So how well do all these things work together? It's a good start
but is missing some key features. The biggest feature missing is
search. Let me search restaurants and only show Chinese restaurants.
At the very least let me search for a street intersection. Another
option needed is to let me display street names if there is enough white
space to do so. I don't want to have to on a street to find out the
name. And of course street-level routing is the Holy Grail of any
GPS module. There is also a slight flicker on the toolbar when GeoView
Mobile updates the screen. Speaking of updating, redraws take too
much time.
Although it may be a novelty, I also wish the Geode could store and
replay my travels. Could come in handy if I get pulled over.
"See officer? I really was going fifty-five!"
In terms of current usability, the Geode hardware is very fast and accurate.
Upon insertion, it takes less than a minute to get a satellite fix.
If I switch to another application, the Geode doesn't stop working.
When I returned to GeoView Mobile, the map
had my new location on-screen. The downside of this is that while
the Geode is inside, you cannot turn off the Visor. Period.
Turn off the Visor and it will come right back on.
Fortunately, the Geode lasts pretty long on its batteries. The
battery meter isn't even half-empty (or is it half-full) after several
hours of use on Full Power w/ WAAS. While typing most of this review,
I just left the Geode plugged into my Prism and it still is half full.
GeoDiscovery tells me that depending on the battery, you can expect 4-8
hours of battery life. I think that's a pretty accurate number.
In terms of problems, I did have several soft-resets and even two hard
resets, although those were after I first got the module and probably didn't
remove it properly. Since the Geode doesn't turn itself off, I suggest
that before removing the module you press the Calendar
button and switch to that application to lessen the chance of needing the
Backup module.
Conclusion
To
borrow a page from Microsoft, GeoDiscovery's slogan should be "what do
you want to do here today?". The Geode GPS module is the coolest
looking Springboard Module to date, with a futuristic look that encases
some very powerful hardware. The mapping software is missing some
features and MMC capability isn't there yet, but even while missing those
features, the Geode is the module to get for those looking for a fast,
accurate GPS module.
|
|
| Pros |
- Sexy design
- Very accurate
- Works well inside vehicles
- Compass doesn't require a GPS signal
- Excellent Documentation and some maps are stored on module
- Good battery life
|
|
| Cons |
- Cannot remove targets
- Cannot configure time/units in Geode Info
- Slider not very intuitive
- Screen redraws take time |
|
