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No tall buildings here.just a nice clear view of the sky. Lets just say you're lucky if it will get you 20 feet in the correct direction.We live a few miles outside of Boston, but in a suburban area. I think the garmin brand is fantastic and can even be used by my mom, who can barely get online and go websurfing. After waiting 45 minutes for a signal, I plugged in stores in my town to see if they would come up. It sounded very similar to all my favorite garmin features. Points of interest is my favorite feature of the garmin, that I can be an hour from my house in an unknown place and find a target or walmart.When I complained to Pharos that it still is not working correctly(or at all), they told me to "plug it in to a power source, and let it sit in an unmoving car for 4-5 minutes to aquire a signal". I started looking into different brands because of the wide price difference figuring, hey, they all just give you directions, right. So, the walking gps part of this is clearly useless, since you can't be plugged in to power and taking a walking tour while your perhaps on vacation, which is a feature that is offered by the main menu of this unit.Take the plunge and put a few extra bucks towards a good brand GPS, buying a cheapo unit like the pharos will only leave you frustrated and feeling ripped off.
My garmin takes about 1-2 minutes tops. I picked this particular one because it states that it: speaks street name, had POI's(points of interest), had a speed warning and a stylus. I bought this for my boyfriend for Christmas. No matter the time of day, weather or location, this thing very rarely got a signal and would just state "GPS signal, too low" over and over again. Besides that, its not user friendly.
It makes me feel guilty every time he tries to use it and it doesn't work. This is NOT how a GPS is suppose to work. So I emailed Pharos and sent it in to be checked out. He had been asking for a GPS for awhile after using my Garmin Nuvi 360(amazing GPS).
I took this unit out yesterday to test it after getting it back from Pharos, supposedly fixed. I get confused and annoyed trying to navigate the Pharos screens. I tried both ways of having it search for "grocery stores" around me, or just typing in "shaw's", it gave me a Shaw's 40 miles from me when I know there is one about 1/2 a mile down the street. I am a tech addict, I can figure out how just about anything works and use it without a manual. Also the points of interest are useless.
If I'm driving, forget it. They were giving me stores in Connecticut(I'm in MA). I've been seeing nice Garmin units that speak the street names(which was one of my must criteria) for 120-150. Nothing. I was completely wrong, and I'm so sorry I bought this for him.
I wish I had spent the extra 40-50 bucks to get my boyfriend the garmin. Maybe 45 minutes to get a signal. I didn't have unrealistic expectations -- for the price, I figured it won't be as nice looking or solid, but will get the job done. They sent it back, and it now will acquire a signal, after sitting in the car for 1/2 hour, without moving.
Well, this is a good GPS. First they informed me that new maps will be available by the end of the year 2008. However, the manufacturer of this GPS hasn't been looking serious to release any new map releases. Till then, I had been asking them many times when will be the new maps be available, but they are just beating about the bush.
Instead, take a more recognised GPS like Garmin, TomTom or Navigon. Then, they said it will be in the begining of 2009. Currently our developers are working on it and we can't give u estimates."I dont know if their developers are making maps by hand or what. You will find better deals for one of these on dealsofamerica. However, One thing is clear, there has been a newer version of Destinator[v 8.0] on Omnia GPS and it has Maps of 2007 Q3 [You can search for it on gps hacking sites to update ur PDR 150 and 200]So, my advice is dont waste your money on something that is neither up to date nor will perhaps ever be able to get upto date. The software is Destinator version 7.0, it's solid performer.
Now, we have entered the second Quarter of 2009, and they are saying "We will inform you when the updates are available. At least, you will be then be able to have map updates.This unit no doubt worked well, but its worthless to have a GPS unit in 2009 with 2006 Q2 Maps. I purchased this unit on July 11th, 2008 and I got the maps of 2006 Q2. They always gave a "pre-written" answer that "Map creation is a long task and developers are working on it." Well, Now, its almost 1 year.
Besides that it is a great GPS unit. It worked great, takes a couple of minutes to find GPS Signal,so I suggest turning it on two to three minutes before you start driving.
No adjustment in between.5. The mini USB port on the GPS has shorted out not allowing the unit to charge anymore so this GPS is useless.2. Navigate goes into calc mode and never comes out so now no route calculation.4. Rarely acquires when you're moving.
I bought two units in Dec 2007 and have been using one for over a year now. No fixes I can find on the above mentioned problems. Volume is all the on or off. These are the issues I have had:1.
This is a major flaw in my opinion.3. The Pharos web site uses the phrase "This is not a known issue with the Pharos Drive 150" a lot when asked about problems.While the price is good, I would not recommend the Pharos unit. The charger on one unit quit working. On the second unit satellite acquisition takes FOREVER and only when you are sitting still.
It can't find the local Wal-Mart, but hey, I know where the local Wal-Mart is. The Pharos GPS is a great bargain priced device. Good value for a first GPS. Nice package, sturdy mount, intuitive and easy to use. We are a little disappointed that a "Take Me Home" button is not included. The touchscreen is quite sensitive, but does require the stylus if you are ham-fisted like me.
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