GPS InVion 3.1

[DaveC]

Went to Tiger Direct and ordered one. $172.51 to the door. 1 year warranty and a return / exchange policy.

3.5 inch Touch Screen
400 Mhz Processor
Sirf III GPS antenna
MP3 + MP4 player
Car charger
Home charger
USB cable
Mounting bracket
Headset

[92'Bearkat]

I can only find the one with a 4' screen for $169.00 is that the same one?

[DaveC]

Tigerdirect Invion 3v1 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2769351&CatId=2374#productresources)

[txbanditrydr]

I can only find the one with a 4' screen for $169.00 is that the same one?
Wow... that's one large GPS. :rofl: :rofl:

[92'Bearkat]

Got it, what is the downside to this unit? What should I look out for. I am pulling out the Visa card.

[Squeaky]

Does it say anything about software compatability? Can it share with Garmin files?

[DaveC]

Got the unit in.
It uses Navteq maps, same as Garmin, Tom Tom. I have not had a chance to look at file extension.
Ituitive, 2D mode, I put the Ac power to it, had it in the bedroom window and started navigating. I then stated trying to browse the manual but in fear of loseing a man point I did not read all of it:lol2:
Needs Microsoft ActiveSync.
I did not get the software loaded on my system but the SD card is 1G and has the United States. I only had a few minutes to piddle with it.
Some of the reviews had it not recieving in downtown Chicago! It has been my experiance that when in a red wood forest and dense tree cover you lose satellite link, I suspect this is what is happening when one is downtown with skyscrapers!
Comes with 3 pointers or you can use your finger to navigate on screen.
Suction cup mount for car windsheild. No bike adapter as of this posting, maybe a Ram mount or some other well work.

More to come

[DaveC]

Uses WIN CE NET 4.2 core
built in lithium ion battery
USB is also the external power supply.
External volume control
1/8 inch stereo jack with head phones, have not listened to mp3 for sound quality as of this posting.
Comes with a USB memory stick but I don't see it being very useful unless it is to add mp3 or map detail. You have to go to internal battery to use it.
CD shipped with unit failed to work!!! I was looking at it and it has been burned but there is no access. I hoping it is a faulty disk.
Unable to get www.supportplususa.com to respond to e-mail. Well contact Tigerdirect.com to see what happens.

[DaveC]

Auto routing works well.
Test 1: I set a destination and knowing the roads. I turned a couple of miles to soon then turned on the back road in. It autorouted the correction.
Test 2: I started in an apartment complex so the pointer was off the beaten path and had it auto route to home. This threw it for a loop, but it recovered. It saw a divided roadway from the apartment complex and routed me turn right. The first turn it confused an apartment complex driveway with a street as I passed the driveway knowing no through traffic would happen and it corrected up to the nearest intersection and do a u turn. There was a turn lane I could have taken a left onto the correct course from my starting point but i believe that starting the unit in an off road location (about 500 feet from the street) can confuse it. I then turned onto a loop. It did not want me to U turn to recover but routed me via the loop back to the correct coarse. I took the toll road which is not on the map system. It did not try to auto route me once the pointer left the roadway. It did pick up once I came within a few miles of the Interstate where it auto corrected my route. I found it very accurate as to where to turn and it announces the turns well in advanced with warnings coming quicker as you approach your turn.

Other than the software CD being unavailable I would rate the unit very good, now lets see how long it well last before failure. Tiger direct seems welling to help , they offered to replace the entire unit so I could get another CD. I found that the latest CD seems to have a boot issue as it has been reported by others on the GPaSsion forum.

[Squeaky]

On the "no u-turn" thing during autoroute - there should be a setting for that. I used to wonder why my Garmin was routing me out of the way just to turn around, but then Becca told me I had it set to avoid U-ees. Oops.

I turned that off and since then it just says "U turn when possible" when I get off track and it wants me to just go back.

[DaveC]

Support:
Sore spot, I sent an e-mail actualy 2 e-mails one on the day I recieved it for the cd (July 31st) and the first. I recieved a response on the 6th of August! They have a phone number but who has time to sit on the phone on hold at work!
I sent all the relevant details about the CD.
Tiger suggested going to the manufacturer to get the CD and offered to replace the unit.

[DaveC]

Software update:
Support informs me that they use a DVD-ROM. Makes sense so all the maps and POI are available.
XP would not see the disk. I had to install Real Player as MS wants additional funds for that little bit of software.:argh:
I can not browse the maps just upload to a mobile device :ponder:
So if your planning a trip apparently you have to use some other map and POI software to scout ahead:huh2: :loco: