Garmin's first Pocket PC includes an integrated GPS receiver and navigation software.
At the last Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, I combed the aisles to find my best products of CES 2005. One of my favorites was the iQue M5, a new Pocket PC with integrated GPS from Garmin (http://www.garmin.com/products/iQueM5/). Garmin introduced a similar looking device, the iQue 3200, at CES 2003; but much to my disappointment, it was based on the Palm OS. I had to wait another two years for Garmin to switch to Windows Mobile, but it was worth the wait—the iQue M5 is an incredible device!
Sleek design w/ flush, fold-out GPS antenna
To outward appearances, the iQue M5 is just another thin, cool Pocket PC. But flip it over and you quickly notice the outline of the flush-mounted GPS antenna with the release switch next to it. Slide this switch down and the receiver folds out, automatically launching the built-in Garmin GPS navigation program.
The voice record button is located on the upper left edge of the device. The upper right edge sports a jack for an external antenna and holds the stylus. The top contains the headphone jack, IrDA port, and an SDIO card slot.
The on/off button is located on the front of the device, centered above the screen. Press and hold that button down to activate screen backlighting. The four application launch buttons and the four-way navigation button are located below the screen. The left-most of these buttons launches Garmin's built-in "Que" applications: QueTrip, QueMap, and QueFind (more on these below).
The sync connector port and a reset button are found on the bottom of the device, along with a magnetic connector for the M5's unique detachable leather flip cover. It flips forward to cover and protect the screen, and flips back out of the way when you are using the device. (I added a very small square of Velcro on the cover and the back of the device to hold it in place.) Please be aware that this leather cover will only protect the screen. You'll have to buy a padded case in order to protect the entire device.
The M5 features a 416 MHz Intel PXA272 processor, and is equipped with 64 MB of RAM and 64 MB of flash ROM. Fifteen megabytes of the flash ROM can be accessed by the user to install third-party programs and store data. Flash ROM is non-volatile; even if you run completely out of power, files stored there are safe. It has a bright 3.5", 16-bit color TFT display—ideal for displaying GPS maps and routing. The M5 has Bluetooth capability, but does not include integrated Wi-Fi. If the latter is important to you, you will have to purchase an SD Wi-Fi card.
The device incorporates Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software for the Pocket PC, which includes the latest version of Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system and software.
The GPS experience
Microsoft's new OS supports the ability to switch viewing modes, allowing you to navigate in landscape mode. However, when you switch from standard portrait to landscape mode (in the settings screen) a window pops up advising you to stay in portrait mode. If you really wish to use landscape mode for your navigation, you must tap the "No" button to remain in landscape orientation. My source at Garmin said that they did it this way to avoid confusing the users. I think it was the wrong decision. Landscape mode gives you a wider view of the map. In fact, most high-end stand alone GPS units from Garmin and other manufacturers, as well as all automobile factory-installed GPS systems, use landscape mode. Garmin needs to address this the next time it updates its GPS software for the M5.
One other issue: the windows mount that ships with the device is not designed to hold the device for viewing in landscape mode and the unit can fall out of the mount. If you wish to use it in this mode, you might want to look for an alternative mount. Also, I recommend locking onto the GPS signal while holding the M5 vertically (with the fold-up antenna parallel to the sky) before placing it in the mount.
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