PEGA C55 GPS Car Cradle Reviewed!

[soulreaver99]

Just posted up the review. Check it out here:
http://www.blackhaloinc.com/features

Also the pictures of the whole setup is posted here (take a look at it along with the review)!
http://www.station172.com/blackhal/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album09

[abosco]

This thing had great potential. I can't believe it requires a computer and not even regular internet access to make the routes. It should be mandatory that all GPS devices can reform routes and guide you back without the aid of a computer. Alright, so it can't do that. At least have it so that you can create a route with some Bluetooth access to a cell phone to the internet. No, you need a computer. That's dumb. And at $300? That's dumber.

Sony, let me use your freakin' CF slot to add my own GPS devices. One that can make routes on the fly and doesn't cost $300. In other words, one that doesn't suck.

Whoops.. forgot to mention that was a good review.. definitely kept me away from this one. I'll be waiting for Eruware to release a CF peripheral driver.

[soulreaver99]

Oh yeah, I wrote a little comic to compliment the review, check it out too!

http://www.stripcreator.com/view.php?author=blackhaloinc&ID=168026

[ballistic]

Great review, nice photos.

One thing; from your photo it looks like you mounted the antenna on the ceiling pointing down. http://www.station172.com/blackhal/gallery/albums/album09/DSC00027.thumb.jpg

GPS antennas work best (are designed) when they are mounted with a direct line of sight to the sky (ie on the dashboard below the windshield), kind of like a satellite dish. Right now you are picking up the signals as they bounce off your dashboard and up to your antenna. If you move your antenna from you ceiling to your dashboard, your update/reception problem at 'maniac' speeds will probably disappear.

You can see my GPS setup for my NX70V and the antenna on the front of the dash under the windshield here (http://webpages.charter.net/bgav/NX70V_Cradle.jpg).

The limitation of downloading maps of areas and routes from the computer to the Clie has always been a problem with RM's Streetfinder, and the maps are huge in file size. With Mapopolis and others, you can have maps of whole counties (and states) on your MS and then put in a starting point and destination on the PDA for route mapping and turn-by-turn directions. I have all of MA, RI and CT on my MS and it only takes up around 25 MB.

Again, great review highlighting the pros/cons and strengths & weaknesses of the car cradle. There are other options available for those that find the car cradle too limited and proprietary in terms of the mapping software, or if they own anincompatible model (NX60, NX70, NZ90). Check this thread (http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22769&highlight=gps+alternatives) if you have an incompatible NX60/70 or NZ series, or if you want to explore and discuss options other than the PEGA-CC5.

[soulreaver99]

Ahh, thanks for the tip. I'm gonna give that a try later on today.

[JwY]

good review

[oyakov]

Does anybody know what SonyStyle return policy is?

[soulreaver99]

30 days. They can charge you upto 25% of the purchase price depending on how it's returned such as missing packaging or whatever. Its upto them to decide.

[JwY]

they said 10 days for pdas at the sony store i went to
they didnt charge me for my return
guess i was nice
haha

[soulreaver99]

Wow, I got mine online and I think it said 30 days.

[sonycrazie]

[[
You can see my GPS setup for my NX70V and the antenna on the front of the dash under the windshield here (http://webpages.charter.net/bgav/NX70V_Cradle.jpg).

Hi Ballistic,
It's kind of off topic but I do have a question. Is it a laptop mount there in your car, the one next to the temperature switch? If it is, can you give me a link to the product since I'm looking for one to install in my SUV.
Cheers
Stephen

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by ballistic
Great review, nice photos.

One thing; from your photo it looks like you mounted the antenna on the ceiling pointing down. http://www.station172.com/blackhal/gallery/albums/album09/DSC00027.thumb.jpg

GPS antennas work best (are designed) when they are mounted with a direct line of sight to the sky (ie on the dashboard below the windshield), kind of like a satellite dish. Right now you are picking up the signals as they bounce off your dashboard and up to your antenna. If you move your antenna from you ceiling to your dashboard, your update/reception problem at 'maniac' speeds will probably disappear.

You can see my GPS setup for my NX70V and the antenna on the front of the dash under the windshield here (http://webpages.charter.net/bgav/NX70V_Cradle.jpg).


Maybe he wants to run in landscape mode instead of portrait... :D

Ballistic is correct, the antenna has to have a clear shot to the sky and also be in the correct orientation. Otherwise it will be inaccurate for your bearing, headings, speed, and what not.

I have automatic tracking in my truck, some know where to go on the web and follow my trail, location, and speed. My Garmin is tied into one of my 2-way radios and it beacons my location and other parameters. I can also send and receive packet messages. The one radio has something similar to a builtin PC. I can also track others on the Garmin as they show up as waypoints. Even the ISS, the Internatiol Space Station, the only problrm there is, that the screen is blank. It will tell me that the space station is 270 degrees and 1270 miles away from my location. Ham radio was a big part of the space program. So the astronauts communicate with the various schools around the world via 2-way radio. I noticed Ballistic has a few radio receivers stashed under his dash.:)

[soulreaver99]

I fixed the antenna and stuck it on the windshield. It's noticiably more accurate. Thanks!

[ballistic]

Originally posted by sonycrazie
[[
You can see my GPS setup for my NX70V and the antenna on the front of the dash under the windshield here (http://webpages.charter.net/bgav/NX70V_Cradle.jpg).

Hi Ballistic,
It's kind of off topic but I do have a question. Is it a laptop mount there in your car, the one next to the temperature switch? If it is, can you give me a link to the product since I'm looking for one to install in my SUV.
Cheers
Stephen

No, it is a cellphone cradle that I also use for holding a handheld wideband receiver.
JottoDesk (http://www.jottodesk.com) makes some of the nicest laptop mounts, they attach to the seat rail bolt for a clean, simple installation.

n2ifp, I wanted to get my ticket for a while, but haven't gotten around to it. If I get into yet another $$ hobby, my wife will get :mad: . I can listen to you guys, but can't chime in.

soulreaver99, glad to hear you're getting better reception and accuracy. I've found since the signal spoofing was turned off a few years ago, I can get around 5 meter accuracy. The main problems come down to outdated maps.

[soulreaver99]

Oh yeah, speaking of maps. Rand MacNally SUCKs

[tjpyles]

Soulreaver99, I think that's a pretty thorough and good review. I also have bought the Car Cradle, and although it doesn't do everything I thought it would, I seem to be a little more pleased than you are. I think my situation is different in...

1. that using the computer to plan routes is not huge problem for me. 95% of my travel plans come while I am at work sitting in front of my computer anyway.

2. I had the same problem with FM modulation so I used a tape adapter. I know some are opposed to tape adapters, but that made all the difference in the world to me. Sound quality is superb and the convenience of the remote with my MP3 list is huge.

My two biggest gripes are portability - GPS has to be used in the car with cradle and the Audio Player Sony tries to pass off as a good song solution. But, for the most part I am happy and plan on keeping it. It seems to fit my needs a little better. Still think your points are very valid.

[ballistic]

If I didn't have a GPS solution already for my NX70V (Mapopolis Platinum + GPS, Rikaline GPS mouse w/ T-series connector, Arkon mount) I would have a hard time considering the PEGA-CC5.

The majority of the time I use my Clie/GPS when I get called at the last minute to get to point B from point A. I need the capability of having all of the maps I need on my device (Memory Stick) and the ability to map the route and get turn-by-turn directions on my Clie without relying on a computer.

Another major disadvantage IMHO is that you are limited in what you can use your Clie for once it is in the PEGA-CC5 cradle. For $299 you shouldn't be limited to using only those apps accessible from the 'finger' GUI, you should have full use of your device and full access to all of your apps. You shouldn't operate your PDA while driving, but that isn't an excuse to restrict the functionality of the PDA in the car cradle.

[soulreaver99]

It would be nice to be able to view movie files in the car cradle. Hell thatw ould be awesome, almost like having a DVD player in the car, because you can load the MQV files onto the memory stick. Of course, you can barely access cr@p on the car GUI. Once again, Sony screws up what could've been a good idea.

[Reggie]

I'm currently doing a Palm OS navigation shoot-out/review article (Sony car cradle, Garmin iQue, Mapopolis). If you want some other things in the review post them here:

http://cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=23625

Thanks.

[soulreaver99]

For those still wondering, this thing DOES NOT work with the NX70. I repeat, it DOES NOT work.

[M@C]

For those still wondering, this thing DOES NOT work with the NX70. I repeat, it DOES NOT work.

Can you give a reason?
Is it that the software will not run?
The cradle will not recognise the clie?

There have been a number of products that didn't work without modification such
as keyboards. I'm wondering if this is such a product or if there is a technical
reason that it will never work.

Thanks for any info,

M@C

[helmutk]

For what it's worth you can now get the CLIE GPS Car Cradle for $238 + shipping from an online retailer.
This seems to make it a much better deal and I couldn't resist the offer and ordered one. :D