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HandyGPS, and unbiased review:

I recently received the HandyGPS from Nexian (www.nexian.com) for my visor and had a chance to take it on a recent road trip. This is a review of the operation of the unit and my observations. I am in no way connected with Nexian or Navicom. The trip consisted of a drive from Miami, FL to Melbourne FL (just south of the Kennedy Space Center) through the following counties in Florida: Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Brevard.

Visor unit used: Deluxe with 8Mb of ram. Ice color.

GPS Unit: The unit itself is rather small and about the size of small beeper. It is finished in a graphite color. The back of the unit (the exterior as installed in the Visor) is split in half, where the cover can be removed to install two triple A batteries. These come included with the unit, as were eveready energizers.

GPS Software: The unit has it�s own software which is linked to the visor os when it is installed in the visor. If your visor is off, it will turn the visor on and execute the GPS software that is onboard the unit itself. You can exit the software by pressing any other button on the visor or the menu options on the visor face itself. You can also insert the unit with the visor on, and the GPS software will execute.

Mapping Software: The unit as shipped from the factory does not have mapping software. This is available from Nexian�s web site at www.nexian.com. In order to download the maps, you need to enter the Serial Number and Registration ID which is located on a label on the last page of the manual. Once you have registered, you are immediately taken to the maps page where you can select the state, and then download all the maps for a specific county, or you can select the individual cities within a county. In order to have the most complete coverage, YOU NEED TO INSTALL THE ENTIRE COUNTY INTO THE VISOR. Although there is a county file with the cities, it apparently only covers those areas that are outside city boundaries. For my trip I loaded 7 complete counties and used a bit over 4Mb of ram.

Operation:

Installation: Installing the unit is as simple as removing the springboard cover and plugging it in. It turned the visor on and a disclaimer screen came on immediately warning me about the dangers of driving and operating the GPS unit at the same time. I guess the lawyers have never flown an airplane before. There is a check box to disable this disclaimer and an OK box to agree that Nexian is not responsible if you crash your vehicle while operating the GPS unit if the vehicle is in motion. The GPS software will then display a splash screen and go to GPS mode.

GPS Setup: You need to set up the init coordinates for the unit, as it will make it acquire your position faster. The default city is Los Angeles. You can scroll through the list to select your city (there are many listed,) and I did not count them, or you can enter your lat longs if you know what they are. Since I live in Miami, I selected Miami. You also set how you want date and time displayed (D/M/Y, Y/M/D, hh:mm:ss AM/PM, hh:mm:ss, etc.) There are several to fit how most cultures will want the date and time displayed. You also need to set the GMT offset for your area, and there is no Daylight Savings time option for this. You also need to set how you want speed displayed (Mph, Kph, Fps, Knots) along with the Max speed displayed (300 Mph.) The last setting is for the operating mode of which there are 5, (normal and 4 power saving modes.) The difference in the 4 power saving modes is the cycle of how often the GPS checks the satellite signals and how often it is idle. The table is available here: http://www.nexian.com/services/faq/faq.htm#q10 as the last item on the page. Their consumption numbers are on the money, using the new Energizer Titanium batteries. I found that with Duracells, the time was about 30% less (for Visor operation.)

The GPS takes about 5 minutes to acquire the satellite signals and it is recommended in the manual that you have a good view of the sky without a lot of tall buildings or trees around. This I can understand as the signal can be dispersed or blocked by these structures. I found that the GPS can acquire units in my house, but it worked better outside. In a building with a Metal roof, your dreaming! While you wait for the GPS to sync up, the dynamic information (lat/long, speed, course, bearing are grayed out. Once it does sync up, the numbers will turn dark. The first indication that the unit is seeing the satellites is that the correct date and time will be displayed. A minute or so later, the tracking information will go live.

There are three screens available with the GPS program in the unit, Main screen, Navigation screen and Satellite screen. These are available via a menu or using a command stroke (G, N, S.)

GPS Mode: In GPS mode, current date and time are displayed, Lat/Long, Bearing, Altitude (in meters only), a compass rose, a speedometer, course and speed in numeric display. All numerics display to one decimal place.

Navigation Mode: In nav mode, you can display your waypoints, course, speed, bearing, and distance to go. Waypoints are entered in two fashions, pressing an icon on the screen (will select current coordinates) or manually entering the lat/long values. Waypoints can be named. You can store up to 100 waypoints in the system, in groups of 10, which the manual calls routes. In Nav mode, the unit will display a bulls eye (your current position) and if you have a waypoint selected, a line extending out from the bulls eye in the direction of the waypoint. With a waypoint selected, bearing and distance to go are computed. When you move, the bulls eye will leave a trail on the screen showing your track. This information can be recorded and played back though I have not done this yet. I have only entered one waypoint (my house) to see how this worked.

Satellite Mode: The satellite mode screen displays two concentric circles with the compass points on the outside. Little boxes are displayed with a number (the Pseudo Random Number or PRN). Boxes in black with white numbers are satellites that the unit is currently using to calculate position. Selecting the box will display the Satellites PRN, Altitude an Azimuth (both in degrees.)

The GPS output is a proprietary format, as I loaded the Quo Vadis software, and it could not read the output of the HandyGPS, but it would display it. What was interesting is that the Quo Vadis would display the satellites and the satellite map, but I could not get Quo Vadis to lock a position. I may have not given it enough time and would need to test this again.

Map Software: The mapping software is provided by UbiGo, a division of Nexian. The map data itself comes from GDT, and covers the US and Puerto Rico. I do not know of any other countries to be included at this time. The map software itself is very easy to use and pretty straight forward. You can use the software without the GPS running. Features include:

Look up, Road, Airports, Train Stations, Metro/Subways, Hospitals, Golf Courses, Schools, and others.

Creation of your own Points Of Interest (POI�s). You can annotate the map and save this, then load it later on for reference again. I believe this creates a file that can be beamed, but I need another unit to test this.

Selecting an object and making it a goal.

Real time Tracking via GPS.

The maps seems pretty complete. The are segregated by County and City within the County. For a complete map of a county you must load both the cities and the county overview (this would have those areas that do not fall into specific cities.) Streets are labeled at the higher scales (i.e., lower numbers.)

Map use is intuitive and with sever

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Indiana
Posts: 84

From what you've read of the Geode - including the various features and a projected cost of $250 -- what's your impression? Which would be the better value?

I just don't want to purchase one to have my GPS now instead of getting the better one. But if you think HandyGPS does the job, that's important to know.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 96

Hi Morris:

quote:

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Originally posted by Morris:
From what you've read of the Geode - including the various features and a projected cost of $250 -- what's your impression? Which would be the better value?

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Registered: May 2000
Location: Laurel, MD USA
Posts: 26

I must concur with Mike Vidal....
I just got my HandyGPS and used it for a 2.5 hour trip between Baltimore and Wilmington. The tracking is flawless,and wonderful.

Mike has a good point - intersections as goalpoints would make a lot of sense. (QuoVadis does this, but doesn't work with the HandyGPS.)

I also just tonight bought a PDA windshield mount from MobilePlanet - solves the problem of how to hold and view the unit while driving. Also, because the springboard is a bit bulky you can forget about putting the visor in the leather sleeve (or in my case my slick Rhodiana workthrough) with the board inserted.

I also want to comment on Nexian's customer service. I'm sure many of you read my scathing commentary on Navicom's awful customer service. Well, Nexian, their wholly-owned US subsidiary has truly turned that situation around. Not only did they call and e-mail me to let me know my HandyGPS was on the way, but they even called me PRIOR to my receiving it, to make sure I was happy with the experience I had had. When I told them I hadn't received the unit yet, they promised to call back in a few days and check to see how I was enjoying the product. WOW.

This is a major difference from the extreme lack of customer support/information that navicom exhibited.

HandyGPS is definitely a winner.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 96

Lacher:

quote:

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Originally posted by lacherclp:
I also just tonight bought a PDA windshield mount from MobilePlanet - solves the problem of how to hold and view the unit while driving. Also, because the

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I wish we would at least sign our post, It makes it hard to figure you name out!

Did the mobile mount hold the visor with the GPS installed with no problem? I looked at it and it seemed to be a bit to short on length.

I used one of those cheap note pad holders they sell in autoparts stores with some heavy rubber bands to hold the visor to the pad. This worked well, but would prefer something steadier.

I am glad to see that the unit worked for you as well as it has been working for me.

Mike Vidal

Registered: May 2000
Location: Laurel, MD USA
Posts: 26

Mike....
Sorry about the lack of a signature. My first name's Steve. You misunderstood me - I ordered the windshield mount from mobileplanet last night. I'll let you know about the fit once I get it. I know it'll fit, based on the size specifications of the HandyGPS with Visor vs. the specs from the cradle.

One really interesting thing I've noticed is that when I drove to work this morning (about 40 mins by car) with the HandyGPS and visor on the whole time, the visor battery indicator took a SERIOUS nosedive after a prolonged use - but after I removed the HandyGPS and let my visor sit unpowered for a bit, the power indicator climbed right back up again.

Have you noticed anything similar?

By the way, for anyone else reading this, the HandyGPS is EXACTLY the sort of thing that makes the best use of the springboard idea. I'm not going to tell you that a visor with HandyGPS is the best GPS you can get - but what other GPS costs $139.00? The "piggy-backing of function" Hawkins envisioned is perfectly realized by this thing. I have one other springboard, the OmniRemote - which I bought purely as a cheap thrill, so I could say I had a springboard. And it IS pretty cool. But the HandyGPS is truly a worthwhile addition to a Visor.


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--Steven Lacher

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 96

Hi Steve:

See, that is much better!

quote:

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Originally posted by lacherclp:
Mike....
I ordered the windshield mount from mobileplanet last night. I'll let you know about the fit once I get it. I know it'll fit, based on the size specifications of the HandyGPS with Visor vs. the specs from the cradle.

One really interesting thing I've noticed is that when I drove to work this morning (about 40 mins by car) with the HandyGPS and visor on the whole time, the visor battery indicator took a SERIOUS nosedive after a prolonged use - but after I removed the HandyGPS and let my visor sit unpowered for a bit, the power indicator climbed right back up again.

Have you noticed anything similar?

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Ok, I had looked at the site and I thought the Visor with the GPS ended up about 1/4" too long to fit in the mount. I hope you are correct that it does fit, as the gerry rig I put together works, but is ugly!

As for the batter drain, yes, I have seen that also. One thing that Nexian notes is that if you are moving, then the GPS will act as if you have it in normal mode and not one of the power saving modes. Given the amount of I/O that starts to occur across the springboard buss, and the increase in CPU work to update the screen, this would be perfectly normal. That is why I recommend in the review that when the car adapter/rechargable battery combo's come out that, that is the way to go.

I did write to extend computer about their upcomming visor package and they told me they would let me know. For about $40 bucks, this is the least expensive method I can see of using the lighter adapter in my car to keep the visor running with the GPS.

The battery drain on the GPS unit itself is not that bad, so for most driving situation where you would use this, it is workable, but the visor drain tends to be much harder.

Mike Vidal

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 24

Please do let us know if the Visor/HandyGPS combo will fit in the windshield mount at MobilePlanet. I'm guessing that it won't based the 5.9" height of the Visor/HandyGPS combo. The specs on the windshield mount show that it will only hold a device with a maximum height of 5.3".

I am wondering if MobilePlanet's PDA Mounting Kit (not to be confused with the windshield mount) will work. It attaches to the dashboard instead of the windshield but there isn't a maximum height specified for it. They do say, "It is by far the most diverse palm mount offered by Arkon."

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: hawthorne, nj, usa
Posts: 2

I'm a little confused about the handy GPS. If I tell it where I want to go, I have the maps loaded, and I'm driving around with it on, will it tell me where I need to turn at? If it doesn't will any of the Gps modules do that? Thanx in advance.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 96

Hi:

quote:

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Originally posted by rchapoteau:
I'm a little confused about the handy GPS. If I tell it where I want to go, I have the maps loaded, and I'm driving around with it on, will it tell me where I need to turn at? If it doesn't will any of the Gps modules do that? Thanx in advance.

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 24

rchapoteau, there are other stand alone GPS receivers that will plot out directions to an address for you and give you some kind of cue about whenever you're supposed to turn. Unfortunately, the cheapest I've found those units for is $500-1000 depending on other features. For me, I think I'm going to try the HandyGPS because I'm mainly going to use it to find my way around a new area. If I was using it to find new addresses (clients, etc.) all the time, I might go with a more expensive GPS receiver. Either way, the HandyGPS will not be my last GPS unit and $150 is a nice entry point I think. The Geode will be interesting to watch but I need the receiver this week, not in who knows how many months.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Posts: 30

Well, I've been as anxious as the next guy for this GPS unit to finally hit the market. But here's my beef..... the original specs (way back in January) called for standard NMEA compliance, meaning HandyGPS could also be used with almost any 3rd party GPS app. But sometime between then and now, Navicom decided to go proprietary. So.... if you don't like UbiGo... tough! You're stuck with it. Can't use Solus Pro, can't use Flightbuddy (flight navigation app). That stinks.

Navicom really missed the boat on that one, and it's costing them at least this customer. I'll just bite the bullet and pay $250 for the Geode.
- Sean

Registered: May 2000
Location: Laurel, MD USA
Posts: 26

As promised, I'm here to let you guys know how my mobileplanet pda/phone cradle works with my visor and HandyGPS.

It ROCKS! The visor by itself sits completely flush inside the unit. With the HandyGPS inserted it still fits, although at an angle. (The top clip hugs the back of the springboard.) It still fits snugly enough not to slip, and the angle is actually beneficial - it helps you see the screen of the visor more clearly while driving.

I'll post a pic in the near future.

--Steve Lacher

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 96

Hi Steve:

quote:

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Originally posted by lacherclp:
As promised, I'm here to let you guys know how my mobileplanet pda/phone cradle works with my visor and HandyGPS.

It ROCKS! The visor by itself sits completely flush inside the unit. With the HandyGPS inserted it still fits, although at an angle. (The top clip hugs the back of the springboard.) It still fits snugly enough not to slip, and the angle is actually beneficial - it helps you see the screen of the visor more clearly while driving.

I'll post a pic in the near future.

--Steve Lacher

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Registered: May 2000
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 163

Came accross this at another site. Thought it might be of interest to those following this thread. http://www.visorvillage.com/boards/...ssages/392.html

Registered: May 2000
Location: Laurel, MD USA
Posts: 26

That other thread....

Wow. That other thread on the other board that jazz mentioned was being WAY unfair to the HandyGPS. Yes, it's a might bulky. Yes, the regular visor snap-on cover doesn't fit when the HandyGPS is in the visor. However, this really is simply a matter of form factor and physical engineering. The HandyGPS is pretty tiny, considering the kind of hardware it is, and what that hardware does. The Geode (which looks really good too, and I am hoping to get one of those, too - I'm a gadget fiend) is going to be even bigger than the HandyGPS - because of the MMC card storage, built in electric compass, etc.

Sure, I wish I could leave the HandyGPS in all the time, and that it would fit when I had my visor in its super-neato rhodiana work-through case. But, you have to consider what the HandyGPS is FOR.

It's very easy for me to keep the unit in the glove box of my car, and put it in when I need it. Why would I want to drain the batteries of the visor or the board, or bulk-up my visor just to keep the springboard loaded all the time?

As for city-street navigating, I can see that it'd be pretty easy to keep the springboard in a bag and plunk it in while walking down a city street. When I use the visor with the GPS in the car, I put it in a mobileplanet cradle mount - which is nice and secure. I do wish there was some sort of secure way to carry it in your hand while walking too.

As for the coverage, I think it's a case of YMMV. Lots of factors can contribute to satellite acquisition, things like the percentage of open sky, treeline and building obstruction, cold starting off new batteries, all make the satellite acquisition take a bit longer. On average, I can get "fix" from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. You also don't have to stand still to get a satellite fix.

HandyGPS is certainly not a perfect product - but what product is? About the only real flaw I've discovered is that you need to make sure you've got the batteries inserted nice and tight in the board's battery compartment, or they'll register as drained, and the board will take directly from your visor batteries.

I'm really quite happy with the HandyGPS. I can tell you it certainly helped me navigate to the beach this past weekend, and then to find a highway entrance I never knew was there on my way in to work this morning. For me, it has CERTAINLY justified it's price.

__________________
--Steven Lacher

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 96

Re: That other thread....

HI Steve:

quote:

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Originally posted by lacherclp
Wow. That other thread on the other board that jazz mentioned was being WAY unfair to the HandyGPS. Yes, it's a might bulky. Yes, the regular visor snap-on cover

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__________________
Mike Vidal
Ice Owner
Corvette Enthusiast
Racecar Spelled backwards is Racecar!

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Posts: 222

hmmm...if only there was a way of being able to use a modem (wireless or wired) to access nexian's site and to download maps directly onto your visor. that way, if you were caught in a city that you didn't have a map for, you could connect to the web or to nexian's site via a modem and get the map you need.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 96

Hi:

quote:

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Originally posted by Nhatman
hmmm...if only there was a way of being able to use a modem (wireless or wired) to access nexian's site and to download maps directly onto your visor. that way, if you were caught in a city that you didn't have a map for, you could connect to the web or to nexian's site via a modem and get the map you need.

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__________________
Mike Vidal
Ice Owner
Corvette Enthusiast
Racecar Spelled backwards is Racecar!