Delorme Blue Logger GPS Review

[coppertop]

I was looking for an inexpensive, basic BT GPS system and ran across Delorme's Blue Logger System.

I've tinkered with the Blue Logger for about two days now and here are my initial thougths. Keep in mind I have no clue about chipsets and the technical information on GPS systems. This review is simply from an end user's view.

The Blue Logger GPS Module is small, smaller than expected. If you take a match box and open it half-way, you'll be really close to the size. It takes about six hours to fully charge and according to the literature, the battery will last about five hours. I've used mine for about three hours now with no problem. The package I purchased came with a car charger just in case. The unit has two rubber pads on the base and it stays put on the dash. Overall, it feels like a solidly built unit. Again, no clue on the chipset or guts of this thing.

The software is probably the weakest point of the package. The desktop application isn't too bad but I can't help but feel that the navigation could be more straight forward. Thankfully, setting up maps for transfer to the Treo is simple. You've got a lot of preset maps or you can highlight areas for transfre. I did run into several "unknown" errors when I attempted to prepare a map for sync. I tried it again and the error when away. I'm more familiar with Microsoft's Streets and Trips and it may be a case of getting familiar with Street Atlas.

There is a way to enter waypoints but I couldn't find any means to locate way points. The route planner is probably the most straight forward item on the desktop. You've got a field next to a green light (your start point entry) and a field next to a red light (your stop point) that sit above the map view. I've yet to figure out the voice prompts but haven't given up yet.

Establishing a relationship between the Treo and the GPS unit is fairly easy. Unfortunately, the map program will not automatically detect the GPS unit. Before you try to connect in the map program, you've got to go to settings and the Treo has a unique device setting (NMEA 0183).The manual has the setting "Generic Device" but on my Treo this wasn't an available option.

Getting the GPS to establish connection with the sattelites varied with the weather. Yesterday I had really clear skys and the link was established by the time my Treo connected with the Blue Logger. Last night, sitting by the kitchen window it took about two minutes. This morning with overcast, very cold skys it took about three minutes. I have yet to loose the signal once it was established.

Using the GPS was interesting. The location marker was about 1/4 inch off from where I was. I attempted moving the GPS module around on my dashboard hoping that would get things back in line but it didn't. It wasn't constantly off the mark but I'de say 40% of the time the Treo would have me driving off-road. I like the "Monitor" view of the GPS which show direction of travel, speed and Long/Lat location.

This BT GPS set-up is ideal for those looking for a basic GPS system to let you know where you are and where you need to go. Even though the locator isn't right on the mark, it's close enough not to cause problems. I can't help but think the weakest point in the package is the software. I hope after using the software more, I will become more familiar with it and my opinion will change. Even if I end up going to another software package, the $150 price tag makes the Blue Logger something to consider.

If I ever figure out the voice prompts.... I'll add to the review.

Added 3:14pm CST 11/17/05

Alright.... I've either got a corrupt version of the software or it's just a bad program. I'm trying to sync maps but the program generates a sync error. WHen I do perform a Hotsync, it tries to load a map to the SD Card that I've deleted.

I've removed the Street Atlas program and it continues to try to install the map to the SD card. I can't find anywhere that the file is cued for sync.

No matter how much I like the GPS module.... TomTom is looking really attractive.

[coppertop]

Apparently there was a copy of the map file in the Palm directory waiting to be transferred. Once I deleted it things returned to normal.

I have learned that Street Atlas locks up the Hot Sync with large files (5mb or larger). When I keep the size of the map file down, the software works worlds better.

Got the voice prompts to work. Not the greatest and I wish you could choose between male and female voices. Not too thrill being told when to turn by a male voice. The voice prompts work so-so. I've used in on three routes and it failed to notify me on three turns (one per route).

The more I tinker... the more I learn.