Garmin iQue M5 - 3.5 in. Handheld GPS Receiver
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- Form Factor: Handheld
- Map capabilities: Map cartridges / Data cards
- Receiver Type: 12 Channels
- Enhanced accuracy: WAAS enabled
- Screen Size: 3.5 in.
- GPS Type: Handheld (Outdoor)
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Another Great Garmin Product!
Pros
GPS antenna built in. Good Garmin build quality.
Cons
No wireless or VGA screen. Bluetooth stopped working (but Garmin is fixing).
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Solid Garmin reputation into a solidly-built PDA/GPS device. PERFECT for travellers (especially RV). I would recommend this to anyone!
I have always been interested in GPS technology, and when I decided to purchase the Garmin M5 I was certainly not disappointed. Before I make a purchase like this, I always research it as much as possible.
The M5 is now my 4th GPS system. I picked it because I needed a PDA (you know how it is keeping up with meetings), but I wanted the convenience of a GPS built in. When I saw the M5, this fit, and far exceeded those requirements. Garmin seems to continually lead the way in GPS technology... they are one of (if not the) top choice for most aircraft and vessels.
This unit does not have a VGA screen, but it is rich with colors and I would not have noticed it. With all the other features (including windows mobile 2003 2nd edition), I could not be happier. I bought this the week it came out... I think early spring 2005, and here is my long-term report on it:
1) Display still works as well as the day I got it. I use the thing non-stop, including long trips.
2) Bluetooth: Could not get it to work with Active Sync at first. I called Garmin and they indicated that they were not able to support that feature either, and that it probably could not be done. I kept at it and shortly had it working like a champ... it DOES work with Active Sync, and works quite well. A few months ago the Bluetooth light stopped working though... I could not get it to come on. I tried manually starting it but it would not work... I get an error while trying to start it. I performed a restore and it still would not work. I even reloaded the OS and it STILL will not work. I dont even get the bluetooth icon. I called Garmin and they happily gave me an RMA number so I could send it in to them to have fixed or replaced. Great service here.
3) After constant use, the GPS antenna still feels like new... still solid.
4) I didnt put a screen protector on it, but I really didnt need it... the screen is still perfect.
5) Occasionally the GPS flips out on it... When I say 'flips out' I mean that the speed indication goes way up.. I have seen it indicate over 900mph, and it reflects such on the map! This only lasts for a second or two and then it looses satellite reception. I defragmented the SD card and it seemed to help, but now I think this may be a coincidence. I asked Garmin about it and they said it is bad data from the satellite... I don't know about that... my other 3 GPS units have never done that. I have a Garmin GPSmap 76 for my boat and it is rock solid.
6) The window mount is real good. Although it occasionally falls down, I still put a little moisture on the suction cup sometimes just to make it stay. A speaker is built into the charge cord on the mount (cannot separate them). I can hear the voice very well, and in all conditions (windows rolled down etc).
7) The desktop cradle worked very well and has never had any problems.
8) Routing: Has always been very good! The best routing of any of my other GPS devices. I love the ETA feature... it is always right on.
9) This device has no wireless built in. Although I knew this when I bought it, I thought Garmin really missed the boat on this one... It would have been slick to integrate the wireless into the GPS antenna!
The M5 is now my 4th GPS system. I picked it because I needed a PDA (you know how it is keeping up with meetings), but I wanted the convenience of a GPS built in. When I saw the M5, this fit, and far exceeded those requirements. Garmin seems to continually lead the way in GPS technology... they are one of (if not the) top choice for most aircraft and vessels.
This unit does not have a VGA screen, but it is rich with colors and I would not have noticed it. With all the other features (including windows mobile 2003 2nd edition), I could not be happier. I bought this the week it came out... I think early spring 2005, and here is my long-term report on it:
1) Display still works as well as the day I got it. I use the thing non-stop, including long trips.
2) Bluetooth: Could not get it to work with Active Sync at first. I called Garmin and they indicated that they were not able to support that feature either, and that it probably could not be done. I kept at it and shortly had it working like a champ... it DOES work with Active Sync, and works quite well. A few months ago the Bluetooth light stopped working though... I could not get it to come on. I tried manually starting it but it would not work... I get an error while trying to start it. I performed a restore and it still would not work. I even reloaded the OS and it STILL will not work. I dont even get the bluetooth icon. I called Garmin and they happily gave me an RMA number so I could send it in to them to have fixed or replaced. Great service here.
3) After constant use, the GPS antenna still feels like new... still solid.
4) I didnt put a screen protector on it, but I really didnt need it... the screen is still perfect.
5) Occasionally the GPS flips out on it... When I say 'flips out' I mean that the speed indication goes way up.. I have seen it indicate over 900mph, and it reflects such on the map! This only lasts for a second or two and then it looses satellite reception. I defragmented the SD card and it seemed to help, but now I think this may be a coincidence. I asked Garmin about it and they said it is bad data from the satellite... I don't know about that... my other 3 GPS units have never done that. I have a Garmin GPSmap 76 for my boat and it is rock solid.
6) The window mount is real good. Although it occasionally falls down, I still put a little moisture on the suction cup sometimes just to make it stay. A speaker is built into the charge cord on the mount (cannot separate them). I can hear the voice very well, and in all conditions (windows rolled down etc).
7) The desktop cradle worked very well and has never had any problems.
8) Routing: Has always been very good! The best routing of any of my other GPS devices. I love the ETA feature... it is always right on.
9) This device has no wireless built in. Although I knew this when I bought it, I thought Garmin really missed the boat on this one... It would have been slick to integrate the wireless into the GPS antenna!
