Garmin iQue 3600

[Droopy Dick]

A colleague has offered me a Garmin iQue 3600 combined PDA/GPS route planner. It's barely been used and he wants only £400 for it.

Has anyone had any experience of this device?

I'm sure that some sort of bracket could be made to fix it to the GS and it does voice directions so needs to be plugged into my earphone.

I'm very used to using Garmin kit, but only in aircraft and on yachts. I've never used any automotive GPS (yet) but as I'm planning a lengthy trip across France and Switzerland in early September I reckon a GPS device will be very useful.

It has the added advantage that it can be directly linked to my MS Autoroute software for route planning. I'll be taking the laptop with me to deal with digital photos anyway.

 

[richie]

Go for it, good deal with the maps I presume.

Plus ram do a mount for it...

 

[chasr]

But is it waterproof?

 

[simonm]

But is it waterproof?

People have put them in an Otter box or similar - looks like it would be hard to operate though. I'm not convinced the screen would be bright enough either.

 

[gazza]

Have a spare power lead combined speaker and mount for one if required.

 

[richie]

With an otter box I reckon it should be the business. Maybe a bit of a compromise for a moto but overall great unit with a big screen and extra ability.

There was a guy here did a write up on one he used do a search and maybe you'll find it....

 

[Deleted Member I]

I have used one

My brother got one for the car and its great. Can't fault it so far.

Only niggle was solved by upgrading to V.6 of City Navigator maps. On V5, it couldn't do roundabouts properly.

Not tried it on the bike. Power is an issue. The car power lead is linked to a bean bag mount, which makes it a no goer for the bike. Battery power along with GPS running is not really feasible.

Interested to know how you use AUtoroute with the device. I have that too, but didn't know you can link them

T.

 

[chasr]

Re: I have used one

Interested to know how you use AUtoroute with the device. I have that too, but didn't know you can link them T.

Bet you can't.

 

[PanEuropean]

Dick:

I think you would find that the iQue would be very suitable as a reference device (meaning, telling you where you are), but perhaps not entirely suitable as a guidance device on a motorcycle.

It's not in any way waterproof (due to the storage card slot at the top), which means you would need to protect it, as others have mentioned. Once you protect it, it might be difficult to operate the screen with the stylus.

I think that product is a "PDA with additional GPSR capability", not a "GPSR with additional PDA capability", if you know what I mean. I would not recommend it to anyone for moto use unless they defined their primary need as a Palm OS based PDA that could also do navigation. I was asked to be part of the testing team for that one when it was in development, and after looking at the specs, I declined with thanks - I figured I would just have way too much grief with it on the moto due to its physical specs, despite the many capablities it has software-wise.

FYI, the same software engineers who did the software for the SP III and SP 2650 also did the iQue, which means that functionally, it is a first class product. I just think it's a bit too tiny and delicate for moto mounting, but that's just my two cents. It would be great to hear from anyone who has used one on a moto for any length of time, to find out what it is really like.

In your specific case - if you have GBP 400 to spend AND you will be taking a computer with you - you would be far better off to buy a new or used SP III. It will be much easier to use, easier to read, far more durable, and since you will have the computer with you, you don't have to worry about restrictions imposed by data chip size - you can just reload the chip every couple of days as you move along.

PanEuropean

 

[chasr]

you can just reload the chip every couple of days as you move along.

And, I believe, the price of extra storage cards is becoming more reasonable. 2 x 128mb cards - you can store a lot of roads on 256mb

 

[PanEuropean]

Quite true about the chip prices dropping. Only problem with long distance moto touring is that I was always afraid of losing the second chip (I had two 128 meg chips, back in 2001 when that was considered real extravagant). Eventually I sold the second chip for about $200 or something crazy like that, and just stuck to reloading the remaining 128 meg chip every 500 miles or so.

I've got a 512 CF card now (for my 2650) - it's very rare that I have to reload it. I have two mapsets stored on the computer - one for Switzerland and northwest, and one for Switzerland and the other 270 degrees around it - I only have to reload if I plan to travel in different sectors. I have the original 128 meg CF card that came with my GPSR, I have all of Canada loaded on it, for when I go home. Like, this coming Saturday...

PanEuropean

 

[richie]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20799&highlight=ique

There was a thread earlier if you fancy a read...

Remember if you go for it in the UK you'll need a ram mount and otter box combination or you're 400quid will be floating away from you fairly quickly. (read between the lines). Get it and let us know what you think so we can all save our money if it aint any good

 

[davsato]

ique on a bike

i use my ique on the motorcycle, and its great. i have a bracket on the yoke for it and a power feed direct to the battery. if it rains the whole thing goes into the tankbag map pocket where you can operate it through the plastic if you need to and i usually wear earphones to listen to the voice directions, so not really any need to look at the thing anyway.

 

[ozrockrat]

I have a Garmin IQUE that I regularly use on a number of bikes. It is a very good unit and I personally need the added advantage that you can load the basemaps for Europe, North America or the world. The combination I use is a RAM mount with the Garmin auto holder and power adapter. (RAM HOL GA11).

I do put a plastic bag around the speaker unit but can still hear it when I am around town. Also I carry a plastic bag to cover the unit when rain is about (no problem using the stylus through the plastic). So far I have had no issues with viewing the unit while travelling.

It does come into its own when you store all your addresses in the PDA side of the unit and can quickly route to 'Mums' etc.

If you like I will post a picture of my mount setup but sadly not on a bike because I am in Canada and my bikes are in the USA or London.

 

[RAM-man]

Adding to this ...
"The combination I use is a RAM mount with the Garmin auto holder and power adapter. (RAM HOL GA11).

I do put a plastic bag around the speaker unit but can still hear it when I am around town. Also I carry a plastic bag to cover the unit when rain is about (no problem using the stylus through the plastic). So far I have had no issues with viewing the unit while travelling".

There is a dedicated RAM cradle for the iQue3600 which is RAM-HOL-GA10 but this will leave the weatherproofing issue. I recall this subject being 'thrashed' out within this forum a couple of months back. Its true you could use an Otterbox plus their bridge strap then the RAM mount bits. BUT IF YOU WAIT.. I am aware that RAM shall have a wetherproof pod (case to you) which has a full on clear front. The suggested date for this is Spring 05. I have seen the emodelled image and has an inlay plate to hold the device.

If £400 is the issue, then my £££ would be Quest with a RAM cradle and mount and pocket 40 quid change - but then its all down to personal choice in the end.

RAM-man

 

[ozrockrat]

I looked at the dedicated IQUE RAM mount but was concerned that the power would need to come through the small (very weak) power inlet socket. These are a know problem with the IQUE. The auto kit from Garmin has a very solid hold on the IQUE and feeds the power in through the Palm Universal connector.

Also the Garmin automount combination allows a lot more flexibility with viewing position.

 

[RAM-man]

"I looked at the dedicated IQUE RAM mount but was concerned that the power would need to come through the small (very weak) power inlet socket"

Just looked at the GA10, the plastic cradle is tough and rugged so its up to the job. The lower base section has full 'open' access to the connection points and is designed so the base has a retainer bar to hold/support the device.

Otherwise, using the Garmin option you will need to re-engineer the mount and the GA11 adaptor may help, you will need a diamond base then add other RAM parts.

This leaves you getting the plastic bag to weatherproof the device.

RAM-man

 

[ozrockrat]

Hi Ram Man

The power pin problem I am talking about is the external power supply for the IQUE. The whole plug is about 2 mm in dia and the center pin in the IQUE is abour .5 mm dia. They are know to cause problems. (just do a google search "ique power pin" and see what I mean.

The Garmin base holds the unit well and provides power through the other connectors on the base of the IQUE without putting any load on the connectors. If you get a chance check out an IQUE and you will see the two different connectors available.

 

[(RIP) Geriatric Germ]

Luddite me.

But I have an IQUE 3600, use it in the car and truck, Great piece of kit. But due to sensitivity and mounting plus waterproofing, bought a 2610 for the bike, which is OK, but asked why garmin don't make an equivelant IQUE3600 with waterproof rugability because the IQUE is a far superior piece of kit. Has it's own battery too. Fits in my shirt pocket.