Allen Sports Navigator Mobile Phone Software and Bluetooth GPS Device Review
September 14th, 2009
Accurate! Portable! With lots of cool features!: Everything that you read in electronics talks about convergence of everything onto a single device, so when I heard about this item, I had to try it! Having used the VZ Navigator on a previous mobile phone, I had low expectations about mobile phone based GPS Navigation, but I was blown away by the features and functionality of the Navigator.
My Phone:
I own a Samsung Blackjack II running on the AT&T network, which Allen lists as a compatible device for version 7 of their software. Although this phone comes with Tele-Nav navigation support, I chose the Allen Sports Navigator since there are no recurring monthly fees. Also, Allen’s product comes with map coverage of USA & Canada, with additional countries available – Tele-Nav only offer map coverage for the US.
Installing the Software onto your phone:
Step #1 in using this product is to install the Navigator onto your phone. Enter Allen’s download address into your phone’s web browser, select your phone model (which in my case was Windows SmartPhone), choose your language, and start the download. Once installed, follow the directions to activate your software. The whole process is pretty simple, and takes about 3-5 minutes.
Pairing the GPS Receiver:
The product comes with a Bluetooth GPS Receiver, which you need to pinpoint your location and allow the navigation to function properly. This pairs up with you phone like a bluetooth headset. It is about the size of an iPod Nano.
Using the software:
I found the software to be very easy to use. The maps show up very well, even on my phone’s small screen. When you are using the product in navigation mode you can toggle between the map view and two other screens which show you your destination information and and your upcoming turn information. All of the information provided is extrmely accurate and relevent. In navigation mode you can use view your position in 2D or 3D mode – this is where this product beat the pants off of VZ Navigator.
Other cool features:
Since this product is cellular based it has the ability to send your coordinates out over your cellular network, which will allow you to track where your phone is and where it’s been. All of this can be viewed at the Navigator member site using your username and password. This has been really fun for my husband and kids to see where I am when I travel on business.
Overall:
I really like this product. It’s awesome having my GPS Navigation running on my mobile phone, and it is very easy to use. I would recomend this product to anyone who is looking for GPS Navigation, and has a compatible phone with a data plan. You need the data plan for the maps and routes to load properly. Most unlimited data plans cost about $10, and if you use your phone for text messages and email you probably already have one. I would not recommend this product to someone without a cellular plan or that lives in an area with limited cellular coverage.
I can’t wait for more products like this that will let me get more out of my cell phone!
To check price or purchase Allen Sports Navigator Mobile Phone Software and Bluetooth GPS Device.
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Posted in Cycling GPS | Tags: Blown Away, Bluetooth Gps Receiver, Bluetooth Headset, Compatible Device, Convergence, Destination Information, Gps Device, Ipod Nano, Low Expectations, Mobile Phone Software, Nav, Navigation Mode, Navigation Support, Phone Model, Positio, Samsung Blackjack, Single Device, Step 1, T Network, Vz Navigator
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