Review: Garmin Mobile PC

Garmin Mobile PC

Garmin Mobile PC has just been launched [April 2008]. The following is a user review and discussion of this new GPS navigation software program for laptop PCs, and other Microsoft Windows based computers.

What's included:


There are two packages: Garmin Mobile PC with a GPS receiver, MSRP US$99.99 (on the above pictures), and the GPS navigation software program alone, $59.99, for those who already have a GPS receiver.

Map data:


Garmin version 2009 map data is included (today, April 2008). It is based on Navteq 2007 and some Canadian data is by DMTI. Beside the North American version, there is also a version with map data for Europe.

Installation:


I was performing the installation on my mobile computer away from home, and I didn't have the product key with me. I don't even know where the product key is - I will have to look for it when I get home. On the back of the CD case there is a sticker with a serial number, but that is not the product key. I skipped the product key entry by simply clicking the "Connect to Garmin GPS receiver":




To use a non-Garmin GPS unit, it is necessary to "activate the product. I will activate later. For now I justed plugged in the Garmin GPS receiver, and within a minute I was able to use the program.

Set your destination:









...and you will see your destination. You may zoom-in to see it better.





Routing Preferences:











GPS20x is a very small USB GPS receiver that is included in the $99 bundle, but it can be also purchased separately. Garmin's website currently lists GPS20x (sensor only) at MSRP $ 69.99 USD. New GPS receivers these days are all of very good sensitivity to weak satellite signals, in comparison to the older technology of only few years ago. I don't plan on doing any comparison with other GPS units, because I think the technology has advanced to a point that any brand new GPS receiver on the market today is more than good enough for on-road GPS navigation. Suffice to say that GPS20x is not a disappointment by any means. As the above screenshot shows, it currently has a fix on 12 satellites - I see as many as 12 satellites simultaneously only very infrequently in my geographical area, and I've used GPS receivers mounted even on the roof of my vehicle. GPS20x is inside of my truck, and it seems to perform very well.

Ease-of-use: touch-screen vs. keyboard:









Zoom-in and zoom-out can be performed on a touch-screen by tapping the (+) and (-) areas on the right of the screen. Keyboard users may do the same with a surprising variety of hotkeys: (+) and (-), and (+) and (_), and my most favorite is actually ArrowUp and ArrowDown keys - because the arrow keys are easily accessible on my keyboard. If none of the above is your favorite, you may still use Q-key and P-key to change the zoom level - both Q and P are in the top row of letters on the keyboard - Q is the first, and P is the last, so it may be easy to remember. The programmer who put all these hotkeys in must understand people love to play with zoom ! Did I forget to say you may also mouse-click the (+) and (-) on the right-side of map to zoom in and out?

Garmin Online (TM):


Ducati, a user of Garmin Mobile PC, writes:

Customization:

It is possible to download free files of vehicles to be used instead of the default arrow icon.


Read the following user discussion on the topic: Changing your vehicle indicator icon in Garmin Mobile PC


Buy:

• Buy in USA
  

• Buy Garmin Mobile PC - This is the software program, and it includes maps of USA and Canada. Buy it if you already have a compatible GPS receiver that works with your laptop, or if you wish to buy a USB GPS or Bluetooth GPS other than the ones offered in the Garmin packages bellow.
• Buy Garmin Mobile PC 20x -This package includes the software program (with USA/Canada map) and also a USB GPS receiver.
• Buy Garmin Mobile PC 10x - This package includes the software program (USA and Canada map) and also a Bluetooth GPS receiver.

• Buy in UK
  

• Buy Garmin Mobile PC - This is the software program, and it contains map data for most of Europe. Buy it if you already have a compatible GPS receiver that works with your laptop, or if you wish to buy a different GPS for your laptop.
• Buy Garmin Mobile PC 20x -This package includes the software (with maps of Europe) program and also a USB GPS receiver.

Questions / Comments?

Hi Marvin,

Re the DMTI data in City Navigator 2008 and 2009, it's only the postal code point data for postal code searches. There's no DMTI map data, more's the pity.

...ken...

The product key is on the inside cover of the DVD case.
Terry

I can hear the sound of Marvin's hand as it smacks his forehead.

...ken...

Ken,
Are you sure there is no DMTI street data? As I said, it now shows street addresses in Ladysmith.
Terry

Ken, so the DMTI data is still only for postal codes - not for street names?.

Terry, I don't see my product key on the inside of the DVD case. This is the review package package from Garmin. I really don't need the product key.I will receive another copy that I ordered from TigerGPS (hopefully son), so I will have a product key, if needed.

We should ask Garmin!

Garmin suggested trying the Bluetooth GPS after updating the software. I now have my laptop up on the 10x. I found I had to NOT have the connection active in Bluetooth and letting the program activate it or it wouldn't work.
BTW the picture I sent showing satellites on the UMPC was actually the 10x GPS. The program had grabbed it without telling me. The built-in GPS can barely find itself indoors.
Terry

Ken,
From my laptop.
Street map of Fernie. It appears to have street address.
Terry

Attached Thumbnails

 

I guess the question remains if the street names/addresses are there because Navteq now has the data, or the street names/addresses are from DMTI.

The input on a UMPC is by stylus writing only. You have to ensure you start the graphic within the appropriate box on the screen or the program will ignore it. Fortunately is appears to be quite good at figuring out my chicken scratches.

Terry

Thanks for that info, d0tech! I'll download the update tomorrow .

From a quick check of the Fernie Map in MG CAN v4, I bet its from DMTI.

Terry

Terry, could you please compare that area with on-line Google maps? Google uses Navteq (and no DMTI) for the area, AFAIK. And Google now actually uses newer, (c) 2008 Navteq data. So if Google doesn't have street names/numbers for the above mentioned area, that would indeed indicate Garmin gets this additional data from DMTI. If that's the case, we could then quite confidently say that Garmin Mobile PC has the best digital navigable maps of Canada today .

I don't know how to make Google show addresses.
Terry