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Pharos Pocket GPS Navigator
GPS System for the Pocket PC
Manufacturer: Pharos Science & Applications

By Floyd Pierce
SPot Senior Editor

Model number: 

2003-08-31 - " The Pharos Pocket GPS Navigator rates very high on the cool scale. It provides many of the features of in car navigation systems that carry a much heftier price. It also creates some great synergies with the Pocket PC native applications. "

Review:

The model tested was used with a Toshiba e755. The product comes in three 'flavors', an in-car model (as tested) which has an external hard-wired Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, a compact flash version, and a Bluetooth wireless version.

The receiver/external power cable plugs into the hot sync port on the Pocket PC, with the GPS receiver going on dash. The cable includes a cigarette lighter adapter to power the GPS receiver and the Pocket PC while in use. This model cannot be used without external power. If you wish to use it away from a vehicle choose the compact flash version. The unit also comes with a nifty magnetic plate holder that mounts with clips to the Air Conditioning vent in your vehicle. A steel plate with pressure sensitive adhesive goes on the back of the Pocket PC.

Maps

The maps seemed to be on par with other GPS maps that I've used in the past, that is to say the maps are surprisingly detailed, but have occasional errors and omissions. Having a complete set of detailed maps is quite a plus, as the detailed maps are an optional item with some GPS systems. The maps are in pretty large chunks (the Ft. Worth, Texas area map was in excess of 12Mbytes) so you need to allow plenty of time to download map files to the Pocket PC. A secure digital or compact flash card reader for your PC would speed the process considerably.

The system is supplied with Ostia Navigation Software and drivers for the Pocket PC. The package includes a full set of detailed street maps of the entire US (including Alaska & Hawaii). There also is a Canadian version available.

Operation

The Ostia software on the Pocket PC definitely packs a big WOW factor. Point-to-point routing, turn-by-turn voice and visual prompting, and off-route voice prompts make this a system a real treat to use. The display indicates distance to and direction for the next turn. As you approach then turn (at about 1 or 2 tenths of a mile) you will get a voice prompt for the direction of the turn. At the exact point of the turn, a chime will sound. If you miss a turn there will be an off-route prompt after about 2/10 of a mile.

Auto Reroute

Another very useful feature is auto reroute. Once off route (if the option is turned on) the software will perform a reroute. This allows the system to re-direct you back to the original route or, if you've strayed far enough, calculate a completely new route.

Origins and Destinations

The Ostia navigation software doesn't use waypoints, but does allow you to save a point into the Pocket Contacts software on the Pocket PC. The software will actually post a longitude and latitude into the contact. It will also attempt to look up an address stored in a contact listing. The integration with the Pocket PC's contact list is quite handy, even though it does mean that you'll end up creating contacts entries for destinations and origins.

Conclusions

I really will hate boxing up this unit to send back. It is a very well thought out approach to integrating a GPS into the Pocket PC platform. With the bright, colorful displays available on Pocket PC systems mated with voice prompting this combo makes for a very enjoyable (and safe) intro into the world of GPS. If you have a compatible Pocket PC already, the $300 or so MSRP is a very reasonable cost for this level of performance.

There are occasional software glitches (always resolved by stopping and restarting the Ostia program) and some minor inaccuracies in the maps, but the overall performance of the system was very good.

I give the Pharos Pocket GPS Navigator system 4.5 Paws (out of 5).

Features:
  • True Voice Prompt
  • Integrated with Windows Powered Pocket Outlook
  • Full coverage Tele Atlas Digital Map Data
Rating:

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