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Matter of reliability [New Straits Time (Malaysia)](New Straits Time (Malaysia) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) DESPITE some issues, Garmin Nuvi 2567LM is still a handy guide, writes Nicholas King. For the longest time, I firmly believed that the best guide system is one that is dedicated to the chore. The mindset hasn't changed and with today's smartphones, I expect dedicated gadgets to offer more, if not excel, in their area of expertise. Garmin Nuvi 2567LM sits in that realm of limbo. The GPS has the potential to be a stand-in for your car's dashboard interactive system you don't have. But as a GPS, it falls short. What's new in the Nuvi 2567LM is the smartphone link, a free application compatible with iPhones and Android smartphones. It allows information-sharing - from addresses, location and weather info - between your phone and the 2567LM. The Bluetooth capability transforms the GPS into a hands-free hub, allowing you to answer calls without having to reach for your mobile phone - via touch screen or voice operated, which also works for locating an address without having to key it in. The additions really make the 2567LM a novelty for its price at RM799. If only that is translated into everything else it is supposed to do. Should you be wondering how is it possible that a GPS doesn't work as it should, the answer is reliability. Having taken the GPS for a spin on the road in the suburbia, the city and expressways, I find that the 2567LM has its issues when it comes to detecting your positioning and the satellite's. Sometimes, connection is made instantaneously right after boot- up. Sometimes, it can take seconds and once, a minute and more just to get a location reading. The inconsistency is troubling and time consuming. It happens even when you're on an empty road. This isn't an issue if your car is stationary and trying to pick up a signal. The problem comes when you are on the go or when you're driving real fast. Sometimes, the 2567LM isn't able to pick up readings efficiently or fast enough if I drive straight onto an overpass or turn-off to the left until it is too late. The delays have sometimes resulted in me overshooting turnings or led me into the wrong or longer path to my destination. Perhaps the more infuriating part is what generally plagues most GPS standalones - manual map updates and the lack of versatility when it comes to address input. Sure the smartphone link helps negate part of the issue. However, the 2567LM on its own shows how GPS may suffer in this advancing age of commercial technology - inflexibility. The clear 5-inch display 2567LM also suffers from daylight glare, making it hard to see when the sun is shining directly on the screen. Here's the thing: The 2567LM is beautiful, functional and a novelty to have. Given its price (RM799), however, you should ask yourself how important it is to have a dedicated GPS. On top of that, I have found myself referring to my smartphone navigation app to get to my destination. In some ways, the 2567LM proves that smartphones and tablets are superior. Garmin Nuvi 2567LM Price: RM799 Features: 5-inch split screen display, lifetime updatable maps of Malaysia and Singapore, voice command, smartphone and Bluetooth link capabilities, quick search options Pros: Lots of features, beautiful design Cons: GPS performance no better than those found on smartphones and tablets, location and satellite lock-on poor Our verdict: *** 1/2 Physical design: **** Documentation: *** 1/2 User-friendliness: **** Features: *** 1/2 Performance:*** Value for money: *** (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |