DESCRIPTION
Finally! A decently priced all in one GPS system that comes with detailed maps that works well and looks good too. The Marbella 5220 touch screen GPS has all the features you'd want to see in a GPS plus MORE. The unit comes bundled with I-GO maps or Mapking. The unit reviewed here is with I-GO maps. The unit sports the latest SIRF III GPS chipset which translates to faster satelite acquisition times and more precise location. The Marbella 5220 is housed in a attractive two tone silver / black body with only three essential buttons (volume up / down and on/off). Everything else is guided by the touch screen display which lessens the amount of instruction manual reading required. In fact, the I-Go software has very nice intuitive on screen help that describes what the uses are for each preference. I actually did not even bother to read the comprehensive 100 page PDF file that comes with the Marbella and have been able to use the device effectively.
Another very worth attribute to the Marbella 5220 is it has a fingerprint resistant touch surface. So you don't have to perpertually wipe the surface to see the screen. In fact, I haven't had the need to clean it once yet.
The unit comes with a very rugged adjustable arm holder which you can attach to your car windscreen. It works remarkably well, doesn't shake, ratlle or fall off like other arms I've tested before.
You can also view your photos, play your mp3's and video on this device via a SD Card (512MB supplied)
NAVIGATION
Finding the location of your destination couldn't be easier, just enter in the street name in the 'address' and it'll automatically reduce the letters on the screen QWERTY keyboard to make typing so much easier when your on the go in the car. Once you've found the street name, just click onto it and select 'route to'. The GPS unit will automatically route you to your destination based on the 'cost' factor you've chosen. The cost factor governs if you should use backroads, highways or tolls by selecting fast, short or economical in your preset routing parameters. What I love about GPS's is if you chose not to listen to their recommendation of taking 'this left turn', it will re-calculate your route and NOT get angry at you. Unlike the 'girlfriend' GPS which nags and nags perpetually for disobeying their instructions which puts you in a super bad mood when you finally get to your friends house warming party. (In fact, there has been case studies showing that GPS devices greatly reduces the number of spouse arguments in a car)
You can also add multiple VIA points between your current position and your final destination. Great if you need to pick up a few friends on the way or if your plotting a course in your holiday and wish to stop at some destinations.
What I also really like about the Marbella is if your ever stuck to know what to eat for lunch or dinner, it has the ability to show you what restaurants are around your current postition or your chosen destination. It lists the restaurants by closest to furthest detailing the shop name, address, distance and in some cases also offer you the restaurants phone number so you can call to make a booking! Excellent !
QWERTY Keyboard
Customised Points of Interests
The Marbella 5220 also gives you the functionality of adding your favourite destinations. You simply enter the location, name it and select which folder you want to put it into. The folders allows you to group your POI's by categories such as 'friends, shopping centers, holiday destinations, etc'. Another great feature are two customisable POI's located on the main map menu. I've programmed one of them for home, so wherever I am with one quick touch, I'm able to navigate back home.
I-GO Map The maps are very professional looking, not the cartoony look and feel you find on most other branded GPS systems. The navigation works very well giving you advanced verbal and visual cues for exits or turns. You have a choice of 'cockpit' view or 'map' view. The cockpit view allows you to configure what stats you'd wish to display such as current speed, direction of your destination, cursors to let you know if you should be keeping left or right for your next turn. Whilst the map view gives you a un-cluttered broader view of where you are going or if you wish to have a look at the area in a convienient 2D top down view. I-Go software also allows you to zoom in and out very quickly on the go without any lag experienced on some other GPS devices. You can also easily pan in any direction with the touch of your finger and quickly go back to your current position by clicking on the 'follow' button. The result is a very simplicit easy to use navigation device that takes a very short time to learn how to operate.
The I-Go software also allows you to record your actual route and replay it later. If you wish to share it with others, there is also a function to save the route log to the industry standard NMEA or SIRF
When purchasing the Marbella 5220 from GIZBIZ, it comes with your choice of I-GO maps or mapking. The I-GO comes with both the entire Malaysian map as well as Singapore. You will also be pleased to know that you can purchase maps of other regions such as Australia, Europe, Americas from GIZBIZ at very reasonable prices.
Cockpit View
Map View
SUMMARY
FEATURES
SPECIFICATIONS CPU: Samsung 400Mhz CPU Chipset: SIRF III High sensitivity GPS chipset Media Player: MP3, Video, Photoviewer Screen: 3.5 inch fingerprint resistant touch screen
IN THE BOX
WARRANTY
The Marbella 5220 comes with a full 1 year manufacturers warranty. A replacement GPS will be provided in the interim should a claim be made.
