The Garmin iQue 3600 is a portable PDA with a builtin GPS Navigation Receiver. Check the Garmin web site for more information. The product originally reviewed was release version 1.0 with patch 1 and was then updated for 2.02 plus and updates downloaded from the Garmin web site. It has been updated for 3.0 and then revised as new information is found. The result of the changes is a unit running Palm OS version 5.2.1r3 (release 3). It comes with City Select 5.01 mapping release for North America using map data from NavTech. Note the original release of this product is referenced as version 5.2.1r1. To see which one you have start the Info screen from the main launcher and select version. The version will be displayed at the top of the screen.

This unit is a full feature PDA running Palm OS and a full featured GPS built into one unit. Some people like combined units strictly because it saves carrying two units around, which is one benefit, but the fact is that there is significant functionality improvements caused by the marrying of these two products that would not be present if they were separate. For example the address book in the palm directly supports map lookup so that an item in the database can be found on the map and navigation can be initiated to guide the user directly to the address book location. All saved GPS locations are stored in the address book for later recall. Similarly to using the address book entries to guide you to the location the upcoming appointments list can have locations attached and guide you to the appointment using the GPS. The clock in the PDA is maintained with a high degree of accuracy because it is updated and corrected every time the GPS receiver is used. By the same token it is the palm clock that is used to aid the GPS in obtaining a fix when it is first turned on.

Joe Mehaffey received this unit before I did and he wrote up a review of version 1 before he sent the unit to me. Click here to read his review. His view may represent the user that does not particular want a PDA but is interested primarily in the GPS functions. It is based on release 1 of the product.

As a PDA this unit will fit nicely in your pants pocket or purse but it fairly large at 2.8" x 5" but can be carried in a shirt pocket. It can be carried in a jacket easily. The larger physical size offers the benefit of a large display.

PRODUK WEBSITE