It appears you have not yet registered with our community. To register please click here...

 
 
         
 
     
QuickLinks
  
Home of the Converged PDA - Phone    
 
Go Back  PDAPhoneHome.com > PDAPhoneHome Content > Articles & Reviews > Reviews > In Car Navigation: Review: IGuidance, G4500M Car Kit, Bluetooth GPS Receiver RBT-2010

Comment
 
PDAPhoneHome  
 
In Car Navigation: Review: IGuidance, G4500M Car Kit, Bluetooth GPS Receiver RBT-2010
In Car Navigation: Review: IGuidance, G4500M Car Kit, Bluetooth GPS Receiver RBT-2010
Published by Rally1
01-30-2006
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Post GPS


Any navigation software needs a GPS source, and with Bluetooth built into the PPC the obvious solution is a BT GPS unit. I read the write-ups here, and over on gpspassion.com. The consensus was that the STARIII chipset will be the most accurate, esp. in built up areas such as mine. I went for the Seidio RBT-2010. As i found out when installing the battery, it's actually a rebadged RoyalTek unit, but comes with a longer lasting battery, 1700mAh, which translates to 15+ hours of battery life.
Out of the box, the first thing to catch my eye, was just how small these things are. I am used to handheld Garmin or Magellan units. On off switch a plus, external antenna connector major plus. That allows me to "hide" the unit anywhere in the car down the road and simply mount an external antenna.
From the pics, you can see the colored LEDs. Bluetooth notification, charging info, and GPS lock. Much easier to glance at these lights than check your PPC.
I placed the unit outside for a clear shot of the sky, and came back in a few minutes to see it had acquired already from a cold start. No drivers need on the PPC, I enabled bluetooth, and added an outgoing port under bluetooth setting, I went with Com4. I fired up iGuidance and under GPs setting selected Com4. Under the GPS info (see screenshot above) the info data coming across. Even in my garage under a 3 story condo it picked up enough satellites to get a lock.
This sensitivity translated to the car too. My first drive with the unit, i had in the glove box, and it still worked. This allows me to keep my install even cleaner, no GPS on the dash. I did test in on the dash however, and the signal is improved, I suppose in a snow storm, under tree cover, or in a city downtown you would want it out with a clear view. It is well suited to dash work, as it included rubber feet, so it wont slide around while you take those corners in a four wheel drift .
An important spec is acquisition time, for me it was within seconds. I could turn the unit on, and fire up iGuidance, and the connection was made.
the removable battery has a couple benifits. First you have the option to carry extra batteries if you are camping or using in a situation where you can't get to a computer, car or electrical outlet to charge it. Also, if you hardwire the receiver into the car, you can leave the battery out, and the switch set on, that way each time you startup the GPS is ready to go (without draining the battery).
The GPS comes with a double function charger, a wall adaptor with a USB port on it, the supplied USB to 4mm cable then connects from the adaptor the unit, or straight from a computer USB port to the unit. I suggest picking up the 4mm to 4mm cable to alow you to charge it from the G4500 cradle.

+ves:
Long battery life.
On off switch.
External antenna connection.
Removable battery.
Clear LED display.
Rubber feet.
Quality chipset and internals.
Matches modern car interior.

-ves:
A mini USB port for charging would be even better.
No auto off.












Contents

Article Tools

Featured Articles



<<  <    Next Page: Conclusion (Page 5 of 6 )    >  >>
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
  #1 (permalink)  
By ramjet73 on 01-30-2006, 07:41 PM
Great job, Rally1!

I'm looking to wind up with a similar setup in my 2005 CRV. I'll probably go with the G4500M and get a mount from Proclip if I don't like the one that comes with it.

Right now I'm using the free Arkon vent mount that came with my Semsons i-Blue PS-3200/iGuidance bundle, but it would be really nice to have the power and audio connected automatically when my PPC-6700 slides into the mount.

Thanks for all the work that went into writing the review, taking the photos and putting together the iGuidance demo movie.

ramjet73
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
By Browning on 01-30-2006, 07:51 PM
Great review Rally. Hopefully I can scrape some $$ together and implement this soon -- looks like a great solution. Great practical explanations and the pics were an added bonus.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
By URPREY on 01-30-2006, 08:22 PM
Thanks for the review. However, one clarifying question : you said that the G4100S had both a DC charger and an audio out, but I don't see the audio output listed on the website for the G4100S. That one is more in line with what I want to spend, especially since I don't need the BT/navigation stuff, but if it doesn't actually have audio out I might as well spend the extra money for the one with it.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
By seidioseidio on 01-31-2006, 01:03 AM
Seidio will offer a special promotion on PPC 6700 GPS navigational kit.

The kit will consist of

1) RBT-2010 BT receiver (SiRF III BT receiver)
2) G4500M for PPC-6700
3) Igudiance software.

http://www.seidioonline.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=252

I will post the discount code tomorrow (Tuesday).

David Chang
Seidio
dsc@seidio.com
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
By Keen on 01-31-2006, 01:40 AM
Very nice and very well written. I already have iguidance and a GPS unit, but not that Seido cradle. I may be getting that very soon, just wish it was a bit cheaper.

Also love that little movie. I live in Arkansas but use to live in CA and use to go to Warner and PCH all the time to go riding my bike at the beach.

Thanks for the review, it was helpful.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
By mcq3000 on 01-31-2006, 02:05 AM
will the mount accept a ppc 6700 using an extended battery?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
By Rally1 on 01-31-2006, 02:10 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by URPREY
Thanks for the review. However, one clarifying question : you said that the G4100S had both a DC charger and an audio out, but I don't see the audio output listed on the website for the G4100S. That one is more in line with what I want to spend, especially since I don't need the BT/navigation stuff, but if it doesn't actually have audio out I might as well spend the extra money for the one with it.
You are correct as far as I can tell, looks like you would have to go with the G4100M , and like you say might as well spend another $10 for the G4500M.
I'll edit that to fix it. Thanks.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
By mcq3000 on 01-31-2006, 02:16 AM
also how did u wire the power jacks, are u using the cigarette lighter or your cars internal wiring and if so how did u do it?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
By Rally1 on 01-31-2006, 02:47 AM
Actually I use the included cig. adaptor for now, but i do want to hardwire it. I have installed a socket behind the dash so you don't see much of the wire. I think I have a pic or two

Edit, wait, are you asking about the 3 extra power sockets? If so:
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1322
Attached Thumbnails
car-navigation-review-iguidance-g4500m-car-kit-bluetooth-gps-receiver-rbt-2010-dscn2267.jpg  car-navigation-review-iguidance-g4500m-car-kit-bluetooth-gps-receiver-rbt-2010-imag0179.jpg  car-navigation-review-iguidance-g4500m-car-kit-bluetooth-gps-receiver-rbt-2010-dscn2268.jpg  car-navigation-review-iguidance-g4500m-car-kit-bluetooth-gps-receiver-rbt-2010-dscn2269.jpg  car-navigation-review-iguidance-g4500m-car-kit-bluetooth-gps-receiver-rbt-2010-dscn2270.jpg  

Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
By Rally1 on 01-31-2006, 03:11 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcq3000
will the mount accept a ppc 6700 using an extended battery?
No, it wouldn't. It's flush with the back of the PPC with normal battery.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
By Rally1 on 01-31-2006, 06:38 PM
Any news on a discount code?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
By URPREY on 02-01-2006, 01:06 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally1
Any news on a discount code?
I'm ready to buy something, but if the discount is good enough, I'm going to buy the GPS package.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
By seidioseidio on 02-01-2006, 02:41 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by seidioseidio
Seidio will offer a special promotion on PPC 6700 GPS navigational kit.

The kit will consist of

1) RBT-2010 BT receiver (SiRF III BT receiver)
2) G4500M for PPC-6700
3) Igudiance software.

http://www.seidioonline.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=252

I will post the discount code tomorrow (Tuesday).

David Chang
Seidio
dsc@seidio.com

The discount code is GNK48P6700

It is 15% off. The promotion will end on Feb 5, 2006. (Sunday)

http://www.seidioonline.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=252

Any questions, please contact me.


David Chang
Seidio
dsc@seidio.com
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
By jourabchid on 02-01-2006, 09:37 AM
will the discount work for the other software as well?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
By Rally1 on 02-01-2006, 01:14 PM
Updated to add $45 discount.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #16 (permalink)  
By spr on 02-01-2006, 02:12 PM
I just got a bt-338 arguably THE leading gps reciever currently for accuracy according to GPS passions. I also have the latest v. of iguidance with the 3d view update. ONE word it works amazing. It is however lacking my law school as a POI under higher education?? My traffic pro has it even though it is mislabeled.

BTW getting it through semson you can get it under 200 and it comes with a free swivel mount.

Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Comment


Article Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new articles
You may not post comments
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Login Panel
Enter your username and password to login:


Advertisements



PDA and Smartphone Repair & Parts

Cellular Phone Parts and Accessories



PDAPhone Chargers and Screen Protectors

Where Photographers Meet

Please Help By Taking Our Survey!





Our Friends





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:54 PM.

               
 
Design by VBSz   |  Hosting by PWH   |  
Copyright © 2002-2007, Convergent Minds, LLC - All Rights Reserved.