Allen Sports Navigator Mobile Phone Software and Bluetooth GPS Device

by Allen Sports

Product Features

• Mobile WAAS-enabled GPS receiver for use with several models of cell phones
• Offers turn-by-turn directions, including visual guidance and voice commands
• Continually updates mapping and point-of-interest (POI) data via mobile network
• Power Search database with 20-million-plus POIs; includes AC and car chargers
• Intuitive menu system; universal phone/PDA holder with mounting hardware

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Enjoy turn-by-turn driving directions--including visual guidance and voice commands--through your existing mobile phone with the Allen Sports Navigator mobile GPS receiver. In addition to offering all the benefits of an expensive standalone navigation system, the unit continually updates your mapping and point of interest (POI) data over your mobile network (so it's always up to date), and tracks anywhere in the world using Google Earth. The map coverage includes street-level maps of the U.S. and Canada, with additional maps available for purchase. The Power Search database, meanwhile, offers more than 20 million POIs, all available in a single search that includes the Yellow Pages, White Pages, Wcities, and Tele Atlas.

Thanks to the intuitive menu system, you can quickly and conveniently look up business or residential addresses and navigate your way there. Best of all, every one of these features is available through a device that you already carry wherever you go--your mobile phone. The Allen Sports Navigator bundle comes with a WAAS-enabled, SiRF III Bluetooth GPS Receiver, an AC and car charger, a universal phone/PDA holder with mounting hardware for cars and bicycles, and a software package.

Key Features:

• 2D and 3D Maps
• Map coverage includes street level maps of USA and Canada
• Map and Point of Interest (POI) data is delivered over your mobile network, so it's always up to date
• Nightmode for low light conditions
• Power Search database offers over 20 Million POI’s.
• Product includes lifetime license on Navigator software, so there are no recurring fees

This Sports Navigator GPS Device includes street-level maps of the U.S. and Canada.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000WS204Y
• Item model number: GPS-710
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,204 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #35 in Sports & Outdoors > Bikes & Accessories > Accessories > Cycling GPS Units

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Small Device with Big Features!, March 9, 2008

By 

Martin A Hogan "Marty From SF" (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Allen Sports Navigator Mobile Phone Software and Bluetooth GPS Device (Sports)

(What's this?)

As I did not want to purchase a full Garmin type GPS system, I found this Allen GPS receiver was exactly what I was looking for in price and size. It's exactly the size of an iPod nano (the smallest version). The kit comes with an adjustable attachment for your car's vent louvers and can hold the Allen GPS and your phone. It also comes with an AC charger and a car charger (unlike most cell phones). I have the "Sony Ericsson W580i", as I like a clear vivid screen and the slide motion. Once you enter your start position and final destination, you are on your way. The screen can be viewed in plan view or in `bird's eye (perspective) mode. You will receive visual guidance and voice commands. A British female voice announces whether you are ½ mile or 100 yards from your next turn and then announces, "Turn left here" or whatever is appropriate. (Note that Allen Navigator GPS was first popular in the United Kingdom).

It notates your speed, distance to turns and `beeps' twice after successfully completing a turn. Because it uses your mobile network, it is continually updating map and POI information; meaning you never have to update your mapping information - ever. That's a big savings in money and time.

The Allen Navigator GPS software (www.mywayfinder.com) is best downloaded from your phone (check compatibility). With www.mywayfinder.com, you can track your position on GOOGLE Earth and create favorites. This version includes the entire USA. You can also purchase map coverage of other countries, which is not always available from other devices. You also don't need Tele-Nav, which AT&T (my provider) told me I did need. The battery life is amazingly long, so recharges are not often and I was surprised at its accuracy (within 10 yards driving)! It has a cool night mode viewing screen as well.

I am not a tech genius (really, I am not at all), so I found the initial downloading to be slightly time consuming, but then I had trouble with my Sony Ericsson cell phone too. Now that it is set-up and working, it is almost intuitive. Taking a five hour trek from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe, it was remarkably accurate as to all my several stops. There are literally millions of services or POI information. I had fun finding a steak & lobster restaurant, as well as gas and an ATM. The only drawback I could find is that the message, "Allow Application To Send To The Internet?" would frequently pop-up, but all this meant was I had to press the YES button a few times. Also, this device is meant for driving, so it won't work where you cannot get cell coverage, like hiking in the mountains. But I understand that this company is coming out with a version that will work in remote places. Very cool device.

Note that the price has come down significantly, making this unit much more desirable in lieu of a full GPS unit.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate! Portable! With lots of cool features!, March 18, 2008

By 

Sue from Cincy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Allen Sports Navigator Mobile Phone Software and Bluetooth GPS Device (Sports)

Everything that you read in electronics talks about convergence of everything onto a single device, so when I heard about this item, I had to try it! Having used the VZ Navigator on a previous mobile phone, I had low expectations about mobile phone based GPS Navigation, but I was blown away by the features and functionality of the Navigator.

My Phone:
I own a Samsung Blackjack II running on the AT&T network, which Allen lists as a compatible device for version 7 of their software. Although this phone comes with Tele-Nav navigation support, I chose the Allen Sports Navigator since there are no recurring monthly fees. Also, Allen's product comes with map coverage of USA & Canada, with additional countries available - Tele-Nav only offer map coverage for the US.

Installing the Software onto your phone:
Step #1 in using this product is to install the Navigator onto your phone. Enter Allen's download address into your phone's web browser, select your phone model (which in my case was Windows SmartPhone), choose your language, and start the download. Once installed, follow the directions to activate your software. The whole process is pretty simple, and takes about 3-5 minutes.

Pairing the GPS Receiver:
The product comes with a Bluetooth GPS Receiver, which you need to pinpoint your location and allow the navigation to function properly. This pairs up with you phone like a bluetooth headset. It is about the size of an iPod Nano.

Using the software:
I found the software to be very easy to use. The maps show up very well, even on my phone's small screen. When you are using the product in navigation mode you can toggle between the map view and two other screens which show you your destination information and and your upcoming turn information. All of the information provided is extrmely accurate and relevent. In navigation mode you can use view your position in 2D or 3D mode - this is where this product beat the pants off of VZ Navigator.

Other cool features:
Since this product is cellular based it has the ability to send your coordinates out over your cellular network, which will allow you to track where your phone is and where it's been. All of this can be viewed at the Navigator member site using your username and password. This has been really fun for my husband and kids to see where I am when I travel on business.

Overall:
I really like this product. It's awesome having my GPS Navigation running on my mobile phone, and it is very easy to use. I would recomend this product to anyone who is looking for GPS Navigation, and has a compatible phone with a data plan. You need the data plan for the maps and routes to load properly. Most unlimited data plans cost about $10, and if you use your phone for text messages and email you probably already have one. I would not recommend this product to someone without a cellular plan or that lives in an area with limited cellular coverage.

I can't wait for more products like this that will let me get more out of my cell phone!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Wouldn't work with my phone, October 26, 2008

By 

mellion108 (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Allen Sports Navigator Mobile Phone Software and Bluetooth GPS Device (Sports)

(What's this?)

This product seemed like a great thing to integrate with my phone. However, once I got it, I found out that it only worked with certain phones and mine wasn't one of them. Therefore, I cannot really provide a review of the functionality but just a note of caution to check compatibility before purchasing.