Customer Reviews

Garmin Mobile PC

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Garmin has some of the best customer service I've ever dealt with. Very fast to respond to emails and phone calls. I needed support because I switched from Garmin NRoute to Mobile PC and needed to know where some of the features that I was used to using were, and how to "upgrade". Both programs can exist simultaneously! This is an even better program if you have a touchscreen laptop (which I do). Everything is extremely simple, yet still customizable. Very fast responses to searching and great Points of Interest database. I love this new version. I use primarily a very old Pentium II (panasonic toughbook cf-27) computer to run it, and it must just barely meet the requirements, but if you put it on a newer computer, you get a lot more visual candy. Very appealing software and very smooth movement on a newer computer. If you're deciding between this and one of the self-contained dashboard units, everything looks better on a 13" laptop screen than a 3" or 5". I believe that makes the software safer to use than a dashboard unit. Online features a also a huge bonus - where is the closest cheapest gas station? - Done in 20 seconds on the old laptop and 5 seconds on the new one I have. This also completely BLOWS AWAY Microsoft streets and trips for the same price, and is a lot, I mean a ton and a half easier to use. I do service work, so I use this software all day every day to get around the Greater Cincinnati area. I've heard reviews that it compares to using one of their Muvi line of products (which I do not own). It also has room for expansion although not much extra is available for it yet.

Garmin makes excellent GPS systems for your auto. I have used one for several years, however, the Garmin Mobile PC software is not what I expected. Insallation wasn't too bad but not as easy as Microsoft Streets and Trips 2009. The Garmin software operates much like the Garmin 360 in my auto and is primarily designed for providing driving information as you travel down the street. If you need to route out a trip, look at details and play "what if scenarios" it will not do it. In my opinion most people would be better off applying the Garmin software cost to a handheld Garmin. They are much more portable and usable. The GPS receiver that comes with the Garmin software does not work as well as their handheld units. On the other hand the Streets and Trips loaded on a PC makes it easy to route a trip and modify it as needed. It can be used to plan trips,even without a GPS reciever connected. I have removed the Garmin Mobile PC software from my computer and have purchased the Micorsoft product.

I was a DeLorme GPS software user but wanted a PC based product that displayed in "3D", similar to the small GPS units in use today. Garmin Mobile PC software does just that, and does it well. The moving map displays the same as the small dash mounted units, and have read, is actually the same software modified for the Laptop PC.

Unlike the DeLorme product, which is "2D" based, the Garmin display shows the roads and turns out "ahead" of you, not "above" you. I'm very pleased with the product itself, but the installation could use some tweaking. I had to go to Garmin's FAQ and troubleshooting site to get it to install completely and then, when running it under Windows 7, had to set it to "run as Administrator" to get it to operate correctly. Knowing this ahead of time would have saved me a few hours of frustration, but having successfully installed it, it runs flawlessly on my new HP Pavilion Laptop...

A great product. I use it on a 10 inch laptop and the only thing wrong is the size of the vehicle icon. I use the motorbike icon as it is the smallest but it is still too big. Does not have a bulk delete of waypoints, so you have to delete them five or six at a time. Everything else is great. Just like a gps but you have the use of the computer as well.

This is my third Garmin GPS. All have performed adequately. I would recommend their use to anyone.
Installation of the MobilePC software on a new Lenovo S12 laptop the and USB receiver is straight forward....at first.
When you try to register it at [...] for updates and "free" subscription service, the troubles begin.
1) [...] helpfully offers to tell you where to find the serial number, but does not mention MobilePC. The serial number is not in MobilePC or on the box, but is on the bottom of the USB receiver, starts with "19D", and you may need a magnifying glass to read it. You have to hit continue to get from the "helpful" page to the next web page where the serial number can be entered.
2) You will be given a product key which you should record and also ask for it to be emailed to you. You will also be offered a map update. This update is over 2GB in size and can take a very very long time to download-it's about three CDs worth of data. You have thirty days to do this.
3) When applied, the update can take up to two hours to install. The update will direct you to follow all instructions carefully. This will be a mistake. Do not attach the USB receiver to the computer during the installation of the update or at the end of the install it will fail, and you will have to start over. If the update installation asks you if you if you want to restart your computer now, do **not** do this. It will ask you before the installation is complete and you will have to start over, so wait until the update has asked for your product key and the installation is completed before you restart.
4) The update is labeled 2010 update, but when you finally get it installed it will tell you it's the 2009 data.
5) The free subscription to weather, hotels, fuel prices, flights in MobilePC will ask you for an activation number which you are to get from [...]. Ignore this. Eventually MobilePC will connect with garmin server and automatically start the services after you have registered and submitted the serial number. You may have to restart the MobilePC a few times and connect to the Garmin server.
6) I telephoned customer service, and was told there was an expected 35 minute wait, so I passed on that. E-mail support was slow, terse, unhelpful and uncongenial. The only thing I learned form e-mail support was the location of the serial number, everything else was by trial and error and that took six emails.
I was astounded by these difficulties, as I am used to excellent support from suppliers and at worst, confusing directions, not wrong like Garmin's. I have no idea what these yahoos (after Swift, not Yang & Filo) were thinking when they designed this product, after all, a lot of aircraft depend on Garmin products for navigation.

This product is the perfect solution for a budget. You already have a laptop and would like a GPS but don't want to spend a fortune...this is the one for you. The ease of use is outstanding. A laptop provides a great view, no small GPS screen. The only drawback some might experience is finding a place for the setup to sit in your vehicle. Overcome that and you will be completely satisfied. Happy trails!

Nice software with Garmin GPS receiver,
very good service - all received in time, no damages.
Thanks guys.

I purchased the Garmin Mobile PC hoping it's new technology would improve my older Garmin nRoute for PC.

I was wrong. the new product does not have many of the nice features that nRoute had, like a clear map screen, ability to search all over the US and Europe in high detail, etc. (Garmin no longer supports the nroute maps)
I will keep the Garmin Mobile PC for backup in case my nRoute finally crashes with age. I'm so sorry the new product just does not come up to Garmin's older nRoute

Ordered this GPS system on a thursday, got it on friday, and had it installed in 20 minutes. I have it running in my truck's car-pc so its like a nuvi, only on a 7 inch screen. I especially like the local gas prices and directions to the station. I am very pleased with Garmin and this product.

Works nicely, as advertised, and the process of using it is essentially intuitive, so you can plunge right in. I had to call customer service during the installation, and it was explained that I was using the wrong drive, without being made to feel like an idiot.