|
I have not been as excited about a device as I was after taking the
Garmin iQue M5 out of the box. For some reason (which I will try
and lay out below) the iQue M5 made me extremely excited even before I
turned it on. Garmin is a name that those in the Pocket PC community may
only know of if they are aware of iQue like of Palm OS devices. Garmin makes
a series of GPS devices including two Palm OS based handhelds.
This year, Garmin made a change and introduced a Pocket PC handheld with
an embedded GPS. The iQue M5 is their first Windows Mobile device.
Including GPS tracking software and downloadable map data, the Garmin iQue
M5 combines the power of a full fledged GPS unit into a Windows Mobile
based Pocket PC.
Basic Internals
The Garmin iQue M5 is a relatively standard Windows
Mobile 2003 Second Edition device. It is powered by an Intel XScale
PXA272 processor running at 416 MHz. For storage it has 64 MB of RAM and
ROM as well as an SDIO slot for addition memory or expansion cards.
Bluetooth is included for connectivity to other devices and IrDA for
simple communication. The screen is a standard Pocket PC screen, running
with 16-bit color at 240 x 320 pixels. The device is almost 3/4 of an
inch thick and weights just over five ounces. This device contains
a unique feature, a 12-channel GPS receiver with a dedicated 48 MHz
ARM7 coprocessor. It can connect to up to twelve satellites via a flip
up antenna and supports both standard and DGPS (WAAS) accuracy settings.
The coprocessor allows the GPS to deal with much of the GPS
functionality on its own so the XScale processor can focus on mapping
and/or PDA functions. The GPS can be interfaced via any of the devices connectivity methods
(USB, IrDA, and Bluetooth).
Device Style
The minute I picked up the iQue M5, I really fell in
love with its feel. Interestingly, the M5 is relatively standard
looking so I really was not expecting it to "fit" any different in my
hand. The first thing that is immediately noticeable about the
devices style is the flip cover. While the M5 does not come with a
case, the flip cover works to protect the screen while it is in your
pocket. It also covers the quick launch buttons on the face of the
device so they cannot be accidentally pressed. The cover flips all
the way around to the back of the device so that it does not get in the
way while you are using the device. Although the M5 is not the
smallest device on the market, for some reason it just seems to be the
right size. Not to thick, not to wide. It slips easily into
my pocket (even with my MPx220) or a small backpack pocket. The device has a darker
metallic finish, almost looking gold in some light. The front face
is simple, with the power button at the top with the speaker just below,
between the button and the screen. To the left of the power button
is two notification lights, one for Bluetooth and one for power and
other notifications. The screen is outlined by a dark grey border
and just below the screen is four quick launch buttons, the directional
pad, and the action button right in the middle of the d-pad. The
action button is actually a button which is nice to separate it from
being molded in to the direction pad. The directional pad itself
is circular and is easy to use for navigation. The sides of the
device only include two things. On the left side is the record
button and on the right is an external antenna connector.
Sometimes the sides get cluttered with buttons, so it was nice to see Garmin
kept them clear. Maybe that is what I like about the
device, the simplicity. The bottom of the device has a sync power
that doubles as an AC outlet. The soft reset button is also on the
bottom of the device. On the top of the M5 is a standard headphone
jack, SD/SDIO card slot, and infrared port. About 1/3 of the back
side of the device is the GPS antenna. Also on the back is access
to the battery, stylus, and a switch for unlocking the GPS antenna.
The device thickness increases from the bottom to the top of the device
to make room for the additional size and shape of the embedded GPS
antenna.
As a PDA
When it comes to being a PDA, the Garmin iQue M5 is a
relatively standard device. It is great that it is based around
Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition so you get the extra features of
Second Edition such as
the ability to change into landscape mode. The size of the device
makes it very easy to hold when writing and and for general use.
Plus, since the screen cover wraps around the device it is easy to hold
even with the cover. At 50% brightness, the device is still
extremely useable, and the screen is very clear and easy to read for
general indoor use. One of the things the M5 does not include,
which has become common place for most mid-range devices, is WiFi.
While the M5 is more about the GPS than about the PDA use, I think WiFi
would have been a great solution especially if mapping data was
available online. If nothing else, SDIO is included which means I was
able to load in a SanDisk Connect Plus SDIO card for accessing the world
from the device. Also, the memory is limited, especially
considering when you may have to use the internal for GPS data.
As a GPS
Garmin is the first company to make PDA's with an
embedded GPS. The M5 is their third PDA/GPS unit, and their first
running Windows Mobile. Instead of having to buy a GPS
accessory, the unit is embedded just as the Bluetooth is, with the only
difference being the external antenna. About 1/3 of the back of
the M5 is the external antenna. In order to use the GPS, the
antenna must be raised, which is done by unlocking it via the switch
next to the antenna. When the antenna is unlatched, GPS
positioning software automatically begins running on the device.
The external antenna is needed so that satellites can be "seen" by the
device. Initially, it takes the device a couple of minutes to
locate the position, but normally it will take less than a minute to
lock on to satellites and locate where you are. As with any
wireless technology, it is an additional drain on the batteries. Garmin really
plugged the GPS system right into Windows Mobile. First of all,
there is a notification icon showing not only the status of the GPS but
if you expand the notification bubble, other system status meters will
be listed including brightness and battery life available. When
the GPS is active, the current location will be listed on the Today
screen allowing for instant notification of where you are. Garmin
has included a full suite of applications for using the GPS.
Things start off simple, with an application that simply
tracks how far you have traveled and your speed, but
QueMap is also included, which is a full
mapping client. QueMap is based on MapSource City Select maps, and
included with my M5 was the North American maps. Initially the M5
has major highways for North and South America but for more detailed
mapping, specific maps must be loaded. MapSource is the same
software Garmin uses with many of their other iQue and StreetPilot
products. QueMap is not the most advanced mapping software I have seen,
but it takes a simple approach to mapping and has a number of features
which helps with navigating. Maps are loaded from a desktop
computer running the MapSource software. Once you get the hang of
the software, it is very easy to select by pointing at parts of the map
that are needed. Maps can be stored anywhere, including on memory
cards. The software will automatically detect which maps are
available and will display them from multiple locations. The
internal memory is enough to hold about one state (depending on its size
of course). While the QueMap software may be simple in style, it
is easy to use and set up driving directions. It only took a
couple of seconds to setup a route, and with the GPS always available to
the device, it is very easy to mark your current location. One question
I had with the M5 was its level of accuracy. I enabled WAAS to allow
for more accurate positioning as when I was using the device by hand, I
sometimes worried about the accuracy. The included software will tell to
the accuracy, though I worried that 25 feet was a little to inaccurate (but
it is within the specifications of the device). For geocaching, this may
be an issue, but on the road it was better. Sometimes the software would
get a little delayed...I do not know if this was the main processor
lagging, the screen not repainting fast enough, or the GPS itself. This
sometimes caused the QueMap software to not quickly notice I was driving
off course (sometimes taking up to two blocks) and then it also had to
take time to replot the map. The system was only slightly slower than others I have
used, and I blame the rerouting on the processor speed of the device. I
do have to say, I like the graphics QueMap displays when you get close
to a turn. It makes it very bold and easy to see where a turn is. QueMap
includes standard "heads-up" information including your speed and
distance to the designation on the map. Additional, QueMap makes finding
address very easy by showing you approximately what address you are at
for your current location. Also a nice feature was the
automatic zooming during directions, which gives the navigator a sense
of how far they will have to travel until the next turn by zooming the
map to show the whole leg of the route. Of course QueMap will talk
to you as you drive telling you when and where to turn.
Accessories Included
I was amazed by the amount of stuff in the box
with the iQue M5. In the box is, of course, the device, battery, a
set of CD's, and manuals. Also, as expected, there is an AC power
adapter (which plugs into the cradle or the device) and a cradle.
Before I get to what else was included, I want to touch on the two items
I just listed. The AC power adapter is nice because it includes a
flip down set of prongs, which is great for portability. The cradle I absolutely love. It is
extremely simple yet has a very nice style, and is defiantly effectively
sized and weighted. The sync connector and device holder is small
compared to many other cradles I have used, and are mounted on a simple
arched piece of metal. As I said, nice style. But what I
never would have expected is that Garmin includes a second cradle with
the device. No, it is not a cradle for your office...unless your
office is in your car. There is no need with the iQue M5 to buy a
special mount to hold the device, Garmin has provided the same style
cradle for the car as it does for near your computer (but without the
base). It tilts up and down, and left and right. You can
mount it via the suction cup either to the windshield or in some cars
you can stick it right on the dashboard. The car mount also
includes a power adapter, allowing the device to be powered by the
cigarette light, and on the power adapter has a speaker for enhancing
feedback from the device for navigation.
Final Thoughts
The days of black-and-white GPS screened units should be
over. A PDA user that also needs a GPS will not want to look any
further than the Garmin iQue M5. The M5 combines the functionality
of a standards Windows Mobile PDA with a GPS, giving the user dual
functionality. The device has a simple style to it and simple
software. The solution is not over the top of complicated, but
intuitive and powerful. The iQue M5 is an example of how technology should be integrated into a Windows Mobile device. It
does not overpower the standard functions, but is available quickly and
easily without the need for additional accessories. However, the
M5 is not a cheap PDA. Priced at $750, the M5 could be considered
a $550 PDA with a $200 embedded GPS unit, making it a device that should
be considered by those that need equally to have their PDA and GPS with
them at all times. Notice, using the link below the M5 can be
found for as low as $550, making it an much better deal for a user that
would like the GPS functionality, but may not be using it as often.
For the price, I would have expected a little more power (processor and
memory) from the M5, but the style is great and I am still a huge fan of
the device.
Dave's Score - 9.5
This means, this product is about as close to
"the best" as you can get. This product embodies
quality in its design and application, and is something I would use.
Though you still should consider it for yourself, most would
probably be happy with this product even if they were unable to try
it prior to purchase.
|
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
|
