Customer Reviews

Caliber P-3600 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

So simple to use I got the 3600 up and running without looking at the manual. Fast route calculation (about 6 sec)and great graphics.
This is an incredible value for under $300. The Caliber 3600 works as well as my friends GPS that he paid $450 for.

Thanks to Enzo for a tip to adjust the volume and brightness:try pressing menu key for 3 seconds. You will see small menu to access volume and brightness.

I bought it from OfficeMax online store. This unit is fast, takes no more than 10 seconds to fix a spot. The sirf chip is sensitive enough to keep tracking my location even in places with high buildings or under heavy tree shade, it was even able to fix a location inside my room.
One nice feature is that it draws a dotted straight line linking your current position and your destination, so you always know which direction your destination is relative to you current position.
It gives the clear voice navigation after a ding, like what you hear in an airport, ( I like this better than the Mio C310x male voice.)

Con: unlike Mio c310x, it doesn't have volume bottons, to change the volume you have to quite navigation and go to the system setup windows, same for adjusting the screen brightness.
Also, one thing I don't understand is the adress book, why can we just have some buttons like"save" "edit" and "delect", so I can simple manage my adress book better. Now if I want to save a adress for later use, I have to first type in the address, reset it as my current location, then add it to the address book, ( Mio does this similar thing ). I'm confused about this "work around" and found it's very annoying. But that's really not a big issue based on its very competitive price, around $230 you can't find any better deal than this.

The GPS unit functions well. I've been told that there are a few bugs to work out, but if you just go to the Caliber website there is an update for the unit on the website that you can download to the preloaded SD card. For it's price, I personally think it's one of the best out there on the market. My friend got a MIO on black friday and it works just the same. If you can't figure out how to use the unit after a few minutes of messing around with it, I say you are just technologically inept. It's easy to use and comes with plenty of cool features (MP3 and picture viewer). I also suggest that if you do not have a USB or built in sandisk card reader for your computer to get one as well, there are a lot of cheap ones out there and it will be pretty crucial for the software updates (unless you have the usb cable for the GPS unit.

What I like:
Good voice directions. It gives audible alerts as approaching turns. Double-audible (ding) at turn. If you missed the instructions (because someone was chattering) you can touch an icon that will repeat the last instructions. An arrow near the top of the screen shows the direction of your next turn and street name. The on-screen route indicator gives you an idea of what's ahead. I found this especially helpful when I went to a co-worker's house to which I've never been before and I was able to see in advance the winding roads ahead (heads up to slow down). Indicators in the lower & upper right corners of the screen update as you proceed to show you an ETA (e.i. 10:49 pm), time & miles to destination and current time.
You can set routing for shortest or fastest route. You can avoid highways, tolls and backroads alike.
You can touch the screen at any place and the unit will automatically zoom to that area. Sort a quick way to see what's ahead/around without changing the scale. Another icon gets you back to normal view. You can also change the scale of POI's to anywhere from 1/8th of a mile to 1/32. This was helpful when my wife and I went to pick up a car in an unfamiliar area and she went off to find the nearest craft store while I signed papers.
Unit automatically adjusts for day/night use. Helps to cut down on/adjust for sunglare and other lighting changes.
Make a wrong turn or take a different route and the unit recalcs loc and puts you back on track.
You can save & rename (e.g. Ann's house) previous locations the unit has routed you to. I only wished that you could clear the old settings with one touch; instead, you need to hit a clear/delete button for each letter you want erased within the street name. You can also store your home and office address and have the unit route you in a matter of two screen touches.
Has a smart-speller. After you key in the area/zip you want to go to; you can key in the first two or three letters (depending on the names in the area) of the street name and the unit automatically populates with the street you want to go to.

Little quirks:
Only one 'speaking' language comes loaded. Unit switches so that one is able to read different languages; however, still speaks directions in English. If you want different languages you have to use the DVD ROM that came with the unit to change voice guidance and download the info to your SD card (one comes with the unit).
If you're looking for say North Stratford street the unit won't recognize it right away. Rather you need to enter Stratford and the unit gives you options: say - North Stratford, Stratford, East Stratford, etc.

Negatives:
Time setting for unit does not automatically adjust for daylight savings time.
POI's shows auto repair shops, but do not include auto parts stores.

Have had the unit for roughly two months now and have routed roughly 6 or so trips with no problems.

I purchased the Caliber GPS for myself and then one for my daughter. We both find them relatively easy to use and accurate finding locations. The battery life when charged and not used is not the longest and could be improved. I use the cigarette lighter cord and have no difficulties with power. The window mount works adequately well but can com loose if not moistened prior to attaching. Overall I feel this is a good value item, cost versus function. Hard to find one that will do as well for the money.

This unit would not open in the GPS mode so I emailed the company (only way you can contact them), got a RMS number and returned it for repair. That was over 2 months ago. I know they received it because it was sent insured so it could be tracked. I have sent numerous emails inquiring on the status of the unit, but they do not respond. What am I to do? I hope others learn from my mistake and avoid buying from this company.

Purchased this unit for upcoming trip to Canada. Once there the unit will was not able to find the address instead kept displaying some error became useless. Had to relay on the paper maps. Called the customer service and could not speak to anyone and had to leave the message. No one called back. Finally downloaded the software to be able to use the unit. Tried to use in NJ and ended up at some different address. Totally unreliable unit. Have not been able to use it. I would have returned the unit but I did not test the unit in a timely manner so it was too late to return. I am stuck with this useless unit.

I purchased two of the Caliber P-3600 after reviewing as much data on other units as I could stand. The reason for two units is that both of us can have one as we go in different directions at least once a week. Out of the box I charged them both. Yes, they have an AC charger included that many others do not and there also is the charger for the car. I did read the owners manual first. It is adequate and understandable. Next I tried the "DEMO" mode to a location. The directions were great and the display was exceptional. You have a choice of looking at a map(and split screen) or line by line text. The voice guidance was very clear and responded appropriately to the directions. There was always plenty of time prior to making a turn with the unit giving you a double chime near the turn. If this unit had a "text to speech", it would really be at the top of GPS units. It utilizes the "Navteq" maps in the system. Do not hesitate to consider this unit. The ease of operation and the accuracy of it probably cannot be beat by others regardless of price.
By the way, I found these on sale at PC Connection.com for half off of other sites.

I know this GPS doesn't have a flashy recognizable name, but it is the most awesome and user-friendly electronic device I've EVER owned! My car widow was smashed and my first one was stolen, but I'm ordering this again because I love it and it's NEVER let me down. You may have some trial and error and I once had to "recalibrate" the GPS ... but read your darn manual. This product is AWESOME.

All,

I purchased this product and found following issues:

1) Too slow to respond in San Francisco area
2) 50% of times it complains that SD card is not inserted properly, however, in reality it is inserted. You then have to take it out and re-insert and restart.
3) One has to go through long process for adjusting the volume
4) One has to accept the terms every time this unit is started
5) Customer service requires one to leave a message and the response is not prompt.

Conclusion, if you value your $$, do NOT buy this unit.

Alpesh