Product Reviews

We've seen quite a rush of GPS kits recently. However, one of the PDA pioneers, Navman, was conspicuously late to market with its Bluetooth version. Whereas we tested Socket and TomTom's offerings four months ago, Navman's Bluetooth-based GPS 4400 Wireless has only just arrived in the office.

Navman has taken a slightly different tack to the Bluetooth devices we've seen so far. Unlike the Socket and TomTom versions, the 4400 doesn't use a rechargeable battery. Instead, three AAA batteries will power it for 30 hours, and carrying replacements won't dent your luggage space. On the minus side, if you don't have any handy or aren't near a shop, you'll have to leave the power plugged in. For in-car use, this is unlikely to be a problem, though, as a DC cigarette lighter adaptor is supplied.

However, the AC adaptor isn't split to provide PDA power as well, nor is it compatible with an iPAQ, for example. Given the GPS has a 30-hour battery life and most PDAs endure just a few hours of constant use, you'll probably need to invest in a car adaptor for your PDA and a mounting kit so you can see it when you're driving. The 4400 itself comes with a windscreen-mounting device and straps to go round your arm or neck, so you can easily use it when not in a car as well. It isn't waterproof,

Once you've sorted out the PDA power and mounting, the 4400 is a smooth operator. It comes with the latest 1.96 version of Navman's SmartST Professional, although we patched this with the most recent service pack (SP 2). The 1.96 release isn't noticeably different in use to the versions supplied with the previous 3400 and 3450 models. GPS hardware setup is different, though, as it now allows manual COM port and communication speed.

Setting up a Bluetooth connection is well documented for both Pocket PC 2002 and 2003, although the latter requires the SP 2 patch. We had no problems getting the PDA to receive data from the GPS. The 4400 has Navman's latest GPS circuitry, like the 3450 and 3300 Terrain, so it locks quickly given a good line of site, taking scarcely more than a minute the first time and much less after that. In vehicles with athermic windows, which prevent the weak GPS satellite signals from getting through, you can plug in an external aerial and place it outside the car.

SmartST Professional now includes street-level NavTech maps for the whole of the UK and most of Europe. Searching for an address by area and street name is very capable in the UK, although finding European addresses can be hit and miss if you're unsure of the local spelling. Routes are calculated quickly, and if you head off the dictated route the software will swiftly recalculate a new direction. However, the spoken commands can occasionally be misleading, telling you to bear left when the road twists right, although the visual map never let us down.

Navman's GPS 4400 Wireless is an effective performer. It's easy to set up and works well. Only the problem with powering both a PDA and the GPS in a car let it down. Otherwise, if you're looking to add GPS navigation to your Bluetooth-equipped Pocket PC's range of capabilities, the 4400 makes a great choice.