Has anyone installed a portable GPS system in their MINI? The factory installed NAV system costs too much, IMHO, and feature for feature, does not compare favorably with the IQue 3600.

 

I am using a Garmin Streetpilot III in my MINI. Although it is a chunky brick, the screen is large and easy to read and I like the variety of adjustable features that it offers.

The iQue GPS integrated in a PalmPilot is super cool though, and is a lot cheaper and smaller. I'm not sure if it would be as easy to use while driving and pointing at it with a stylus, however Garmin strongly suggests that one never adjust your nav system while driving.

Being able to move my GPS between my vehicles is a nice added bonus too! Today, I would probably get the iQue, but the SPIII was the nicest one available a year ago, and I am still very happy with it.

Here are some pics of both units.

 

Two questions: is the SP III portable?
Is it battery operated or can you use an adapter to connect to the cigarette lighter?

 

To clarify my question about portability, I meant: can you take it backpacking?

 

Yes the SPIII is portable, running on 6 AA batteries. In the car, I have it plugged into the power outlet, with the batteries as backup power when the car is off.

You could certainly take it backpacking, but it is significantly larger than the smaller hand-held sporting models, as it is more specific to automotive use.

 

>>You could certainly take it backpacking,
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Thanks for the info.

 

>>You could certainly take it backpacking,
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Thanks for the info.

 

I just purchased the Garmin iQue 3600 for my Christmas gift to myself. I looked and looked for the longest time for the "perfect unit" for my vehicle. I really enjoy the OEM unit, but didn't want to give up the center speedo. My first unit choice was the Pioneer DVD/GPS installed unit. This thing is simply amazing, but it has two major drawbacks. One: the price is outrageous. Even on e-Bay it's $1800 and then if you are like me, you have to find someone to install it. Second: Once it's in your vehicle, it's there. You can't move it from one to another.

So once I decided that portability became a high factor in my decision, I wanted the 2610. This upgraded StreetPilotIII looked to be exactly what I wanted. I loved the touch screen. I had been looking for a good price on this unit when I was at Cabella's (a very large outfitter store) and the salesman showed me the iQue. He swore that this unit was the one to go with rather than the 2610. I had a big apprehension purchasing a PDA that was designed by a mapping company. I already owned a 2-year old Sony Clie that worked fine. Did I really need a "second rate" PDA? I didn't realize how wrong I could be.

I decided to give the iQue some more thought. The following weekend I went to Best Buy and played with the 2610. It was then that I realized the GPS software on both the 2610 and the iQue were nearly identical. There was nothing that the 2610 could do that the iQue couldn't. Plus the iQue was smaller, which meant more mobility for me. With a $300 street price difference I was sold on the iQue. I looked all over the net, including eBay, and found the best price/customer service rating for a brand new unit to be sold at gpsdiscount.com. I got it for $461 including shipping and a free T-shirt. (I later found out about gpscity.com They will match any price, but I was very happy with GPS Discount. Great service with fast shipping - very next day)

When it arrived, the PDA performance of the iQue was outstanding. It comes with a 200 mhz processor, so it is much faster than my Clie. The iQue does use the new Graffiti 2 and this is still taking me a little getting used to. I like the original graffiti better, but I think graffiti 2 will be easier to learn for those new to the handwritten PDA language.

GPS-wise, I was suprised to find out that the technology will not work indoors. I always thought it would, but it requires a clear view of the sky. It cannot go through solid stuctures, but will work through windows (ie. your car). The mapping software is perhaps the best on the market. City Navigator 5 is included and it is amazing. The detail is outstanding.

I purchased both the travel kit and the Auto Navigation Kit. Keep in mind that these are two totally different accessories. The travel kit includes a/c adaptors for Europe, Australia, and Great Britian. It also includes compact USB connections for a laptop and compact charging cord to eliminate the need to bring along the PDA docking mount. This kit is handy, but not really essential unless you are traveling abroad. If you are purchasing the iQue for use in your car, you will need the Auto Navigation Kit. This will run you about $55 online, but it is essential for the vehicle. It includes a dash beanbag adjustable mount, with a lighter plug that charges the unit. This is important, because the iQue's battery is only rated at two hours with the GPS running. With the kit, you don't have to worry about battery time. The kit also includes a large speaker, which aids in hearing the spoken navigation instructions. Without this speaker, it is very difficult to hear the audible voice when your driving down the road. The mount does have the tendency to slide around very slightly on the Mini's contoured dash, but I think I can fix very easily by attaching some grip tape under the mount. Right now it sits directly in front of me on the right side of the tach.

The last item I would suggest purchasing is a SD (Secure Digital) card of at least 128mb. The iQue has 32mb of internal memory, but the Palm OS software requires some for operations, and then the Navigation basemap uses some. Basically you are left with about 16mb for detailed map uploaded data. (the basemap includes all of the MAJOR roads in North America, but will not show anything but major highways. This means that all of your access roads, and points of interest will not show unless you upload the detailed maps) With 128mb, you should be able to get every area that you will need loaded onto your card. I would suggest even spending the extra $25 and get a 256mb. This should allow you to install most if not all of the USA. I haven't purchased this yet, but is on my list for this week. Circuit City has 256mb SD cards on sale this week for $60.

If anyone has questions about the iQue or any other unit, please feel free to message me. I've played with nearly every unit out there. Most are very good, but you have to determin what fits your needs. If you aren't going to need the PDA functions, and don't mind taking a big unit with you if you go hiking, and enjoy a larger screen, then the 2610 is probably for you. Otherwise, check out the iQue, I think you will enjoy it's functionality and performance.

 

Hi!
I have used the Street Pilot III and now the iQue 3600 in my MINI and even my 1964 Cooper "S" Works great! I would NEVER buy a system fit to the car itself. I travel a lot and rent many cars. This works great and fits on the MINI dash just fine with the beanbag mount.

 

Just read your most informative review of gps systems, and agree the 2610 screams mini solution. The price you quoted however from gpsdiscount.com of $461.00 is way off from what they are currently showing. They show price of $769.00, ($308.00 higher than you said you paid!) How long ago did you buy your system?

Bill

 

>>Just read your most informative review of gps systems, and agree the 2610 screams mini solution. The price you quoted however from gpsdiscount.com of $461.00 is way off from what they are currently showing. They show price of $769.00, ($308.00 higher than you said you paid!) How long ago did you buy your system?
>>
>>Bill

I think the price he was referring to is for iQue, not 2610. :smile:

 

I was also debating between 2610 and iQue and decided to go with 2610 because I recently invested in a PDA phone (Kyocera smart phone). There's no need to have 2 PDA's. More importantly, the screen on 2610 is slightly larger, which makes touch screen capability a little easier to operate. :smile:

 

Great post Meeneecooper. Very nice and detailed. I like the flexibility of the iQue, combing GPS and PDA capabilities, which is why I wanted to get feedback from those like yourself who purchased this item.

I believe the iQue's software is the same as that used by some Garmin GPS: aafter all, Palm is not in the business of designing GPS software. I believe the iQue is a collaboration between Palm and Garmin.

One final question, or rather two, what is the maximum size SD card the iQue can take and how do you like its PDA features?

 

I agree with Yucca 100%....I to have the Street Pilot III and simply love it.

 

>> {snip}..and don't mind taking a big unit with you if you go hiking, and enjoy a larger screen, then the 2610 is probably for you...{snip}


A point of correction here - the 2610 operates using a car adapter or AC adapter only. Unlike the SP-series, it does not operate on battery power. This may make it difficult for use while hiking!



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I, too, have the iQue 3600. I have a 512MB SD card in it and it contains almost all of the western states maps in it with about 40-50 MB to spare to play MP3s. It's been a positive experience for me. I like the voice navigation. It's one of the best PDA/GPS units out there right now. I recommend getting the Auto Nav kit with it.
-B

 

The only limit on the size of SD card that you can use is the size of your wallet. Bruintoo said that he purchased a 512mb and it has most of the western states. That's pretty good. I always buy the most that I can afford. If I don't use it on maps, I'll use it on MP3s.

The PDA features are fantastic on the iQue. Compared to my previous Sony Clie N-610C it is much quicker. The screen resolution isn't quite up to par with the Clie, but not many PDAs are. This is not to say that the resolution on the iQue is poor. In fact, the differences are very slim. Other PDA features I really like are the virtual graffiti area. This is expecially handy when using the GPS. You get 1/3 more screen size because this simply "disappears" when you don't need it. I also like the many convinent ways to access your home screen/address book/etc. through a variety of accessible buttons.

The iQue also is equiped with a spring loaded jog dial on the left side of the unit. This is very handy when using the GPS as it allows you to zoom in/out with ease. The dial is also integrated into every app on the unit. Very convenient feature. Something also very cool with the iQue is it's voice recorder. Garmin has made this a very easy to use feature by placing a button right above the jog dial. So if you want to record a quick message reminding yourself to pick up some milk before going home, it's as easy as push and speak.