Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

I got a message that Nexian is now shipping the HandyGPS again. I wonder if it works this time. I was really interested in purchasing one over the summer but once I heard of all the problems, I quickly backed-away. I am curious if they finally fixed it so that it works the way a GPS system should.

Chad

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

I wouldn't jump on the bandwagon just yet. I got mine on 11/22/00 and here's what I have found so far:

I was able to acquire a lock on four sattelites while standing still under open sky. Once I started to move around (walking the yard) I lost lock on all but one thereby losing any location information. Trying to use in the car, it sat on the dash and for the 45 minutes I was driving, it actually locked and tracked by progress for an astounding 5 seconds. One other thing, the manual states that the visor will run for up to 4 hours with the GPS module running...I have seen my brand new batteries lose half their change in under 1 hour of use. I plan on calling Nexian monday. Hopefully I will have more info after that to pass along.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: So California
Posts: 17

pretty much the same here

I got one of the new handy GPS modules last week....my experience is pretty much the same as yours. 5 minutes to get a lock on the satellites, then it looses them if you move an inch. I'm not kidding either. Batteries? Mine eats up batteries so fast it makes it impractical for any real usage. I am going to try some NiMH batteries to see if it helps out. I would imagine it would really help out something as power intensive as this.

If my HandyGPs is not defective then they are pretty much worthless. I hope the problem can be sorted out. I already have a call into Nexians cust service...had to leave a message. I will report back and let anyone who is interested know what happens.

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

Hi Guys:

Man, that is wierd with the problems you are having. I have one of the originals and it does not have the issues you are describing. The first time to lock up does take a bit of time, but after that, it works solid, and I have traveled with mine all over the US.

Defenitely I would contact Nexian if I were you. I wonder if they could have sent you some early units by mistake.

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

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: So California
Posts: 17

Mike,

I was wondering how yours worked compared to the newer ones. Sounds like something fishy is going on.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

Well after seeing someone else with the same problem with a recently shipped unit, I decided to forget HandyGPS. I shipped it back today for a refund. They are trying the crap about only refunding for the charge of the unit, not shipping. If it's defective, I don't think I should have to pay for anything except the cost to send it back and even that is questionable. Guess we'll see if they believe in customer service or if they want those of us who have been burned to disuade others from getting into the whole mess. From my experience, they aren't even to the beta stage yet, they can't get a consistent product to market from what I have seen. Do yourself a favor if you want GPS and wait this one out...

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

Just going to wait... thanks

Thanks everyone for all the feedback. I think I am just going to wait till another company comes out with a GPS module. The GeoDiscovery looks very promising.

Chad

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: So California
Posts: 17

Nexian cust serv....

.....sucks.

I just got of the phone with Nexian about my HandyGPS unit and found them to be very unconcerned both about my defective unit and the bad reputation they are getting on message boards such as this. I would fire any of my employees in a hot minute if they talked to any of my clients with such an attitude.

They offered to send me a new unit after I send this one back. After talking to them I am not sure if I will return it or exchange it....I hate to support a company that treats its customers like dirt.

Thinking about buying one of these? Don't.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Here
Posts: 213

Think I will wait for the magellan. They have been making GPS units for a long time. The Geodiscovery looks interesting that it claims 2 meter accuracy, but this thing looks big and spendy, and have suffered from schedule slip slip slip.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

Good point

Good point about the magellan. They have been making GPS units for while and seem to be reputable.

Chad

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

inkscarab, that whole shipping thing was only a beef of mine when i returned mine because it was defective. check out http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...p?threadid=7594

i was hoping nexian had fixed whatever problems they had way back when, but it looks like a few of the same problems are creeping back up. does anyone out there have one of the "new ones" that work. mavidal, you look like you're the lottery winner on this one.

since returning my handygps, i went with the etrex-vdx-combo solution. after using both units for a while now, i now know what i should expect from a gps module. the etrex works GREAT in my car (even in the passenger seat) and has a lock on 4 satellites in about 1 minute (excluding the VERY first lock which takes about 5 minutes but this doesn't count since this only happens once; unless of course, you leave your gps off for more than 3 months, but i digress). heck, it's even worked in my apartment!

the disadvantage here being that i have to lug around 2 units and a cable but that only happens when i'm in the car.

anyway, i'm eagerly looking forward to the geode for several reasons, one of which is that it utilized WAAS so its accuracy will be 1-2 meters!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

Comparison to regular gps units

I am wondering how these gps expansion cards for the Visor compare to regular gps units that one can buy and leave in the car? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the springboard card for the Visor?

Chad

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

What a rotten company to deal with!!!!!

They refuse to refund the $17 shipping on my defective unit. Get this: they had the president of the company try out my returned unit and <surprise> it worked for him so it's not defective therefor no refund of shipping. I told them I didn't give a crap if it worked for him in southern california, the fact remained, where I was it did not and I took offense that they were saying I was wrong that it wasn't defective. Of course they said they weren't contradicting me, so I said what it fixed itself in transit back to you?!? Do yourself a favor - DO NOT BUY FROM THIS CRAPPY COMPANY!! They obviously could care less about their customers...I am attaching this forum thread to an email to them to tell them they suck!

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 98

Here's the reply I got from them concerning compatibility:

Hello. Thank you for your interest in the HandyGPS. The unit is currently compatible with UbiGo. However, in the future we plan on having mapping options, such as Rand McNally. Please feel free to check back at our website for further updates and details.

Thank you,
HandyGPS Customer Service

I must say that I agree to stay away from this company. Shoddy products, limited compatibility and bad customer support adds up to nothing but trouble. I will add them do my "do not buy" list along with Vapor.. er I mean Innogear...

__________________
Visor Enthusiast and Innogear/Geodiscovery basher.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: So California
Posts: 17

agreed

What an awful company.

Mine is going back as well. I bought a Garmin eTrex for $109 and plan on using it with my visor. A truly superior solution that...guess what....actually works good enough for navigation! Novel concept! You cant trust the handy GPS for anything. A complete P.O.S. springboard. Handspring would be wise to remove that crap from the list of certified springboards. Which, btw was one of the arguments from Nexian to prove that the handygps does work...."well, handspring approved it as a springboard after months of testing...."


Nexian...if you read this....a GPS that only works some of the time is a worthless chunk of crap!!!!!! You should not be selling these things!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

GPS reciever and maps

I would like a gps receiver mainly to help me find my way in a car. Therefore, I would like something with good mapping software of roadways and a one whereby the mapping software can always be upgraded to include the newest roads. I would also like the feature to map out my route on the software and make sure I am staying on route or if I get lost, the best way to get back on route.

I would get a standalone gps receiver (not a springboard mod) if they had these features. Any ideas of any? Otherwise, I figure the best idea is to get a springboard module which can work in combination with all the different mapping software out there for the Palm OS.

Any ideas or input?

Chad

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

Re: GPS reciever and maps

quote:

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Originally posted by CWaldman
I would like a gps receiver mainly to help me find my way in a car. Therefore, I would like something with good mapping software of roadways and a one whereby the mapping software can always be upgraded to include the newest roads. I would also like the feature to map out my route on the software and make sure I am staying on route or if I get lost, the best way to get back on route.

Chad

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

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

Re: Re: GPS reciever and maps

quote:

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Originally posted by mavidal

quote:

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Originally posted by CWaldman
I would like a gps receiver mainly to help me find my way in a car. Therefore, I would like something with good mapping software of roadways and a one whereby the mapping software can always be upgraded to include the newest roads. I would also like the feature to map out my route on the software and make sure I am staying on route or if I get lost, the best way to get back on route.

Chad

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I think your best combination for something like this would be from Delorme or Garmin in conjuction with a PC. You could do something like this with the HandyGPS and UBIGO by saving a map as your own Point of Interest (POI), but I don't think the total area of coverage would suffice for what you want to do.

I don't know if the standalone mapping GPS units can do this. I got the Handy since it lets me use my visor for visor functions and also since the mapping sofware I have found it sufficient for navigating in strange cities.

Nexian does update their maps, as problems I have reported to them have been resolved.

I can't understand the problem that people are having even with the new units. I wonder if it is a visor issue. All I can tell you is I have one of the early units and it works like a charm.

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Registered: Nov 2000
Location: So California
Posts: 17

chad

Check out the garmin eTrex and Quo Vadis combo that a few people here have been using. That seems to be a pretty good setup...the price is right as well.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

I don't quite understand. How can one combine the eTrex with their visor using the Quo Vadis software? Do I need to buy some special connector to connect the eTrex to my Visor? If so, where do I get it? Is there a page with more information on this?

Chad

[Edited by CWaldman on 11-30-2000 at 06:11 PM]