Hewlett Packard FA196A Handheld GPS Receiver
- Form Factor: Handheld
- Map capabilities: Download maps
- Receiver Type: 12 Channels
- Enhanced accuracy: WAAS enabled
- GPS Type: Handheld (Outdoor)
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Great compromise device
Pros
Inexpensive, small size, easy to use
Cons
Slow to "sync up" when powering up.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you need occasional GPS and have a device that supports bluetooth then this is the unit for you.
At first I wondered what I would do with this device that I got for Christmas a year ago but it has turned out to be a very versatile and helpful device.
I have a fantastic sense of direction and know my way around quite well so I don't really need "turn by turn" navigation. Most of the time I just need to know where the destination is and I can find my way there.
What I love about this unit is the bluetooth nature. It sits in the center console of my vehicle and depending on the situation I can sync it up with my Motorola Q, my Pocket PC, or my laptop. No hassles with wires, plug in's or figuring out where to mount things.
With my phone it is perfect for telling me where I am in relation to the area around me and if I am walking I can stick the CPS in my pocket and walk right to the door of the building I am going to.
With the Pocket PC I can get a little more resolution to the maps and set markers for destinations so I can tell when I am on track to where I am going.
If I have a difficult location to get to, or trying to put together a days worth of stops I use the laptop and can set way points at each stop and it plans my best routes to keep from wasting time and taking things out of order. With the laptop I can have the full featured "turn by turn" voice instructions so I have the complete "hands off" experience.
Granted this unit is never going to give me the full features of a dedicated GPS unit but when you get down to it 99% of the time we drive to or from places we know and the GPS is just a "toy" for us. This keeps my car from being a "target" for theft because no one knows it is in the armrest and there is no telltale signs that a unit is in the car. On that rare occasion I need help this is the perfect solution.
I have a fantastic sense of direction and know my way around quite well so I don't really need "turn by turn" navigation. Most of the time I just need to know where the destination is and I can find my way there.
What I love about this unit is the bluetooth nature. It sits in the center console of my vehicle and depending on the situation I can sync it up with my Motorola Q, my Pocket PC, or my laptop. No hassles with wires, plug in's or figuring out where to mount things.
With my phone it is perfect for telling me where I am in relation to the area around me and if I am walking I can stick the CPS in my pocket and walk right to the door of the building I am going to.
With the Pocket PC I can get a little more resolution to the maps and set markers for destinations so I can tell when I am on track to where I am going.
If I have a difficult location to get to, or trying to put together a days worth of stops I use the laptop and can set way points at each stop and it plans my best routes to keep from wasting time and taking things out of order. With the laptop I can have the full featured "turn by turn" voice instructions so I have the complete "hands off" experience.
Granted this unit is never going to give me the full features of a dedicated GPS unit but when you get down to it 99% of the time we drive to or from places we know and the GPS is just a "toy" for us. This keeps my car from being a "target" for theft because no one knows it is in the armrest and there is no telltale signs that a unit is in the car. On that rare occasion I need help this is the perfect solution.
