GPS, Garmin's GPS 10, Bluetooth enabled portable GPS
By Marc Perton 
posted January 31st 2005 12:38PM
posted January 31st 2005 12:38PM
Garmin has added its name to the list of
makers of Bluetooth GPS units
for Pocket PCs and laptops, with the launch of its GPS 10. While internal GPS cards might seem more convenient, there
are some advantages to an external Bluetooth unit, especially in a car, where the GPS box can be window-mounted to
boost signal reception, while your laptop or PDA stays next to you or in a dash-mount. The GPS 10 is waterproof as
well, so you can mount it externally; just don't forget to remove it when leaving the car, or someone else might do it
for you.
[Thanks, Atlanta Rene]
almost as cool and small as the TomTom Bluetooth GPS for Palm/Pocket PC thats been out for months. http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=27&Language=4
I have one it works great.
The problem with bluetooth GPS receivers is that you still have to worry about power. It's a pain to be constantly bringing it inside to charge it, and charging it in your car defeats the purpose of being wireless.
This is the first weatherproof bluetooth GPS I've seen. They could solve the power problem by building a small solar panel into it, and using that to charge the batteries. Then, you could mount an external GPS receiver with absolutely no wires.
The wirelessness of it is still a great benefit for pda users, who have to charge every day anyway.
But yes, it would be good if it could self charge. Can it be charged via the cigarette lighter?
You are better off buying Microsoft Streets and Trips 2005 (~$100) which comes with a Pharos GPS reciever and then buying the Pharos Bluetooth dock (~$80). The Pharos dock recharges via USB... See http://kindel.com/blogs/charlie/archive/2004/12/12/642.aspx
What is the point of making it Bluetooth enabled? Is that so it can automatically download updates or something?
Now, can they do that for the GPS product I use in the aircraft? How cool would it be to send data via Bluetooth to laptop (wirelessly connected to Internet, accessing real-time radar from weather sites) and to dash mounted GPS unit (accessing sat data for 3-d position).
I like cheap fixes. Anybody else??
If only Garmin could add Bluetooth to their regular products like the Foretrex ( http://www.garmin.com/products/foretrex201/ ). Everybody produces no-interface bluetooth toys nowdays.
This sounds neat and I am considering buying it...do you think this would be a good investment of my money? I think the fact that it is weatherproof is really cool.
Look at this:
http://www.royaltek.com/proditem.asp?group=consumer&item=bluetooth&filename=bluegpsrbt3000.asp
it also logs for 10 hours up to 30k positions.
Not waterproof, but anyway. Pricetag ?
http://pfranc.com/cgi-bin/P/pPBT
Adds bluetooth to eTrex!!!
Awsome!
-rob
Does Garmin treat all their customers this way? I got the GPS 10 since I will be using it in my truck most of the time. This is my first GPS device. The box says is includes setup guides and an owners manual. All I received was three set up guides and no manual. I sent a messaage to sales support requesting a manual and was told the setup guides were the manual. I pointed out that was not what the box had on it and they were almost useless for a novice user. This was the second reply "Sir, I apologize of the setup guides do not provide enough information, were
confusing, or, did not include as much information as you would like. Is
there any thing else that I can answer for you? If necessary please feel free to contact technical support at the 800 number in the close of this
Email."
No help, no manual and no download help on their web site. I will figure it out in time but this is ridiculous and lousy customer relations.
Garmin's minimal support is actually the worst when it comes to maps. I was not able to get any updates for the Mapsource software that I bought along with the StreetPilot III (an $800+ deal). Last I checked I was told to buy a whole new set of maps for $150. What, every single road in the country changed in the past 2 years? Why can't I get an update for the existing package without having to fork over the full price again? Not even a discount for existing customers - that's a lousy support for sure. I suspect bluetooth or not the maps won't be cheap, especially over time.
Try using this product with NAVAIR or ANYWHERE Map for aviation puropses... awsom