Pharos Portable GPS Navigator Wireless Technology

Comment: I use the Pharos Pocket Bluetooth GPS with my Del AXIM 50V. My PDA can detect the blutooth activated GPS without any problem but it failed to connected if I chose to connect by the CF slot (another accessory). You have to manually set up the COM link, the auto COM detection mode is useless.
The GPS software interface have plenty of room for improvement. Point of interests seacrhing will make you mad...have no idea who came up that idea?!
Bottomline..if you got extra money...go for it...still fun to play.

Comment: Liked the Pharos very much and I use it with my IPAQ 5550. My only base reference is the Magellen Hertz never get lost that I have used twice earlier which was very good.
Pros:
1. No connectivity problems, easy to connect.
2. Splitter to charge both units at the same time.
3. Nice options and modes. The bird's eye view, tho' not graphically that attractive, serves the purpose and is even nice to show off.
4. Not bad at all as a personal GPS. Was pretty useful to me in SFO downtown and in NYC to get my bearings. Store all your points in advance, use the multi-point feature and an Extended battery pack.

Cons:
1. Auto reroute takes a bit of time. If you miss a highway exit at 65mph it will start to auto-reroute after a mile. Not good if there are close exits.
2. The map software -Ostia- is not as bad as mentioned in previous reviews -I found it pretty good- misses specific street level maps.. Very rare, nothing that cannot be rectified by a later update.
3. Sometimes, u exit from a highway and since the road may be going close to the highway, it takes a while to figure out that one is not on the highway anymore. But possibly true of all GPS devices.
4. Maps are just huge and you will need a 4GB card if you go out for a long road trip and your laptop to transfer the maps. (Full US maps is 35GB) Probably true of all mapping software!

Comment: Right on accuracy. Ostia software has it's ups and downs but all the GPS units take some getting used to. The biggest issue is how to enter your destination. Ex. North Seneca St. or N. Seneca St. or Seneca St, N. Eventually you figure it out. No problem w/the blue tooth and my HP IPAQ 4705 works well with it but at times when restarting you may have to do a soft reboot. For approx. $300 you can't go wrong. Make sure you get the new Ostia Software version 7. The updates should be worth it. I especially like the auto re-route if you miss the right turn. It really does get you there within 3 meters.

Comment: I have used both this bluetooth model and the older cabled one with my iPaqs (3600, 3800, and 5555). The bluetooth model works like a charm with my 5555. I have never lost connection between the iPaq and the GPS, However the software (mapping program) is without a doubt a piece of junk. I have talked with a Pharos tech and he aqreed that is not very user friendly. It is like they finished making the GPS device and then said oh oh we need a mapping program and just threw one togeather.

Definitly buy this device but wait for MS Streets and Trips next version which is suppose to support Turn by Turn voice commands on the PocketPC's. (heck they might even package the pharos with the software. Hint Hint. Nudge Nudge).