HP iPAQ Navigation System 12 channel GPS kit for Compaq iPAQ H3900 series, Compaq iPAQ H3800 series, Compaq iPAQ H3100 series, Compaq iPAQ H3700 series, Compaq iPAQ H3600 series

OK ... so I'm a little late with this review. I've just upgraded FROM one of these devices, to a Bluetooth GPS system with separate GPS software.

Anyway, it's rather unlikely that you will be buying one of these new now. And if you ARE considering it, either new or second hand, then please read the following experiences of this system first!

The first day this system arrived, I was so excited. GPS Navigation in my humble ...
...was necessary. In fact, the navigation device ran from the iPAQ's own power source, be that the internal battery, or from the car's cigar lighter.

I spent a while mounting the suction device to the windscreen, so that I could get the best view whilst driving. It needed to be out of my field of vision, but easy to see during a sideways glance. I got the system all fired up, and then sat waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting for a ... more

OK ... so I'm a little late with this review. I've just upgraded FROM one of these devices, to a Bluetooth GPS system with separate GPS software.

Anyway, it's rather unlikely that you will be buying one of these new now. And if you ARE considering it, either new or second hand, then please read the following experiences of this system first!

The first day this system arrived, I was so excited. GPS Navigation in my humble Ford Focus. I already owned an iPAQ, so no charging was necessary. In fact, the navigation device ran from the iPAQ's own power source, be that the internal battery, or from the car's cigar lighter.

I spent a while mounting the suction device to the windscreen, so that I could get the best view whilst driving. It needed to be out of my field of vision, but easy to see during a sideways glance. I got the system all fired up, and then sat waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting for a GPS lock. It just didn't happen.

The manual said that on a cold start of the system, I could expect to wait around 2 minutes to get a GPS lock. I'd been sitting here for 10 minutes by now, and nothing had been picked up.

I decided that it was obviously my house getting in the way of the GPS signals, so I decided to drive a little way, to see if anything was picked up. Sure enough, just 2 metres backwards, and the device made a little sound that meant "I know where we are". Great ... I then quickly chose a nearby destination, and set off, being happily guided by the system.

About half a mile down the road the whole assembly fell off of the windscreen. I felt physically sick ... I had spent near on £700 for the combination of both the iPAQ and this GPS device, and it had just fallen three or four feet to the centre console. I had cleaned the windscreen area with meths and the wipe provided ... it could not have been cleaner!

One quick emergency stop later, and it turned out that all I had damaged was the power connector at the bottom of the iPAQ. Easily replaceable, and easy to continue on battery power.

Now I sat waiting to get another GPS lock, which just wouldn't happen. I finally decided to hold the system out of the window, to see if I could get a lock with nothing between the device and the sky. Sure enough, it gained a GPS lock, and, as it turned out, it could hold that lock ... until the car came to a standstill.

To cut a long story short, the GPS reception of this device is so poor that it cannot 'see' the sky through a windscreen that has a heating element. I ended up having to buy a re-radiating antenna to strengthen the signal inside the car. All was well until the software went completely bonkers one day, and insisted on trying to make me turn around on the M1 to go Northwards for my journey to London, which was, at the time, 100 miles to the South!!

I binned the software shortly after that, opting for the better TomTom package. And not long after that, the entire GPS jacket started to malfunction. This device, I am afraid, was not, is not, and never will be, worth the money ... unless you can get hold of it for about £20. Even then it is a waste of money, as all of the maps will now be out of date.

I'm afraid this review must have a recommendation of "Avoid like the plague!" 

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