Garmin iQue 3600 PDA/GPS Handheld System with Americas Detailed Street Mapping

The iQue 3600's the first PDA to include integrated GPS technology. With the power of Palm OS 5 as well as the dependability of Garmin GPS technology, this "Super PDA" redefines multi-tasking. The integrated software not only allows you to look up appointments or contacts, but also locates and routes you to them with voice-guidance commands!PRODUCT FEATURES:Integrated Que technology, with Garmin GPS and mapping software;Flip-up integrated GPS patch antenna can be positioned for optimal reception;Speaker for voice-guidance commands, MP3 player, and message playback;Voice recorder for making memos, quick notes, and messages on the fly;Rechargeable internal Lithium-ion battery (charges in cradle or while connected to adapter);New ARM processor enhances battery life, screen redraw, graphics, and audio.I love my Garmin IQue 3600 when it works. The maps are clear as well as accurate (when you have the latest database), the GUI is very good, the display looks great. There's exclusively 2 problems: 1.) It crashes a lot 2.) The power system is terrible. Problem number 1 I able to live with; all 3 of the Palm PDAs I've owned have had problems with crashing; I'm almost always having to reset them. Problem number 2 is a show-stopper for me. The battery life is very short to start with, but it's more than that. The unit seems to draw power when it's off, too. I put it away with half battery life left, and the next day it's so depleted it won't even turn on. I've sent the unit in for repair twice, and although the customer service at Garmin is excellent, the basic problem remains. Once, they actually replaced the whole unit, too, so I do not think I just have a "lemon". The same thing happens every time; it starts out with a battery life of about 30 - 40 minutes without the GPS and with the screen brightness as low as I could set it and still be able to see it. After a week or so, it goes down to 15 - 20 minutes, then as time goes by it gets down to 5 - 10 minutes, and finally it won't run at all unless it's on the charger. Maybe it's due to I use the PDA function all the time, and it's not meant for that. Maybe it boils down to this; it's great as a GPS, but lousy as a PDA if you want to use it every day. I'm very disappointed in it, and I hope that Garmin can solve the power problems many time in the future.

Tags: garmin ique 3600 pda gps