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I tried both ways of having it search for "grocery stores" around me, or just typing in "shaw's", it gave me a Shaw's 40 miles from me when I know there is one about 1/2 a mile down the street. No matter the time of day, weather or location, this thing very rarely got a signal and would just state "GPS signal, too low" over and over again. He had been asking for a GPS for awhile after using my Garmin Nuvi 360(amazing GPS). I took this unit out yesterday to test it after getting it back from Pharos, supposedly fixed. After waiting 45 minutes for a signal, I plugged in stores in my town to see if they would come up. They sent it back, and it now will acquire a signal, after sitting in the car for 1/2 hour, without moving.
So I emailed Pharos and sent it in to be checked out. I picked this particular one because it states that it: speaks street name, had POI's(points of interest), had a speed warning and a stylus. It sounded very similar to all my favorite garmin features. This is NOT how a GPS is suppose to work.
I am a tech addict, I can figure out how just about anything works and use it without a manual. If I'm driving, forget it. I think the garmin brand is fantastic and can even be used by my mom, who can barely get online and go websurfing. I wish I had spent the extra 40-50 bucks to get my boyfriend the garmin. I started looking into different brands because of the wide price difference figuring, hey, they all just give you directions, right.
My garmin takes about 1-2 minutes tops. They were giving me stores in Connecticut(I'm in MA). Besides that, its not user friendly. It makes me feel guilty every time he tries to use it and it doesn't work. Also the points of interest are useless. Lets just say you're lucky if it will get you 20 feet in the correct direction.We live a few miles outside of Boston, but in a suburban area.
Points of interest is my favorite feature of the garmin, that I can be an hour from my house in an unknown place and find a target or walmart.When I complained to Pharos that it still is not working correctly(or at all), they told me to "plug it in to a power source, and let it sit in an unmoving car for 4-5 minutes to aquire a signal". Nothing. I was completely wrong, and I'm so sorry I bought this for him. I didn't have unrealistic expectations -- for the price, I figured it won't be as nice looking or solid, but will get the job done. Maybe 45 minutes to get a signal.
I've been seeing nice Garmin units that speak the street names(which was one of my must criteria) for 120-150. So, the walking gps part of this is clearly useless, since you can't be plugged in to power and taking a walking tour while your perhaps on vacation, which is a feature that is offered by the main menu of this unit.Take the plunge and put a few extra bucks towards a good brand GPS, buying a cheapo unit like the pharos will only leave you frustrated and feeling ripped off. I bought this for my boyfriend for Christmas. No tall buildings here.just a nice clear view of the sky. I get confused and annoyed trying to navigate the Pharos screens.
At least, you will be then be able to have map updates.This unit no doubt worked well, but its worthless to have a GPS unit in 2009 with 2006 Q2 Maps. You will find better deals for one of these on dealsofamerica. Then, they said it will be in the begining of 2009. The software is Destinator version 7.0, it's solid performer. First they informed me that new maps will be available by the end of the year 2008. However, One thing is clear, there has been a newer version of Destinator[v 8.0] on Omnia GPS and it has Maps of 2007 Q3 [You can search for it on gps hacking sites to update ur PDR 150 and 200]So, my advice is dont waste your money on something that is neither up to date nor will perhaps ever be able to get upto date.
Instead, take a more recognised GPS like Garmin, TomTom or Navigon. However, the manufacturer of this GPS hasn't been looking serious to release any new map releases. They always gave a "pre-written" answer that "Map creation is a long task and developers are working on it." Well, Now, its almost 1 year. Now, we have entered the second Quarter of 2009, and they are saying "We will inform you when the updates are available. I purchased this unit on July 11th, 2008 and I got the maps of 2006 Q2. Well, this is a good GPS.
Till then, I had been asking them many times when will be the new maps be available, but they are just beating about the bush. Currently our developers are working on it and we can't give u estimates."I dont know if their developers are making maps by hand or what.
It worked great, takes a couple of minutes to find GPS Signal,so I suggest turning it on two to three minutes before you start driving. Besides that it is a great GPS unit.
Rarely acquires when you're moving. The Pharos web site uses the phrase "This is not a known issue with the Pharos Drive 150" a lot when asked about problems.While the price is good, I would not recommend the Pharos unit. Navigate goes into calc mode and never comes out so now no route calculation.4. The charger on one unit quit working. No adjustment in between.5.
These are the issues I have had:1. On the second unit satellite acquisition takes FOREVER and only when you are sitting still. This is a major flaw in my opinion.3. No fixes I can find on the above mentioned problems. I bought two units in Dec 2007 and have been using one for over a year now.
The mini USB port on the GPS has shorted out not allowing the unit to charge anymore so this GPS is useless.2. Volume is all the on or off.
It can't find the local Wal-Mart, but hey, I know where the local Wal-Mart is. The touchscreen is quite sensitive, but does require the stylus if you are ham-fisted like me. Good value for a first GPS. The Pharos GPS is a great bargain priced device. We are a little disappointed that a "Take Me Home" button is not included. Nice package, sturdy mount, intuitive and easy to use.
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