Everything you need in a TINY package!
Pros:
Battery powered, built in maps, 140 MB extra memory, voice navigation.
Cons:
Small screen, sometimes slow in "most detail" setting, no Mapsource CD's in box.
The Bottom Line:
This unit fit the bill for me, as I like to drive, camp, fish and hike with it.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I'm not new to the GPS world...and I like new gadgets every so often. So, it was time to retire the Garmin cf1620 PDA/ GPS card for a "dedicated" GPS system.
I travel frequently for pleasure via motorcycle and car, so I wanted something small enough to tote between vehicles, yet large enough to see the screen. I also like to camp, hike and fish, but I could not justify to the wife that we needed two new GPS gadgets! Therefore, my search was on for an "All in one" type unit.
After reviewing mulitple websites for reviews, and even going as far as calling and e-mailing the technical and sales support teams for my top two picks (Garmin and Magellan), it was an easy decision...GARMIN ALL THE WAY!
Magellan's technical support team could not guide me through the unit's specifications...so why would I let their unit guide me anywhere?!? The representative could barely understand my questions. Then, he got flustered and transferred me to their sales team. There I was told, "Let me transfer you to technical support", so I finally gave up. No to mention the cost of unlocking each additional map!
With Garmin, I have had previous contact with their technical support team for map updates (which are free), as well as their sales team for advice and input. Their responses are fast and they are kind and courteous when I ask a "dumb" question.
Now it was time to decide which unit. As stated, I had a few requirements that I wanted, and I only wanted to purchase one unit that did it all. Hard drive units were not an option due to off-roading and hiking, and the awkward size of most hard drive units makes them uncomfortable to carry. Also, I found that there are few hard drive units that support street mapping as well as Topo and Bluechart maps.
That left me with just a few options...handheld units! The e-trex and other similar units were just too "memory limited". The Quest 1 was nice, and nicely priced, but only held 115 mb's (I live in Texas, and this state alone is 260 mb's large!).
The Quest 2 has all of North America pre-loaded and has 140 mb additional storage for Topo and Bluechart maps. This unit also has a built-in, 20 hour, lithium-ion, rechargeable battery. The screen is great for "toting around", but is a little small for vehicle use...that's where the voice navigation helps a lot! There is also a way to widen the screen display by changing the "screen detail" setting in the map menu. However, you lose your heading, time, ETA, elevation, etc...when you do this! I also like the sunrise/sunset setting on the main display, so I keep my detail visible. This allows me enough time to find a campsite, while hiking, and set up for the night. This unit does not come with built-in games, like the Garmin GPS Map60CS, so bring along your PSP! But, I have heard that it can be used for geocaching...although I have not tried this yet.
I have used this unit for roadtrips only so far, and it is on target for every turn I needed. I also use an external, amplified Gilsson antenna, mounted on my windshield, along with the WAAS system in the unit. This keeps my accuracy around 9 feet, all of the time! Compare this to the 25-45 feet without it.
Unfortunately, the new Quest 2 does not come with software for your computer (for waypoints, routes, etc). It is just as easy to perform these functions on the unit, but my older PDA based Garmin GPS came with the disk, making it so much easier. I did find a way to use the Mapsource CD with the Quest 2, and it makes finding points of interest very easy in the "find by name" mode...especially when I just select my state from the entire USA!
A few other CONS that I found:
1. The screen is small/ unless you remove the detail on the right side (stated above).
2. It takes a while to look up points of interest/ in the "find near me" setting (unless using mapsource software).
3. The map is slow when scrolling in the "most detail" setting/ cured by scrolling in a less detail setting.
Other than that, it fits the bill for me for the best "all-around" unit. I can take it in any vehicle, on foot, or to find my car again after I waypoint it in downtown Dallas!
