STELLUS GPS RECIEVER/ DESTINATOR 3

We reported on the launch of a new SDIO GPS receiver from Stellus Systems a couple weeks back, and when we were offered the opportunity to review the device we jumped at the chance. A GPS review would not be complete however without incorporating some great software to test it on, so we were equally thrilled when Homeland Security Technology Corporation also offered the opportunity to review their Destinator 3 GPS Navigation software. So is this a combination that will work for those looking for a GPS Navigation package? Read on to find out.

The first thing needed is a Pocket PC device with an SDIO slot. Remember, not all SD slots are SDIO, so be sure to check your device to see if it fits the bill. To test this device I will be using my Ipaq 4700 which luckily enough incorporates SDIO. My first impression on the GPS unit was that it is surprisingly small, which is a good thing. I have used GPS with different expansion options in the past, such as the Navman sleeve. One of the big issues there is obviously the bulk that it adds to the device, while the Stellus solution basically just adds an antenna.

The one issue I did have was that the card fit into the slot very loosely. I am not sure why that was, but it felt as if I tipped the device upside down it would fall out. (I did try and it didn’t fall out, but it did feel that way) After a quick double check to make sure it was in correctly, I soon realized that was the way it was supposed to be. As I don’t believe that this will affect the performance in any way, I don’t consider it a big deal, it was just something that seemed a little odd.

Now that the card was installed it was time to see if I could get a fix on the GPS signal. I started it up and was able to get a fix within about 3 minutes. Since the first time I have used it, the time to get a fix has varied anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes. You have to keep in mind that a variety of conditions will affect this, such as overcast skies or tall buildings. Also, whether you are indoor or outdoor will also have a large impact on the time it takes to get a fix. Generally speaking, I was quite happy with the response time on the fix, and once it had the fix it held on to the signal very well.

Now this is where I combine the reviews and load Destinator Navigation software onto my device. If you are not familiar with Destinator, it is a leading GPS Navigation package from a company called Homeland Security Technology Corporation out of Richmond Hill. I had reviewed the original Destinator software a couple of years back, and was anxious to try it out once again. We are now on version 3, and some real improvements in the software were evident from the time I loaded it onto my PC.

The Destinator software installs on your desktop computer with a loader program of sorts. It allows you to connect your device, install the software, as well as select maps and target locations for the installs. It clearly gives you the size of the maps, as well as the available space within your target locations. It also gives you the ability to cut maps down in order to decrease file size and just focus on the area that you need. I had a 1 GB CF card in my device, so I loaded up the 2 places I planned to test it in. One was a map of Canada, 2 was a map of Arizona. No problems were found and the software and the maps installed just fine.

I entered my destination on my device and hopped in the car to test out the software. After instructing me to “drive carefully”, the software then charted the course to my destination. There are very clear voice instructions given for turn warnings at 3 km, 500m, and 200m. In addition the map is charted with a blue line that shows your route weaving through the streets. You also have a variety of views with which to choose from, including normal, bird’s eye, 3D, and night view.

So enough about the options, let’s move on to the experience. To be honest, I am not sure whether it is a dramatic improvement in the software, or a dramatic improvement in the hardware it is running on, but this GPS experience was far superior to any I have had in the past using a Pocket PC device. When a turn was missed, route recalculation seemed almost instantaneous. There was also zero lag in the mapping as you moved down the street. I suppose that the improvements come from both the hardware and the software, but I can tell you that they worked together flawlessly.

The Destinator software was extremely impressive. In addition to the obvious things you would expect from this type of navigation package, it also displays your speed, total mileage of journey, as well as the estimated time of arrival at your Destination. All the other features are there as well, with an absolutely astonishing “points of interest” directory. If you are looking for anything (and I mean anything), it is in there. The only downside is there is so much in there; it may make what you are looking for a little difficult to find. The only other issue is that the software did not occupy the full screen in landscape mode which was disappointing. I think this would be the best way to view your route while driving in a vehicle, but since it cuts off so much of the screen in the current format, it is basically unusable in landscape mode. That may be the only complaint I am able to find with this software package, because as you are able to tell I was very impressed.

Now moving back to the GPS receiver I was also very impressed. It performed as good as or better than any other GPS expansion option I have tried in the past, and it did it while only adding a small antenna to the top of the device. This is much less obtrusive than the traditional expansion sleeves or the dreaded GPS “mouse”, and it is by far the best option for portability of a GPS enabled device. Even with a Bluetooth enabled receiver, you would have to carry around both the device and the receiver, and the SDIO option adds so little to the device it just seems to make more sense. There is a small issue that the actual antenna does not sit flush with the top of the device. There is a small gap between the top of the slot and where the antenna actually begins. This is a minor cosmetic issue only, and does not at all affect the performance of the unit.

I would highly recommend the Stellus Systems SDIO GPS Receiver, as well as the Destinator 3 GPS Software. The combination worked extremely well together, and will be my navigation package of choice for the future. If you already own some Pocket PC GPS equipment, then either of these options will fit the bill independently as well.

(Rating System 0-5 with 0 being worst, 5 being best)

Destinator Software - Overall Rating-  (4.5)

For more information on Destinator 3 please visit www.hstcglobal.com

Stellus GPS Receiver - Overall Rating-  (4)

For more information on the Stellus Systems GPS receiver please visit www.stellussystems.com