Small Phone with Built in GPS?

stubie_doo · 27 Apr 2007 at 23:22

Does it exist?

I am after a device which i can use as a phone which is relatively small but can be used as a gps reciever in my car.

After looking pdas on the market and they seem a bit too large and impractical for use in crowded places, but i understand that some smartphones support gps but im still slightly unsure how they differ from pda's and which models are the best.

I would consider a pda provided that it was small and could send text messages without using a stylus.

Any suggestions on phones/pdas that meet these requirements?

Replicant · 28 Apr 2007 at 00:10

Problem is with a small phone you'll find it hard work reading the screen, especially in the car, the N95 is pretty good imo,

stubie_doo · 28 Apr 2007 at 00:16

I've looked at the N95 but it seems to be getting mixed reviews, i also can't remember whether it comes gps software already loaded.

Christo · 28 Apr 2007 at 02:09

The N95 is certainly the smallest phone with GPS, I wouldnt discount it completely - what bad things have you heard about it? The battery is its weakest point certainly, but I think its other features override that problem completey. Its definitely the best smartphone I have owned.

Scrutinize · 28 Apr 2007 at 08:16

stubie_doo said:
Does it exist?

I am after a device which i can use as a phone which is relatively small but can be used as a gps reciever in my car.

After looking pdas on the market and they seem a bit too large and impractical for use in crowded places, but i understand that some smartphones support gps but im still slightly unsure how they differ from pda's and which models are the best.

I would consider a pda provided that it was small and could send text messages without using a stylus.

Any suggestions on phones/pdas that meet these requirements?

Had you thought about just buying a small GPS/Sat nav unit or a Specific PDA with sat nav (rather than a phone one)

stubie_doo · 28 Apr 2007 at 12:45

The O2 XDA orbit seems like a good choice with the only problem being the lack of a keypad for messaging. Is there a pda out there of similar size with a pull out keyboard?

james.miller · 28 Apr 2007 at 12:48

the gps on an n95 is pretty poor to be honest. i cant get a decent lock on unless i stand outside perfectly still for 30 seconds or so. useless when your on the move in a car. i dont know whether its the software or not so with a bit of luck that might improve. But for the time beings, im finding it almost useless unless i want to know where a street name is.

vodkacokebloke · 28 Apr 2007 at 13:01

you might be better off with a standard series 60 nokia smartphone, such as an n73, n80 or similar, and then keep a seperate GPS receiver in your glovebox, they are only the size of a matchbox or so.

If you really want inbuilt then fair enough, but this way gives you far more options, and will likely work out cheaper and more capable than an n95 would.

e36Adz · 28 Apr 2007 at 14:01

From the few times I have used it, I would say the satnav on the orbit is spot on. GPS signal is picked up within 10 seconds of TomTom starting up, and signal is never lost, infact its nearly always on full. Plus the orbit is tiny for a pda!

Check the other thread, there seem to be 1-2 new fones coming soon which people suggested that are similar to the orbit except with keyboards. Personally, I wouldn't touch the n95 if you want a decent satnav setup, read too many bad reviews about that.

BoomAM · 29 Apr 2007 at 11:06

The Orbit/HTC P3600 are good choices if you dont text much.

But i'd tend to agree about the external GPS tbh.

.

stubie_doo · 29 Apr 2007 at 23:35

Thanks for the advice almost decided to go with the Orange SPV E650 and get a dedicated gps unit for the car.