Gadget Detective on
Fevzi Turkalp - The Gadget Detective joins Mike Mendoza
On Saturday mornings from 2.00 to 3.00am to answer your tech questions
and take a look at the latest from the world of Gadgets and Technology.
On Saturday mornings from 2.00 to 3.00am to answer your tech questions
and take a look at the latest from the world of Gadgets and Technology.
Gadget of the Week
Acer E610 Satellite Portable Navigation System
The E610 is a slim portable Sat Nav system designed primarily for in car use
Pros
Very sensitive built in SiRFStar III GPS receiver detected several satellites and located its position inside a building
Bright 4 widescreen display
SD Expansion Slot
CoPilot Live 6 Software with latest Navteq maps
Easy to use straight from the box
Has a Driver Safety view which makes the display quicker to read, triggered above a user definable vehicle speed
Comes with a good range of accessories as standard including car charger, windscreen mounting kit, USB synchronisation cable, and protective slip cover
Fast 400Mhz Processor
Built-in mp3 player which mutes when navigating
Can be fitted with an optional external antenna although its unlikely youll need it
Live traffic info service provided for free
Very slim (0.9 inches) compared to comparable TomTom units and weighs just 195g so less tempting to leave it in the glove compartment of your car for thieves to steal when parked
Cons
Standard CoPilot Software does not support full 7 digit postcodes, this requires CoPilot Premium software
Battery life only around 3 hours
No Bluetooth connectivity on E610 model (E630 has Bluetooth)
Lowest UK price found: £186.83 inc. VAT
Star Rating: 8 Stars Gives the TomToms a run for their money
Acer E310 Travel Companion Sat Nav
Interestingly, this smaller E310 Sat Nav unit uses Destinator Navigator V6 software rather than the E610s CoPilot software.
Pros
Supports full 7 digit postcodes
This unit came complete with maps for Europe although Acer website says UK & Ireland
Can be used on foot as well as in-car
Built-in MP3 player
This pocketable unit weighs only 130g
Cons
2.8 inch TFT screen is a little cramped
300MHz CPU struggles a little at times causing occasional delays in calculations etc.
At these prices the P610 represents better value for money for most users
Lowest UK price found: £184.45 inc. VAT
Star Rating: 7 Stars
The E610 is a slim portable Sat Nav system designed primarily for in car use
Pros
Very sensitive built in SiRFStar III GPS receiver detected several satellites and located its position inside a building
Bright 4 widescreen display
SD Expansion Slot
CoPilot Live 6 Software with latest Navteq maps
Easy to use straight from the box
Has a Driver Safety view which makes the display quicker to read, triggered above a user definable vehicle speed
Comes with a good range of accessories as standard including car charger, windscreen mounting kit, USB synchronisation cable, and protective slip cover
Fast 400Mhz Processor
Built-in mp3 player which mutes when navigating
Can be fitted with an optional external antenna although its unlikely youll need it
Live traffic info service provided for free
Very slim (0.9 inches) compared to comparable TomTom units and weighs just 195g so less tempting to leave it in the glove compartment of your car for thieves to steal when parked
Cons
Standard CoPilot Software does not support full 7 digit postcodes, this requires CoPilot Premium software
Battery life only around 3 hours
No Bluetooth connectivity on E610 model (E630 has Bluetooth)
Lowest UK price found: £186.83 inc. VAT
Star Rating: 8 Stars Gives the TomToms a run for their money
Acer E310 Travel Companion Sat Nav
Interestingly, this smaller E310 Sat Nav unit uses Destinator Navigator V6 software rather than the E610s CoPilot software.
Pros
Supports full 7 digit postcodes
This unit came complete with maps for Europe although Acer website says UK & Ireland
Can be used on foot as well as in-car
Built-in MP3 player
This pocketable unit weighs only 130g
Cons
2.8 inch TFT screen is a little cramped
300MHz CPU struggles a little at times causing occasional delays in calculations etc.
At these prices the P610 represents better value for money for most users
Lowest UK price found: £184.45 inc. VAT
Star Rating: 7 Stars
