borat

I'm looking at getting a semi-smart phone. I don't need anything fancy or overly technical. First item of priority is the GPS aspect. After that, I want the phone, then an MP3 player and the camera.

I've read about the iPhone and it's capability to run TomTom apps in true GPS. However, I'm partial to Garmin products. I've also been reading a fair amount about the Nuvifone and it's not been getting too much good press. From what I gather, the most important negative aspect with the Nuvifone (to me) is it's battery life. Sounds like it gets about two hours while in GPS mode. I already have 12V and AC battery chargers for my existing Garmin products so, charging is not an issue. I'm also aware that the Nuvifone battery is replaceable and a second battery can be bought for around 50 USD. So, I plan to buy one for back up purposes.

From what I've read, it sounds like the people who evaluated the Nuvifone were techno nerds with woodies for iPhones. They seemed to be enthralled with all of the apps and had less concern with whether the device had true GPS, which is a priority to me.

Another thing I need to know is if anyone in Canada has one and what telephone system they have it working with. It's sold as an AT&T compatible product which we do not have access to in Canada. I'm wondering if a Rogers sim is available for it or if there's some work around that I can get to make it work with Rogers?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has true life experiences with a Nuvifone.

MTalvola

Is it even out and available to the "regular" public? I've never even heard of anyone actually having one in the states. Even if it is, the main problem with the Nuvifone is that it's "old tech". I thought it looked outdated (including the interface/menus) when I first saw it probably two years ago during some overseas electronics trade show video and it was supposed to be the HOT thing then. It still doesn't look much better from the more recent videos Ive seen. There are MUCH "sexier" products out, and that's mainly what the public wants. There would be no comparison with a Nuvifone next to the latest iPhone or Droid. Plus, I remember it being rather expensive. Sadly, Garmin missed the boat on that one...big time...

borat

Outdated is fine with me provided it does what I want. I really don't care about "sexy" or over-the-top techno gizmology. Just want the basics and good battery life. By the way, the Nuvifone appears to be readily available and is relatively inexpensive. Amazon have it for $216.00 without a phone plan. That's half the price of an iPhone in this country.

I appreciate your opinion however, what I need is an "experienced" owner's point of view.

MTalvola

Well, then if all you want is "the basics" and "good battery life", it sounds like you are 50% SOL from the get-go because of the poor battery alone. Not a very favorable position. I've NEVER heard or seen anything good about it in that regard. Nice to see it really came down in price...because it HAD to. I guarantee it wouldn't sell at anywhere twice that price in the range of the other phones.

Good luck with your info quest. I won't be buying one...

HumVee

borat,

I'm not sure that anyone on the forum has a Garmin nüvifone G60 yet - you may end up being the first! I did find some online reviews that might help you decide one way or the other:

• My Garmin Asus nuvifone G60 experience - positive review
• navigadget.com nuviphone G60 reviews - more like snipits from other reviews, mostly negative
• Garmin Nuvifone G60 GPS Phone Review: Do Not Buy - negative review (obviously)
• Garmin Nuviphone G60 Smartphone is a navigator’s dream, but lacks business functionality - positive review

Regardless of the reviews, if the device has the features you desire, at the price you are willing to spend - go for it. Just make sure that your are happy with the seller's return policy, and then really put the device through it's paces during that time period. If you end up not liking it - send it back.

I do like that it's a full blown GPS device, with microSD card slot and the ability to use additional City Navigator NT maps. That's a big step up from products such as TomTom App for iPhone or even Garmin's own Garmin Mobile product for SmartPhones and Blackberry.

borat

Thanks for the info HumVee.

I agree that it's the GPS aspect that appeals to me most. I don't text at all and I'm not a big phone talker either. I'd bet that I'd use the phone less than five times a month. The camera and MP3 player is also convenient. Don't really care about the other features. My biggest concern is battery power. I'll read the links you provided. I had previously read one or two of them before. I suspect that the guys that are really down on this thing are techno nerds looking for advanced apps that the unit does not support nor do I need.

Sure would be nice to hear from someone who has actually had experience with one.

Thanks again.

MTalvola

Good luck!

As it's already been said...you aren't going to get much "experience with one" here.

Did you LOOK at the user reviews here?

Garmin Nuvifone G60 (AT&T) user ratings and Smartphone user reviews and reviews - CNET Reviews

HumVee

MTalvola, I think borat is well within the discussion forum guidelines for posting his questions here. We have all kinds of forum members here, with all kinds of levels of expertise. I know you are a big advocate for people doing the research themselves, but there's nothing wrong with borat using this forum as one more place to find information. And his question of whether any forum members already own the product and can give their opinion is perfectly valid (IMHO).

At the risk of upsetting you (I really do appreciate your input on so many of the discussions), I'd suggest that you simply ignore the posts that annoy you and focus on the ones that interest you.... That's entirely my opinion, and you can take it or leave it.

MTalvola

I never said he was asking irrelevant questions or he was operating "outside the guidelines". You said yourself that he may very well be the first here if he ends up getting one.

borat

Thanks for the link. Read a few of the reviews. Sounds like this is the phone/gps for me. I'll just buy a spare battery for it. Now to find an unlocked G60 for sale. Any tips?

MTalvola

Nope. No "personal experience", remember? However, anything I can find...you can also find just as easily...

HumVee

The best price I see for it is $318.44 ("Buy Now, or best offer," Canadian dollars, not including shipping) on ebay Canada. There's also listings for bids, if you want to try to get it for less & don't mind playing the auction game.

borat

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

doppler

I would like to add to this discussion, As I do not have any details I would wait till April before you purchase this. You will be MUCH happier with what is coming. The most I can give is a link to assist.

Android Nuvifone From Garmin-ASUS To Be Revealed Next Month, Possibly WinMo Handsets Too - Garmin-asus android - Gizmodo

MTalvola

Now THAT looks like something interesting... I hope Verizon picks it up. They should as they already have Droid based phones.

HumVee

According to this article, the ASUS M10 (Windows Mobile OS version 6.5.3) is due to be released February 6th (next week). But the Mobile World Congress conference is actually February 15-18 this year (just a week or so further out). The reason I bring it up is that the Android OS (version 2.x, I should hope) would likely have very similar hardware specifications. And with the rumors of the Android phone version being announced at the conference, maybe we'll learn more details then.

However, borat has expressed interest in purchasing a hybrid device this primarily a GPS unit - his phone needs (& certainly SmartPhone capability needs) appear to be very secondary. Also, he mentioned cost as a primary consideration - and with these upcoming devices likely to be over $400 US, I'm not sure he'll be interested. What are your thoughts, borat?

borat

After a lot of exhaustive research, I've come to the conclusion that operating any type of smart phone in Canada is ridiculously expensive. Base smart phone packages start at $50.00/month. Additional data plans start at another $25.00/month. There are no phone companies in this country that permit the use of Nuvifones. Unlocking and obtaining a sim are additional obstacles to overcome. Not going to happen.

The whole plan has pretty much unravelled. I already have two Garmin GPS products. A Nuvi 255W and a Map 60 csx. I have a cell phone on a pay as you go basis ($10.00/mo.) when I have it fired up. I have two digital cameras. One big, one small. I have two MP3 players. One old, one new. The new one accepts micro SD cards and can hold tons of music. I also have a Mac laptop that's slim and light making it easy to pack around.

So, I'll just pack the junk that the wife and I will want to take on our trip to Hawaii and spend the phone money on a helicopter ride over Kilauea and the Pipeline.

MTalvola

There ya go. The Nüvifone is DEFINITELY not worth it with those "operating costs", especially with its outdated hardware/interface.

And, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is awesome, so check them out. I have a very good friend who flies for them. He's a fellow former Navy helo pilot.

However, any helo tour for you and your wife is going to cost quite a bit more than that $300 or so "phone money" at $300+ per person...

borat

Yeah. I know they're expensive to rent/ride in. I used to work for an outfit that required us to inspect railway rights of way for beaver dams and potential for flood/washout problems that they can cause. We'd rent a four passenger Bell helo for $865.00/hr plus fuel and lubricants. That was twenty years ago. When I said the "phone money", I was also including the $600.00 to $900.00/yr. for the phone plan.

Blue Hawaiian? Are they on all of the islands? We'll be going to Oahu, Maui and Hawaii (big island).

MTalvola

Yes, they do tours of all the islands.

borat

I've looked into Blue Hawaiian and will definitely be booking a tour. I'll be doing the Circle of Fire Plus Water Falls tour out of Hilo. Prices are great really. I'll probably book another tour when we're on Oahu. I want to see some big surf.

Thanks again for the tip.

MTalvola

Winter is the time for big surf on Oahu's North Shore. Pretty damned impressive, not to mention the people actually surfing in it! If you like shrimp, you MUST do the Giovanni's shrimp truck thing on the north shore. The lemon shrimp is awesome. Just be careful with the spicy shrimp, though. It even says "no refunds" on the side of the truck if it's too hot. There are a lot of shrimp trucks, but the locals all claim Giovanni's is the best.

'Ono Kine Grindz: Giovanni's Aloha Shrimp