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Garmin Quest 115-Megabyte Handheld GPS (010-00306-00)x$248.95
  (142 reviews)
Best Price: $642.99 $248.95
Portability meets capability in the pocket-sized Garmin Quest. This easy-to-use unit is loaded with the high-end navigation features from Garmin's most popular GPS navigators, and best of all, it's portable. So, you can use it in multiple vehicles - or slip it in your pocket for handy street-level directions when you're navigating on foot.From salespeople to summer vacationers, Quest's features are sure to please: Automatic routing with turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance to get you where you're going; High-speed processor means fast automatic off-route and detour recalculation; Rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery that provides up to 20 hours of use; USB data connection for fast map downloads from Garmin's entire line of MapSource CDs; 256-color, bright, sunlight-readable display makes it easy to view turn-by-turn instructions and map detail.Smallerthan a standard television remote, the Quest provides an ample screen viewing area, but it won't demand a lot of room on the dashboard or in the briefcase. The unique antenna folds flush with the unit when not in use and users can connect an optional external antenna as well.The unit ships with fully unlocked MapSource City Select CDs, which provide full coverage of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico (North America version) or major metropolitan areas throughout Western Europe (Europe version). For weekend warriors who want to use the unit on a camping or fishing trip, the Quest is waterproof and fully compatible with the entire line of MapSource outdoor cartography. With 115 megabytes of internal memory, this small-but-powerful GPS navigator has plenty of built-in map storage. So, in a pocket or on your dash, Quest gives you the freedom to travel light - with lots of map detail at your fingertips. Portability meets capability in Garmin's pocket-sized Quest portable automotive global-positioning system. The easy-to-use device is loaded with the high-end navigation features from Garmin's most popular GPS navigators. Use it in multiple vehicles or simply slip it in your pocket for handy street-level directions when you're navigating on foot. 
Navigation page. View larger. | 
Detail map at 500-foot zoom. View larger. | 
Trip information page. View larger. | 
The Garmin Quest Navigator is a pocket-sized device loaded with GPS navigational features. View larger. | Smaller than a standard television remote, the Quest provides ample screen viewing area but won't demand a lot of room on the dashboard or in the briefcase. The device sports a bright, 256-color, high-resolution TFT display that is easy to read even in bright sunlight. The device is easy to use; just make certain your antenna is unobstructed and you'll be ready to navigate. Whether you're on foot or in your car, position the antenna to be parallel with the surface of the road so it can have the best view of the sky. This flip-up antenna design allows you to maximize your reception. Once the Quest has established a satellite fix, it will display the Ready to Navigate message. You can either set a destination or use the handy Find Menu to pick a destination, such as a restaurant, gas station, or other nearby attractions. With your destination selected, you'll love Quest's automatic routing with turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance to get you where you're going. And the built-in high-speed processor means fast, automatic off-route and detour recalculations, so you'll be sure to get where you're going even if you make a wrong turn or meet unexpected road construction. A USB data connection ensures fast map downloads from Garmin's entire line of MapSource CDs. The unit ships with fully unlocked MapSource City Select CD, providing full coverage of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, including more than five million points of interest like gas stations, ATMs, hotels, restaurants, and attractions. With 115 MB of internal memory, this small-but-powerful GPS navigator has plenty of built-in map storage, and the unit's internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 20 hours of use between charges. The unique antenna folds flush with the unit when not in use, and you can connect an optional external antenna as well. For weekend warriors using the unit on a camping or fishing trip, the Quest is waterproof and fully compatible with the entire line of MapSource outdoor cartography, including U.S. Topo, 24K Topo, Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots, and BlueChart.
What's in the Box
Quest with flip-up GPS antenna, Americas Autoroute basemap, MapSource City Select North America CD with full coverage and full unlock, PC/USB cable, A/C power adapter, external speaker with 12-volt adapter cable, vehicle suction cup mount, quick reference guide, and owner's manual.
MPN: 010-00306-00 - UPC: 753759041762
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Customer Reviews
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Never Get Lost Again!!!
By A1EARN5PUVIF1S on 2004-10-25
Every now and then -- make that every other now and then, because it's a rare event indeed -- a product comes along that solves a problem that has been plaguing man -- and woman -- for decades, if not centuries. In recent years, these rare breakthroughs have included Combat roach traps, which made those pesky critters a rare sight in even the most infested urban environments, and the pocket hard-drive mp3 jukeboxes enabling you to have your favorite albums with you wherever you go.
Now here come the GPS navigators that make it all but impossible to get lost, not to mention the AFFORDABLE GPS navigators like this fantastic little Quest. One of the guys in my band got one of the higher priced Garmins and was raving about its accuracy. When his Garmin got him right to a place we were playing while the rest of the band circled backroads endlessly, relying on directions that said things like, "go to Smith Road", without bothering to inform you whether you were supposed to turn left or right on Smith Road or cross it -- I knew I had to have one. Better yet, he told me Garmin had a new model that did the same job for half the money.
Well, it turns out that the Quest handles more than the same job the bigger units do. With its pocket size, you can also use it when you're on foot trying to find a strange address in a strange city (or in the Village, here in Manhattan). Otherwise the only downside of the Quest is that you can't add memory; the memory built in can handle enough map detail for a large state, but if you were going across country, you would need to bring your laptop with the detailed maps loaded, to download into the Quest as you passed from one region to the next. For those of us who typically travel within our state (or the so-called tri-state area around NYC), however, the Quest has more than enough memory.
Does the little Quest work? It sure does! I snapped it into its cradle, it came to life (it gives you a warning about using it responsibly when you're driving), and soon it had located and then acquired the satellites it uses to track your position, altitude, direction, and speed. The voice pipes up loud and clear from a speaker hinged to the lighter plug unit, sounding rather like the computer voice on Star Trek, and you can enable or disable a chime preceding the announcement. Announcements are given in plenty of time so you can get in the proper lane, and turns are shown on screen with bright red directional arrows. If you miss a turn (and I did, not once but twice, the street was so poorly marked), the unit says "recalculating" and in a jiffy advised me to hang a uey in a quarter mile, then talked me back through my proper turn.
The display is bright and legible (I can read it, and I am more than 50), and useful information shown includes your current speed (it appears my speedo has been off all these years by more than 10 mph!!!), the time to your next turn, and your estimated time of arrival, based on your progress. The windshield mount works very well, using a suction cup with a vacuum clamp, and articulated joints let you position the unit where it can see the satellites and you can see it without blocking your view of the road. The built-in swing-out antenna seems to work very well; you would only need an external antenna if you had heavily tinted windshields or an in-screen heating system blocking the satellite signals, according to the instructions.
Which brings me to about the only other gripe I have about the Quest, and one for which I almost deducted a star, which is the instructions. Though the hardware and software manuals are well written, this rig cries out for a Quick Start card highlighting a few essential pieces of information, including where to find a useful tutorial on downloading maps into the Quest, which direction is now helpfully buried in an obscure Appendix at the back of one of the manuals. If you're new to GPS, as I was, expect to spend a long afternoon and evening reading and fiddling, before you get a grip on the technology. Otherwise setup all ran smoothly.
And the Quest got me right to my gig; even better, with the push of one button, it got me home again that night. Now if there's anything harder than finding a place when you have bad directions, try finding your way home in the dark, attempting to reverse those same poor directions!!! With the Quest, getting home is a piece of cake. I also tried the Quest on foot, and it led me right to my friend's building in Stuyvesant Town, not an easy place to find for the uninitiated!
Basically I'm telling everyone in the band to get one of these, and if you do a fair amount of driving -- and a fair amount of getting lost -- I'm telling you to get one too! This is already one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century!
One addendum (written a week later): it turns out that Garmin DOES include a Quick Start card -- which they hide in a pocket behind one of the software disks, where you will probably never find it! Unfortunately, except for a chart showing shortcut commands, this card doesn't tell you the really useful stuff, like what the base maps cover compared to the detailed maps or where to find the map downloading tutorial.
So my comment about the documentation holds -- if you start at the BACK of the various manuals and work forward, you might make faster progress learning the system! Nevertheless the unit works so well, you will forgive the slow learning curve the first time the tiny tyke guides you straight home from a strange place in the middle of the night...
I would also like to add a comment about another reviewer's claim that the voice prompts are confusing to follow. In my experience, the voice prompts have been right on. In fact, every time I've approached a confusing intersection, or even a bend in the road, the voice pipes up with "keep [right or left] on [name of road]." Coupled with the big bright turn arrows on the screen, the voice makes it pretty clear where you're supposed to go; and if you still do make the wrong turn, the unit will re-route you in a jiffee.
Again, I couldn't be more impressed with the performance of the Quest. It truly does everything the larger Garmin units do except allow for memory expansion, plus it's pocket-sized so it can help you find your way on foot in a strange city or on a hike...
What you should know
By A88BDME46C85A on 2004-10-29
I bought the Garmin Quest as a factory GPS system was not available on my car. Also for the fact that it costs about 1/3 of the price of a factory installed GPS system. Overall I am happy with the unit however for anyone looking to buy this unit these are just some things you should be aware of:
1) You cannot just depend on the voice prompts to guide you on your way, you need to also glance at the map. The reason is that it has a limited vocab for voice prompts so it can be confusing. For example many times it says keep left/right when it wants you to go straight. A couple of times I thought it wanted me to turn left when it said keep left. Thankfully it automatically recalculated the route. Answer: anytime it says keep left/right or turn left/right just glance at the map to truly understand where it wants you to go.
2) Similar to the above it doesnt have proper voice prompts for rotaries. If you were to take the second exit on a rotary, the system would say "in x feet keep left then turn right". Look at the map you will see what you are supposed to do.
3) The screen is small, especially if you want to pan the map looking at alternative routes while in the car. Thankfully it does zoom into an intersection so you can see the lay of the land when you are coming to a turn.
4) I was driving in Manhattan and because of all the tall buildings it would have a hard time locking on to my position. Often it would announce "lost satellite reception". I ended up zooming into the map with the proposed route and started guiding myself as it lost my location for several minutes. It works much better in the suburbs.
5) The routing system was a bit weird. Even though I set the system to take me from Manhattan to Long Island on the "fastest route" it insisted on taking me through the small streets of Brooklyn instead of the highway. Tweaking the settings from best route (spends more time calculating the route) to quickest calculation (least time spent calculating the route) while still retaining the get me there on the "fastest route" setting finally got me using the highways.
6) So far the mapping has been pretty accurate except for once in Boston it asked me to take a left when there was a no left turn sign. Still to see how often map updates will be made available. New construction will throw the device off.
7) The directory of points of interest is very good. We were able to find all the restaurants we were looking for in New York (it also had their phone numbers so we were able to make reservations).
Overall the device does work and does get you there. It can be a little confusing thats all. It is easy to use and enter data, easier than the Garmin streetpilot. As for losing satellite reception I am sure all small units like this would suffer the same problem. (FYI factory car based systems usually predict your position even if they lose satellite reception (they call it dead reckoning) - but they are much more expensive). The size is great we walked the streets of New York and it took us where wanted to go (you can set it to optimize routes for pedestrian vs car - this way it ignores one way streets). Voice prompts only work in the car not when you are walking as the speaker is built into the cigarette lighter plug.
Still if I had to compare it to a factory car based GPS system I would say its 85% of the product for 30% of the money. Good value!
An Excellent Product
By AN74D0P609056 on 2004-09-28
This product is what I consider to be a great blend of field-based GPS devices and automotive-based GPS devices. I was initially interested in purchasing a unit that would offer me the convenience of electronic mapping with the ability to route and still be portable and durable enough to be used on an outdoor adventure. A Garmin dealer in my area was strongly recommending an eMap. It had most of the features I was looking for but that product has actually been discontinued, the display is gray scale and the technology for computer interface is at least 4 years old. (I'm talking serial cable connections here.) Still, it was looking like the best option and I was about the pull the trigger and buy when someone walked into the store with a printout of the Quest from Garmin's website. It was fortunate for me that I was there at that moment because the Quest is exactly what I was looking for.
This device is a smaller version of the StreetPilot series but it's completely portable and fits in the breast pocket of a dress shirt or pants pocket so it's great in an urban environment. The battery life is listed at 20 hours between charges and it has a whopping 115mb of internal memory which means you don't have to mess with data cards. The product ships with Garmin's City Select v6 and I've found the maps to be extremely accurate in the Phoenix metro area. (I think this is a good test of the software since Phoenix is one of the fastest growing communities in the US and we've got new roads going in all the time.) The display is full color and can be user modified to meet personal tastes. It also comes with a UBS computer interface cable, suction cup windshield mount/DC battery charger and an AC battery charger for indoor use. (You can find all the technical information on this unit at Garmin's website.) Oh, did I mention that it talks too?
Like other StreetPilot devices, this unit has a speaker built into the DC battery charging cable but unlike other StreetPilot devices, the Quest has a volume control. The voice technology is very clear and easy to understand and the timing of the directional advice is very accurate. The unit creates routes very quickly and the "find" feature is simple and straightforward. I do a lot of city driving, (approximately 50,000 miles per year) and I'm constantly looking up addresses in my map book. This device not only speeds up the process but also gives me the convenience of displaying a route combined with the ability to find local businesses, restaurants and points of interest along the way. (I can see this device being very handy when planning our next road trip in that we'll be able to locate places in other cities with relative ease.) The device is also very quick to recalculate your route should you deviate from the one previously created. I've found that it can update itself within the space of ½-mile while driving at about 40mph on city streets.
(...)
Overall, I think this device is a great buy for the casual outdoor adventurer and urban warrior.
(...)
I would like to [tell that of problem of] the unit not displaying a full screen compass. Upon further tinkering, I have discovered that not only is a compass screen available but also a bearing pointer screen! These screens become available when you select "off road" as the method for creating a route and are viewable by pressing the 'page' button. (Either the compass or the bearing pointer will come up and you can then switch between them by pressing 'menu' and selecting the one you want to see.) This unit is now, in my considered opinion, the ultimate blend of urban and rural navigation and a darn fine geocaching device. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Oh, and make that rating a "5 Star" please.
Don't Let the Small Size Fool You!
By A1PL787B9SQYCB on 2005-04-24
Within a week I purchased a Garmin Streetpilot c330, a Magellan Roadmate 300 (RM300), and the Garmin Quest. I kept the Quest -- it's not just a better value priced at hundreds less, it's actually a far better GPS. The Quest is effectively a miniaturized Garmin Streetpilot 2610, one of the best and most full-featured automotive GPS products on the market.
Superior features of the Quest, which borrow heavily from the high end Streetpilot 26xx series --
*Routes*
Most small automotive GPS's only store points, not routes. When you want to go somewhere, you select a destination, and then the unit automatically calculates a route from your current location. With most models, there's usually not much you can do to alter the route after that.
However, the Quest allows you to customize routes with "via points" -- landmarks you want to pass through on your trip. Then, instead of just saving the various individual points, the Quest allows you to save entire sequences of points as routes.
(While the Roadmate 300 allows you to construct a "trip" as a series of auto-routed destinations, it wil not chain the destinations seamlessly. The RM300 expects the driver to stop or shut the unit off between destinations, or to manually tell it when to proceed to the next point. The Quest's via points are seamless. It tells you when you're approaching the via point, and then it automatically continues navigating.)
*Routing parameters*
In addition to using via points, the Quest allows the following inputs:
Avoid U-turns
Avoid Toll Roads
Avoid Unpaved Roads
Avoid Freeways
Avoid Specific Road Segments
Avoid Specific Areas
Route for shortest distance
Route for fastest time
There are also four levels of compromise between "Quickest Calculation" and "Best Route."
Additionally, the Quest's included mapping software allows you to tell it how fast you drive on various road types, ensuring "fastest time" calculations that truly are.
For comparison, the Streetpilot c330 can only avoid U-Turns, Tolls, Unpaved Roads and Freeways, and although it offers a choice of shortest distance or fastest time, it offers no control between best route and fastest calculation. What's more, the c330's route selections do not seem as well thought out as the routes generated by the Quest in "best route" mode.
*Display control*
The Quest allows you to control the level of detail and font size for different types of display elements, as well as the maximum scale at which each type of element is displayed. The c330 allows you to turn each type on and off, and only provides a global level-of-detail control. The RM300 does not offer any control over the relationship between scale and detail, and in my opinion it generally does not show enough detail until you zoom way in on a point of interest.
And even though the Quest's display is small, it's razor sharp and brilliant (with backlighting on; this can be turned off to conserve power when operating on battery).
While touchscreens are appealing, the Quest is surprisingly easy to use without one. Garmin has thoughtfully laid out the eight main buttons, and the most important ones do different things depending on how many times you press them or if you hold them down. And because it's not a touchscreen, you'll never be bothered by fingerprints. In my opinion, this unit's display is less susceptible to glare than the protective coating on many other models, though it's still not as good as the display on Streetpilot 26xx models.
*A few words about memory*
The Quest only has 115MB available for maps. Since the entire continental U.S. takes almost 2000MB, obviously you can only load a limited area into the Quest at once. However, Garmin has really worked hard to take the hassle out this, and there are strategies that can be used to load maps into the Quest, depending on how you travel. Either way, you can use the Quest for surprisingly long trips without having to reload it.
First, you have to understand that the Quest includes a "basemap" of the interstate highway system. Not much detail, but enough that you should never get lost on a major highway -- even when you've driven off the currently-loaded map. When you drive past the limits of your detailed map, the basemap kicks in automatically.
The mapping software displays North America as a mosaic of perhaps 2000 tiles averaging about 1.5MB each. Since densely populated areas include more points, the tiles are smaller in urban areas. Major interstates are visible on the mosaic.
If you never travel outside a certain region, you can load that entire region into your Quest for uninterrupted coverage. 115MB can typically hold 3 complete states, less if you include a very dense area like New York City or Los Angeles.
If you're planning a trip, however, you can select all the tiles along the major interstates you plan on using. I was able to map from Jacksonville, Florida to Los Angeles on my Quest by selecting all the tiles along I-10. Similarly, by mapping a corridor along I-95, even including Baltimore and Washington, D.C., I could go from Jacksonville to New Jersey with about 60MB.
Finally, you can elect to load only the cities or areas where you're going to be getting off the freeway. Between cities, the basemap provides sufficient detail to keep you from getting lost. As an alternative, you could choose to load only a few significant stops on a longer trip. For example, Lumberton, North Carolina, is a great meal stop on I-95. I could leave Florida with a comprehensive map of New England, and still have room to map a couple of choice towns, like Lumberton, that are on the way.
On the bright side, memory-limited GPS's come with better PC software. The c330, for example, already has full U.S. maps installed, and therefore comes with no software. Even the top line Streetpilot 2620 has no real PC connectivity out of the box. The Quest's 128MB obliges Garmin to include some pretty decent software that usually has to be purchased separately.
I also found the Quest's suction-cup mount to be almost as good as the c330's, and far superior to the one on the RM300. Its small size allows allows you to mount it in places where a bigger GPS couldn't go, from both the physical and driver visibility standpoints.
The Quest is a great GPS, with features of much more expensive models. Despite its small size and low price, it blows away many mid-range units. If you want a GPS that can really assist with navigation, you would do well to pass up a lot of more expensive models in favor of the Quest.
Amazing
By A1CTO4BOBCQ5LU on 2004-09-28
What a powerful unit for such a small size! The Quest fits in the palm of your hand and is great for salesmen. You can walk around an area without getting lost. It give great accurate directions and it's very user-friendly. With a touch of a button you can locate every restaurant and gas station. The only draw backs are that it can take a few minutes to detect your location (a quick power on/off usually fixes the problem), and it is a pain removing and attaching it from the mounting units. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone, you can't beat the price compared to any other ubit on the market. Happy driving!
- Fantastic Compromise
By A2FD1XVWUV1MNG on 2005-06-23
It is not every day that a technically complex product works precisely as advertised. But this one does. It is truly the perfect compromise GPS solution. I'll explain why in a moment, but first let me acknowledge key limitations right up front: (1) the screen is small (2) reception amongst really tall buildings "downtown" is not perfect (3) memory amount has a fixed limit (4) unit requires occasional downloads and computer fiddling (5) user input takes a little practice.
HOWEVER, with that said, this is a really useful and easy to master device and, on balance, it strikes a really good balance amongst the various GPS design trade offs. Key advantages: (1) it is fully featured - literally compares feature to feature with the high end factory units built into new cars, including voice guidance and route quality - I have used it on the dash of a 2005 Honda Oddessey with the OEM unit running for comparison and it gave just as good routes, just as good voice directions, and was fundamentally just as useful. Didn't have the sexy big built-in screen and its voice was a little less rich sounding than the OEM unit, but heck, it was amazing it compared so well at all considering the price. (2) it is totally portable and battery operated (unlike bigger Garmin units like 2610) which means you can use it in a second car, a rental car, a boat, a bike, on foot in strange city, even on an airplane for fun. Mine lives in the end pocket of my briefcase so I have it whereever I go (3) doesn't require installation in the car - easy to stick on and pop off (4) retro rotary volume knob is excellent - so easy to turn up or down compared to OEM units which require multiple menus to shut them up when you need to talk on the phone (5) the additional mapping software options from Garmin are excellent - they are not cheap, but you can get a good map for anywhere in the world, you can get topographical maps, you can get nautical maps with channel markers and hazards, etc. Very nice complement to the unit - extends the usefulness considerably (6) it is well made and fun - a little jewel to hold and use for those of us who like gizmos.
In terms of the specific limitations I originally mentioned, here is some additional perspective: (1) the screen is small, but it is crisp, clear, flexibly back lit, and surprisingly legible - even when compared to a big OEM screen - it zooms in and out automatically and when turn is coming it splits and gives big legible arrows and text (plus voice which amazingly, you end up relying on much of the time anyway) (2) reception amongst really tall buildings "downtown" is not perfect, but no GPS is, this is no worse than any other, possibly better considering the adjustable antenna and the remote antenna option (3) memory amount is fixed, true, but it is a generous amount - you can fit a ton of area into it, even if the area includes big cities - really has plenty for 99.9% of users (4) requires downloads and computer fiddling, but the software is much much easier and more straight-forward than old Garmin software (5) user input takes a little practice, but, again, much easier than old Garmin interfaces - all it takes a couple minutes with the book and a few minutes practicing. Once you have entered a practice address, the second time and forward it is really easy and intuitive.
Now, a couple more observations on the memory issue because it gets a lot of discussion in reviews, and I really struggled with it before buying. It might be nice to have a hard drive iwth the whole US and not ever have to load, but (1) those units are much bigger, (2) not portable or battery operated (3) are clunky on the dash (4) cannot be updated with new software, and (5) perhaps most importanly, contain moving parts which in a harsh operating environment like a car (extreme heat, cold, dust, vibration) is just a huge reliablity unknown, especially when you consider hard drives are totally new technology for Garmin. The rugged solid state design of the Quest is quite appealing in comparison. But it does impose a limit on the amount you can load, and it does require you to plug into the computer at least once. However, neither of these issues is a showstopper. If you are technical enough to surf to this review or covet a GPS unit in the first place, you can easily handle it. Unlike old Garmin units which required a serial cable and a PhD in computer science, this is a simple plug-and-play USB routine. Unlocking the maps initially requires you to follow the quick start card, but is not all that tricky. And once you are done with that one-time procedure, all you do is click the maps you want, and drop them right onto the quest where they will stay until you delete them. As for space limitations, 115 Mb is actually quite a bit. I live in Boston so I tend to keep all of the Northeast including all of New England, southern NY, all of NYC, Long Island and Northern NJ loaded at all times. If I am going on a business trip I will throw on the maps for my destination city as well. Takes two minutes. And you can even do it on the plane if you keep the software on your laptop as most people would. But this is not to imply that you are limited to a regional approach. The instructions go into great detail about how you can load a generously "wide" corridor or route all the way across the country. Or any combination, like all major cities, etc. Plus if you do get nailed without your maps, it still has a good base map of the whole world (more detail in North America than elsewhere) so you can still naviate, just without restaurants and detailed street addresses.
So in the end, even though I had some serious misgivings about the memory issue, I have found it to be perfectly convenient and a great trade off in terms of size, price, etc. And it has one less obvious advantage - it gets you to load and become familar with the simple but really useful desktop PC software. You can do a lot with routes, way points look ups and advanced features on the PC and then just drop it right onto the Quest. Not much easier interface for power users than that.
All in all, a fantastic product. Garmin is a little less flashy in terms of their marketing and design than some of the other companies, a couple of whom are getting splashy editorial coverage lately, but they have been at it for a really long time, including in critical environments like OEM airplane equipment and marine applications, they have had a really long time to work out bugs, figure out what is important, improve their units and software, they really know what they are doing at this point, and they make a great product. At the street prices it commands, it is a very good value and a useful tool. Strongly recommended.
- Couldn't ask for a better product!
By AOWOUYNLVN4EX on 2005-03-10
I recently bought the Garmin Quest for my fiance and it arrived a few days before his birthday. I gave it to him when it arrived so he could have it all figured out by the time his birthday rolled around. Not only had he figured out by the second day he was using it to help him avoid traffic. He is a big "mapping and distance" enthusiast and loves gadgets to help him get where he is going. He has had the Garmin for a little less than a week now and has thanked me every day for "one of the best gifts he has ever gotten." I read hundreds of reviews before purchasing the Quest and compared them to several others and am VERY satisfied with this purchase.
Cons:
-Don't expect to open the package and place in your car right away.
-Read. Read. Read the instruction booklet.
-You must charge the Quest for at least three hours before downloading anything.
-You have to download maps from the enclosed CD for the certain areas you want to navigate.
-It takes about an hour after downloading the area before locating the satellites in your area. It will probaly read that you are in Taiwan the first time you turn it on. You have to be outside for it to work for the first time.
-This is really an item that should come with a carrying case so use something nice you have already or purchase the optional optional Garmin Carrying case to protect your new $500 toy.
Now for ALL the EXCELLENT Pros:
- Compact
- The screen is bright, vivid and easy to read. The display lighting even changes to make it even easier for you to see during the daytime and night time.
- The speaker is very audible and the voice commands are extremely easy to understand. It doesn't sound like some garbled computer that sounds like it just learned english.
- It gives you plenty of advanced notice to turn or keep going in the same direction while driving.
- If you get lost on your planned route or if you decide to turn a different way to avoid traffic, it quickly re-routes to put you back on track.
- It can tell you what is on a certain exit and you can even find places to go at your destination.
-The speedometer is very accurate.
-There is a timer based on how many minutes or seconds it is going to take you to get to your destination based on speed.
- It is very easy to download additional locations you want to navigate... just remember it only holds 115mb of data.
- Battery life is great (20 hrs), it is rechargeable. Just charge it at home when you get in for the night and you will be fine.
There is so much more I say about this product! Every day my fiance finds one more reason for thanking me for getting the Quest. We have fun at home by picking a destination and seeing who can first, I use the MapQuest or Yahoo! maps on the computer and he uses his Quest and he always wins before I even finish typing in the direction. He says having the Garmin Quest is like having a MapQuest in the palm of his hand only the directions are 10 times better. This is an excellent buy for the cost and the efficiency. Just take your time reading all the information to avoid frustation and to get the maximum amount of usage out of this product.
- Works perfectly
By AI64A73L6EHP3 on 2004-11-24
I have owned a Quest for a couple of weeks and have been just blown away by how well it works and easy it is to use. Unlike another reviewer here, I have had no problem with getting satellite reception. The antenna does have to see the sky and should be postioned parallel to the ground. If I do have a problem with this unit, Garmin has a wonderful reputation for supporting their products and the unit is under warranty. I would send mine back if it wasn't getting good reception.
Using a GPS auto navigation system with voice directions is really a life changing experience, particularly if you travel a lot or visit new addresses. The best thing about the quest is its small size. It is easy to take with you or throw in a briefcase or purse and never get lost again.
I do wish they added a SD card slot so that you could load more maps. The 115mb of memory is enough to store 3 or 4 states worth of detailed data, which is enough for 95% of the people 95% of the time.
It's just amazing that you can buy a tiny hand held auto nav GPS system for $500 that does everything the $2000 in car systems do, and then some. At this price, I think they will sell a lot of these this holiday season. It also has a function to pick the best route using mulitple destinations. I sure hope Santa has one on his sled.
- Portable and Powerful
By A173XFW8EDO333 on 2004-12-04
I did a lot of research as another reviewer did on the Garmin Quest and was wary to buy the unit after I read that there was difficulty locating satelites. I purchased the unit anyway given the reputation of Garmin. I loaded the software and within 1/2 hour I had the unit up and running, local maps loaded and the location and feet above sea level of my home....simply AWESOME! I then used the unit the very next day on a customer visit to a new location. Entered the address and in a couple of seconds flawless directions can back. The actual travel time estimate was within 3 minutes of the estimate! This is a great unit, all the power in a compact unit! Excellent tool for anyone going to different locations on a weekly basis. One of the best features is locating gas stations in the middle of nowhere, select "find", go to gas stations and up comes a list, miles to destination and then you select and are routed to the location. I can't say enough about this unit, this one of the best purchases I have ever made.
- Best of Both Worlds
By A3E8RDNHZ0WLEV on 2005-04-04
I have had the Quest for about a month and have used it in several cities (New Orleans, Nashville, Louisville, Atlanta) for both driving directions and as a handheld around downtown areas. It works well in both applications. This is the only unit I found that allows you to do both. Upon startup, it takes between 20 seconds to 3 mintues to find itself. I have actually found that you can "tell it where it is" by indicating your position on a map and it will find itself much quicker. I did this when I flew into New Orleans. Screen is great even in direct sunlight, I wish it was touch screen, but the buttons are easy enough to use. I compared it to the Garmin 2620 and Magellan 700. Both have touch screen and ALL map data preloaded, but neither are portable (i.e. handheld with a battery)and they both cost several hundred dollars more. The 115 MB on the quest is enough to hold the area between central Tennessee up to Louisville KY, and the Metro areas of Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans, Kansas City, Orlando and Dallas, with a few MB left over. I fly to most of these places, so I don't need the area in between. Which brigs up another advantage of the Quest. It is small enough to fit in my computer bag. The 2620 and 700 are roughly twice as big.
If I were only driving places and didn't want to take it on a hiking trail or WALK around downtwon anywhere, I would have gotten either the 2620 or the 700. Or if you have NO computer skills (to be able to load maps) you may want to go for the 700 or 2620. Also, apparently the mapping software that comes with the quest has several more million points of interest.
You can even sit in a window seat on a plane and lock enough satlellites to follow you ground track with speed and elevation - really cool!
I got the automotive friction mount accessory and prefer it to the suction mount that comes with the Quest (although the suction mount works well)
- Navigation for drivers and walkers...
By AQI33AITF8WML on 2005-07-06
I have had my Quest for about six weeks, and can't believe I ever lived without it. Garmin's built a very powerful little unit. I think it is the only car navigation system that has a long battery life, built-in antenna and can be pocketed for walking use. Topo and marine maps are available options. I tossed it in my carry-on bag for a recent business trip and used it to find restaurants within walking distance of my hotel. The downside of a small screen, is also the up side of this shirt pocket-sized unit. The screen fonts and layout are surprisingly easy to read. Putting in addresses and names is perhaps slightly harder than Magellan's offerings (I've used Hertz's NeverLost) which I think has a slightly better alpha-numeric input system. Otherwise, I think Garmin wins hands-down. The points of interest database is huge and includes a variety of retail stores, in addition to points of interest, restaurants & hotels, among other things. Like other nav units, the database includes shops/restaurant that is out of date, along with all the good stuff. Best to call the phone number listed with the address to make sure you don't waste a trip. (You can report errors to Garmin via its website.) The software downloading is easy. I have witnessed a few routing errors over six weeks, but very few. The worst was an error on the current exit for the San Jose, CA airport, which I think has changed in the last couple of years. (Silicon Valley is probably a bad place for a gadget "goof" given the high ratio of demanding electronic geeks who live there. But, it is "right" far more times than it is wrong, and it has skillfully taken me through some pretty complex traffic situations.
Although the windshield suction cup mount that comes with it is Ok, I highly recommend the optional "friction" mount. It stays put pretty well underway, and is easily tossed under a seat for security as wel as super easy to move from car to car. I haven't needed an external antenna at all, since the built-in flip up antenna performs well. Note that the only speaker is in the 12v cigarette lighter adapter, so voice instructions only work in the car, not on foot. If it's running off battery power, various toned beeps provide the only audible cues.
- Better buy than Quest2 if you don't need all the preloaded maps
By AV3MPBKMVIIIT on 2005-10-19
I am extremely happy with the Quest. I was debating between the Quest2 and Quest, but the $500+ price tag for the Quest2 is steep. I wrote Garmin and the hardware is almost identical. Both use the same chipset to calculate routes and acquire satellites quickly. The Quest holds several cities, and I typically have my laptop with me so spending 2minutes to upload 6 or 7 new cities is not a big deal for me.
The Quest is much faster than my Garmin V, I compared a calculation between MI and CA and the Garmin V was about 1minute and 30seconds slower to calculate the route. The Quest also corrects your route much faster than a Garmin V if you take a wrong turn.
Great GPS for the money.
- Great Product
By AV6V33VPIO4Q on 2005-01-25
Simply Awesome! Picks up a signal almost instantly (indoor and outdoor), the map upload is very fast, the mapping is very accurate, and battery life is excellent too. I first bought the Magellan 300 and that was a disappointment, it took forever to get a signal, so I returned that and instead bought Quest. I am a very discriminating customer but I am VERY HAPPY and satisfied with Garmin Quest! Highly recommended.
- An excellent handheld unit
By A2PQBEWW2Q03V7 on 2005-06-29
This is an excellent alternative to paper maps for us folks who don't drive.
I don't know the SFBay area like a book, and I don't want to. Usually I just have to get from a bus stop or BART station to some arbitrary address, and I tired of carrying around printouts from maps.yahoo.com or whatever. It's also nice to know where the nearest bookstore or coffeeshop is when I'm stuck waiting somewhere.
I used a Garmin GPSMap 76S for a couple of a years, but honestly, it's an awful GPS receiver. It's painfully slow, the interface is impressively awful, it takes ages to acquire a position, the magnetic compass drifts during use, it eats batteries constantly, serial updates are slow, and the receiver is remarkably insensitive.
The Quest is the polar opposite of this. The interface is easy to use, entering addresses is quick, the display is crisp and clear, redraw speeds are acceptably fast even with high amounts of map detail (1-2 seconds as a worst case), backlighting works well. I've never had any problems using it, as compared with my continual frustration with the 76S.
It will occasionally lose reception in places with lots of tall buildings, but it's not nearly as bad as the 76S... and this is really a problem inherent in the technology. At least it will quickly reaquire satellites when they come into view.
The only thing I missed is a built-in magnetic compass, because I don't usually know my south from my east and I got tired of randomly walking in the wrong direction just so it would tell me which way was which. I glued a tiny "mechanical" compass on the top of the unit instead, which has been far more reliable than the electronic one in the 76S.
Occasionally it seems to take a long time to acquire satellites, even in a place with an unobstructed horizon. It'll acquire 2 satellites and then get stuck, despite showing strong signals for 5-6 satellites. Turning it off and back on has fixed the problem.
The USB map and software updates are great, especially considering the older units needed a special cable and the amount of time which was required. It doesn't take very long to update the map in the Quest, usually 1-2 minutes, and backups are easy and convenient.
A case is recommended for handheld use, though my unit's screen has held up quite well despite not having a cover on it.
Honestly, it's hard to see how this unit could be significantly improved. I think the next big step in GPS receivers will be inertial sensors so it can keep track of one's position even when GPS reception is lost. Doesn't sound like a big deal... but there are definitely areas where GPS receiption is very poor, and there's no reason not to do something like this.
But until then, the Quest is going to be my favorite GPS receiver.
- Powerful for the money
By A3BGG1ZLX07QP0 on 2005-10-19
I have owned several GPS units in the past. The quest offers a lot of power for a fairly low price. The good points include voice navigation and the included CD (and USB cable for PC connection) for downloading detailed maps. The CD is extra on some brands and cost around $100. The color screen is also a plus which includes automatic "night mode" for good visibilty at night without distracting the driver.
The only major problem with the unit is the suction cup mount which falls off the window frequently until the vehichle teperature and unit stabilize. This is a mojor issue when you first get into a hot vehicle and mount the unit on the windsheild. I have found a simple solution however. Licking the suction cup before attaching it to the window prevents it from falling off even once!
The other features that I don't like is the lack of portability which may not matter to you if you plan to use it only in the car. The speaker is in the cigarette lighter adapater plug so you have no voice if you use the unit for hiking. It also doesn't take batteries but rather has a built in non removable internal rechargeable battery.
Overall I give it a 4.5 out of 5 star rating for lack of portability. If your sole purpose is use in your automobile it may be a 5 star for you if you don't mind licking the suction cup before you mount the unit!
- Very Cool!!
By A1LUKWEFASMAC2 on 2005-10-24
I just finished setting up and using this handy GPS for the first time. Installation was easy, but a bit more time consuming then expected. Also, why can't this software be MAC compatible??
The unit is solid and while the screen is small, it's super sharp and have no problems viewing in the car. The user interface is more or less intuitive - reasonably easy to navigate without reading much of the manuals (which is what I like).
Once set up, I was amazed how it guided me from my house turn, by turn. One thing though it can make mistakes - which is a function of the software. Using this GPS to go to my office (to see how it would preform, it makes the same mistakes that mapquest, mapblast and the other map sites make - telling me to make a wrong turn. This is the only fault I've found so far.
I only gave it four stars due to lack of MAC compatibility, cumbersome software installation and that one little mistake. At $350, it's a great value. I'm sure the more expensive ones will tell me the wrong way to go to my offce too!
- Multi use GPS
By A3VSQ4HZHSR032 on 2005-10-26
Wanted a GPS for my car and motorcycle... I'm still using the suction cup mount sent with unit for car,I like the easy in easy out unit mount(the one without top clip) Actual suction cup and positioning arms are "OK"(light unit weight helps)...bought after market mount for cycle.(Ram system)The "Quest"...The 115 memory was fine for my trips from NJ to Ohio,FL,NC Etc. and local NJ cycle rides.Downloaded local maps for each area and let the base map(already on unit)navigate the major roads in between each location.(came in around 110 mem used)The on board battery(rechargeable only)power is fine for me. Recharge happens whenever unit is in PC cradle or car mount.I use this unit,no external power and no audio for my cycle,the beeps it emits for turns(no voice speaker like car)is actually heard over motor and battery holds up for a days ride.I thought the ability to set up way points and routes on supplied software(then downloaded to Quest GPS)for PC a added plus.Garmin has a great line up for every user.Think of your usage then compare!!Amazon does it right,customer service,communication and good shipping times and cost...This user gives 1 grin up for a great toy with a real world use!
- Unit Very Good - Garmin maps: Out-dated!
By A25RYAX840IQEU on 2006-04-17
I purchased this unit 8 months ago, and I think that I used the device long enough to be able to review it seriously. If I had made the review 2 weeks after purchase I would have given it 5 stars. It comes now with 2... The unit in itself is not to blame, this is a very good GPS: the screen, though small, is very bright and you can read the maps easily. The "voice" is fine, the instructions are clear and changes of directions are given in advance and repeated. More importantly, the recalculation of the itinerary when you take the wrong road is quick. The satellite reception is good. The only drawback is that it is not a sensitive screen, so keying in the addresses can sometimes take time, but that is a drawback you know when you purchase this GPS.
No, the problem comes from the company Garmin that issues maps that are not up-to-date. 2 months ago, I updated the maps from Garmin (you are entitled to one free upgrade after the purchase of the Quest). I was thinking that I had pretty recent maps of the US with this update. Absolutely not!! And I am not talking of very urban areas in construction (like Boston...), I am talking of Texas, cities and countryside! Construction works that were finished more than 3 years ago are not referenced on Garmin "new" maps. On 2 occasions, the GPS told me to turn right (or left) while I was on a bridge! Simply because now there was a bridge while 3 years ago there was an intersection. Not later than yesterday, the GPS told me to take the US 67 business because it "thought" that the US 67 was slower. Completely wrong since it has been upgraded and the US 67 is actually much quicker because you do not have to go through a city of 20,000 inhabitants with 7 or 8 traffic lights!!
- A great solution!
By ACGJQ113NCXO1 on 2005-01-23
I wanted to review this product because I know this was a product I sort of agonized over committing a lot of cash to. Even though at $600 this is a much cheaper product than other GPS systems, its still a decent amount of money to shell out without knowing what you are going to get.
While I have found that the system is not perfect, it does everything I wanted it to do. It has helped me find new ways to get around even my local towns I have become familiar with by giving the shortest routes. When I miss a turn or get stuck in traffic and turn off at an exit, it quickly figures out another way to go. When I have gone on trips, it has clearly navigated the way to go.
To me, the voice prompt have been very easy to follow. The systems sets up nicely on the front windshield and is not an impediment. There are lots of nice features and the system is like a virtual yellow pages, however, the software was probably about two years out of date. But at the end of the day, how important is this? You may miss a ramp here and there but the thing gets you back on track. As long as you have an address, you basically can't get lost.
Also, the thing was very easy to set up, I was using it easily less than an hour after I took it out of the box. The maps do take up a lot of space on your hard drive, but you can always delete them and just install them when you need to. I live in new York and have all of new York, most of PA and all of NJ downloaded into my unit. THis is probably all I need but I will be able to access the other maps if I ever need them, in the rare case that I take a cross-country trip.
Clearly, the system is not infallible. It will sometimes tell you to take a more circuitous route than one you know is quicker. Because the software isn't completely up to date, certain points of interest are N/A. However, it does accomplish the one thing I clearly wanted... I pretty much can't get lost ever.
If you are cost concious and just want to have a system that will keep you from getting lost and help you find your way around, this works great. There is no need to spend two grand unless you drive around the country for a living or something.
No brainer.
- An excellent Product
By A2PYWKHTJ7N3X9 on 2005-06-17
It is very rare that I buy a product that far exceeds my expectation but this is one that did. I wanted a GPS that I could take hiking and use in the car as a navigation system. I expected that I would have to compromise but it turns out that I didn't have to. This unit is a good fit for meeting my needs. It is small but packed full of features. The navigation system works excellent and the automatic rerouting is fast. I found it to be very simple to use, in fact I have only used the manual once and that was just to verify that simulator mode was just turning the inside mode on. Garmin has done very well with this product and I think it is worth every penny. Two common complaints I have heard about this are the screen is too small and the mounting system does not work well. The screen is small but I didn't want a large GPS so this doesn't bother me. The mounting scheme, I found, works very well. It does vibrate a little bit in rough spots but it is not enough to come loose or create a problem. I have two caveats in reccomending it however:
It is not the same as the high dollar, full fledged navigation systems and one shouldn't expect it to have all the same features and memory. If this is what you want you may be disapointed.
I am a little concerned about the internal, non-replacable battery and if I do any significant hiking for few days were I am away from the possibility of getting a charge I may have to get a cheap 2nd unit or brush up on my compass skills. One concern about the battery was addressed by a quick email to Garmin Tech Support. The battery is rated for at least 1000 charge cycles and has a flat $50 dollar charge for replacement. I do wish they would have made this replaceable though. That, and a flashcard port, and this unit would be perfect in every way!
As a quick note to anyone at Garmin who may read this, Nice Job!
- Amazing Navigation Device!
By A3W4U7YLJLO4XR on 2005-07-22
This has to be the best little gadget I've ever purchased, next to my iPod and Game Boy Advance, espcially considering how easily I get lost. Setup is pretty easy, just install the map software that comes included, download the selected maps to the GPS unit and you are basically ready to go. The unit sometimes takes a little while to find the satelites, but never longer than 5 minutes unless you are in a really bad area, often it only takes about 10 seconds. Once the satelites are found you have access to TONS of navigation information. Basically anywhere you have downloaded maps for you can find places to eat, shop or have fun. You can find everything from Subway sandwich shops to Post offices and shopping malls. Finding street addresses isn't hard at all, just type in the address in the unit and you are ready to go. There are even a few different options for how it should calculate the route, using either shortest driving distance, shortest estimated time, avoiding highways etc etc. Calculating routes takes only a few seconds and if you happen to make a wrong turn it quickly recalculates the routes!
The only real problem is if you plan on going on an extremely long trip and run out of space to store maps on the unit. Although if you are selective with which maps you download you should be able to get all you want.
I've never had a GPS unit before so I don't have much basis for comparison, but this unit seems to be a great value as it has great functionality combined with a good price compared to other units which cost over $1000. If you want a really nice GPS unit that is extremely portable and pretty easy to use, go for this one, I love it!
- How did I live without this thing?!?
By A2JFL163HUJZG3 on 2005-10-01
I moved to Boston about nine months ago and was having the worst time driving around. Basically, I was constantly lost and I couldn't drive anywhere by myself because I always had to have someone there to navigate for me. That was until I received a Garmin Quest for Christmas.
I honestly think this is one of the best and most useful things I own. I love it and use it all the time. It was easy to set up (downloading the maps from the CD to the unit), and the actual unit setup is very user-friendly as well. You can manually enter addresses or you can have the Quest search for items by either requesting a specific place (like Petsmart) or you can have it find the closest bank, gas station, etc. I've used the search function many times on the unit and it has ALWAYS had what I was looking for, and it's always directed me there flawlessly.
The really cool thing about this unit is the voice prompts, which make driving a heck of a lot easier. The speaker is actually built into the cigarette charger, which is quite clever because it allows the unit to be much smaller (and thus it can be used as a handheld GPS as well). However, if you don't like the voice prompts, you can always just look at the screen; the screen size, color and clarity are excellent.
I never leave home without my Garmin Quest!
- Long Term Review
By A2YMA1O4Y3E1QB on 2005-12-07
I read many of the reviews, and thought it would be valuable if you had a chance to read a review based upon my 12 months of usage. I purchased it in December of 2004 and paid about $550. After 12 months of moderate use (about 15,000 miles of travel), I can say that it has held up extremely well. The internal rechargable batteries can still hold a charge. The display is still bright and sharp. I have not had any technical problems. The re-route capability is powerful. It has taken the complexity and stress out of many of my travels.
Having used it for so long, here two items to consider 1)The internal memory will hold about 4 states of maps. Of course, Garmin clearly advertises this feature - so I knew what I was getting when I purchased it. They have new models, at a higher price, that illiminates this hassle.
The Quest will loose satelite reception when under a canopy of trees. I use the standard attenna and an external mount may improve this performance. It has not been too bad because it will regain reception once it is in the open.
Bottom Line - it has performed as advertised. No technical problems. I am pleased with its design. It has reduced the stress and complexity of travel. I feel it was worth the $550, and it is a sure bargain at its currect price of $350.
Copyright 2005, SFG
- Garmin Quest Pocket-sized GPS Navigator
By A34Z7D2RD0LNQW on 2006-03-19
My 1st GPS unit, so my rating of "5" is admittedly based on little experience - but MUCH satisfaction. I frequently travel for work and I am not one of those people who can just glance at a map and know their way around. I get lost, turned-around, and confused easily in unfamiliar surroundings - especially urban areas. (And I grew up in Chicago, go figger...) Recently I took a taxi which was outfitted with aGPS and I was impressed by the thing, so I decied to try one out for myself. This Garmin unit was on sale at Amazon and I ordered it. It was a snap to set-up, a little bit of trial & error to learn the interface, and experimenting to to learn its less-obvious features. My first test was on a trip to NJ - never been there before. I prepared ahead of time by downloading the maps for the NJ and surrounding area from the DVD, and by entering addresses for my hotel, the businesses I was visiting, the airports, etc. The unit worked flawlessly and guided me along the way. Not to say I didn't make any mistakes - I did. Learning what the voice prompt means by "Stay Right", for example, when facing FOUR exits and I'm in the left lane... But the thing immediately recognized when I went "off route" and steered me back on course. One thing I have come to understand is these things route you the quickest way (according to your preferences), which may mean going through some unsavory neighborhoods, for example. So you may want to learn how to use WAYPOINTS to help route you around & avoid such areas, if you have someone to let you know about 'em.
Positive points: Quick rerouting, easy to use interface, versatile mounting bracket included, USB, rechargeable batteries (includes both 115VAC and and 12VDC chargers, pretty darned accurate. Portable - handy for navigating new cities after business! Easy to remove and store out of sight. Price is very reasonable for the convenience and performance.
Negative points: With the GPS, now I am usually the "designated driver" for associates traveling with me. Seriously, I cannot think of anything bad to say about this thing. (No touch screen, which some may complain about - but I knew that before I purchased it. The jog wheel makes it pretty easy to enter data, though.)
- A basic entry into the world of portable GPS devices
By AZVJMLARLNVFE on 2006-05-16
I purchased the Garmin Quest in March 2006 after much hand-wringing and comparison shopping; the advent of the Quest 2 and the subsequent drop in price for the Quest, in the end, made the decision for me. After two months of use in multiple metropolitan (Charlotte, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Tampa, and New York City) and rural areas, I have the following thoughts regarding the Quest.
1. The software built into the unit is not as intuitive as I would like but can be mastered after a few weeks of use. Be prepared for frustration the first few times you're on the road and you either search for or directly enter an address -- you've been warned.
2. The accompanying PC software, MapSource, is behind a few versions out of the box. Take the time to update the version before use with the unit.
3. If I were to turn back the clock and purchase another item, I'd choose one that can hold the entire US detail map. It's not terribly cumbersome to select the detail from MapSource and transfer it to the unit but it does take time and advance planning.
4. The unit, as a baseline, provides me with constant 18 ft. accuracy which is fine for what I need.
5. When I consider the detail maps are quite a bit out of date (imagine your frustration when attempting to find Starbucks on the interstate with data that's more than 2 years old) and the fact I'll purchase the updated set as soon as it's available, the total cost to own price increases by $125.
6. I know I said it earlier, but be prepared for frustration when using the unit for the first few weeks.
7. With all that said, I find it invaluable to have a portable GPS device in the car or on my person. It's small enough to travel with (for use in rental cars) and can save you lots of time when detoured or just running about. Purchase the Garmin case (not included) to protect the screen.
- Garmin Quest 1 Excellent Device
By AI2483RTL4Y3Z on 2006-07-22
I bought the Garmin because I had read here and elsewhere that Garmin had good products and good support. The device advertised all the features I wanted, so I went for it and have been extremely happy with it. I have encountered one bug, but it has an easy workaround, so no big deal. When you are in the find screen and type the same character twice too quickly, the system powers off. You just have to wait a second or so before entering the same letter. lad...der instead of ladder, just a small pause.
It has plenty of storage space, and it holds all of the maps I need, mostly North East PA. You can't get the whole US on the device, so you use the MapSource software which is included with the device and put the data on the unit that you want. The quest 2 apparenly comes preloaded with the entire US, so you might consider that if you travel often or have an issue with hooking the Quest 1 to your computer and downloading different map sets as you traverse the country. You will pay about $100.00 more for the Quest 2.
The unit comes with a car kit. The power adapter has a built in speaker so you can get your driving directions in both audible and visual form. Be aware that if you out walking around, you won't get the audio instructions because you have to plug the Quest into the car mount cradle which in turn is hardwired to the speaker built into the cigarette power adapter.
When you are routing to a location, you may find that the unit takes a little longer to calculate the correct series of turns if you miss a turn. For example, I was riding my Harley Fatboy in downtown Wilkes-Barre, and missed a turn. By the time the unit recalculated the route, I has already passed the next turn that it had determined I needed to take to get back on track. If you miss a turn, slow down or pull over and give it the 20 seconds or so it needs to figure out how to get you back on track.
Power consumption seems fine, no issues there at all. Batteries are built in, so no need to replace AA's all the time. The downside is if you are out in the woods or something and cant get to a power outlet or to your cigarette adapter, both of which can be used to power up. Apparently, you get about 20 hours of run time, I've never used it for 20 hours straight so I can't vouch for it, but the internal rechargable batteries are a nice option for me.
Nice color display, good battery life, easy to use, easy to find places. I am geographically challenged, and this thing takes me everywhere I want to go, effortlessly.
- Too good to be true
By A24LTRDKJAR5JM on 2004-11-22
Yes, this device is too good to be true
I researched the crap out of these devices and the Garmin Quest was so new that not much was written about it other than the manufacture sales pitch. I was searching for the best option to use on my motorcycle and occasionally in my car. I really liked the full sized features this one had with voice, water proof, long battery life, very compact size, good color detailed screen, optional maps for INTL travel and in case I bought a boat - blue water charts. This one delivers in the smallest feature rich device on the market today; however, mounting options are limited at this time.
Now for the bad news - all these features don't mean JACK if you can't get satellite signals to use them. I have had this unit for 1 week now in Seattle, Washington. It has been cloudy and rainy (imagine that) and only one day I did get this device to give me an accurate map/directions to where I needed to go. The rest of the time it shows, lost satellite reception - rendering the device useless. When it was tracking (using 5 different satellites) it showed me about 150' off from where I really was. I was driving down I-5, however, it showed me off to the left driving through the houses and trees. This is very strange because it could accuralty tell me how fast I was going just not where I really was on the ground. I am not happy about the reception part and maybe another antenna would work, however, I wish I would have purchased the GPSMAP 276C for my motorcycle. Not only is the screen, mounting options and features better, I think the antenna is stronger. Dont make the same mistake I did.
That's my 2 cents.
BTW - I really feel sorry for our military solders on the ground if they use this same kind of portable device ...No wonder we can't find Bin Laden
- Size isn't everything
By A29XNFTKOA40CD on 2005-12-03
I purchased a Quest on November 30th and received it on December 2nd. The price at that time through Amazon was $299 with free delivery. Great job Amazon!
The Research:
I looked at the Mio 136, the Navman iCN520, all Magellan products, and the Lowrance iway 500c. All of these products look good, but when you try to figure our what you will be able to do with the product, they come up short. Even the manufacturer's website does not provide much detail.
Garmin provides several screen shots of the Quest, they offer the owners manual online, and they offer all of the map data on line so you can see if it has coverage for your particular part of the world before you buy it.
After playing with several of these units, I found that they either lacked features that would be helpful in real world use or the screens where not clear. The iway has a large screen but it is made up of large pixels so the level of detail is still not that impressive.
I have owned pc based mapping software, Pocket PC based mapping software (Destinator), a Garmin GPS III and a Garmin StreetPilot III. Of all of these, the StreetPilot was the best. It is a great product if you are looking for an in car only GPS.
The Review:
This is the best GPS I have ever owned, hands down. It worked perfectly right out of the box. The software worked perfect and I was able to load maps with no issues. The screen is bright and incredibly clear. It is not a touch screen but after using the interface, you don't need touch screen.
Great features:
The screen is small but the pixel count is very high, like a RAZR cell phone, so you get gobs of data on that little screen.
The digital dash board, gives you good information while traveling and when navigating, it automatically switches to direction mode when a change is coming up.
The voice is clear and the volume can be turned up over any factory stereo.
You can use it with no wires if you like.
Customizable data fields on the navigation screen.
The off route/reroute is very fast, almost instantaneous.
It turns itself off (if you like) when you unplug it. If your car has accessory powered cigarette lighters, you can just leave it plugged in and it will power off and on when you start the car.
It comes with everthing you need in the box. No additional memory, no chargers or adaptors, no maps or unlocks. It's all in the box.
The receiver works while sitting in the console of my truck w/o an external antenna. At least that's the case with my truck.
Shortcomings:
No touch screen for those who think they have to have it.
No 3D (birds eye) view. This is a bling thing and doesn't really help in navigating, but if you have to have it, don't get the Quest.
The unit I purchased came with ver.6 of MapSource City Select when ver.7 is the current offering. The update is free but you have to order it from Garmin.
No SD slot for additional maps.
Summary:
This is a great GPS. The screen is small but they have done an excellent job of making this a non issue. It's fast and very accurate. Mine locks on very fast, almost instantly. The digital dash is a real plus.
Update:
We took the Quest to First Monday (a trade fair in East Texas). We used the Quest to track our trip there. Once there, we tracked our foot travel all around the park. When we were done, I used the Quest to take us back to the parking lot. It worked perfectly. The "Where am I" and "Trackback" features are great.
- As it should be
By A17VJ95Q22DNNC on 2006-03-18
It just plain works. You turn it on, it finds your location. You drive with it on a route, and you make a wrong turn, it gets you back on track. It doesn't hang erratcially, the maps are simple to download from your PC and it is clear to read in sun or night driving. Yes, the display could be a little bigger. But it runs for 20 hours after you have popped it out of the car holder and put it in your pocket, on internal batteries. For the price it is a great product. For flexibility, road mobile and pocket hiker, it handles both quite well. It did get a little confused in directions while we were travelling through Phoenix one time, but common-sense has to be applied to the situation, and we made it to our destination. I did have to glue a flat plate onto my curved dashboard for the suction cup holder to grip to, and I did take out the center piece of the attachment arm so that the mount was more rigid (but less adjustable).
One thing to watch, it does NOT plug into a 12v automoble socket designed for a cigarette lighter, its four-pronged design will short out the contacts. You must use it with a 12v power adapter that doesn't have the lighter spring clip at the base of the receptacle.
- Everything exactly as advertised
By A19J1D1DOVSYSY on 2006-08-28
This GPS is perfect for those who want a little more than just A-to-B navigation. I'm used to programming routes with multiple waypoints (not just individual segments), and the Quest is, as far as I can tell, the ONLY car GPS in this price range that will do that. It's quick on the recalculations and accurate on directions. Most people have complained about the database, but no database has all updates--try comparing w/Google Maps.
PROS:
Programmable routes--not just single legs. (The main reason I bought this--this feature is only found elsewhere on MUCH more expensive models. I wonder why Garmin doesn't seem to push the Quest...?)
Quick & Accurate Positioning
Route calculation very fast
Suction cup sticks like glue
CONS:
Can't hold the entire US (although the Quest II can)--though carrying a laptop solves that.
Interface not entirely intuitive (but quickly fixed w/practice)
Suction cup sticks like glue ;-)
If you want a practical all-purpose GPS that gives you flexibility to do more than get directions to the next point, this is the one for you. It doesn't have audible street names, a touch screen, or large size (but I think a lot of experienced GPS users--including me--consider those a low priority anyway). But it has everything anyone used to aviation GPS's could want for the road, and at an incomparable price. If it could hold the entire map database, I'd give it the full five stars without any reservation.
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Garmin Quest 115-Megabyte Handheld GPS (010-00306-00) Accessories
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| Product Features |
- Pocket-sized 12-parallel-channel GPS+WAAS receiver with automatic routing and turn-by-turn directions
- 115 MB internal memory for loading MapSource detail; includes built-in Americas autoroute base map
- Trick tracking computer includes odometer, stopped time, max speed, average, and more
- Sunlight-readable, 256-color, 2.2-by-1.5-inch TFT display; USB interface for quick data transfer
- Runs for 20 hours on rechargeable lithium-ion battery; 4.5 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty
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