told him about mine and the problem. He agreed to pay for it if I could get it fixed. After doing a bit of research, I found that the chip in the unit would fail and that a quick fix would be an external antenna. I found this one online and purchased it, after receiving it I plugged it in to give it a try. It located satellites faster than it did out of the box! I'm very happy with this product and suggest it to anyone who is having a "Locating Satellite" issue.

I bought this because my Nuvi 350 was beginning to spend more and more time searching for satellites, especially when our slide in camper is on our pickup. This product gets the antenna out in the clear, and dramatically improved reception. I now mount the Nuvi on the console instead of on the windshield, but since the antenna is out on the hood, I still get great satellite reception.

This antenna is just what my Nuvi needed. It has almost doubled the accuracy of the unit. The nuvi alone would give ma an accuracy if 18 to 20 feet on a good day. With the antenna installed it is now averaging about 9 feet. the cable is small but seems to be well made. The mini connector that goes into the side of the wing antenna takes some getting used to, but works very well.

I was on the road when my Nuvi 350 suddenly decided that it not longer could find any satellites. After some research, I had this item shipped to the campground I was in. I plugged it into the Nuvi and it was back in operation better that ever. Quick shipping, low price and it works great - need I say more?

Reviews

I've had this GPS for 3 years now, and it does an okay job. MOST of the time it will get me where I need to go, but there are some exceptions. My husband and I relied on it while visiting Texas last year, and many times it got lost (displaying only a question mark while driving) or wouldn't let us enter an address we had been given (as you type, it tries to auto-fill like T9 on cell phones, but sometimes it just turns red indicating that address isn't recognized). While visiting a friend in South Florida, it kept saying "No drivable route to destination" when I entered the address. The navigation voice can also be annoying because it will say, "In 1/4 of a mile, turn right", and as you are making the turn it says, "Turn right, then turn right" and once you're done turning, then it will tell you what to do next. Also, it makes an obnoxious chime anytime you drive over 70 mph, I guess to let you know you are speeding (in case you miss the blinking, red caption at the bottom of the screen). The ETA has never been even close to accurate for me, as well. Bottom line, it's not the greatest GPS, and if I were buying one for myself, I would invest in another brand. However, because it was given to me, I use it the best I can and always have a printout from Mapquest as a backup.

I found what i was looking for and bought it. The transaction was very smooth and it ship very quick. I would use amazon again.

I bought this entry level unit last black friday. It has served me well over this last year. I leave it in the car and it's been working fine, fast satellite acquisition - sirf star 3. Sure it doesn't have all the addresses, but it can find the general area where i'm looking for and that's all I need. I mainly use it to find my golf courses and it does have them. As for the connectivity kit. Don't you all have a digital camera or other digital device? Use that cable, i used it and downloaded the updates from navman, it connected and i upgraded the basic software. Now i'm not sure what else you can do with a real connectivity kit, but i'm happy with it for the price i paid. For the price the F20 works great, no problem in the Los Angeles/California area. I think this year they came out with S series, s20/s30 etc... As this company is in the UK, don't expect the same service as a company in the good ole USofA.

My Navman F20 broke 40 days after I bought it. The charger connection broke internally. I sent it to Navman for repair in accordance with their warranty, and Navman wants $149 to repair it, claiming, without explanation, that the repair is not covered by its warranty! How something so clearly a manufacturing defect not be covered by the warranty? I have never had such poor performance from such an expensive item. My advice, don't buy anything from Navman. They are dishonest.

I think some of the other reviewers here are getting a bit carried away. They seem to be forgetting it is an ENTRY LEVEL device, that's why you got it cheap. It is not meant to have all the frills of a more expensive model. Who cares about custom POI's, I just want it to get me from A to B and back again. I don't need to take pictures, listen to music from it (I have a car stereo for that), I don't need to customize the POI's or the colours or backgrounds. If you are in such dire need for all of that then you should have researched what you were buying or at least looked at the info on the box. If it doesn't say its in the box then it probably isn't so why are you all harping on about software and connectivity kits? A standard USB mini cable is all that is required (these cables come with most mp3 players and digital camera's) to connect it to your PC and can also be used for charging. If you were to buy a connectivity kit from Navman then you would be an idiot as you would be paying through the nose for a cable that you most probably have already or can get for a dollar at any accessory store. As for the software, why do you need that? You would only need it to update the maps and to update the maps you need to buy them from Navman (updates are not free) who supplies them on a SD card or CD's depending on the maps you require. The software you need to install them is supplied with them. The Navman F20 does everything it needs to do to get you where you want to go and it does it flawlessly. It was never advertised as anything other than a straightforward navigation device, isn't that what they were designed to be? The people complaining about the lack of features are probably the same people who want every single concievable feature on their cell phones but only ever use them to make a call. Why do you want mp3 on a satnav, are you going to carry it around in your shirt pocket all day? Ever heard of mp3 players? OOh I want a digital camera on my satnav so that when I get to a destination I can take a picture of a landmark there so that the next time I want to go I can just touch the thumbnail and it will take me there again. WHY WHY WHY....you already know how to get there right? You are going to look stupid pulling out your satnav/mp3/digital camera/fm radio to take a pic of the castle at Magic Kingdom aren't you? Get a life, don't buy something then complain about features you knew it didn't have. Read the box next time!

Reviews

OK, first let me say this product is nice looking and works as it should. But that is the lessor of its attributes. The best part is the packaging! This thing was made in China and the instructions on the back are HILARIOUS. It looks like they were written in Chinese, put through a free translation program, then printed on the packaging. Here are a few of the best instructions: "High quality serial product" "The electric current that this product can be born is 7A, whether please confirm your electrify products under 7A." "The position to paste cigarette socket should wipe away and put on the skin clean with neutral detergents first and influence the result of pasting." "This product is sticking after installing one hour rock at will, collide copies of product strongly." While I cannot be sure that my electrify product is under 7A, I've not lost any sleep over it. I can confirm no adverse effects to my skin; from neutral detergents, pasting, or anything else. Despite their recommendation, I would refrain from colliding copies of product strongly, as this may result in breakage. I do, however, agree that you should rock at will; though waiting for one hour before doing so seems arbitrary and capricious! :-)

You may want to replace the wimpy 5 amp fuse with something higher like 6 or 10 amp. I had my navigation unit and XM radio plugged in and when I plugged my cell charger in it popped the fuse. Other than that it works great. I have a Honda Fit that only comes with one power outlet but there's a small compartment just in front of the cup holders that this device fits into perfectly!

Reviews

Ironman Triathlon BodyLink System Heart Rate/Speed/Distance The Timex BodyLink System was great in it's day. I only bought the SF891 to replace a unit that I had lost so I could sell a complete Timex Bodylink system on ebay. The associated software was also great in it's day. However, it has not kept up with Garmin line, and the 405CX carries out all the same functions in a single watch that required three components for the Timex system. The Garmin also comes with great software. The Garmin's GPS antenna is far more sensitive than the Timex, and can synchronize with the satellites indoors in areas where the Timex lost contact, an extremely valuable feature for cold-weather running. I got a better price for the Garmin 450CX on ebay than was available on Amazon.

Reviews

This makes the 8th (eighth) Navman I have purchased in as many years. I buy them for my wife for her hobby,horseback riding. They only last a year so warranty does not help. Also trying to register them is so hard it's almost not worth it, They don't include a warranty card in their paperwork and the website is a dead end.Also no phone number to call to register. I wish I could find another product like it that she could use. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

I bought two, one for me and one for my girlfriend. That was over five years ago. Mine just went bad. My (ex)gitlfriend bought a more expensive GPS and now is going to give me her W300 (thats what it was called then). When it goes bad I will buy a more expensive GPS. But over 5 years of constant use isn't bad.

I received this GPS as a gift. After the first few weeks, the display went bad and it no longer shows my speed or distance. Nothing works to change the display anymore. I would invest in something more worthwhile. It was a waste of good friends money!

SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!! Mine worked ok first few times then wouldn't display correctly; it would also turn off on its own. Just not worth your money. Only will give a lot of frustration.

Well, it was good for about 5 weeks after that it just died. No battery replacement would bring this baby back to life. At least I got to keep the arm band. Save your money.