GPS Options

With a GPS unit, you can receive turn-by-turn driving directions in real time. If you miss a turn, or take a wrong turn, the GPS system can find a new route that will get you to your destination. There are three primary types of GPS systems: in-car GPS navigation systems such as OnStar (with service starting at $199 per year; www.onstar.com); standalone GPS units such as the Magellan RoadMate 300 ($523.95; www.magellangps.com); and PDA add-on GPS systems such as the subject of this review, OnCourse Navigator 5.

Add-on GPS systems such as the OnCourse Navigator let you use the display, audio, and processing capabilities of your PDA in combination with a GPS receiver. In turn, you receive a GPS system that can be carried from place to place without a lot of extra bulk. Easy PocketNAV.com, the makers of the OnCourse Navigator, offers three GPS receivers that are compatible with PDAs: a wired receiver, a CompactFlash receiver, and a Bluetooth receiver. In addition, OnCourse Navigator offers a variety of maps for North America, Mexico, European, and Persian Golf countries.

Pricing starts at $200 for the On-Course Navigator bundle with the Bluetooth GPS receiver. For this review I tested the $350 Bluetooth GPS receiver and OnCourse Navigator Seamless North America (XXL) bundle. Visit the OnCourse Navigator Web site (www.oncoursenavigator.com) for additional pricing information.

The OnCourse Navigator with Bluetooth GPS receiver is a great way to make your PDA even more useful.

Use OnCourse Navigator

The OnCourse Navigator windshield mount places your PDA at a comfortable viewing angle while driving.

GPS Juice

Because the Bluetooth connection and OnCourse Navigator can quickly diminish the battery power on your PDA, it’s a good idea to plug in both the Bluetooth GPS receiver and the PDA while using the OnCourse Navigator system. The bundle I tested came with a Y-cable that helps you do this; all you’d need is the proper power adapter from your PDA manufacturer to convert the Y-cable to your specific PDA. Some PDAs come with this adapter.

Get Around

In using the OnCourse Navigator and Bluetooth GPS receiver with my HP iPAQ rx3115, I was impressed by the ease-of-use and accuracy of the system. The suction windshield and console PDA mount held my PDA near the dash so that I could easily see it while driving, yet it was still out of the way and not obstructing my view. Because the PDA mount has adjustable side brackets, it will fit almost any PDA.

The directions OnCourse Navigator provided were usually accurate. I did notice, however, that the system frequently asked me to turn around if I took an alternative route. While it would always get me to my destination, other GPS units I’ve seen have been faster to recalculate and find an entirely new route, instead of just adding instructions to get you back on track with the old route. I also found one instance in which OnCourse Navigator didn’t know about a fairly new interstate on-ramp and therefore attempted to direct me through a much longer route. The system recovered quickly after it figured out I got on the interstate. As a whole, I thought the routing was accurate with well-chosen routes.

My favorite feature of the OnCourse Navigator system is the house icon on the main screen that lets you quickly find a route home. The recent destination list was helpful as well, as it saved time inputting locations that I frequently visit. I also liked the fact that the OnCourse Navigator system showed me where local attractions—ATMs, schools, restaurants, and grocery stores—were along my route. This way, I could easily see a restaurant that was a short distance from my current location. If you’re trying to navigate through a new city, this feature can help you learn new places.

One feature the OnCourse Navigator system lacks is the ability to interface with my PDA’s address book so that I don’t have to toggle between screens to enter a destination address. Even so, there are many times I visit a location that doesn’t reside in my address book, so this feature would only be helpful part of the time.

As a whole, I’m impressed with the OnCourse Navigator system. Instead of adding an extra device to haul around, OnCourse Navigator has the right idea: Let me use something I already have (PDA) with a small GPS receiver. In doing so, they’ve made a very portable system that doesn’t add a lot of extra bulk or weight to my pockets or briefcase.

A Map In Hand

User Reviews Write your own User Review

Name:   JamesR95 City:   Bethel Park State:   Pennsylvania One-Line Summary:   They are dropping support Review:   On Course Navigator recently announced they will no longer support PDA products after June or July 2007. Nice product but a short life span. Rating:

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