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Experience
I tested the TeleNav GPS Navigator against my usual route to work. The system found my location within 25 seconds, but seems to be off by 50-to-100 feet. For example, when I was in my driveway at 72 Edenfield Ave. in Watertown, it said I was at 75 Edenfield Ave. 
To start out a trip, I had to know the address of where I was going and type it in. If I was accustomed to using a Palm Treo, I imagine this would take less time than it did during my tests. It took about two-to-five minutes to launch the TeleNav software, find my location and type in my destination. Though I didn't get the opportunity to test it, the device would certainly be useful if I was on the road, didn't know exactly where I was and wanted to find something close to where I was.
Once underway, the software, satellite connection and Bluetooth connection worked well. The software notified me when I was about one tenth of a mile from my next turn on a residential road or through street and about 1.4 miles away from my next exit on a highway. When it directed me to take a different route than I usually do, and I didn't, the TeleNav system took between 5-to-7 seconds to find me a new route to my destination.
The TeleNav GPS Navigator battery lasted a week, with me using the device only on my way to work and home again each day. TeleNav indicates the battery will last 11 hours, long enough for many trips. However, on a longer trip, it would be necessary to charge the device. The device doesn't work while it is plugged in, so having to charge it could delay your trip if you are depending on the TeleNav GPS Navigator exclusively.
I used the BizFinder tool on one occasion when I knew the restaurant I wanted to go to, but didn't know its address. The BizFinder found several restaurants in the area, but not the one I wanted to patronize. It seems like the TeleNav software would be useful if I was in an unknown area and wanted to eat a particular type of food. It would easily find the closest restaurant with the type of food I wanted. However, to find a specific restaurant, it would be easier to search for its address in the Palm Treo 750's browser, then find out how to get to it using the TeleNav system.
Conclusion
The TeleNav GPS Navigator would certainly be useful for going on a trip, trying to find the least expensive gas station nearby or trying to find the closest restaurant of a particular genre. If you work in a profession where you need to travel to new places often, the cost and $10 monthly service fee would certainly be justifiable. If you know that you will need to travel to unknown addresses often, you will certainly find this device a helpful add-on to your smartphone. However, if you know your way around, the TeleNav GPS Navigator may not be worth the monthly service fee. In other words, before you buy this device, make sure you will use it often enough to warrant the monthly expense.
Pros
- Works with your existing Bluetooth-enabled smartphone
- Automatic updates of maps and business listings
- Helps you find nearest low-cost gas and restaurants
- Software speaks directions so you don't have to look down while driving
- Small size
- Reasonably long battery life
- Low initial cost
Cons
- Monthly service fee
- Couldn't use TeleNav GPS Navigator and Bluetooth headset with Palm Treo 750
- Couldn't use TeleNav software and answer phone
By Andrew J. Manuse, of “For the Eyes of the Beholder,” a Manuse Media Company Web site.
Posted May 22, 2007 by BlueTomorrow.com Editorial Staff
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